Autonomous Medical Waste Collection Docking for Continuous Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical waste collection devices in healthcare settings require manual handling and charging, disrupting surgical procedures and increasing the workload for hospital personnel due to the need for frequent movement and emptying of waste canisters.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous medical waste collection system that includes a base with powered wheels, a waste collection unit with a suction pump, and a controller that initiates a waste disposal protocol to autonomously navigate to a docking station for emptying and cleaning, as well as charging, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling and movement of waste collection devices is used, then personnel can directly control the devices, but surgical procedures are interrupted and personnel workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waste collection device is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities, powered wheels, and a controller that enables it to move itself to disposal stations without requiring manual handling by hospital personnel, thereby eliminating interruptions to surgical procedures while maintaining operational control
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical handling system is replaced with an automated electromechanical system featuring powered wheels, electronic controllers, and autonomous navigation features that enable the device to transport waste autonomously without human physical intervention
2Reliability
If frequent emptying and cleaning of waste canisters is performed, then waste management is maintained, but time and effort of hospital personnel are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The waste collection device autonomously navigates to disposal stations and performs self-emptying and self-cleaning operations through integrated mechanisms, eliminating the need for hospital personnel to manually empty and clean waste canisters while maintaining effective waste management
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with automatic emptying and cleaning mechanisms that are activated upon reaching the disposal station, performing waste management tasks in advance before returning to service, thereby preventing accumulation of waste and eliminating the need for intermediate manual intervention
3Adaptability or versatility
If battery-powered waste collection devices are used, then mobile operation is enabled, but additional charging time and personnel effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The disposal station integrates both waste emptying/cleaning functions and battery charging functions into a single automated docking station, allowing the device to perform waste management and recharging simultaneously without requiring separate manual interventions or additional time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for continuous operation during medical procedures without interrupting them, reducing personnel workload by automating the collection, disposal, and charging processes, ensuring efficient waste management and maintaining sterile environments.
Implementation Method 1
The suction pump is in fluid communication with the canister and configured to draw a suction on the canister
Data Source
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AI summary
An autonomous medical waste collection system comprises a disposal station, and an autonomous medical waste collection assembly. The disposal station includes a housing and a coupler. The coupler is coupled to the housing. The autonomous medical waste collection assembly includes a base, wheels, a waste collection unit, a counterposing coupler, and a controller. The base is adapted to be positioned near a patient. The wheels are coupled to the base. At least one of the wheels is powered to move the base along a floor surface. The waste collection unit is coupled to the base for receiving medical waste from the patient. The waste collection unit includes a canister and a suction pump. The canister is for holding the medical waste. The suction pump is in fluid communication with the canister and configured to draw a suction on the canister. The counterposing coupler is coupled to the base. The counterposing coupler is adapted to be removably coupled with the coupler of the disposal station. The controller is operable to initiate a waste disposal protocol. The waste disposal protocol includes transmitting a movement signal to the powered wheel for automatically moving the autonomous medical waste collection assembly away from the patient to the disposal station such that the coupler couples with the counterposing coupler to provide a connection between the autonomous medical waste collection assembly and the disposal station.