Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Assembly with Diverter Guide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmaceutical waste disposal methods are inadequate, as they often lead to improper disposal, are costly, and fail to ensure compliance with regulations, particularly for hazardous waste, due to impractical and costly waste receiver systems that are difficult to implement and maintain in hospital settings.
Innovation Solution
A pharmaceutical waste disposal assembly comprising a waste receiver and retainer system with guides that direct waste into appropriate compartments, including spiral funnels and diverters, to ensure proper disposal of both fluid and solid waste, and includes indicators for capacity and time-based alerts to facilitate timely replacement and disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional waste receiver systems are used, then waste disposal compliance is improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The waste receiver system is divided into separate functional components: a waste receiver body, a retainer assembly, and a waste guide assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining compliance through proper segregation of waste types.
Solution Approach 2:
A waste guide assembly acts as an intermediary component that directs waste from the input location to the appropriate receiver compartment. This mediator ensures proper waste segregation without requiring complex automated sorting systems, thereby maintaining compliance while reducing device complexity.
2Reliability
If expensive waste receiver systems are implemented, then waste disposal reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waste guide assembly is designed to automatically direct waste into the correct receiver compartment based on its physical characteristics (liquid vs. solid). This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual sorting by healthcare personnel, maintaining reliable waste disposal while significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments waste reception into distinct compartments for liquid and solid waste, with dedicated guides for each type. This segmentation allows simple, intuitive operation where waste is simply deposited into the appropriate compartment without requiring complex user intervention or training.
3Reliability
If multiple waste receiver systems are deployed throughout the hospital, then waste disposal compliance is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The waste receiver system is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can handle both liquid and solid waste through a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate disposal systems at different locations, allowing deployment of fewer units while maintaining compliance, thereby reducing time loss and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of liquid waste reception, solid waste reception, and waste guidance into a single integrated receiver assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of separate systems needed throughout the hospital, minimizing disruptions to healthcare workflows while maintaining reliable waste disposal compliance.
4Reliability
If large waste receiver systems are installed, then waste disposal reliability is improved, but area occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waste guide assembly is nested within the retainer assembly, which in turn is attached to the receiver body. This nested configuration allows the system to provide reliable waste disposal functionality in a compact footprint, minimizing the floor space occupied while maintaining all necessary components for reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the waste reception function into a compact modular structure with the receiver body, retainer, and integrated waste guide. This segmentation allows for a space-efficient design that provides reliable waste disposal without requiring large amounts of floor space, making it suitable for various hospital locations.
Data Source
AI summary
A pharmaceutical waste disposal assembly (10) for disposing of one or more of fluid pharmaceutical waste and solid pharmaceutical waste includes a first waste receiver (614) and a receiver retainer (16). The first waste receiver (614) includes a first receiver body (621) having a first body access (621BA). Additionally, the pharmaceutical waste moves in a first direction (695C) toward the first body access (621BA) through which the pharmaceutical waste is directly received by the first receiver body (621). The receiver retainer (16) substantially encloses the first waste receiver (614). Further, the first waste receiver (614) is removable from the receiver retainer (16). Moreover, one of the first waste receiver (614) and the receiver retainer (16) includes a first waste guide (667A) that guides the pharmaceutical waste in a second direction (695A) away from the first body access (621BA) and in the first direction (695C) toward the first body access (621BA). Additionally, the first waste guide (667A) inhibits removal of the pharmaceutical waste from the first receiver body (621).