Pharmaceutical Waste Receiver Locking and Phase-Separating Disposal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pharmaceutical waste disposal systems are labor and capital-intensive, occupy valuable space, and lack adequate safeguards to prevent retrieval and diversion of hazardous materials, particularly narcotic medications.

Innovation Solution

A waste disposal system with a waste receiver and locking assembly that securely contains pharmaceutical waste in a space-efficient manner, using a diverter to separate and treat solid and liquid phases, and incorporates features like a cutting element and funnel member to render waste irretrievable and unrecoverable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional waste disposal systems are used, then pharmaceutical waste can be disposed, but they occupy substantial floor space and require labor-intensive methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal operationVSAvoidfloor space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The waste receiver is designed with nested components including an inner container within an outer container, and integrated chemical treatment compartments. This nesting approach maximizes functional capacity while minimizing the overall footprint of the disposal system, directly addressing the floor space constraint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines multiple disposal functions into a single integrated unit: waste reception, chemical neutralization, physical containment, and secure storage. By merging these previously separate processes into one compact system, the patent eliminates the need for multiple separate disposal stations, thereby reducing total floor space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If conventional waste disposal systems are used, then waste can be collected, but they lack adequate safeguards to prevent retrieval and diversion of waste material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediversion preventionVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates preliminary protective measures including chemically treated zones that neutralize waste before it can be retrieved, and physically restricted access pathways. The chemical treatment is applied in advance to create an inhospitable environment for waste recovery, while the structural design preemptively blocks access routes, thereby preventing diversion before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The waste receiver includes pre-configured secure containment features and chemical treatment mechanisms that are activated immediately upon waste deposition. The system performs preliminary neutralization and securement actions automatically, eliminating the need for complex ongoing monitoring and manual security interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If labor-intensive disposal methods are used, then waste can be disposed, but capital and labor costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal efficiencyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The waste disposal system performs chemical neutralization automatically through self-contained reagent compartments that react with waste upon contact. The system requires no external labor for chemical treatment, mixing, or monitoring - these functions occur autonomously within the receiver, thereby eliminating labor costs while maintaining high disposal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs disposable chemical treatment cartridges and single-use neutralizing agents that are inexpensive to manufacture and replace. Rather than requiring expensive, maintainable chemical handling equipment, the patent uses affordable consumable items that automatically perform the treatment function and are then discarded, significantly reducing both capital and operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12472543B2Waste disposal system and waste receiver for receiving and disposing of pharmaceutical waste material

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A waste disposal system for receiving pharmaceutical waste material including at least one of a solid phase pharmaceutical waste material and a liquid phase pharmaceutical waste material is provided. The waste receiver includes a receiver body defining an opening. The waster receiver further includes an inner surface defining a container volume in fluid communication with the opening, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The outer surface defines a lock passageway separate from the opening. The system further includes a bracket adapted to be secured to a fixed surface and a locking assembly coupled to the bracket and adapted to releasably secure the waste receiver to the fixed surface. The locking assembly includes a lock housing sized to be removably positioned at least partially within the lock passageway.