Automated Sharps Container Recovery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare organizations face significant costs due to the disposal of potentially reprocessable single-use medical devices (SUDs) in sharps containers, which are incinerated instead of being reused, leading to unnecessary expenses and missed opportunities for cost savings.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for processing sharps containers to recover reprocessable medical devices, involving a conveyor system and processing stations that sort and separate reusable devices from non-reprocessable waste, allowing for cleaning, sterilization, and reuse of the former while ensuring safe disposal of the latter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all single-use medical devices in sharps containers are incinerated as traditionally done, then safety and regulatory compliance are ensured, but healthcare costs increase due to loss of potentially reprocessable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the homogeneous stream of sharps container contents into distinct categories using automated imaging and sorting technology. Devices are separated into reprocessable and non-reprocessable streams based on visual identification, allowing selective recovery of valuable devices while maintaining proper disposal of hazardous materials.
Solution Approach 2:
An automated imaging system acts as an intermediary between the sharps container contents and the sorting mechanism. The imaging system captures images of devices, identifies reprocessable items, and triggers appropriate sorting actions, enabling safe and accurate separation without direct human handling of hazardous materials.
2Loss of substance
If a manual sorting process is used to separate reprocessable devices from waste, then cost savings from device recovery are achieved, but labor costs increase and safety risks to personnel arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service sorting where the imaging and identification processes automatically distinguish reprocessable devices from waste without requiring human operators to physically handle or visually inspect hazardous materials. The system performs the sorting function autonomously based on image analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sorting operations with an automated imaging and control system. Instead of workers physically separating devices, the system uses optical imaging, image processing algorithms, and automated actuation mechanisms to perform the sorting function, eliminating direct human exposure to biohazardous materials.
3Productivity
If automated imaging and sorting systems are implemented, then device recovery efficiency increases, but system complexity and initial investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system serves multiple functions: it documents the contents of sharps containers for tracking purposes, identifies reprocessable devices for recovery, and provides data for sorting decisions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and justifies the investment through multiple benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where images are captured, analyzed, and used to control sorting mechanisms in real-time. The imaging system provides continuous feedback on device identification, allowing the control system to adjust sorting actions dynamically, ensuring accurate separation while maintaining operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Reprocessable medical devices that have been disposed of in a sharps container are recovered, disinfected or sterilized, sorted, and packed for reprocessing in a generally continuous process. In one embodiment, either a sharps container or at least a portion of its contents is successively and controllably conveyed, either manually or automatically, through a plurality of processing stations that are configured to perform different operations. The operations performed by the processing stations can include, for example, detecting and identifying contents, cleaning and disinfecting, opening the sharps containers, separating and sorting their contents, and disposal of contents that are non-reprocessable. Reprocessable medical devices can be sorted by type as they move along on a conveyor.