Methods and apparatus for hands-free disposal of medical waste products

Abstract

A portable medical waste disposal assembly that offers convenience and safety during use, disposal and maintenance of the disposal assembly. The portable and sanitizable medical waste disposal assembly includes a waste receptacle mounted within a unitary frame providing increased strength and stability to the disposal assembly so as to facilitate transport and sanitization. A positive closure system mounts to the unitary frame and operably interconnects to a slidable lid on the waste receptacle such that the waste receptacle is maintained in a closed disposition unless specifically opened by a user. The positive closure system can be adapted so as to adjustably retain the waste receptacle within the unitary frame while allowing for quick release of the waste receptacle at a time of disposal of the receptacle's contents.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 901,400 filed Feb. 15, 2007, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a container for disposal of medical waste. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable and sanitizable disposal assembly providing for hands free operation of a normally closed container access.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Containers for the disposal of used medical devices and equipment are well known. Generally, these containers are designed to clearly spell out their hazardous contents such that medical professionals know to take extra care when disposing of contaminated and / or used items. Careful use of these containers are necessary not only because of the possible biohazards such as blood and other fluids but also because of the physical nature of the piercing and / or cutting nature of the products includ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The invention addresses the aforementioned needs by providing for a portable and sanitizable medical waste disposal assembly that offers convenience and safety during use, disposal and maintenance of the disposal assembly. The portable and sanitizable medical waste disposal assembly generally comprises a waste receptacle mounted within a unitary frame providing increased strength and stability to the disposal assembly so as to facilitate transport and sanitization. The unitary frame can include a handle portion providing a handle region for secure direction of the disposal assembly to points of use, disposal or sanitization. A positive closure system mounts to the unitary frame and operably interconnects to a slidable lid on the waste receptacle such that the waste receptacle is maintained in a closed disposition unless specifically opened by a user. The positive closure system includes a footpedal such that the slidable lid is openable so as to provide hand-free operation and eliminate the necessity of operator contact proximate the slidable lid. The positive closure system can provide an initial opening resistance as the footpedal is operated so as to reduce the potential for unintentional operation and opening of the slidable lid. The positive closure system can be adapted so as to adjustably retain the waste receptacle within the unitary frame while allowing for quick release of the waste receptacle at a time of disposal of the receptacle's contents. In addition, the positive closure system can be configured to reset its capture and control of the slidable lid following emptying of the waste receptacle or in the event that capture of the slidable lid by the positive closure system is disrupted.

[0009]In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for providing hands free disposal of medical waste can include fabricating a unitary frame to increase overall strength and maneuverability of a medical waste disposal assembly. The unitary frame can include a handle portion allowing for easy maneuvering of the medical waste disposal assembly. The method can further include mounting a waste receptacle within the unitary frame and releasably capturing the waste receptacle with a hands free access assembly. The method can further include configuring the hands free access assembly to maintain the waste receptacle in a normally closed disposition. In some embodiments, the method can further include providing an increased initial opening resistance so as to avoid accidental opening of the waste receptacle.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the use of such bags requires an individual to handle the bags, such handling potentially leading to accidental exposure of the individual to the contaminated materials.

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