Abstract: A receiver for a medical waste collection system. The receiver removably receives a manifold. A sled assembly moves with the manifold to facilitate movement of the manifold toward an inlet mechanism. A motion conversion assembly converts movement of the sled assembly into movement of the inlet mechanism to align the inlet mechanism with a receiver outlet to place a suction inlet and outlet of the manifold in fluid communication with a waste container and to move the inlet mechanism toward the manifold. A lock assembly locks the manifold within the receiver when the manifold is fully inserted and in fluid communication with the suction inlet of the inlet mechanism. An actuator is axially moveable to unlock the manifold from the receiver to break fluid communication between the manifold and the suction inlet.

Abstract: Quantifying blood loss with a medical waste collection system including a receiver with which a manifold is removably coupled. The manifold and/or the medical waste collection system is coupled with a fluid characterization module having a sensor assembly to detect a characteristic indicative of a blood concentration within fluid. The sensor assembly may include emitters, and sensors to detect light transmitted and scattered by the fluid in a suction path or a detection window. A first emitter may be a visible-light LED, and a second emitter an infrared LED. A fluid director may provide a tortuous path within the manifold and facilitate separation of gas and liquid within the fluid. Quantifying the blood loss volume may include determining the blood concentration within the fluid, and determining a volume of the collected fluid. Gain of the sensors may be adjusted based on the transmissivity of the collected fluid.

Abstract: A manifold for collecting a tissue sample with a medical waste collection assembly. A base portion of a housing is removably engaged with a manifold receiver to provide a suction path from an inlet fitting receiving a suction line. A tray may be removably positioned within an accessory sleeve. Locating features facilitate defining a gap between a base portion of the tray and a lower barrier of the accessory sleeve. The tray may include a control surface to move the manifold between a sealing configuration, and a bleed configuration in which a second suction path is provided through the gap and below the tray. A backflow prevention valve may be disposed within the suction path between the tray and a filter element. Methods for collecting the tissue sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A manifold for collecting a tissue sample with a medical waste collection assembly. A base portion of a housing is removably engaged with a manifold receiver to provide a suction path from an inlet fitting receiving a suction line. A tray may be removably positioned within an accessory sleeve. Locating features facilitate defining a gap between a base portion of the tray and a lower barrier of the accessory sleeve. The tray may include a control surface to move the manifold between a sealing configuration, and a bleed configuration in which a second suction path is provided through the gap and below the tray. A backflow prevention valve may be disposed within the suction path between the tray and a filter element. Methods for collecting the tissue sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tray and a manifold for collecting a tissue sample under influence of a vacuum. The manifold includes a sleeve, and the tray includes a sealing member configured to be removably positioned in sealing engagement with the opening. A basket defining a tissue collecting cavity, and a base portion includes at least one rib disposed within said tissue collecting cavity. The rib(s) define pockets arranged in series in the proximal-to-distal direction so as to provide low pressure regions when the tray is being removed from the sleeve. The rib(s) may be transverse to a longitudinal axis, and/or arcuate in a shape complimentary to the base portion. The base portion defines porous features that may be arranged in groupings A sealing edge in sealing engagement with an upper barrier of the sleeve may delay an onset of airflow entering the tissue collecting cavity.

Abstract: A manifold configured to be inserted into a receiver of a medical waste collection system for filtering medical waste, including fluid, received under the influence of a vacuum provided by the medical waste collection system. The manifold includes a housing defining a manifold volume and an outlet opening near an upper aspect of the housing. The manifold further includes a filter element and a baffle wall disposed within the manifold volume. The baffle wall is arranged to define a sump region of the manifold volume, which is positioned below a lowermost aspect of the outlet opening such that fluid in the suction path is pulled from below the outlet opening, thereby reducing a level of fluid retained within the manifold when the manifold is removed from the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the galvanic deposition of zinc and zinc alloy coatings from an alkaline coating bath with a reduced degradation of organic bath additives. An electrode that contains metallic manganese and/or manganese oxide and is insoluble in the bath is hereby used as an anode. The electrode is produced from metallic manganese or an alloy comprising at least 5% by weight of manganese, or from an electrically conductive substrate and a metallic manganese and/or manganese oxide-containing coating applied thereto, or from a composite material, wherein the coating and the composite material comprise at least 5% by weight of manganese. The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for the galvanic deposition of zinc-nickel alloy coatings from alkaline zinc-nickel baths since the formation of cyanides can be very effectively inhibited.

Abstract: A waste collection cart assembly for collecting waste material from a suction line during a medical procedure. The waste collection cart assembly includes a housing having a top portion defining a work surface. A waste container is coupled to the housing for collecting the waste material from the suction line. A manifold receiver defining an opening is coupled to the waste container. A manifold having a specimen trap is received within the opening of the manifold receiver. A vacuum source is coupled to the waste container. The vacuum source provides a vacuum on the waste container to draw the waste material from the suction line through the manifold and into the waste container. The specimen trap collects a specimen from the waste material while being drawn into the waste container. The specimen may be transferred to a specimen container disposed on the work surface.

Abstract: A medical waste collection system for collecting medical waste material, and a manifold for filtering the waste material and/or coupling a suction tube to the system. The system may include a receiver in which the manifold is configured to be inserted in a proximal direction to facilitate an inlet mechanism moving correspondingly in the distal direction. The manifold may include an arm, a spine, a lock element, and/or a catch each having a surface with a relative position in the proximal-to-distal direction. The rim and the catch may be spaced apart by a void, and the rim may be positioned below the catch. The housing may include a body portion, a first leg extending proximally from the body portion, and a second leg spaced apart from the first leg to define the void. The rim may be on the first leg, and the catch may be on the second leg.

Abstract: A manifold for a medical waste collection system. A filter element is disposed within a housing and includes a basket, and a seal retaining element coupled to the basket. The seal retaining element supports the seal in sealing engagement with a rim of the housing. The basket may be disposed within a body portion of the housing, and the seal retaining element may be disposed within a first leg of the housing. The seal may define a groove, and the seal retaining element may be partially disposed within the groove. The seal retaining element may define an aperture, and a tongue of the seal may be resiliently deflected into the aperture by an inner surface of the housing. The seal may have a width greater than a height to be noncircular, and may include flaps defining a seal aperture oriented widthwise.

Abstract: A waste collection unit including a waste container, and vacuum source to collect medical waste into the waste container. The vacuum source is disposed within a sound attenuating enclosure that defines an enclosure inlet for receiving cooling air and an enclosure outlet for discharging warmed cooling air. The sound attenuating enclosure is at least partially formed of a sound-absorbing material and may define a pocket for receiving a first end of the vacuum source. The first end of the vacuum source may engage a seat of the sound attenuating enclosure to provide a cooling air barrier. The seat may define a bottom portion of the pocket. Internal geometries of the sound attenuating enclosure may be shaped to define another air path that does not pass through the vacuum source. A plenum may be attached to the sound attenuating enclosure and define a plenum chamber to collect the warmed cooling air.

Abstract: A waste collection unit is provided that comprises a vacuum pump and smoke evacuation system including a blower and blower motor. The vacuum pump, the blower, and the blower motor, create noise. This noise is attenuated in first and second sound attenuating enclosures for the vacuum pump and the blower and blower motor. A cleaning system is also provided with rotating liquid delivery devices. An actuator is operatively coupled to the liquid delivery devices to rotate the liquid delivery devices.

Abstract: A manifold for collecting a tissue sample with a medical waste collection assembly. A base portion of a housing is removably engaged with a manifold receiver to provide a suction path from an inlet fitting receiving a suction line. A tray may be removably positioned within an accessory sleeve. Locating features facilitate defining a gap between a base portion of the tray and a lower barrier of the accessory sleeve. The tray may include a control surface to move the manifold between a sealing configuration, and a bleed configuration in which a second suction path is provided through the gap and below the tray. A backflow prevention valve may be disposed within the suction path between the tray and a filter element. Methods for collecting the tissue sample are also disclosed.