Abstract: A sharps disposal container cap securement arrangement includes a container with a neck having an opening at a top thereof through which sharps may be placed for disposal within the container, a cap adapted to screw downward over and around the neck of the container to close the opening and to provide a fluid-tight seal therewith once the cap is screwed down on the neck, an annular lock collar rotatably mounted around an exterior surface of the neck of the container, detents formed on the exterior surface of the neck of the container and on the collar for supporting the collar on the neck for movement between a lowered unlocked condition and a raised locked condition in response to the lock collar being rotated between first and second positions relative to the neck, and cooperative series of one-way teeth formed on the collar and on the cap for securing the cap to the collar and thereby preventing unscrewing of the cap from the neck of the container once the cap is screwed down on the neck providing the flui

Abstract: A multi-stage treatment system for infectious waste includes a shredding stage, a granulating stage, a wetting stage, a disinfecting stage, and a dewatering stage which define a continuous treatment flowpath for the infectious waste. A plurality of blades shred the waste in the shredding stage, then the waste is injected with volatile disinfectant chemicals which are mixed immediately before injection. A plurality of blades in a granulating stage then fragment the waste to a smaller particle size. The granulating stage insures that the waste is granulated to a sufficiently small size to facilitate the use of a relatively low concentration of a highly reactive disinfectant. Chemicals are mixed to form a volatile, highly reactive disinfectant which is then immediately injected into the waste downstream of the shredding stage. A plurality of jets wet the waste mixture in the wetting stage with the heated aqueous disinfectant.

Abstract: A multi-stage treatment system for infectious waste includes a shredding stage, a granulating stage, a wetting stage, a disinfecting stage, and a dewatering stage which define a continuous treatment flowpath for the infectious waste. A plurality of blades shred and then granulate the waste in the shredding and granulating stages while simultaneously mixing the waste with disinfectant chemicals. The granulating stage insures that the waste is granulated to a sufficiently small size to facilitate the use of a relatively low concentration of a highly reactive disinfectant. Chemicals are mixed to form a volatile, highly reactive disinfectant which is then immediately injected into the waste stream. A plurality of jets wet the waste mixture in the wetting stage with the heated aqueous disinfectant. A flow restriction removes excess aqueous liquid from the disinfected waste in the dewatering stage and renders the product suitable for landfilling.

Abstract: A locking connector assembly is provided for use with Y-sites and/or other infusion line fittings. The connector assembly includes a shrouded connector including a cannula. A retention clip having a pair of prongs is provided. When the shrouded connector is installed on a Y-site or other fitting, and the retention clip is in the locking configuration, the prongs of the retention clip extend through a pair of opposing through-slots in the shroud to cooperatively engage a surface irregularity on the Y-site or other fitting thereby preventing disengagement of the shrouded connector from the Y-site or other fitting.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the decontamination of waste in a reaction chamber is provided. The control system monitors the chamber temperature and disinfectant concentration. Using the disinfectant concentration, the control system then calculates the minimum temperature required to maintain a specified level of decontamination. This minimum temperature is then compared to the actual temperature by the control system. If the actual temperature is below the minimum, the control system operates a heater to heat the reaction chamber. Additional temperature control can also be provided by the control system. If desired, the control system compares the actual chamber temperature to an ideal operating temperature. If the actual temperature exceeds the ideal temperature, the system cools the chamber by pumping in additional low temperature disinfectant. In this manner, the additional disinfectant maintains the level of decontamination as the chamber temperature decreases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously monitoring the concentration of a target chemical in a solution, such as chlorine dioxide in sewage or waste water, includes a holding tank, a bubbler chamber, and an air pump for directing air bubbles through the solution held in the bubbler chamber. Gases discharged from the solution by the air bubbles are collected in the bubbler chamber. These discharged gases include a quantity of the target chemical present in the solution as a dissolved gas. The concentration of the chemical in the discharged gases is then measured with a sensor such as a polarographic probe. This concentration along with the measured temperature of the solution is used as an analog to determine the concentration of the chemical in the solution.

Abstract: An infectious waste, a solid chlorite salt, a solid acid and a preheated aqueous solvent are mixed in a treatment volume. At least a portion of the chlorite salt and acid is dissolved in the preheated aqueous solvent incident to mixing and is reacted to form a treatment solution containing a chlorine dioxide disinfectant and a byproduct acid salt. The infectious waste is contacted with the chlorine dioxide in the treatment solution which attacks and destroys the infectious constituents of the waste, thereby decontaminating the waste. Upon dewatering, the decontaminated waste is suitable for landfilling. Process control is exercised by controlling the temperature of the aqueous solvent. A solvent temperature is selected which optimizes both the chlorine dioxide concentration in the treatment solution and the reactivity of the chlorine dioxide with the infectious constituents.

Abstract: A system for disposal of dangerous sharp articles and dangerous liquids, particularly those which represent the waste in certain medical procedures, includes an inner container and closure means and an outer wide mouthed, necked container whose receiving opening is closed against removal of material by a tapered, preferably conical insert which is divided into flaps and alternative covers, one to facilitate separation of syringe needles and thin barrels and the other to lock the outer container closed.