Abstract: A cassette for collecting a tissue sample. The cassette includes a housing configured to be removably coupled with a manifold receiver of a medical fluid collection system. The housing defines a first void space, a second void space, and an outlet opening. A catch tray is removably positionable within the first void space and includes a screen defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample. A filter element separate from the catch tray is disposed within the second void space. The housing may include a cap portion defining the first void space, and a shell portion coupled to the cap portion and defining the second void space. The cassette may be simultaneously operable in a tissue collection mode in which fluid is suctioned across the catch tray to collect the tissue sample, and a bypass mode in which the fluid is not suctioned across the catch tray.

Abstract: A method of method of manufacturing a surgical waste collection manifold with a volume collected datum and a rover type to ensure compatibility with a surgical waste collection rover is provided. The surgical waste collection rover including a vacuum pump and a receiver defining an opening. The method includes obtaining a second manifold. The second manifold having a second housing defining a surface, the housing defining a second manifold volume and a second outlet opening in fluid communication with the second manifold volume. The method may further include coupling a second circuit to the surface of the second manifold, the second circuit comprising a second memory device including a third memory bank and a fourth memory bank, the third memory bank including a fifth memory field and the fourth memory bank including a sixth memory field.

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 medical waste collection system includes a medical waste collection device for providing suction at a surgical site, and a manifold releasably couplable to the medical waste collection device. The manifold defines a pathway through which the medical waste collection device is configured to provide suction to the surgical site. The medical waste collection device is configured to control activation of suction based on a proper manifold being present.

Abstract: Methods for operating a medical waste collection system. The medical waste collection system includes a waste canister, a vacuum source, a user interface, and a controller. The controller operates the vacuum source so that an actual vacuum level does not exceed a suction limit set by the user through the user interface. A suction limit lock may be activated to permit the user to adjust the suction limit up to the suction limit lock and to prevent the user from adjusting the suction limit above the suction limit lock. If the user provides an input that indicates an attempt to adjust the suction limit above a selected vacuum level associated with the suction limit lock, then the user interface may display a prompt with an option to disable the suction limit lock.

Abstract: A waste collection system for collecting medical waste. A mobile rover includes at least one waste container, and a rover controller. A chassis is removably couplable with the mobile rover and includes a vacuum regulator, and a chassis controller. The chassis controller is configured to control operation of the vacuum regulator based on a pressure signal from a pressure sensor disposed on the mobile rover. The chassis may include a control panel configured to receive an input of and display a vacuum level, and the chassis controller may control operation of the vacuum regulator based on the input. The mobile rover may include plural waste containers, and the chassis may include plural vacuum regulators. The chassis controller may control operation of the vacuum regulators on the chassis to independently regulate the vacuum level supplied to each of the waste containers on the mobile rover.

Abstract: An autonomous medical waste collection assembly. A base supports a waste canister in fluid communication with a manifold receiver, and a suction pump. A controller is in electronic communication with a powered wheel and configured to transmit a movement signal for a motor to power the powered wheel to move the assembly along a floor surface. The assembly may be operable in an autonomous mode in which the powered wheel automatically moves the assembly along the floor surface, and a manual mode in which resistance from the powered wheel is negated to provide for manual movement of the assembly. The controller may be further configured to steer the assembly based on a current location input signal, and a disposal location input signal from a locator network within the medical facility that is indicative of a location of a disposal station.

Abstract: A waste collection system for collecting medical/surgical waste. A mobile rover includes at least one waste container supported on the mobile rover for storing the medical/surgical waste. A chassis is separate from and configured be removably coupled with the mobile rover. The chassis supports a chassis controller and a vacuum pump configured to draw a vacuum on the waste container. A rover controller is supported on the mobile rover and configured to receive a pressure signal representative of a level of the vacuum. The chassis controller is configured to be in communication with the rover controller and to regulate the level of the vacuum drawn based on the pressure signal. A transmitter may be supported on the mobile rover and in communication with the rover controller, and a receiver may be supported on the chassis to be in communication with the transmitter to establish a communication circuit for data transfer.

Abstract: An autonomous medical waste collection assembly comprises a base adapted to be positioned near a patient. At least one wheel is powered to move the base along a floor surface. A waste collection unit is coupled to the base for receiving medical waste from the patient. The waste collection unit includes a canister for holding the medical waste. A controller is operable to initiate a waste disposal protocol. The waste disposal protocol includes transmitting a movement signal to the powered wheel for automatically moving the autonomous medical waste collection assembly away from the patient to a disposal station. A user input device is in communication with the controller. The user input device is adapted to provide a user input signal in response to being actuated by a user. The controller is configured to initiate the waste disposal protocol in response to receiving the user input signal.

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 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 medical waste management system including a boom secured to a fixed structure of a medical facility. A waste container defines a waste volume sized to collect liquid waste material received through a suction line under the influence of a vacuum provided by a vacuum pump. The system may include a service head coupled to the boom and including the waste container. A vacuum port is in fluid communication with the waste volume, and discharge and/or cleaning ports also in communication with the waste volume may be provided. The vacuum pump may be integrated with the medical facility, and the system may include an offload pump Integrated with the medical facility and in communication with the discharge port. The waste container may be supported on a mobile cart configured to be removably coupled with the boom. The system may further include a liquid measuring system coupled to the waste container.

Abstract: A method of method of manufacturing a surgical waste collection manifold with a volume collected datum and a rover type to ensure compatibility with a surgical waste collection rover is provided. The surgical waste collection rover including a vacuum pump and a receiver defining an opening. The method includes obtaining a second manifold. The second manifold having a second housing defining a surface, the housing defining a second manifold volume and a second outlet opening in fluid communication with the second manifold volume. The method may further include coupling a second circuit to the surface of the second manifold, the second circuit comprising a second memory device including a third memory bank and a fourth memory bank, the third memory bank including a fifth memory field and the fourth memory bank including a sixth memory field.

Abstract: A waste collection unit for collecting waste material. A reservoir is supported on a portable cart for storing a liquid on the portable cart when positioned away from a docking station. A sprinkler may be coupled to the waste container and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The sprinkler is configured to direct the liquid from the reservoir towards the waste container. The reservoir is configured to receive additional liquid from the docking station to urge the liquid from the reservoir towards the sprinkler. A prefill pump may be supported on the portable cart and in fluid communication with the waste container and operable to convey the liquid from the reservoir to the waste container. A controller may be in electronic communication with a valve assembly to control flow of the liquid from the docking station into at least one of the reservoir and a second waste container.

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 waste collection unit for collecting waste material. First and second waste containers are supported on a portable cart. A control panel is configured to receive one or more inputs of selectively set vacuum levels in the first and/or second waste containers. A control system controls operation of vacuum regulators based on the input(s) to regulate levels of vacuums being drawn in each of the waste containers. Pressure sensors in communication with the control system may be positioned to monitor pressure in the waste containers. A back up port support on the portable cart may be provided to receive a vacuum line for coupling a vacuum manifold to a remote vacuum source not located on the portable cart. Container lamps may be coupled to the first and/or second waste containers and configured to illuminate the waste material within the waste containers to be viewed through transparent windows.

Abstract: A specimen collection cassette for a medical fluid collection system. A housing defines a first void space and a second void space, and an outlet opening in fluid communication with the first and second void spaces. An aperture may be within a wall separating the first and second void spaces with the aperture providing fluid communication between the first and second void spaces. First and second fittings receive a suction line for drawing fluid into the first and second void spaces, respectively. A fluid communication path is established from the first fitting to the outlet opening through the first void space, aperture, and the second void space, and a bypass fluid communication path is established from the second bore to the outlet opening through the second void space. The cassette is operable in one or both of a tissue sample collection mode and a bypass mode.

Abstract: A cassette for collecting a tissue sample. The cassette includes a housing configured to be removably coupled with a manifold receiver of a medical fluid collection system. The housing defines a first void space, a second void space, and an outlet opening. A catch tray is removably positionable within the first void space and includes a screen defining porous features for collecting the tissue sample. A filter element separate from the catch tray is disposed within the second void space. The housing may include a cap portion defining the first void space, and a shell portion coupled to the cap portion and defining the second void space. The cassette may be simultaneously operable in a tissue collection mode in which fluid is suctioned across the catch tray to collect the tissue sample, and a bypass mode in which the fluid is not suctioned across the catch tray.

Abstract: An autonomous medical waste collection assembly comprises a base adapted to be positioned near a patient. At least one wheel is powered to move the base along a floor surface. A waste collection unit is coupled to the base for receiving medical waste from the patient. The waste collection unit includes a canister for holding the medical waste. A controller is operable to initiate a waste disposal protocol. The waste disposal protocol includes transmitting a movement signal to the powered wheel for automatically moving the autonomous medical waste collection assembly away from the patient to a disposal station. A user input device is in communication with the controller. The user input device is adapted to provide a user input signal in response to being actuated by a user. The controller is configured to initiate the waste disposal protocol in response to receiving the user input signal.

Abstract: A waste collection unit for collecting waste material. First and second waste containers are supported on a portable cart. A control panel is configured to receive one or more inputs of selectively set vacuum levels in the first and/or second waste containers. A control system controls operation of vacuum regulators based on the input(s) to regulate levels of vacuums being drawn in each of the waste containers. Pressure sensors in communication with the control system may be positioned to monitor pressure in the waste containers. A back up port support on the portable cart may be provided to receive a vacuum line for coupling a vacuum manifold to a remote vacuum source not located on the portable cart. Container lamps may be coupled to the first and/or second waste containers and configured to illuminate the waste material within the waste containers to be viewed through transparent windows.