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 100 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 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: A waste collection system for collecting waste during medical/surgical procedures including a mobile container cart with a waste container. A container cart is selectively coupled to a suction cart that includes a vacuum pump. The connection of the carts results in the connection of the vacuum pump to the waste container. The vacuum pump draws a vacuum that results in waste being drawn through a suction line into the waste container. The container cart holds instruments that can be removably attached to the container cart. This facilitates the configuration of the container cart for the specific procedure for which it is necessary to draw a suction.

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 (2600) for use with a medical waste collection system (30). The cassette includes a housing (2602, 2612) shaped to be removably attached to a receptacle (1699) integral with the housing. A sleeve (2640) is attached to the cassette so as to be located forward of the housing. The sleeve is formed with a void space. A fitting (2664) for collection to a suction line is attached to the sleeve. A screen (2714) is removably fitted in the sleeve void space. The screen is fitted in the sleeve void space when it is desirable to catch tissue that may be entrained in the fluid stream from the suction line.

Abstract: A waste collection system for collecting waste during medical/surgical procedures including a mobile container cart with a waste container. A container cart is selectively coupled to a suction cart that includes a vacuum pump. The connection of the carts results in the connection of the vacuum pump to the waste container. The vacuum pump draws a vacuum that results in waste being drawn through a suction line into the waste container. The container cart holds instruments that can be removably attached to the container cart. This facilitates the configuration of the container cart for the specific procedure for which it is necessary to draw a suction.

Abstract: A cassette (2600) for use with a medical waste collection system (30). The cassette includes a housing (2602, 2612) shaped to be removably attached to a receptacle (1699) integral with the housing. A sleeve (2640) is attached to the cassette so as to be located forward of the housing. The sleeve is formed with a void space. A fitting (2664) for collection to a suction line is attached to the sleeve. A screen (2714) is removably fitted in the sleeve void space. The screen is fitted in the sleeve void space when it is desirable to catch tissue that may be entrained in the fluid stream from the suction line.

Abstract: A waste collection and disposal system for use in health care facilities is provided. The system includes a mobile waste collection unit for moving between use areas in the health care facility to collect waste material generated during medical procedures including body fluids, body tissues, saline, etc. The waste collection unit includes stacked upper and lower waste containers for receiving the waste material. During use, the upper waste container can be emptied into the lower waste container for temporary storage. In addition, different vacuum levels can be provided in the waste containers during complex procedures. Once a user desires to empty the waste collection unit, the waste collection unit is wheeled to a docking station. At the docking station, the waste material is off-loaded to a waste drain and the waste collection unit is cleaned and rinsed for further use.

Abstract: A waste collection and disposal system for use in health care facilities is provided. The system includes a mobile waste collection unit for moving between use areas in the health care facility to collect waste material generated during medical procedures including body fluids, body tissues, saline, etc. The waste collection unit includes stacked upper and lower waste containers for receiving the waste material. During use, the upper waste container can be emptied into the lower waste container for temporary storage. In addition, different vacuum levels can be provided in the waste containers during complex procedures. Once a user desires to empty the waste collection unit, the waste collection unit is wheeled to a docking station. At the docking station, the waste material is off-loaded to a waste drain and the waste collection unit is cleaned and rinsed for further use.

Abstract: A waste collection and disposal system for use in health care facilities is provided. The system includes a mobile waste collection unit for moving between use areas in the health care facility to collect waste material generated during medical procedures including body fluids, body tissues, saline, etc. The waste collection unit includes stacked upper and lower waste containers for receiving the waste material. During use, the upper waste container can be emptied into the lower waste container for temporary storage. In addition, different vacuum levels can be provided in the waste containers during complex procedures. Once a user desires to empty the waste collection unit, the waste collection unit is wheeled to a docking station. At the docking station, the waste material is off-loaded to a waste drain and the waste collection unit is cleaned and rinsed for further use.

Abstract: An ignition system employing a piezoelectric transformer having a drive side and an output side. The ignition system further includes circuit elements in electronic communication with the output side that tune output impedance in series with a breakdown gap to optimize power flow from the transformer to the breakdown gap after breakdown and a timing control circuit in electronic communication with the drive side that meters post-breakdown energy delivered to the breakdown gap by timing the duration of post-breakdown power flow.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a piezoelectric transformer having substantially improved performance. The piezoelectric element is composed of a single crystal of a relaxor ferroelectric piezoelectric material. This element is coupled to input and output electrodes. The element vibrates mechanically in response to an input signal, which causes an output signal to be generated at the output electrodes. Improved power transmission is observed despite the reduced mechanical Q of the single crystal material, because the coupling and dielectric strength of the material are improved relative to polycrystals.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a piezoelectric transformer having substantially improved performance. The piezoelectric element is composed of a single crystal of a relaxor ferroelectric piezoelectric material. This element is coupled to input and output electrodes. The element vibrates mechanically in response to an input signal, which causes an output signal to be generated at the output electrodes. Improved power transmission is observed despite the reduced mechanical Q of the single crystal material, because the coupling and dielectric strength of the material are improved relative to polycrystals.

Abstract: An ignition system employing a piezoelectric transformer having a drive side and an output side. The ignition system further includes circuit elements in electronic communication with the output side that tune output impedance in series with a breakdown gap to optimize power flow from the transformer to the breakdown gap after breakdown and a timing control circuit in electronic communication with the drive side that meters post-breakdown energy delivered to the breakdown gap by timing the duration of post-breakdown power flow.