Abstract: A manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. An outlet opening and a fitting are in fluid communication with a manifold volume within a housing. The fining receives a suction line. A filter element with porous features is disposed within the housing such that a fluid communication path is established across the filter element. The porous features trap material entrained within the fluid. A material collection volume is at least partially distal to and below a bottom of the filter element. As the fluid and the material is drawn through the fluid communication path, the material collects within the material collection volume. A flow diverter may be positioned within the housing for directing the material towards the material collection volume. The material collection volume may be at least partially defined by a tissue trap removably coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A personal protection system including a garment configured for attachment to a helmet, wherein the garment defines a barrier between a wearer and an environment. The system includes a control mount integral to the garment and at least partially disposed on the environment side and the wearer side of the barrier. The system may include an emitter and a sensor configured to detect a signal output by the emitter. The control mount may comprise a lens configured to transmit the signal from the emitter through the garment. A control member may be coupled to the control mount and configured to be manipulated by the wearer. When manipulated by the wearer, the control member may distort and/or disrupt the transfer of the signal through the lens that is detected by the sensor. The sensor may provide a sensor input signal based on the signal detected from the emitter.

Abstract: A medical garment for use with a helmet, wherein the garment comprises a shell and a transparent face shield configured to define a barrier between the wearer and the environment. The transparent face shield may comprise a tab configured to be at least partially disposed within an alignment channel of the helmet when the medical garment is attached to the helmet to orient the shell relative to the helmet. The tab may also be separate from the transparent face shield and disposed on the shell of the medical garment. The transparent face shield may also comprise an attachment element configured to removably couple with a coupling member of the helmet, wherein the attachment element and coupling member comprise complementary coupling surfaces.

Abstract: A person protection system including a garment configured for attachment to a helmet, wherein the garment defines a barrier between the wearer and the environment. The system includes a control mount integral to the garment and at least partially disposed on an environment side and a wearer side of the barrier. The control mount may include a lens configured to transfer light through the garment, and a sensor configured to detect the light transferred or reflected through the lens. A control member may be coupled to the control mount and configured to be manipulated by the wearer. When manipulated by the wearer, the control member may distort and/or disrupt the transfer of light through the lens that is detected by the sensor. The sensor may provide a sensor input signal based on the detected light.

Abstract: A surgical garment configured for attachment to a surgical helmet, wherein the surgical garment defines a barrier between the wearer and the environment. The surgical helmet includes a peripheral device, a chin bar, and a coupling member. The coupling member may be recessed within the chin bar. The surgical garment may comprise an attachment element configured to removably couple with the coupling member of the surgical helmet. The coupling member and attachment member may comprise reciprocal features, such as a protrusion and a recess. The protrusion and/or corresponding recess may comprise a curved or similarly shaped surface configured to resist decoupling of the attachment member and the coupling member when a force is applied to the surgical garment.

Abstract: A person protection system including a garment configured for attachment to a helmet, wherein the garment defines a barrier between the wearer and the environment. The system includes a control mount integral to the garment and at least partially disposed on an environment side and a wearer side of the barrier. The control mount may include a lens configured to transfer light through the garment, and a sensor configured to detect the light transferred or reflected through the lens. A control member may be coupled to the control mount and configured to be manipulated by the wearer. When manipulated by the wearer, the control member may distort and/or disrupt the transfer of light through the lens that is detected by the sensor. The sensor may provide a sensor input signal based on the detected light.

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 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 flapper valve assembly with a hub to which plural flapper valves are pivotally attached. The hub includes a through hole to which a fastening component can be attached. On each of the major faces of the hub a rib extends circumferentially around the through hole. The ribs are compressible so as to provide a seal around the through hole. In many versions of the invention, the hub, the ribs, the hinges and valves are formed from a single piece of compressible, flexible material. Often in these versions of the invention, the hinges have a cross-section thickness greater than the thickness of the hub and valves.

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 surgical waste collection unit with a receiver for removably holding a manifold to which suction lines are connected. The receiver is mounted to the waste collection unit to be at an acute angle relative to the horizontal. The receiver is further configured to allow the manifold to be rotated in the receiver. This means the manifold can be rotated from a first position in which the manifold outlet opening is aligned with the conduit through which waste is flowed from the receiver and a second position in which the manifold outlet opening is elevated relative to the first position.

Abstract: A surgical waste collection unit with a receiver for removably holding a manifold to which suction lines are connected. The receiver is mounted to the waste collection unit to be at an acute angle relative to the horizontal. The receiver is further configured to allow the manifold to be rotated in the receiver. This means the manifold can be rotated from a first position in which the manifold outlet opening is aligned with the conduit through which waste is flowed from the receiver and a second position in which the manifold outlet opening is elevated relative to the first position.

Abstract: A surgical waste collection unit with a receiver for removably holding a manifold to which suction lines are connected. The receiver is mounted to the waste collection unit to be at an acute angle relative to the horizontal. The receiver is further configured to allow the manifold to be rotated in the receiver. This means the manifold can be rotated from a first position in which the manifold outlet opening is aligned with the conduit through which waste is flowed from the receiver and a second position in which the manifold outlet opening is elevated relative to the first position.

Abstract: A manifold for use with a surgical waste collection unit. The manifold includes a housing dimensioned to seat in a receiver of the waste collection unit with a fitting for receiving a suction tube. The housing has an outlet opening through which a suction is drawn so as to draw waste through the suction line, the fitting and the housing into the waste collection unit. Two tabs extends radially outwardly from the housing. The tabs are dimensioned to engage complementary slots in the receiver so as to facilitate the rotation alignment of the manifold in the receiver. In many versions of the invention, the tabs subtend different arcuate lengths. A filter is disposed in the housing to filter material that, as a consequence of the suction being drawn on the housing, is drawn through the housing.

Abstract: A surgical waste collection unit with a receiver for removably holding a manifold to which suction lines are connected. The receiver is mounted to the waste collection unit to be at an acute angle relative to the horizontal. The receiver is further configured to allow the manifold to be rotated in the receiver. This means the manifold can be rotated from a first position in which the manifold outlet opening is aligned with the conduit through which waste is flowed from the receiver and a second position in which the manifold outlet opening is elevated relative to the first position.

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 removable manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. The manifold is dimensioned to be mounted to a receiver integral with the system. The manifold includes a includes at least one fitting through which waste is drawn into the manifold. The fitting opens through an inlet port into a void space internal to the manifold. A backflow prevention valve is disposed in the manifold void space. The backflow prevention valve includes a static hub to which a driver for engaging a complementary valve internal to the receiver. The valve regulates flow between the receiver and the down line components of the waste collection system. The valve is normally closed. When the manifold is fitted to the receiver the driver engages the valve so as move the valve to the open position. This allows fluid flow from the manifold and receiver to the downstream components of the system.

Abstract: A removable manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. The manifold is dimensioned to be mounted to a receiver integral with the system. The manifold includes a includes at least one fitting through which waste is drawn into the manifold. The fitting opens through an inlet port into a void space internal to the manifold. A backflow prevention valve is disposed in the manifold void space. The backflow prevention valve includes a static hub to which a driver for engaging a complementary valve internal to the receiver. The valve regulates flow between the receiver and the down line components of the waste collection system. The valve is normally closed. When the manifold is fitted to the receiver the driver engages the valve so as move the valve to the open position. This allows fluid flow from the manifold and receiver to the downstream components of the system.

Abstract: A removable manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. The manifold is dimensioned to be mounted to a receiver integral with the system. The manifold includes a driver for engaging a complementary valve internal to the receiver. The valve regulates flow between the receiver and the down line components of the waste collection system. The valve is normally closed. When the manifold is fitted to the receiver the driver engages the valve so as move the valve to the open position. This allows fluid flow from the manifold and receiver to the downstream components of the system.