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: 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 fitting 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 cassette for retrieving plural tissue samples from a fluid stream. The cassette includes a bypass conduit and plural voids. A catch tray is removably seated in each of the voids. A fitting extends from the cassette. The cassette has an outlet opening through which a suction is drawn. The cassette also has a valve. The valve directs the fluid stream from the fitting so the fluid stream flows through the bypass conduit or through one of the voids in which a catch tray is seated.

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 fitting 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 cassette for retrieving plural tissue samples from a fluid stream. The cassette includes a bypass conduit and plural voids. A catch tray is removably seated in each of the voids. A fitting extends from the cassette. The cassette has an outlet opening through which a suction is drawn. The cassette also has a valve. The valve directs the fluid stream from the fitting so the fluid stream flows through the bypass conduit or through one of the voids in which a catch tray is seated.

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: A method of operating a waste collection unit including a light assembly separate from a display panel. A vacuum level of the vacuum drawn on a waste canister is measured with a vacuum sensor. The light assembly positioned adjacent a manifold receiver is operated to selectively emit light of a color based on the measured vacuum level. A commanded vacuum level may be received on the display panel, and a colored image indicative of a commanded vacuum level may be displayed on the display panel. The waste collection unit may include plural manifold receivers each configured to receive a manifold. The light assembly that is adjacent the manifold receiver corresponding to the waste canister into which the vacuum is being drawn may be operated to selectively emit light to emit light at different colors or different patterns based on the operating state of the waste collection unit.

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: A waste collection unit for collecting medical waste through a suction line. The waste collection unit includes a manifold receiver having an opening in fluid communication with a canister. A suction pump is configured to draw a vacuum, and a vacuum regulator is configured to regulate the vacuum draw. A light assembly positioned near the opening of the manifold receiver may include a first light and a second light. The light assembly may be arranged to direct the first light towards a manifold configured to be removably received in the manifold receiver. The light assembly may be arranged to direct the second light arcuately around at least a portion of the opening of the manifold receiver. The first light may emit light of different colors based on a commanded or measured level of the vacuum draw.

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 system is provided comprising a robotic instrument for use with a tool. In some versions, the robotic instrument comprises a hand-held portion to be held by a user and a tool support movably coupled to the hand-held portion to support the tool. A plurality of actuators operatively interconnect the tool support and the hand-held portion to move the tool support in three degrees of freedom relative to the hand-held portion. An optional constraint assembly may operatively interconnect the tool support and the hand-held portion to constrain movement of the tool support relative to the hand-held portion in three degrees of freedom. A guidance array assists users in positioning the tool and/or portions of the instrument.

Abstract: Wireless charging systems and methods for detecting foreign objects proximate the wireless charging systems. A wireless charging system (10) includes a wirelessly chargeable battery (14) that receives power from a wireless charging device (16) when the wirelessly chargeable battery (14) is proximate the wireless charging device (16). The wireless charging device (16) determines an actual electrical consumption of the wireless charging system (10), and the wirelessly charging battery (14) measures a voltage induced in the wirelessly chargeable battery (14) by the wireless charging device (16). The wireless charging device (16), the wirelessly chargeable battery (14), or a combination of the two determines an expected electrical consumption of the wireless charging system (10) based on the measured voltage, and determines whether a foreign object (12) is proximate the wireless charging system (10) based on the expected and actual electrical consumptions.

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 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 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.