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: 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: 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.