Method of sorting regulated drug waste
US7487100B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/93
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for disposing of medical waste is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of containers according to applicable rules and regulations governing the handling and/or disposal of such items. In one embodiment, at least one of the medical waste items is a regulated drug that is regulated by, for example, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The regulated drug is inaccessible once disposed in the container. In some embodiments, a system comprises sorting stations each of which houses a number of disposable containers. Each station can identify an item of waste, determine the most appropriate container for the item, and facilitate disposal of the item in the appropriate container. In some embodiments, a detection system for determining a presence and/or a quantity of waste items within a container is also provided. In some embodiments, access to discarded waste items is restricted once the waste items have been placed in a container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.