Systems, components, and methods for sterilizing medical waste
US8518339B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2012 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S241/606
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
To improve throughput of biomedical waste treatment, the present inventors devised an exemplary ozone-based system including a shredder, a roll-off treatment bin with ozone injectors, an ozone source, and a controller. The controller monitors electric current drawn by the shredder as shredded waste enters the ozone-enriched treatment bin. In response to current falling below a predetermined low level, indicating that a batch of waste has been shredded and loaded into the treatment bin, the controller starts a treatment timer. The timer measures elapsed ozone treatment or exposure time. If additional waste is added to the shredder and a subsequent low-current condition is detected, the controller restarts the treatment timer. Expiration of the timer indicates that the waste in the roll-off bin is sterilized and ready for transport to landfills. The exemplary system provides continuous waste processing and promises to boost throughput by 50% over some conventional ozone-based waste-treatment systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.