Patent ID: 7138918
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: A61B,B07C,G01G,G06Q,G16H,Y02W,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A system for sorting medical waste items, the system comprising: a sorting station in electronic communication with a classification database which lists a plurality of waste item identifiers distributed into a plurality of waste categories, wherein the waste categories are ranked from least to most hazardous; a plurality of containers positioned in the sorting station, each container being sized and configured to receive a plurality of medical waste items, each container comprising a machine-readable identification key wherein the machine-readable identification key is associated with at least one waste category such that the machine-readable identification key indicates at least one of the categories of waste to be deposited into the containers; at least one key reader that reads the machine-readable identification key associated with the container; a waste item identification device configured to receive a waste item identifier from a waste item; and a decision system configured to assign the waste item to a waste category using the waste identifier and information contained in the classification database; wherein the decision system is further configured to indicate into which of the containers a waste item should be deposited based on the waste category and based on the machine-readable identification key associated with the container; and wherein the decision system is further configured to open a container associated with a highest hazardousness level if the station does not include a container associated with the assigned category.