Patent ID: 8088291
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: A61M,B01D,B09B

Abstract:
1. A method of collecting medical waste in a waste collection unit having a waste inlet for receiving the medical waste, said method comprising the steps of: providing a disposable manifold and filter assembly including: inserting the neck of the disposable manifold and filter assembly into the waste inlet of the waste collection unit to direct the medical waste passing through the disposable manifold and filter assembly into the waste collection unit; connecting at least one tube to the at least one inlet of the manifold housing to provide a path for the medical waste to travel from a target site to the disposable manifold and filter assembly; and drawing a vacuum in the waste collection unit to pull the medical waste through the at least one tube and into the disposable manifold and filter assembly where the medical waste is processed in a plurality of stages including a first stage in which the medical waste is filtered through the first plurality of openings in the basket bottom wall until the basket bottom wall becomes plugged with filtered-out material and the medical waste rises the predetermined distance defined by the imperforate wall section to the second plurality of openings, a second stage, following the first stage, in which the medical waste is filtered through the second plurality of openings in the basket peripheral wall until the basket peripheral wall becomes plugged with filtered-out material and the medical waste rises to the fluid bypass, and a third stage, following the second stage, in which the medical waste enters the fluid bypass to bypass the filter basket.