Patent ID: 7664656
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: A61B,B07C,G06Q,G16H,G16Z,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for sorting a plurality of medical waste items using an electronic sorting system, the method comprising: providing an electronic control system; providing a plurality of container compartments, each container compartment configured to receive at least one of a plurality of removable containers; wherein each of said removable containers receives at least one of a plurality of liners, wherein each of said removable containers and said liners comprise an opening, and wherein each of said liners comprises a machine-readable identification key associated with at least one of a plurality of waste categories; reading, via a key reader located within the sorting system, the machine-readable identification key on the liner to obtain information regarding the liner's waste category type; determining the category of waste to be placed in the liner within the container based on the information read by the key reader; identifying the liner's waste category type to the control system; providing a movable lid adapted to cover each of said removable containers, wherein the movable lid is movable to an open position and a closed position, receiving barcode information from a waste item via a scanner; electronically assigning the scanned waste item to at least one waste category based at least in part on the information obtained from the scanner and a database comprising waste item classification information; determining, via the control system, an appropriate container based on the waste category to which the scanned waste item is assigned and the liner type; and identifying the appropriate container to a user by automatically moving the lid adapted to cover the appropriate container to the open position to permit disposal of said waste item, wherein the movable lid is configured to lock in the closed position after receipt of the waste item.