Patent ID: 7898201
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A receptacle for medical refuse, the receptacle comprising: (a) a housing comprising a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a left side panel and a right side panel which together define an interior cavity that is sized and shaped to receive a bin for collecting medical refuse, the housing being shaped to define a slot formed in the top panel for depositing refuse into the bin and a separate opening formed in the front panel for withdrawing the bin from the interior cavity, both the slot and the opening being in communication with the interior cavity, (b) a drawer coupled to the housing and pivotable between closed and open positions, the drawer fully enclosing the slot when disposed in its closed position, the drawer at most partially enclosing the slot when disposed in its open position, (c) a latch disposable between first and second positions, the drawer being retained in its closed position by the latch when disposed in its first position, the drawer being capable of pivotable displacement between its closed and open positions when the latch is disposed in its second position, (d) a electronic controller for regulating the position of the latch, (e) a lockable access panel coupled to the housing and pivotable between closed and open positions, the access panel enclosing the opening for withdrawing refuse when disposed in its closed position, (f) a sensor disposed within the interior cavity of the housing for measuring the level of medical refuse collected within the bin, the sensor being electrically connected to the electronic controller, wherein the electronic controller is programmed to retain the latch in its first position when the measured level of medical refuse collected within the bin exceeds a predefined threshold, and (g) a display electrically connected to the controller, the display providing indication when the measured level of medical refuse collected within the bin exceeds the predetermined threshold.