Patent ID: 6902673
Filing Date: 2005-06-07
Classification: A61M,B01D

Abstract:
1. A manifold assembly for use in a medical waste collection device to direct fluid into the medical waste collection device while filtering material from the fluid, said assembly comprising: a manifold housing having a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from said bottom about a first axis with said wall being cylindrically disposed about said first axis; a support structure disposed on said bottom and including a plurality of outer spokes extending radially relative to said first axis toward said wall to define a filter support surface spaced from said bottom with a plurality of open spaces defined between adjacent spokes, an outer ring disposed on said bottom about said first axis and integral with outer ends of said plurality of spokes, said outer ring defining an imperforate annular groove with said bottom and said wall; a primary filter supported by said filter support surface to filter the material from the fluid, said primary filter having a perimeter extending into said imperforate annular groove; a manifold cap connected to said manifold housing to define a chamber therebetween, a skirt unitary with said cap and having a lower edge received in said imperforate annular groove to compress the perimeter of said primary filter and secure the primary filter in place; an intake port disposed on said manifold cap about a second axis transverse to said first axis wherein said second axis is spaced from said filter support surface in said chamber such that the fluid entering said chamber changes direction between said intake port and said filter support surface; and an outlet port disposed on said manifold housing and extending downwardly therefrom about said first axis such that said outlet port is transversely oriented relative to said intake port.