Patent Publication Number: US-11654226-B2

Title: Removable inlet manifold for a medical waste collection system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/825,573, filed Mar. 20, 2020, entitled “REMOVABLE INLET MANIFOLD FOR A MEDICAL WASTE COLLECTION SYSTEM,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/983,510, filed on May 18, 2018, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,617,799 on Apr. 14, 2020, which claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/507,943, filed on May 18, 2017, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a waste collection system with a removable intake manifold. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A byproduct of the performance of some medical and surgical procedures is the generation of liquid, semi-solid and solid waste. This waste includes body fluids, such as blood, and irrigating solution that are introduced to the body site at which the procedure is performed. Solid and semisolid waste generated during a procedure includes bits of tissue and small pieces of the surgical material that may be left at the site. Ideally, the waste is collected upon generation so it neither fouls the surgical site nor becomes a biohazard in the operating room or other location at which the procedure is being performed. 
     A number of systems are available for use by surgical personnel for collecting this waste as it is generated. Generally, these units include a suction source, tubing that extends from the suction source and a containment unit between the tubing and the suction source. When the system is actuated, waste is drawn through the opening end of the tubing. The suction draws the waste through the tubing so that it flows into and is stored in the containment unit. 
     One system includes a mobile unit that includes a suction pump and a canister. Tubing is connected to the canister through a removable manifold. Since this unit is mobile, it can be positioned in relatively close proximity to the patient on whom the procedure is being performed. This reduces the extent to which the suction tubing, which invariably also functions as operating room clutter, is present around the surgical personnel. 
     Another feature of this system is the removable intake manifold. The manifold includes an optional filter element that traps large bits of solid matter which can potentially clog the down line components of the system. Moreover, the manifold is formed from material that makes it possible to provide the manifold as a single use item. After use of the system, effort does not have to be spent sterilizing the manifold. Instead, personnel handling the used manifold only need to contact the outer surface of this component, minimizing the extent to which individuals potentially come into contact with waste material. 
     Use of the above system significantly reduces the extent to which medical/surgical personnel are exposed to potentially hazardous medical waste. Nevertheless, there are some disadvantages associated with known waste collection systems. For example, a manifold can extend directly into the canister in which the waste is stored. Small droplets of waste can adhere to the sides of the manifold. Upon removal of the manifold from the mobile unit, adhered liquid is essentially an uncontained waste in the surrounding environment. If the liquid is not immediately wiped off the manifold, it can potentially fall off the manifold and be added waste matter that needs to be cleaned off a floor or other surface. 
     In known systems, the filter of the manifold does more than trap the small bits of solid that can clog the down stream components of the mobile unit. The filter also traps an appreciable volume of semi-solid state waste. Thus, care must be taken when removing the manifold to ensure that this waste does not escape. 
     Moreover, medical personnel sometimes visually monitor the volume of material collected by the mobile unit canister. This monitoring is performed to provide a rough estimate of the volume of fluid withdrawn from the patient during a procedure. If an appreciable amount of liquid remains trapped in the manifold, the accuracy of the quick visual estimate of collected stored fluid can be adversely affected. 
     Further, in known systems, upon removal of the manifold from the canister, the port on which the manifold was seated opens to the ambient environment. Material collected in the canister is known to emit smells that are typically considered unpleasant. Thus, the removal of the manifold results in the release of these odors into the environment. 
     Also, the air and other fluids flowing through the waste collection system, both the manifold and mobile unit, can generate noise. This noise contributes to the unwanted background noise in an operating room. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a new and useful intake manifold for use with a system for collecting surgical and medical waste. The intake manifold is connected to suction tubes of the system. The manifold is removably coupled to a manifold receiver, an integral part of the waste collection unit. The manifold is designed to minimize the release of uncontained fluids upon removal and replacement of the manifold. 
     In embodiments of the present application, the intake manifold includes a cylindrical cage. At one end, an inlet port receives a suction tube. The opposite end of the cage has a through opening through which the suction tube extends. When the manifold is seated in the receiver of mobile waste collection system, the tube extending through the opening joins a tubular boss that is part of the receiver. 
     The receiver boss extends from a valve, also part of the receiver. Normally, this valve closes a fluid conduit that extends into a canister into which the waste is stored. As part of the preparation of the system for operation, the manifold is properly seated in the receiver. The manifold engages a complementary drive member integral with the valve. Thus, the placement of the manifold in the receiver displaces the valve into the open state. There is an unrestricted fluid path from the manifold to the complementary conduit that leads to the canister. 
     When the manifold is removed, the valve returns to the closed state. The return of the valve to the closed state blocks the release of unpleasant vapors from the canister when the manifold is removed from the system. 
     In some embodiments, external to the manifold is an optional filter basket. The filter basket both traps large bits of solid matter that are part of the waste stream while allowing substantially the whole of the liquid component of the stream to flow therethrough. Upon completion of a surgical procedure, only a minimal amount of liquid state waste, the type that is the most prone to leakage, is left in the manifold. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is pointed out with particularity in the claims. The above and further features and advantages of the invention are understood by the following Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of a medical/surgical waste collection system; 
         FIG.  2    is a front perspective view of a manifold assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross sectional view showing a manifold seated in a manifold receiver in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a front elevation view of a filter assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross sectional view of the manifold receiver when empty; 
         FIG.  6    is a side elevation view of a manifold cage in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the manifold cage; 
         FIG.  8    is a top view of the manifold cage cap plate of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a side view of the manifold cage cap plate of  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  10    is a bottom view of the manifold base plate of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a side view of the manifold cage base plate of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a top view of the manifold cage cap plate of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a bottom view of the manifold cage base plate of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a cut-away, side view of a filter assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and method steps for a manifold for removable connection to a medical/surgical waste collection unit. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     In describing the embodiments herein in detail and referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the figures. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meaning explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or order between such entities or actions. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a waste collection system  30  known in the art. System  30 , sometimes referred to as a mobile unit, includes a base  32 . The cover and door assemblies that normally conceal the components are mobile unit  30  are not present in  FIG.  1    so that these components can be seen. Wheels  34  attached to the bottom of the base  32  provide the system with mobility. Two canisters  36  and  38  are mounted to the base  32 . A first one of the canisters, canister  36 , has a relatively large interior volume, between approximately 10 and 40 liters. The second canister, canister  38 , has a smaller volume, between approximately 1 and 10 liters. Each canister  36  and  38  has a cap  40  and  42 , respectively. Attached to each canister cap  40  and  42  is a manifold receiver  44 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an embodiment of a manifold assembly in accordance with the present invention. As described further below, the manifold assembly may include a manifold or manifold cage  46  that comprises a base plate  164 , a cap plate, and one or more ribs  159 . The manifold assembly may also comprise a filter assembly having a filter basket  166 . The manifold assembly may further include a tube  48 , which receives a separate suction line  50 . The distal end of each suction line  50  is attached to a suction applicator  52  ( FIG.  1   ). (“Distal,” it is understood means towards the surgical site at which the suction is applied. “Proximal” means away from the surgical site.) While in  FIG.  1   , suction applicator  52  is shown as handpiece specifically and solely designed to apply suction, it should be understood that this is exemplary, not limiting. Sometimes the suction applicator  52  is built into another surgical tool, such as an endoscope or ablation tool, applied to surgical site to accomplish a task other than applying suction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the manifold  46  is removably seated in each manifold receiver  44 . A conduit  56  is positioned internal to each manifold receiver  44 . Conduit  56  functions as a fluid communications path from the manifold  46  into the canister  36  or  38  with which the receiver is associated. The manifold receiver  44  may comprise a lock ring  66  attached to a distal front end of manifold receiver housing  62 . The manifold receiver may also include an adaptor  64  that holds the manifold receiver housing  62  to the associated canister cap  40  or  42 . The conduit  56  may pass through the manifold adaptor  64  to provide a flow path from the manifold receiver housing  62  into the associated canister  36  or  38 . 
     In accordance with embodiments of the manifold receiver shown in  FIG.  5   , manifold receiver housing  62  has a generally cylindrical shape. The proximal end of the manifold receiver has an outer surface  63  that is stepped inwardly relative to the more distal outer surface. This spacing facilitates the fitting of the receiver  44  to the associated canister cap  40  or  42 . 
     The lock ring  66  is generally ring shaped. One or more bores  116  extend longitudinally through the ring. Bores  116  receive fasteners  92  used to hold the lock ring  66  to the manifold receiver housing  62 . The lock ring  66  comprises one or more slots  120 . The lock ring may further comprise grooves  122 , each groove contiguous with one of slots  120 . Slots  120  and grooves  122  function to retain the lock ring by engaging tabs  222 ,  224  integral with the manifold  46  travel as is described below. Slots  120  may be the same size or may vary in size to accommodate different size tabs. 
     A door  134  may be pivotally mounted to manifold receiver housing  62  as best seen in  FIG.  5   . A pin  154  extends through the manifold receiver housing  62  and through a hole in the door. The pin pivotally holds the door to the manifold housing. A torsion spring  156  is disposed around a section of pin  154  and press against the door  134  and receiver housing  62  to bias the door in a closed position. 
     The interior diameter of the manifold receiver housing  62  may vary. For example, at the distal end, housing  62  has cylindrical bore  68 . Immediately adjacent to the proximal end of bore  68  there is a bore  70 . Bore  70  has a diameter that decreases along its length as the distance from bore  68  increases. Bore  70  opens into a second constant diameter bore, bore  72 . Bore  72  has a diameter equal to that of the smallest diameter section of bore  70 . Proximal to bore  72  manifold receiver housing  62  is formed with a third constant diameter bore, bore  76 . Bore  76  has a diameter less than that of bore  72 . Between bores  72  and  76  there is a small transition bore  74 . Transition bored  74  has a diameter that tapers inwardly from bore  72  to bore  76 . 
     The manifold receiver may also comprise a valve disk  132  that normally covers the opening into conduit  56  formed in the receiver adapter  64 . Valve disk  132  is a disk shaped member disposed in the proximal end of the manifold receiver housing  62 . Valve disk  132  is formed to have cylindrical boss  136  that extends distally forward into manifold receiver housing bore  76 . A bore  138  extends through both boss  136  and the portion of the valve disk from which the boss extends. The valve disk  132  is formed so that the boss is centered along an axis that is radially offset from the axis around which the valve disk rotates. The valve disk  132  also is formed so as to have a notch  139 . Notch  139  extends inwardly from the outer perimeter of the valve disk. Relative the center axis of the valve disk  132 , notch  139  is located on the side of the disk opposite the side from which boss  136  extends. 
     An annular slot  110  may also be formed in the distally directed face of manifold receiver adapter  64 . Slot  110  is concentric with, surrounds and is spaced away from the opening into conduit  56 . A seal  112  may be disposed in slot  110  to seal against a proximal face of valve disk  132 . The manifold receiver adapter  64  may also comprise a boss  106 . When manifold receiver  44  is mounted to the associated canister cap  40  or  42 , boss  106  seats in an opening formed in the cap. An O-ring  108  is seated in a groove  109  that extends circumferentially around the boss. When mobile unit  30  is assembled, O-ring  108  provides a seal between the canister cap and the inserted boss  106  of the manifold receiver  44 . The adapter  64  may also include a tab  102  that extends proximally/rearwardly from the base of the adapter. Tab  102  is formed with an opening  104 . Opening  104  receives a fastener (not illustrated) that secures the receiver adapter  64  to the canister cap  40  or  42 . 
     As see in  FIG.  6   , the proximal end of the manifold  46  includes a circular base plate  164 . The distal end of the manifold includes a circular cap plate  168 . Each of plates  164 ,  168  have an outside planar surface  12 ,  16 , respectively, and an inside planar surface  10 ,  14 , respectively. The inside planar surfaces  10 ,  14  of each of plates  164 ,  168  are positioned in parallel spaced relation from one another and are joined by a plurality of ribs  159  positioned along corresponding inside planar edge portions of plates  164 ,  168 . Each of plates  164 ,  168  and ribs  159  are formed of a rigid material and when joined together comprise a manifold cage  158 . 
     Finger grips  245 , as best seen in  FIGS.  8 - 9   , extend outwardly from the outside surface  16  of cap plate  168  and extend beyond the perimeter of cap plate  168 . Finger grips  245  function as the manifold member to which an individual holds onto in order to insert, rotate and remove the manifold as described in the below procedures. 
     Finger grips  245  are positioned on the outside surface  16  of cap plate  168  in a location corresponding to the position occupied by a rib  159  in the inside surface  10  of cap plate  164 . Alternatively, finger grip  245  may be positioned on any portion of the outside surface  12  of cap plate  168 . 
     Base plate  164  and cap plate  168  include corresponding through bores  116  for receiving fasteners (not shown). Central bores  116   a  extend partially into each of rib  159  end portions. Through bores  116   b  extend through end portions of finger grips  245 . To assemble manifold cage  158 , a fastener enters bore  116   b  in finger grip  245 . The fastener and finger grip  245  are then aligned with corresponding bore  116  on the outside surface  16  of cap plate  168 , and the fastener exits on the inside surface  14  of cap plate  168  where partial bore  116   a  of an end portion of rib  159  receives the portion of the fastener having exited on the inside surface  14  of cap plate  168 . Similarly, a fastener enters bore  116  of base plate  164  on the outside surface  12  of base plate  164 , and exits on the inside surface  10  of base plate  164 , where partial bore  116   a  of an opposite end portion of rib  159  receives the portion of the fastener having exited on the inside surface  10  of base plate  164 . In an alternative embodiment, cage  158  is a unitary structure. 
     It is understood that manifold cage  158  has a generally cylindrical shape. Manifold cage  158  may also have a tapered cylindrical shape or a truncated conical shape or other shape consistent with the embodiments of the invention. 
     The manifold cap plate  168 , as shown in  FIGS.  8 - 9    includes an opening  170 . Cap plate  168  is formed so that opening  170  is centered along an axis that is off center to the longitudinal axis  18  of the cage  158 . Cap plate  168  is sized to allow the manifold cage  158  to be disposed in and rotated in receiver housing  62 . From opposite side walls  13  of cap plate  168 , two bayonet tabs  222  and  224  project radially outwardly. Tabs  222  and  224  are diametrically opposed from each other. Tabs  222  and  224  may, however, extend over different arc lengths. Tab  222  has a relatively large arc; this tab is designed to slip fit into a larger manifold receiver lock ring slot  120 . Tab  224  has a shorter arc; this tab is designed to slip fit into a smaller manifold receiver lock ring slot  120 . 
     The manifold base plate  164  is described with reference to  FIGS.  10 - 11   . Manifold base plate  164  is circular, and like cap plate  168 , is sized to allow the manifold cage  158  to be disposed in and rotated in receiver housing  62 . In one embodiment, base plate  164  and cap plate  168  may have the same diameter. In other embodiments, base plate  164  and cap plate  168  may have different diameters, with cap plate  168  being of a larger diameter than based plate  164 . In some embodiments, when base plate  164  has a diameter smaller than cap plate  168 , a central axis of the base plate  164  may be offset from a central axis of the cap plate  168 . In such an embodiment, opening  170  is located along an axis that is off center to the central axis of the cap plate and the longitudinal axis  18  of cage  158 . Port  237  is located along an axis that is central to the central axis of the base plate but offset to the longitudinal axis  18  of cage  158 . The differing cap and base plate diameters enables port  237  to be joined with bore  138  while allowing for rotation of valve disk  132  from a closed position to an open position as tabs  222 ,  224  of cap plate  168  engage slots  120 . 
     In some embodiments, located within the central axis  18  of base plate  164  is a port  237 . Port  237  receives tubing  48 . Tubing  48  extends from a space on the outside surface  16  of cap plate  168  through opening  170  into the interior space defined by manifold cage  158 . The tubing may be formed of a rigid or flexible material, including for example, plastic or silicone. Tubing  48  further extends through port  237  in base plate  164  and exits on the outside surface  12  of base plate  164 . Tubing  48   b  extends outwardly from cap plate  168  and is optionally joined with a filter assembly  194 . Tubing  48   a  extends outwardly from base plate  164  where it is joined with boss  136 . Tubing  48 ,  48   a ,  48   b  provides fluid communication from filter assembly  194  through the manifold and through bore  138  and conduit  56 . Port  237  and opening  170  are dimensioned to receive tube  48  which in turn is sized to receive valve disk boss  136 . Further, the diameter of tubing  48  is sized so that it fits around boss  136  with a fluid tight, friction fit. In other embodiments, the diameter of tubing  48  is sized so that it fits into boss  136  with a fluid tight, friction fit. The tube  48  may be connected with the cage  158  by compression fit, adhesive, or any other appropriate connection method. 
     Because port  237  is centrally located within base plate  164  and opening  170  is off center of the central axis of cap plate  168 , tubing  48  extends through manifold cage  158  at an angle. As a result, when manifold  46  is removably coupled within manifold receiver  44 , port  237  and opening  170  are located on different parallel axes. 
     In an alternative embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  7 ,  12  and  13    manifold cage  1158  includes cap plate  1168 , tabs  1222 , base plate  1164  and a plurality of ribs  1159 . Features and construction of manifold cage  1158  are substantially similar to features and construction of manifold cage  158 , with the exception being port  1237  of base plate  1164 . Port  1237  is centered along an axis that is off center to the longitudinal axis  1018  of the cage  1158 . When assembled, port  1237  and opening  1170  share the same axis and are located along the same plane. 
     Prior to use, before the manifold  46  is fitted to the mobile unit  30 , manifold receiver  44  is in the state as depicted in  FIG.  5   . Specifically, valve disk  132  is in the index position so that the body of the valve disk is closed over the opening in plate  96  to receiver adapter conduit  56 . 
     Mobile unit  30  is prepared for use by fitting the manifold  46  to the complementary receiver  46  associated with the canister  36  or  38  in which the waste drawn from the surgical site is to be collected. This step is performed by inserting the manifold  46  into the receiver so that manifold base plate  164  is directed to the valve disk  132 . For mobile unit  30  to function, valve disk boss  136  must seat in tubing  48   a  exiting from port  237 . Lock ring slots  120  and tabs  222  and  224  cooperate to ensure this alignment of the manifold  46  to the valve disk  132 . Specifically, these components are positioned so positioning of manifold tab  222  in receiver slot  120  results in the manifold  46  being rotationally positioned so that port  237  and tubing  48   a  are aligned with valve disk boss  136 . Proper alignment and insertion of manifold  46  into the receiver housing  62  results in tube  48   a  fitting over the valve disk boss  136 . 
     Once the manifold  46  is joined with valve disk  132 , the manifold is rotated. The direction of rotation is dictated by the fact that tabs  222  and  224  can only rotate into receiver  44  lock ring slots  122 . As a consequence of the rotation of the manifold, the valve disk boss  136  and, by extension, the whole of the valve disk  132 , undergoes a like rotation. This rotation places valve bore  138  in registration with the receiver adaptor distal end opening into conduit  58 . Also, as result of the rotation of the manifold  46  and the valve disk  132 , the manifold is positioned so that manifold port  237  is, in a rotational position, at the bottom of the manifold. Consequently, tubing  48  extends on a downward slope from an area outside the manifold, through manifold cage  158  and to the connection with bore  138 . 
     Thus, tubing  48   a  at port  237  functions as a keyhole for receiving valve disk boss  136 . Valve disk boss  136  functions as a drive member that rotates the valve disk  132  to the open state. The rotation of the manifold  46  results in more than a like rotation of valve disk  132 . From the above discussion, it should be clear that when the manifold is seated in the receiver housing, tube  48   a  extends over valve boss  136 . As the manifold  46  is rotated, surfaces  123  internal to the lock ring  66  function as cam surfaces against which manifold tabs  222  and  224  abut. These surfaces  123  are directed proximally rearward. Therefore, as the manifold turns, the abutment of the tabs  222  and  224  against the proximally directed surfaces  123  results in the manifold being driven in the like proximal direction. This action results in sufficient force being generated to overcome the elastomeric forces thus pushing tube  48   a  down over the valve boss  136 . 
     The process of preparing the mobile unit  30  for use is completed by the coupling of a suction applicator  52  to the unit by a suction line  50 . Mobile unit  30  is actuated by activating the suction pump  58 . Activation of suction pump  58  results in a waste stream being drawn from the surgical site being drawn into the applicator  52 , through the suction line  50  into optional filter basket  166  and into tubing  48   b . This waste stream includes liquid and solid waste to which the suction applicator  52  is applied as well as air adjacent the applicator  52 . Solid waste contained in the waste stream is trapped by the filter basket  166 . The suction force draws the components of the waste stream that flows past the filter basket  166  into tube  48  which extends through manifold cage  158  into the open proximal end of bore  138  integral with valve disk  132 . Boss  136  serves as the fitting through which the waste stream flows from the manifold  46  into conduit  58 . The barrier formed by the connection between tube  48   a  and valve boss  136  prevents loss of vacuum between these components. 
     From valve disk bore  138  the waste stream flows through the receiver adapter conduit  58  into the associated canister  36  or  38 . Liquid and solid components of the waste stream that enter the canister  36  or  38  precipitate out of the stream and are held in the canister  36  and  38  for final disposal. 
     In embodiments including the filter basket, the fluid stream that travels from the canister  36  or  38  is thus essentially liquid and solid free. Prior to final exhaust of this stream from the suction pump  58 , this fluid stream is filtered to remove odor causing components and/or bacterial and viral sized particulates that may be entrained in this fluid stream. 
     Once the medical/surgical procedure is completed, and use of the mobile unit  30  is no longer required, manifold  46  is removed. The seating of manifold tabs  222  and  224  in the lock ring slots  122  prevents the manifold  46  from being pulled out of the receiver  44 . Instead, it is necessary to first rotate the manifold  46  so that tabs  222  and  224  align in slots  120 . As a consequence of having to so rotate the manifold  46 , the valve disk  132  undergoes a like rotation. The rotation of the valve disk  132  reorients the disk so the disk again covers the open end of the receiver adapter conduit  58 . Once manifold  46  is properly positioned, the manifold is manually withdrawn from the receiver  44 . With valve disk  132  reoriented, port  237  is now positioned in vertical spaced relation above opening  170 . Consequently, tubing  48  extends on a downward slope as it exits the manifold on an outside surface  126  of cap plate  168 . Any fluid remaining within the manifold may drain away from port  237  through tube  48  and into tube  48   b  where it returns to and is captured by the filter basket. The manifold may include tube caps a one or both ends to prevent fluid leakage after use or debris collection prior to use. 
     In certain embodiments, manifold  46  is further designed so that when the manifold seats over the valve boss  136 , tube  48   a  is joined to the outer surface of the boss. Owing to the camming action of the manifold tabs  222  and  224  within slots  122 , displacement is a result of the application of the rotational “twisting” of the manifold in position. The physical effort one needs to exert when so rotating the manifold for both insertion and removal does not impose an appreciable strain on the arm or hand of the user. In addition, owing to the friction fit between tube  48   a  and boss  136 , there is essentially no air flow around these seal-forming components. The absence of this air flow means these components do not engage in a vibrational movement that results in the generation of noise. 
     In further embodiments of the invention, the cross sectional area of the valve disk bore  138  is at least equal to the cumulative cross sectional areas of tubing  48 . Thus, as the waste stream flows through the manifold  46 , the gaseous components of this stream do not engage in noise-generating compression. Further since the gas flow is not compressed, the flow of the fluid into bore  138  does not result in drop in flow rate. 
     The geometry and orientation of the manifold receiver  44  also reduces the leakage of waste from both the mobile unit  30  and the manifold  46 . As mentioned above, the receiver adapter  64  is designed so that plate  96  is angularly offset from the vertical. Consequently, receiver housing  62  is angled from the horizontal. By extension, when the manifold  46  is seated in the receiver housing  62 , the manifold is similarly offset from the horizontal. More specifically, when fitted within receiver  44 , manifold base plate  164  is angled from horizontal and in spaced relation below the manifold cap plate  168 . This means that when the manifold  46  is in the run position, port  237  is located at the lowest elevation of the manifold. This feature ensures that substantially all waste material drawn into the manifold flows out through the valve disk bore  138  and adapter conduit  58  into the canister  36  or  38 . 
     Then, when the manifold  46  is rotated for removal from receiver  44 , valve disk  132  is rotated upwardly into a closed position and port  237  is now located in vertical spaced relation above opening  170 . Waste material still in the manifold may flow back towards cap plate  168  and exits into tube  48   b  where it returns to and is captured by the filter basket. Thus, upon removal of the manifold  46  from the receiver  44 , waste still in the manifold may be moved away from opening  170 . This reduced the instances of this waste leaking from the opening. 
     The above angled orientation of the manifold receiver  44  also ensures that, when the mobile unit  30  is in operation, the proximal end base manifold outlet port  237  is, in a gravity orientation, below inlet opening  170 . This makes it unlikely that waste in the manifold can flow upstream, through opening  170 , and out the manifold  46 . 
     Owing to the manifold  46  having a cage like structure  158 , medical personnel are provided with a quick means to verify that the manifold being fitted to the mobile unit  30  is not a used manifold that contains previously collected waste. 
     Features other than tabs may be integral with the manifold to ensure that the manifold when inserted into the receiver, manifold port  237  is aligned with the valve disk boss  136  and bore  138 . Thus, in an alternative version of the invention, the manifold is formed with one or more slots or other void spaces along the outer surface thereof. These slots receive alignment pins integral with the manifold receiver. In these versions of the invention, the surfaces of the manifold that define these slots may also function as cam surfaces. Thus, as the manifold is inserted in the receiver, the manifold is urged off these static alignment pins further into the receiver. 
     Likewise, in an alternative version of the invention, the camming surfaces that, upon manifold rotation, urge the manifold proximally rearward may not be on the manifold receiver. In some versions of the invention, the alignment tabs, grooves or notches integral with the manifold may have angled or tapered profiles. As the manifold is rotated, the abutment of these surfaces against fixed surfaces integral with the receiver, result in the manifold being moved proximally. Further, in some versions of the invention, there is only a single camming surface integral with the receiver and/or manifold. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates a filter assembly  194  in accordance with further embodiments of the invention. The filter assembly comprises a filter housing  302 . The filter housing may comprise one or more inlets  303  that provide for connection of suction lines  50 . In particular, the inlets  303  may be adapted to provide a press fit of suction line  50  over an inlet boss  304 . Alternatively, other forms of connection may be used. Multiple inlets may be provided such that multiple suction lines can be attached to a single filter assembly with inlet caps  306  positioned on inlets that are not in use. For example, a filter assembly may provide four inlets. Caps may be placed on unused inlets such that the filter assembly may be used with one to four suction lines. The inlets may be formed in a lower surface  310  of the housing  302 . Alternatively, the housing may be oriented in a different manner such that the inlets  304  are formed through a side or top surface. 
     The filter assembly may further comprise an assembly lid  312  that seals the filter assembly in a liquid tight manner. The lid  312  may include engagement elements  314  that engage with corresponding elements  316  formed or attached to the filter housing  302 . Additionally, a seal may be placed between the housing and lid. 
     The filter assembly  194  further compromises an outlet  307 . The outlet may be adapted to connect with the tubing  48   b  that extends from the manifold adapter by means of an outlet boss  308 . The outlet boss  308  may be adapted to connect with the tubing  48  by press fit or by other appropriate mechanisms, such as a hose clamp, threads, bayonet fitting, or the like. The outlet  307  may extend through a top surface of the lid  312 . Alternatively, the housing may be oriented in a different manner such that the inlets  304  are formed through a side or top surface. 
     The filter assembly may further comprise a filter element. The filter element may be a filter basket  166 . The filter basket may be adapted to filter and collect bone fragments, tissue or other debris collected through the suction line  50 . Simultaneously, the filter basket may allow fluids and/or smaller solid fragments to pass through the filter assembly to a canister of the waste collection system. The filter basket may comprise slats, mesh, perforations, or any other appropriate filtering structure or material and may, for example, be formed of plastic, metal, foam or some combination. The filter basket may have a generally cylindrical shape with a closed bottom surface, as illustrated in  FIG.  14   . Alternatively, the filter basket need not have a “basket” shape and may be flat, conical, convex, concave, or any other shape as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Further embodiments of the filter assembly may include a pressure release valve  318 . The pressure release valve may be positioned in the filter assembly downstream of the filter basket. When the valve is actuated, it allows the suction path to temporarily bypass the filter basket  166 . This suction bypass allows material collected on the filter basket to release from the surface of the filter and thereby prevents or reduces clogging of the filter and resultant reduction of the suction force. The valve  318  may take the form of a button that is pressed by the user as illustrated in  FIG.  14   . 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, components form one embodiment can be used in other non-exclusive embodiments. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, there is no requirement that each of the above described features be incorporated in all versions of the invention.