CN111629981A

CN111629981A - Medical waste container, rack for medical waste container, and medical waste detection system

Info

Publication number: CN111629981A
Application number: CN201880087403.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 伊藤恒太郎; 山岸秀浩; 落合贵大; 西田翼; 齐藤一幸; 川平洋; 后藤田直人; 伊藤雅昭
Original assignee: NATIONAL CANCER CENTER; Chiba University NUC; Takano Co Ltd
Current assignee: NATIONAL CANCER CENTER; Chiba University NUC; Takano Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-01-24
Filing date: 2018-01-24
Publication date: 2020-09-04
Also published as: JPWO2019146019A1; WO2019146019A1; KR20200108417A

Abstract

Provided are a waste container (100), a rack for the waste container, and a waste detection system (1) which can manage the situation that a specific article is thrown into the waste container by a simpler method. A medical waste container (100) is provided with: a main body container which includes a bottom wall and a side wall erected from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall and which is capable of accommodating therein predetermined waste thrown in from an opening formed in an upper portion of the side wall; and a detection sensor (104) which is disposed on at least one of the bottom wall and the side wall and detects the input of the medical waste (400).

Description

Medical waste container, rack for medical waste container, and medical waste detection system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a waste container capable of detecting input of a specific article, a waste detection system using the waste container, a rack for the waste container capable of inputting waste, and a waste detection system using the rack.

Background

Conventionally, when a specific article is discarded in a container such as a trash container, various problems may occur. For example, in a medical field where treatment, surgery, or the like is performed on a patient, medical instruments such as gauze are strictly managed by counting the number of used instruments in order to confirm that the medical instruments do not remain in the body of the patient. In this case, if medical instruments are erroneously loaded into the waste container as described above, the number of the medical instruments differs from the number of the medical instruments loaded, and it is necessary to confirm that the medical instruments do not remain in the body of the patient by using another method. Patent document 1 describes a surgical gauze obtained by knitting a thread detectable by X-rays so as to confirm that the gauze does not remain in the body of a patient.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2003-111791

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Accordingly, based on the above-described technology, the present disclosure provides a waste container, a rack for the waste container, and a waste detection system, which can manage the situation where a specific article is put into the waste container by a simpler method.

Means for solving the problems

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a medical waste container, the medical waste container including: a main body container including a bottom wall and a side wall erected from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, the main body container being capable of accommodating therein a predetermined waste input from an opening formed in an upper portion of the side wall; and a detection sensor disposed on at least one of the bottom wall and the side wall, for detecting the input of the medical waste.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a medical waste detection system, comprising: the medical waste container of the present disclosure; an analysis device connected to the detection sensor included in the medical waste container; and an alarm device connected to the analysis device.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a rack for supporting a medical waste container including a main body container including a bottom wall and a side wall erected from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, the main body container being capable of accommodating therein a predetermined waste input from an opening formed in an upper portion of the side wall, wherein the rack includes a detection sensor for detecting input of the medical waste, the detection sensor being disposed so as to overlap at least one of the bottom wall and the side wall of the medical waste container.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a medical waste detection system, comprising: a rack of the present disclosure; an analysis device connected to the detection sensor included in the rack; and an alarm device connected to the analysis device.

Effects of the invention

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a trash container, a rack for the trash container, and a waste detection system, which can manage a situation in which a specific item is input into the trash container by a simpler method.

The above effects are merely exemplary effects for convenience of explanation, and are not limited to the effects. In addition to or instead of the above-described effects, any of the effects described in the present disclosure may be obtained, as long as the effects are known to those skilled in the art.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a waste detection system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the trash container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the trash container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4a is a diagram showing a modification of the structure of the dust container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4b is a diagram showing a modification of the structure of the dust container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4c is a diagram showing a modification of the structure of the dust container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4d is a diagram showing a modification of the structure of the dust container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the waste detection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the waste detection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7a is a diagram showing an example of a waveform detected by the waste detection system 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7b is a diagram showing an example of a waveform detected by the waste detection system 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7c is a diagram showing an example of a waveform detected by the waste detection system 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the gauze 400 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the gauze 400 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a waste detection system 1a according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the structures of a trash container 100d and a rack 500 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of a rack 500 of a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of a rack 500 of a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14a is a diagram illustrating a modification of the structure of a rack 500 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14b is a diagram illustrating a modification of the structure of the rack 500 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14c is a diagram illustrating a modification of the structure of the rack 500 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 15 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of a waste detection system 1b according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 16a is a diagram showing an example of a waveform detected by the waste detection system 1 of the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 16b is a diagram showing an example of a waveform detected by the waste detection system 1 of the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the common components.

< brief summary of waste detection System of the present disclosure >

The waste detection system of the present disclosure relates to a system capable of detecting that a specific waste is thrown into a waste container. Examples of the system to which the system can be applied include, but are not limited to, medical sites where patients are treated, operated, and the like, sites where construction, and the like are performed, and sites where vehicles such as cars and airplanes, precision instruments, clothing, and the like are manufactured, repaired, and maintained. That is, the present invention can be suitably applied to a site where various problems are caused when the article is discarded by mistake or is unnecessarily taken out.

Such a waste detection system includes, for example, a waste container, an analyzer connected to the waste container, an alarm device (a display, a speaker, etc.) for notifying that a specific article is input, and a rack for supporting the waste container according to circumstances. The waste detection system having such a configuration includes a sensor in the waste container or the rack, and analyzes an output from the sensor in the analyzer to detect that a specific article is put into the waste container. The waste detection system reports that a specific article is inserted into the waste container by the alarm device.

In the present disclosure, the waste is referred to as a waste, regardless of whether or not the waste is actually discarded after being put into a waste container. That is, for example, an article that may be inadvertently or intentionally put into the trash container even though the trash container is not actually put into the trash container, or an article that is actually not discarded but is moved to another place may be included in the waste.

Examples of the articles to be detected by the waste detection system of the present disclosure include medical instruments such as medical gauze, syringes, energy devices used in surgical operations and the like, tools used in construction sites, manufacturing, repair, maintenance and the like, and the like. The above description is merely an example, and the waste detection system can be preferably applied to any article that causes various problems when the article is discarded by mistake or is unnecessarily taken out. In such articles, antenna elements such as coil antennas are disposed in advance so as to be detectable by sensors and analyzers. When an article having the antenna unit disposed therein in advance passes through the dust container, the change in the magnetic field generated by a sensor such as a coil disposed in advance in the dust container is analyzed by the analyzer, and the article is detected when the article is inserted. This makes it possible to report to the user that an article that should not be dropped in the trash container is erroneously put into the trash container, for example.

< first embodiment >

1. An outline of the waste detection system 1 of the first embodiment

The waste detection system 1 of the first embodiment relates to a medical waste detection system capable of detecting that medical gauze is put into a medical waste container.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a waste detection system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. According to fig. 1, the waste detection system 1 includes a dust container 100 in which a detection sensor 104 is disposed, an analysis device 200 connected to the detection sensor 104 of the dust container 100 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly or by wire, and a display 300 connected to the analysis device 200 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly or by wire. The waste detection system detects a change in the magnetic field caused by the medical gauze 400 with the article side coil 404 placed therein being put into the dust container 100 by the detection sensor 104, and transmits an output thereof to the analyzer 200. The analyzer 200 checks the input of the medical gauze 400 based on the received output.

2. Structure of the garbage container 100 of the first embodiment

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the trash container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, an example of the configuration of the waste container 100 used in the waste detection system 1 of the first embodiment is shown. According to fig. 2, the waste container 100 comprises: a main body container having a bottom wall 101 constituting a bottom surface of the dust container 100, a side wall 102 provided to rise upward from a peripheral edge 101a along an outer periphery of the bottom wall 101, and an opening 103 formed by an upper portion of the side wall 102 and into which waste is introduced; and a detection sensor 104 for detecting the input of the medical gauze 400.

The dust container 100 may be any known material, but may be made of various resin materials such as epoxy resin, phenol resin, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS resin, polyamide, and polycarbonate, or a composite resin material thereof.

The main body container of the dust container 100 has the bottom wall 101, the side wall 102, and the opening 103 as described above. In the example of fig. 2, the bottom wall 101 has a peripheral edge 101a formed of 4 sides on the outer periphery thereof, and has a substantially quadrangular shape. Therefore, the side wall 102 has 4 side walls, i.e., a side wall 102a, a side wall 102b, a side wall 102c, and a side wall 102d, corresponding to each side. Since the opening 103 is formed in the upper portion of the 4 side walls 102a to 102d, the opening 103 also has a substantially quadrangular shape.

The side walls 102a to 102d of the dust container 100 include a detection sensor 104 formed in a spiral shape inside thereof. In the example of fig. 2, the detection sensor 104 includes: a detection sensor coil 104a formed in an annular shape in which the upper right portion is connected from the lower left portion toward the side wall 102a, the upper right portion is connected from the upper left portion toward the side wall 102b, the upper right portion is connected from the upper left portion toward the side wall 102c, and the lower right portion is connected from the lower left portion toward the side wall 102 d; and a detection sensor coil 104b formed in an annular shape in which the upper left portion is connected to the lower right portion toward the side wall 102a, the lower left portion is connected to the lower right portion toward the side wall 102b, the lower left portion is connected to the upper right portion toward the side wall 102c, and the upper left portion is connected to the upper right portion toward the side wall 102 d. That is, in the example of fig. 2, the detection sensor coil 104a and the detection sensor coil 104b are annularly arranged along the entire circumference of the side walls 102a to 102 d. The detection sensor coil 104a and the detection sensor coil 104b are disposed on the side walls 102a to 102d so as to intersect each other in a substantially X-shape when the dust container 100 is viewed from the side.

In the present embodiment, when an ac voltage is applied from an oscillation device of the analyzer 200 connected to the outside, a current flows in the direction of the arrow 107a through the detection sensor coil 104a, and a current flows in the direction of the arrow 107b through the detection sensor coil 104b, thereby generating a magnetic field penetrating from the lower side to the upper side of the dust container 100. Therefore, when the surface on which the article-side coil 404 of the medical gauze 400 is formed is perpendicular to the magnetic field formed in the dust container 100, the change in the magnetic field can be detected with sufficient sensitivity. By switching the currents flowing through the detection sensor coil 104a and the detection sensor coil 104b to opposite directions at random or at a constant time interval, the direction of the generated magnetic field can be rotated by 90 degrees. Therefore, even when a magnetic field penetrating from the lower side to the upper side of the dust container 100 is formed, the medical gauze that cannot be detected with high sensitivity can be detected. That is, by switching the direction of the current flowing through each of the

detection sensor coils

104a and 104b at random or at a constant time interval, sensitivity is substantially provided in both directions, and detection performance is improved. The switching cycle may be, for example, a cycle of 10 msec to 1 sec.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the trash container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a region in the side wall 102 of the dust container 100 where the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b is arranged. According to fig. 3, the side wall 102 includes, inside thereof, a plurality of turns of the coil thin wire 104c wound therearound, a fixing layer 108 covering the coil thin wire 104c, and a shielding material 105 covering the coil thin wire 104c and the fixing layer 108. The shielding material 105 is a known shielding material for the purpose of reducing the influence of noise caused by an electric field. As the coil thin wire 104c, a magnet wire formed of a conductor containing copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, gold, nickel, iron, or the like is suitably used. The fixed layer 108 can be formed of the same material as the sidewall 102. In the example of fig. 3, the shielding material 105 is formed apart from the coil thin line 104c by a predetermined distance (for example, 1 cm). However, the coil thin line 104c may be directly covered with the shielding material 105 without particularly forming the fixing layer 108.

Fig. 4a, 4b, and 4c are views showing modifications of the structure of the dust container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, fig. 2 shows an example in which the detection sensor coil 104a and the detection sensor coil 104b are arranged along the entire circumference of the side wall 102 of the dust container, but fig. 4a shows an example in which the detection sensor coil 104d is arranged along the entire circumference of the upper portion of the side wall 102. Fig. 4b shows an example in which the detection sensor coil 104e is disposed only on a part of the side wall 102, more specifically, only on one side wall (side wall 102a) of the 4 side walls 102a to 102 d. Fig. 4c shows an example in which the detection sensor coil 104f is disposed on the bottom wall 101.

As described above, the example of fig. 2 is an example, and the detection sensor coil disposed in the dust container 100 can be appropriately changed according to the type, form, and shape of the detected article, the shape of the coil disposed in the article, the direction in which the article is put, and the like.

Fig. 4d is a diagram showing a modification of the structure of the dust container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, fig. 3 shows a case where the detection sensor coil 104 is housed inside the side wall 102 of the dust container 100, but fig. 4d shows a case where a coil thin line 104c covered with a shielding material 105 is disposed on the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall 102. In fig. 4d, the side wall 102 is provided on the inner surface or the outer surface, but it is needless to say that the side wall may be provided on the inner surface or the outer surface of the bottom wall 101.

In the example of fig. 2 and the examples of fig. 4a to 4c, the bottom wall 101 is described as having a substantially quadrangular shape, but may have any shape such as a circle, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, or a polygon of any number of these. In addition, the side wall 102 is not limited to 4 side walls, and may be formed in a cylindrical shape, or may have a plurality of side walls of 2 or more. The openings 103 may have any shape such as a circle, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, or a polygon of any number of shapes corresponding to the shapes and numbers of the bottom wall 101 and the side walls 102. The overall shape of the device need not be substantially columnar, and may be any shape such as a cone, a truncated cone, a mortar, or a sphere.

Such a dust container 100 can be applied from a small size having a capacity of 10L or less to a medium size of 10L to 40L or a large size of 40L or more regardless of the capacity.

3. Configuration of the waste detection system 1 of the first embodiment

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the waste detection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As described above, the waste detection system 1 includes the waste container 100, the analyzer 200, and the display 300, and is connected to each other by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to transmit and receive various signals, instruction commands, data, and the like.

The analyzer 200 includes at least a memory 201, a processor 202, an input interface 203, a detection circuit 204, and an I/O circuit 205, and the respective components are electrically connected to each other via data lines. The analyzer 200 does not need to include all the components shown in fig. 5, and may be configured by omitting a part thereof, and other components may be added. The analysis device 200 may be arranged such that each component is dispersed in a plurality of devices.

The memory 201 is configured by a ROM, a RAM, a nonvolatile memory, an HDD, and the like, and functions as a storage unit. The ROM stores, as a program, an instruction command for executing the analysis processing and the like of the present embodiment and a predetermined OS. The RAM is a memory for writing and reading data during processing of programs stored in the ROM by the processor 202. The nonvolatile memory and the HDD are memories that perform writing and reading of data by execution of the program, and the data written therein is also stored after the execution of the program is completed. In the nonvolatile memory and the HDD, various set values such as a voltage value applied to the detection sensor circuit, parameter values, various analyzed values to be checked, and the like are stored, as an example.

The processor 202 is constituted by a CPU (microcomputer) as an example, and functions as a control unit for controlling other connected components by executing an instruction command (program) stored in the memory 201. For example, the processor 202 executes various analysis processing programs stored in the memory 201 to perform control for checking whether or not a specific item is inserted into the trash container 100, and reporting the check on the display 300. The processor 202 may be constituted by a single CPU, but may be constituted by a plurality of CPUs. Further, other types of processors such as GPUs specified for image processing may be appropriately combined.

The input interface 203 is configured by a touch panel, hard keys, and the like, and functions as an operation unit that receives various instructions and inputs from a user. The input interface 203 is used to turn on/off the power of the analyzer 200 and to perform display setting of the display 300.

The detection circuit 204 forms a detection circuit together with the detection sensor 104 (

detection sensor coils

104a and 104b) disposed in the dust container 100, and checks the input of the medical gauze 400 having the article side coil 404 disposed therein into the dust container 100. The specific configuration of the detection circuit will be described later.

The I/O circuit 205 is connected to an I/O circuit of the display 300, and functions as an information input/output unit for inputting and outputting information between the analyzer 200 and the display 300. Specifically, the I/O circuit 205 transmits information for reporting the input of a specific item to the display 300 based on the control of the processor 202.

In the example of fig. 5, the display 300 is described as an alarm device, but the display 300 is not limited to this. For example, a speaker may be provided as the alarm device to report the input by sound. Further, as the alarm device, a light emitting device such as an LED may be provided to give a notice of the input by emitting light. Further, as the alarm device, a vibration device may be provided to notify the input by vibration. Further, the alarm device may be wirelessly connected, and the input check may be notified to a portable terminal such as a smartphone wirelessly connected, and the input may be notified by a display, a speaker, or a vibration device of the portable terminal. That is, in this case, the portable terminal can be used as an alarm device.

4. Structure of detection circuit of first embodiment

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the waste detection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the detection circuit on the analyzer 200 side and the detection circuit (detection sensor 104) on the dust container 100 side are electrically connected to each other to form one detection circuit, and fig. 6 shows a circuit configuration of the detection circuit.

According to fig. 6, the detection circuit includes at least an oscillation device 206, a bridge circuit including a plurality of variable resistors 211, and a resonance device 216 including a

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b and a capacitor (not shown), an amplification device 207,

multiplication devices

208a and 208b, and

rectification devices

209a and 209b, and the respective components are electrically connected to each other.

In the detection circuit shown in fig. 6, an ac voltage is applied to the bridge circuit by the oscillation device 206 based on the setting information of the analysis device stored in the memory 201. The frequency of the applied alternating voltage is a frequency capable of resonating with the resonance frequency of the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b included in the bridge circuit. Typically, the frequency of the applied ac voltage is the same as or substantially the same as the resonance frequency of the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104 b. For example, the frequency of the applied alternating voltage is preferably 0.1MHz to 20MHz, preferably 0.5MHz to 5MHz, and more preferably 0.5MHz to 1 MHz. The frequency may be determined appropriately in consideration of the balance between the size of the

detection sensor coils

104a and 104b and the absorption of electromagnetic waves by the living tissue.

In the detection circuit shown in fig. 6, when an alternating voltage is applied to the bridge circuit by the oscillation device 206 having the above-described configuration, a current flows in the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b to generate an alternating magnetic field (magnetic field). Here, the article side coil 404 disposed in the medical gauze 400 has a resonance frequency that can resonate with the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104 b. Therefore, when such medical gauze is put into the dust container 100, the magnetic field formed by the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b changes. The input of the medical gauze 400 is checked by checking the change using a circuit connected to the subsequent stage. When a medical device, such as a forceps, a clip, scissors, a forceps, or a scalpel, which is at least partially made of a metal is put into a trash container, a change in magnetic field is generated which is different from the medical gauze 400 having the article-side coil 404. Therefore, by checking the difference in the change in the magnetic field, it is possible to check the difference between the case where the medical device without the article-side coil 404 is put in and the case where the medical gauze 400 with the article-side coil 404 is put in.

The method will be described in detail below. First, an ac signal obtained from a bridge circuit including the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b is amplified by the amplifier 207, and then multiplied by an ac voltage generated by the oscillator 206. The multiplier used at this time is prepared as two

multipliers

208a and 208b, and the ac signal multiplied by each of the

multipliers

208a and 208b is transmitted to

rectifiers

209a and 209b and converted into a dc signal (the path passing through the multiplier 208a and the rectifier 209a is defined as path 21, and the path passing through the multiplier 208b and the rectifier 209b is defined as path 22). At this time, the rectifier 209a detects only one of the positive peak and the negative peak of the amplitude of the ac electric signal after the multiplication, which is determined in advance (the "positive" peak in the examples of fig. 7a to 7 c), and converts the detected peak into the dc signal. On the other hand, after the rectifier 209b performs the process of inverting "positive" and "negative", only one of the predetermined peaks (the peak of "positive" in the examples of fig. 7a to 7 c) is detected and converted into a dc signal. The converted dc signals are output from ports connected to the

paths

21 and 22, respectively, and are stored in the memory 201 for later analysis. In the example of fig. 6, the variable resistor 211 is disposed on the ground side, but may be disposed on the output side of the oscillation device 206. Further, although one resonance circuit 216 is arranged in the bridge circuit, a plurality of resonance circuits may be arranged.

In the present embodiment, the subsequent stage after the amplification device 207 constitutes two paths, i.e., a path 21 passing through the multiplication device 208a and the rectification device 209a and a path 22 passing through the multiplication device 208b and the rectification device 209 b. This is because the ac voltage component output from the bridge circuit, which has no phase shift with respect to the ac voltage applied by the oscillation device 206, is detected through one of the paths, and the ac voltage component output from the bridge circuit, which has a phase shift (for example, 180 degrees) with respect to the ac voltage applied by the oscillation device 206, is detected through the other path.

Fig. 7a, 7b, and 7c are diagrams showing examples of waveforms detected by the waste detection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, fig. 7a shows an ac voltage waveform 11 applied from the oscillation device 206, an ac voltage waveform 12 output from the bridge circuit, and an ac voltage waveform 13 output from the rectifying

device

209a or 209b in a case where nothing is detected by the detection sensor 104 of the dust container 100 disposed in the waste detection system 1 (normal state). Fig. 7b shows an ac voltage waveform 11 applied from the oscillation device 206, an ac voltage waveform 12 output from the bridge circuit, and an ac voltage waveform 13 output from the rectifier 209a in the case where the medical gauze 400 having the article-side coil 404 disposed therein is input. Fig. 7c shows an ac voltage waveform 11 applied from the oscillation device 206, an ac voltage waveform 12 output from the bridge circuit, and an ac voltage waveform 13 output from the rectifier 209b in the case where another medical device at least a part of which has a metal is input.

Referring to fig. 7a and 7b, compared to the normal state (fig. 7a), the amplitude of the ac voltage waveform 12 output from the bridge circuit increases although the phase of the magnetic field formed by the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b changes substantially due to the influence of resonance with the article-side coil 404. As a result, the ac voltage signal applied from the oscillator 206 and the ac voltage signal output from the bridge circuit are multiplied, and then a "positive" value (ac voltage waveform 13) is output from the rectifier 209a as shown in fig. 7 b. Therefore, the processor 201 stores the output value "positive" received from the port of the path 21 in the memory 201. Although not shown, the output from the multiplier circuit 208b is inverted and becomes a negative value, and therefore is not output from the rectifier circuit 209 b. That is, the analyzer 200 can detect the medical gauze 400 having the article side coil 404 by checking that the "positive" output value is received from the port of the path 21.

On the other hand, referring to fig. 7c, when a medical device including at least a part of a metal is introduced, a phase of an ac voltage waveform 12 output from the bridge circuit is shifted from a waveform of an ac voltage waveform 11 applied from the oscillation device 206 due to an influence of an eddy current flowing through the metal part, as compared with a normal state (fig. 7 a). In the example of fig. 7c, the phase of ac voltage waveform 12 is shifted by 180 degrees from ac voltage waveform 11. Therefore, the output from the multiplier 208b is inverted to a "positive" value, and the rectifier 209b outputs the "positive" value (ac voltage waveform 13). Although not shown, the output from the multiplier circuit 208a is not output from the rectifier circuit 209a because the output has a negative value due to the phase shift. That is, the analyzer 200 checks that a "positive" value is received from the port of the path 22, and checks that a medical instrument containing metal is inserted. That is, by checking the output from the port of the path 21 when the medical gauze 400 is inserted, but checking the output from the port of the path 22, that is, the difference between the ports outputting the signal when the medical device containing metal is inserted, it is possible to detect the medical gauze 400 having the article-side coil 404 by distinguishing the medical device containing metal from the medical gauze 400 having the article-side coil 404.

It is desirable that the bridge circuit maintains an equilibrium state in the case where the above-described detection circuit is used. Therefore, feedback is applied by control of the processor 202 based on the dc signal stored in the memory 201, and various setting values such as the oscillation frequency of the oscillation device 206, the resonance frequency of the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b, and the resistance value of the variable resistor 211 included in the bridge circuit can be controlled to maintain the balanced state.

Further, when the medical gauze 400 and another medical device containing metal are simultaneously put in, or when it is desired to detect a medical device containing metal in which the article side coil 404 is arranged, both of the ac voltage waveforms of "positive" and "negative" are simultaneously obtained under the influence of both the article side coil 404 and the metal. Therefore, the medical gauze 400 and the like on which the article side coil 404 is disposed may be canceled out and the input may not be detected. In such a case, a dc signal is obtained from the reference coil or the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b having a changed resonance frequency by newly providing a reference coil in addition to the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b or by changing the capacitance value of the capacitor included in the resonance device 216 to change the resonance frequency. Based on the obtained dc signal, the processor 202 controls various setting values such as the oscillation frequency of the oscillation device 206, the resonance frequency of the

detection sensor coil

104a or 104b, and the resistance value of the variable resistor 211 included in the bridge circuit so that the dc signal obtained from another medical instrument including metal is as close to zero as possible. Thus, even when the article side coil 404 and the metal are simultaneously present, they can be distinguished and detected.

5. The structure of the medical gauze 400 of the first embodiment

In the present embodiment, the medical gauze 400 provided with the article-side coil 404 is taken as an example of the specific article to be detected. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the gauze 400 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 8, the medical gauze 400 includes a substrate 403, an article-side coil 404 disposed on the substrate 403, and a film 402 covering the substrate 403 and the article-side coil 404 on the surface of a gauze body 401.

The gauze body 401 of the medical gauze 400 is manufactured by weaving warp yarns and weft yarns made of 40 cotton threads at a predetermined interval so as to alternately cross each other, as an example. The thickness of the wire can be changed as appropriate depending on the application. The material of the thread is not limited to cotton thread, and cellulose fiber, synthetic fiber, or a combination thereof can be used.

In addition, in the gauze body 401, an X-ray hatching may be woven on a part of the gauze body 401 so as to inspect the remaining medical gauze 400 by X-rays. As the X-ray radiography line, a synthetic resin fiber containing a substance opaque to X-rays such as barium sulfate can be used. As the synthetic resin, known materials such as silicon-based, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene, styrene-based, and the like can be used.

The article-side coil 404 is made of a conductor such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, gold, nickel, or iron, and is formed in a ring shape along the outer periphery of the substrate 403.

The substrate 403 is formed of a known insulating film. As the insulating film, for example, polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like can be used. The film 402 may be any film as long as it can protect the article side coil 404 inside from moisture, dust, and the like, and for example, a material such as polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyolefin, polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like is used.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the medical gauze 400 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an area including the article-side coil 404 in the medical gauze 400. According to fig. 9, a film 402b is disposed on the upper surface of the gauze body 401. On the film 402b, a substrate 403 and

article side coils

404a and 404b disposed on both surfaces of the substrate 403 are disposed. The article-

side coils

404a and 404b are configured to be electrically connected to each other through a through hole (not shown) provided in the substrate 403. The film 402a is disposed so as to cover the substrate 403 and the

article side coils

404a and 404b, and the gauze body 401 is bonded to each end of the

films

402a and 402b by a mutually known method. Further, a film 402c is bonded to the lower surface of the gauze body 401 by a known method at a position corresponding to the film 402 b. This prevents moisture, dust, and the like from entering the space in which the substrate 403 and the

article side coils

404a and 404b are arranged from the outside.

As described above, the waste detection system 1 according to the present embodiment can provide a waste container that can manage the input of a specific article into the waste container by a simpler method. Specifically, the input of a specific article into the trash container can be detected and reported by an alarm device such as a display or a speaker. In addition, the case where a specific article is put into the trash container can be detected by distinguishing it from the case where another article is put into the trash container.

< second embodiment >

In the first embodiment, the waste detection system 1 using the dust container 100 in which the detection sensor 104 is disposed is described. However, in the second embodiment, the waste detection system 1a in which the detection sensor 104 is not disposed in the waste container 100 and the detection sensor 504 is disposed in the rack 500 for supporting the waste container 100 will be described. The present embodiment is similar in structure, processing, and steps to those of the first embodiment except for the points described below in detail. Therefore, detailed description of these matters is omitted.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a waste detection system 1a according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. According to fig. 10, the waste detection system 1a includes a waste container 100, a rack 500 on which a detection sensor 504 is disposed and which supports the waste container 100, an analyzer 200 connected to the detection sensor 504 so as to be capable of communicating wirelessly or by wire, and a display 300 connected to the analyzer 200 so as to be capable of communicating wirelessly or by wire. In the waste detection system 1a, the detection sensor 504 of the rack 500 detects a change in the magnetic field caused by the medical gauze 400 with the article side coil 404 placed therein being put into the dust container 100, and outputs the change to the analyzer 200. The analyzer 200 checks the input of the medical gauze 400 based on the received output.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the structures of a trash container 100d and a rack 500 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 11, the dust container 100d includes a main body container having a bottom wall 101 constituting a bottom surface of the dust container 100, a side wall 102 rising upward from a peripheral edge 101a along an outer periphery of the bottom wall 101, and an opening 103 formed in an upper portion of the side wall 102 and into which waste is introduced. That is, the configuration can be the same as that of the dust container 100 according to the first embodiment described with reference to fig. 2 and the like, except that the detection sensor 104 is not included.

As shown in fig. 11, the dust container 100d is placed on a support surface of the rack 500 and used. In this case, the detection sensor 504 includes two sensor coils, i.e., a detection sensor coil 504a and a detection sensor coil 504b in the example of fig. 11, and is configured to cross each other in a substantially X-shape when the holder 500 is viewed from the side. When the dust container 100d is placed, the

detection sensor coils

504a and 504b are disposed at positions overlapping the outer peripheries of the side walls 102a to 102d of the dust container 100 d.

In the present embodiment, the dust container 100d can be provided with a lid 106 for covering the opening 103 (the dust container 100 of the first embodiment can be provided similarly).

In addition, although not described in particular detail, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, any shape may be applied to the shape of the dust container 100 d. The shapes of the detection sensor 504 and the rack 500 can be changed as appropriate according to the shape of the dust container 100 d.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the structure of a rack 500 of a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 12, the frame 500 is formed by bending and welding a stainless steel or aluminum round wire having a certain rigidity. First, a pair of rod-shaped support rods 511 are provided at positions in contact with the ground. Then, 4 circular lines are bent substantially in parallel on the upper portion of the support rod 511 to form the support base 501. The bottom wall 101 of the dust container 100 is placed on the support base 501. The rack 500 has an opening/closing mechanism for opening/closing the lid 106 of the dust container 100. This opening and closing mechanism includes: a connecting plate 512 formed in a flat plate-like elongated plate shape and pivotally supported at substantially the center thereof so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction; a pedal 502 provided on one end side of the link plate 512; holding members 503a and 503b for holding both ends of the cover 106, respectively; an arm 514 that has the two holders 503a and 503b provided at both ends and is coupled to the link mechanism 515 at a substantially central portion; and a link 513 for transmitting the depression of the pedal 502 to the arm by connecting the link mechanism 515 to the other end side of the link plate 512. Thus, when the user steps on the pedal 502, the arm 514 and the clamps 503a and 503b are rotated upward. That is, when the clamps 503a and 503b hold the lid 106, the lid 106 is opened and closed upward by the upward rotation thereof.

The holder 500 has

detection coil sensors

504a and 504b arranged so as to intersect each other in a substantially X-shape when the holder 500 is viewed from the side. The

detection coil sensors

504a and 504b are fixed to each other and also to the circular wire constituting the frame 500.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of a rack 500 of a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, fig. 13 shows a cross-sectional structure of the detection sensor 504 (

detection coil sensors

504a and 504b) of the gantry 500. According to fig. 13, each of the

detection sensor coils

504a and 504b includes: a pair of

housings

506a and 506 b; a coil thin wire 505 wound with a plurality of turns; a fixing layer 516 covering the coil thin wire 505; and a shielding material 508 covering the coil thin line 505 and the fixing layer 516 and for reducing the influence of noise caused by an electric field. The

housings

506a and 506b have a concave part 509 and a convex part 510 at respective corresponding positions, and are fixed to each other by fitting and bonding them. The

cases

506a and 506b can be made of a known material, for example, various resin materials such as epoxy resin, phenol resin, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, ABS resin, polyamide, and polycarbonate, or a composite resin material thereof.

Fig. 14a, 14b, and 14c are views showing modifications of the structure of the rack 500 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, fig. 12 shows an example in which the

detection sensor coils

504a and 504b are arranged in a substantially X-shape at positions overlapping the side wall 102 of the dust container 100. Fig. 14a shows an example in which the detection sensor coil 504c is disposed at a position corresponding to an upper portion of the side wall 102 of the dust container 100 so as to overlap the upper portion. Fig. 14b shows an example in which the detection sensor coil 504d is disposed at a position corresponding to the bottom wall 101 of the dust container 100 so as to overlap the bottom wall 101. Fig. 14c shows an example in which the detection sensor coil 504e is disposed so as to overlap only one of the side walls 102 of the dust container 100 at a position corresponding to the side wall.

As described above, the example of fig. 12 is an example, and the detection sensor coil disposed on the rack 500 can be appropriately changed according to the type, form, and shape of the detected article, the shape of the coil disposed on the article, the direction in which the article is put, and the like.

As described above, the waste detection system 1a according to the present embodiment can provide a rack for a trash container that can manage a situation where a specific item is put into the trash container in a simpler manner. Specifically, the input of a specific article into the trash container can be detected and reported by an alarm device such as a display or a speaker. In addition, the case where a specific article is put into the trash container can be detected by distinguishing it from the case where another article is put into the trash container.

< third embodiment >

In the waste detection system 1 of the first embodiment and the waste detection system 1a of the second embodiment, the input of the medical gauze 400 on which the article-side coil 404 is arranged and the input of another medical article including metal are checked by detecting a phase shift using a multiplier device. However, in the third embodiment, a waste detection system 1b will be described, in which the waste detection system 1b detects a phase shift by using an exclusive or (XOR) circuit to check the input of the medical gauze 400 in which the article side coil 404 is arranged and the input of another medical article including metal. The present embodiment is similar in structure, processing, and steps to those of the first embodiment except for the points described below in detail. Therefore, detailed description of these matters is omitted.

Fig. 15 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of a waste detection system 1b according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, an exclusive or circuit is shown which is replaced to be used as a subsequent stage portion from the amplifying device 207 in fig. 6. According to fig. 15, an ac voltage signal 212a output from the bridge circuit of fig. 6 and an ac voltage signal 212b applied from the oscillation device 206 of fig. 6 are input to

comparators

213a and 213b, respectively. At this time, the

comparators

213a and 213b convert the input

ac voltage signals

212a and 212b into on and off signals by comparing them with the reference voltage, respectively. The changed signals are input to the exclusive or circuit 214. In the exclusive or circuit 214, when there is a phase shift between the two input signals, the on signal is output while the phase shift is occurring, and when there is no phase shift, the output of the signal is not performed. The output signal is converted into a dc signal by the low-pass filter 215 and stored in the memory 201.

Fig. 16a and 16b are diagrams showing examples of waveforms detected by the waste detection system 1 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, fig. 16a shows a signal waveform when the medical gauze 400 having the article side coil 404 is put into a trash, and fig. 16b shows a signal waveform when a medical device containing metal is put into a trash. The signal waveforms of the medical gauze 400 and the medical instrument including metal in a state where they are not introduced are not shown. In such a state, the ac voltage signal from the bridge circuit is very small, as illustrated by the ac voltage waveform 12 of fig. 7a, for example. Therefore, the processor 202 first checks the amplitude of the ac voltage signal from the bridge circuit, and determines that neither the medical gauze 400 nor the medical instrument containing metal is put into the medical gauze if the amplitude does not exceed a predetermined amplitude. On the other hand, when the amplitude of the ac voltage signal from the bridge circuit exceeds the predetermined amplitude, the processor 202 determines that any one of the medical gauze 400 and the medical instrument including metal is input, and performs the phase shift-based inspection described in fig. 16a and 16 b.

Referring back to fig. 16a again, fig. 16a shows the signal waveform when the medical gauze 400 having the article side coil 404 is put into a trash container as described above. In this case, as is also known from the upper graph of fig. 16a, there is no phase shift between the amplitude 12 of the ac voltage signal 212a output from the bridge circuit and the amplitude 11 of the ac voltage signal 212b applied from the oscillator 206. Therefore, as in the middle graph of fig. 16a, no phase shift is observed in the signal waveforms output from the

comparators

213a and 213b, and as in the lower graph of fig. 16a, the on signal is not output from the exclusive or circuit 214.

On the other hand, fig. 16b shows signal waveforms in the case where a medical device containing metal is put into a trash box as described above. In this case, as is also known from the upper graph of fig. 16b, the amplitude 12 of the ac voltage signal 212a output from the bridge circuit is shifted in phase from the amplitude 11 of the ac voltage signal 212b applied from the oscillator 206. Therefore, as in the middle graph of fig. 16b, a phase shift is also detected in the signal waveforms output from the

comparators

213a and 213b, and as in the lower graph of fig. 16b, an on signal corresponding to the phase shift is output from the exclusive or circuit 214.

That is, when the medical gauze 400 is put in, the signal output from the exclusive or circuit 214 changes without turning on. That is, by checking that the signal changes without turning on, it is possible to detect that the medical gauze 400 is put into the trash container 100.

On the other hand, when a medical instrument including a metal is input, since a phase shift occurs, the exclusive or circuit 214 continues to output the on signal. That is, by checking that the on signal is continuously output, it is possible to detect that a medical instrument having metal is put into the dust container 100.

< other embodiment >

In the first to third embodiments, the input of the article in which the article side coil 404 is disposed is detected using a coil as the

detection sensor

104 or 504. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the input of a specific article may be checked by using an antenna or the like.

In the first to third embodiments, the case where the specific article on which the article-side coil 404 is disposed is the medical gauze 400 is described. However, the article-side coil 404 may be disposed not only in medical gauze but also in medical instruments such as injectors and energy equipment used in surgical operations, tools used in construction sites, manufacturing, repair, maintenance, and the like, and the input into the trash container may be detected. The above description is merely an example, and the article side coil 404 can be preferably applied to an article that causes various problems if the article is discarded by mistake or is unnecessarily taken out.

In the first and second embodiments, the phase shift of the

detection sensor coil

104 or 504 is checked by the analyzer 200 using the

multipliers

208a and 208 b. In addition, in the third embodiment, the phase shift is checked using the exclusive or circuit 214. However, the phase shift is not limited to this, and the phase shift can be checked by other known methods.

The elements described in the embodiments may be combined as appropriate or may be replaced with each other to form a system.

Description of reference numerals:

100 refuse receptacle

200 analysis device

300 alarm device

400 medical gauze

500 shelves.

Claims

1. A medical garbage container, wherein,

the medical waste container includes:

a main body container including a bottom wall and a side wall erected from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, the main body container being capable of accommodating therein a predetermined waste input from an opening formed in an upper portion of the side wall; and

and a detection sensor disposed on at least one of the bottom wall and the side wall, for detecting the input of the medical waste.

2. The medical waste container according to claim 1,

the detection sensor is disposed on the bottom wall.

3. The medical waste container according to claim 1,

the detection sensor is configured on the side wall.

4. The medical waste container according to claim 1,

the detection sensor is disposed along the entire circumference of the side wall.

5. The medical waste container according to claim 1,

the bottom wall is formed in a quadrangular shape,

the side walls include first to fourth side walls erected from respective sides of the bottom wall formed in a quadrangular shape,

the detection sensor is disposed along all of the first to fourth side walls.

6. The medical waste container according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the detection sensor includes a first coil.

7. The medical waste container according to claim 6,

the first coil has a resonant frequency of 0.1MHz to 20 MHz.

8. The medical waste container according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the detection sensor is connected to an analyzer for inspecting the input of the first medical waste including the second coil.

9. The medical waste container according to claim 8,

the detection sensor is connected to an analyzer for distinguishing and inspecting a case where the second medical waste excluding the second coil is input from a case where the first medical waste is input.

10. The medical waste container according to claim 8 or 9,

the first medical waste is medical gauze.

11. The medical waste container according to claim 9,

the second medical waste contains metal in at least a part of the second medical waste.

12. A medical waste detection system, wherein,

the medical waste detection system includes:

the medical waste container according to any one of claims 1 to 11;

an analysis device connected to the detection sensor included in the medical waste container; and

an alarm device connected to the analysis device.

13. The medical waste detection system according to claim 12, wherein,

the analysis device checks whether or not a first medical waste including a second coil is input.

14. The medical waste detection system according to claim 13, wherein,

the analyzer distinguishes and inspects a case where a second medical waste different from the first medical waste is input from a case where the first medical waste is input.

15. The medical waste detection system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein,

the detection sensor includes a first coil having a resonance frequency capable of resonating with the second coil,

the analyzer inspects a change in a magnetic field generated by the input of the first medical waste, thereby inspecting the input of the first medical waste.

16. The medical waste detection system according to claim 15, wherein,

the analysis device includes an oscillation circuit that applies an alternating voltage of a frequency that can resonate with a resonance frequency of the first coil to the first coil,

the analyzer checks a phase shift between the ac voltage generated by the first coil and the ac voltage applied by the oscillation circuit, which is generated by the input of the second medical waste, and thereby checks the input of the second medical waste.

17. The medical waste detection system according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein,

the alarm device displays an indication indicating the input of the first medical waste detected by the analyzer.

18. A rack for supporting a medical waste container including a main body container having a bottom wall and a side wall erected from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, the main body container being capable of accommodating therein predetermined waste thrown in from an opening formed in an upper portion of the side wall,

the rack includes a detection sensor that is disposed so as to overlap at least one of the bottom wall and the side wall of the medical waste container and detects the input of medical waste.

19. A medical waste detection system, wherein,

the medical waste detection system includes:

a rack as recited in claim 18;

an analysis device connected to the detection sensor included in the rack; and

an alarm device connected to the analysis device.