EP4615534A1

EP4615534A1 - Equipment for processing organic substances

Info

Publication number: EP4615534A1
Application number: EP23793478.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gianni CASAMICHELE
Original assignee: InCas Innovazioni Casamichele Srl
Current assignee: InCas Innovazioni Casamichele Srl
Priority date: 2022-11-10
Filing date: 2023-10-11
Publication date: 2025-09-17
Also published as: WO2024100472A1; IT202200023175A1

Abstract

The present invention refers to an equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) for processing an organic substance (O). The equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) comprises main containment means (10) comprising a feeding inlet (17) suited to feed the organic substance (O) into the inner volume (V) defined by the main containment means (10). The main containment means (10) are configured to seal the inner volume (V) with respect to the external environment and comprise a communication way (50) directed towards the external environment wherein the communication way (50) comprises filtering means (52).

Description

EQUIPMENT FOR PROCESSING ORGANIC SUBSTANCES

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the processing of organic substances, and in particular to the suction operations of potentially infected organic substances.

More particularly, the present invention relates to the suction and subsequent disinfection processing of potentially infected organic substances consisting, for example, of the liquid residues of surgical interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

In the hospital environment the need to maintain a hygienically healthy environment in order to prevent the spread of diseases or infections, for example in wards and operating theatres is known.

A particularly felt need concerns the correct processing of all those substances that can be infected, for example all the organic liquids of surgical interventions. These liquids, typically blood and/or urine, are duly collected during the surgical interventions through an appropriate collection bag and then conveyed into appropriate storage containers or temporary storage equipment suitably configured for the disinfection of organic substances, in particular organic liquids.

Such liquids, such as for example urine collected in the hospital wards where bladder washes are performed, can be potentially infected, for example with bacteria carrying more or less dangerous and contagious diseases, such as for example hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, HBV, HCV. The organic liquids must therefore be handled with extreme caution by the operators, to avoid any type of contamination and/or contact, both direct and indirect with the surrounding environment.

Disinfection equipment of known type comprise a main container for the delivery of the organic substance to be processed, a secondary container suited to receive a disinfectant substance and special feeding means suited to convey the disinfectant substance from the secondary container to the main container. The addition of the disinfectant substance accomplishes the desired processing of neutralization or disinfection of the organic substance. The disinfectant substance in order to exert its disinfectant action is used in an appropriate percentage in the organic substance to be processed and acts for an adequate interval of time.

Equipment of known type have drawbacks.

A first drawback derives from the risk of emissions towards the external environment of contaminated elements coming from the main container and contained in the vapours generated by the organic substance received therein, such as dust particles and airborne pollutants and/or natural allergens, such as spores, pollen, viruses and bacteria.

Another drawback consists in the emission towards the external environment of unpleasant odours coming from the main container and deriving from the vapours generated by the organic substance received therein, such as dust particles and airborne pollutants and/or natural allergens, such as spores, pollen, viruses and bacteria.

The main aim of the present invention is therefore to solve or at least partially obviate the problems that characterize the solutions known in the state of the art.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to reduce as much as possible the risk of contamination towards the external environment in equipment for disinfection of organic substances of known type.

A further aim of the present invention is to propose a solution that allows to reduce the emission of unpleasant odours in equipment for disinfection of organic substances of known type.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is based on the general consideration that the problems encountered in the state of the art can be at least partially overcome by making an equipment for processing organic substances that uses appropriate filtration means.

The term “organic substance” below in the text will preferably be understood as a liquid substance. This liquid substance may be more or less dense, as well as contain more or less large-sized suspended particles.

The object of the present invention is an equipment for processing an organic substance, as defined in claim 1.

The present invention therefore refers to an equipment for processing an organic substance, said equipment comprising main containment means comprising a feeding inlet suited to feed said organic substance into the inner volume defined by said main containment means; wherein said main containment means are configured to seal said inner volume with respect to the external environment and said main containment means comprise a communication way directed towards said external environment wherein said communication way comprises filtering means. In a preferred embodiment, the filtering means comprise a filter provided with holes that are capable of capturing particles larger than 0.3 micrometres in size. Preferably, said filtering means comprise a filter with filtering efficiency up to 99.999995%.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the filtering means comprise a ULPA filter.

In a preferred embodiment, the filtering means are of the removable type.

Preferably, the equipment comprises means for opening and closing said communication way.

The equipment comprises suction means suited to draw the organic substance suited to draw the organic substance and associated with the feeding inlet According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the equipment comprises auxiliary containment means suited to receive a cleaning and disinfectant substance for disinfecting the equipment.

Preferably, the equipment comprises secondary containment means suited to receive a disinfectant substance for said organic substance.

In a preferred embodiment, the equipment comprises feeding means suited to convey the disinfectant substance from the secondary containment means to the main containment means.

Preferably the feeding means suited to convey the disinfectant substance comprise a peristaltic pump.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the secondary containment means are removably associated with the equipment.

Advantageously, the equipment comprises detection means suited to detect the contents inside the main containment means.

Suitably the equipment comprises discharge means associated with the main containment means for discharging the contents of the main containment means. In a preferred embodiment, the equipment comprises feeding means suited to convey liquid substances and associated with the main containment means.

Advantageously, the equipment comprises recirculation means associated with the main containment means for the recirculation of the substances contained in the main containment means.

In a preferred embodiment, the recirculation means cooperate with the suction means suited to draw the organic substance.

Suitably the recirculation means comprise a diffuser element arranged inside the main containment means.

The equipment comprises a logic control unit.

In practice, the logic control unit is suitably connected to the feeding means suited to convey the disinfectant substances.

Preferably the equipment comprises a containment body and wheel means associated with the body.

Advantageously, the equipment comprises a display for displaying and/or entering data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages, objects and features, as well as embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and will be clarified hereinafter by means of the following description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawing tables; in the drawings, corresponding or equivalent features and/or component parts of the present invention are identified by the same reference numerals. In particular:

- Figure 1 represents in axonometric view an equipment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 1A represents the functional diagram of the equipment of Figure 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figure IB represents an operation step of the equipment of Figure 1 with reference to the functional diagram of Figure 1 A;

- Figure 2 represents the functional diagram of the equipment of Figure 1 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 3 represents an operation step of the equipment of Figure 1 with reference to the functional diagram of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 represents the functional diagram of the equipment of Figure 1 according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figures 5 to 8 represent different operation steps of the equipment of Figure 1 with reference to the functional diagram of Figure 4;

- Figure 9 represents the functional diagram of the equipment of Figure 1 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

- Figures 10 and 11 represent two operation modes of the equipment of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE

PRESENT INVENTION

Although the present invention is described below with reference to the embodiments thereof represented in the drawing tables, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and represented in the drawing tables.

On the contrary, the embodiments described and represented in the drawing tables clarify certain aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims.

The present invention finds particular, but not exclusive, application in the hospital environment. In particular, the equipment for processing organic substances of the invention can be advantageously used during the surgical interventions. The term “organic substance” will therefore preferably be understood as a liquid substance, such as for example blood or urine. This liquid substance may be more or less dense, as well as contain more or less large-sized suspended particles of other type.

For this reason, the present invention will be described below with particular reference to its application during a surgical intervention. It should however be noted that the applications of the present invention are not limited to the case of surgical interventions; on the contrary, the present invention also finds an advantageous application in all those cases in which it is necessary to process organic substances, preferably liquids, potentially infected. The equipment of the invention may find advantageous application, for example, in dental surgeries, in outpatient clinics, in nursing homes, etc.

In the following, with reference to Figures 1 and 1A, a first embodiment of the equipment 1 A for processing organic substances will be described.

For simplicity of presentation, in the continuation of the present description the equipment for processing organic substances 1A of the invention will be simply referred to as equipment 1 A.

A preferred embodiment of the equipment 1A according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1.

The equipment 1A is made according to a movable configuration and comprises a body 2, preferably made of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), mounted on wheels 3. This makes the equipment 1A particularly shock-resistant. The wheels 3 are preferably pivoting and antistatic, as well as provided with brakes. In this way, the equipment 1A is easily transportable and protected against any electrostatic discharges. An external manoeuvring handle 4 facilitates its movement. A display 5, preferably of the touch-screen type, allows the operator to enter and display the various operating data, as we will see better below.

The aforesaid characteristics, together with others described below, make the use of equipment 1A particularly suitable within hospital environments, such as wards or operating rooms.

With reference to the schematic representation of Figure 1A, the equipment 1A of Figure 1 is described in detail.

The equipment 1A comprises main containment means 10, or main container 10, suited to define an inner volume V for receiving the organic substance O.

The term “organic substance” O is intended to mean, in the continuation of the description, any type of substance, preferably liquid, which may comprise elements of risk, such as bacteria carrying infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, HBV, HCV, etc.

A first feeding inlet 17 suited to feed the organic substance O to be processed is associated with the main container 10. For this purpose, the equipment 1A comprises an inlet circuit 18 for the introduction of the organic substance O, collected externally, into the main container 10.

The inlet circuit 18 preferably comprises a suction pump 19 connected to the first inlet 17 via a first way 20a. A logic control unit 16, preferably comprising an electronic control board, suitably controls the suction pump 19. A suction pipe 23 provided with an end connector 24 is connected to the suction pump 19.

During operation of the equipment 1A, an outer suction duct Te is suitably connected to the end connector 24, as described below.

A discharge circuit 31 is associated with the main container 10. The discharge circuit 31 preferably comprises a withdrawal duct 32 arranged at the bottom of the container 10, discharge means 33, preferably a discharge pump, and an outlet duct 34.

The discharge means 33 are advantageously connected to the logic control unit 16.

The outlet duct 34 can advantageously be connected, if necessary, to a discharge channel, such as for example the sewerage system.

Display and data entry means 5, preferably in the form of a display, already indicated above with reference to Figure 1, are advantageously connected to the logic control unit 16.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the main container 10 is configured to seal the inner volume V with respect to the external environment. The main container 10 is provided with a communication way 50 directed towards the external environment wherein the communication way comprises filtering means 52.

In a preferred embodiment, said filtering means 52 comprise a filter provided with passage holes, or nano holes, which are capable of blocking the potentially harmful substances having sizes from 0.3 micrometres upwards.

In a preferred embodiment, said filtering means 52 comprises a filter with a filtration efficiency that can reach 99.999995%.

Preferably, the filtering means comprises an absolute filter of the type known as an ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) filter. The term “absolute filter” is justified by the fact that the ULPA filter has a high filtration efficiency. In particular, the ULPA filters have a filtration efficiency between 99.9995% and 99.999995%.

Still according to a preferred embodiment, the filtering means 52 are of the removable type.

Advantageously, the filtering means 52 can be replaced or cleaned by an operator. For this purpose, the equipment 1A is preferably provided with an openable door 8 suited to allow accessibility to the filtering means 52, as shown in Figure 1.

With reference to Figure IB, the possible operation of the equipment 1A of Figure 1A according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is described below.

The use of the equipment 1A provides, first of all, for the connection of its inlet circuit 18 to the collection point of the organic substance O. In particular, the end connector 24 of the suction pipe 23 is connected to a corresponding connector Ce of the outer suction pipe Te, as indicated in Figure IB.

The outer suction tube Te may be associated, for example, with a liquid collection bag used in the surgical interventions.

Preferably, a filter, not shown in the figure, is interposed between the two connectors 24 and Ce. This filter preferably comprises a filtering network and acts as a protection for any organic material that could obstruct and/or damage the suction pump 19 of the inlet circuit 18.

Once the connection is made with the outer suction pipe Te, the equipment 1A is ready for operation.

During such operation, the organic substance O is drawn through the inlet circuit 18 and introduced into the main container 10.

The organic substance O reaches the main container 10 from the first inlet 17, as schematically indicated by the arrows.

The control of the suction pump 19 is advantageously realized by the logic control unit 16.

The actuation of the suction pump 19 can be of a continuous type, in the case of high qualities of organic substance O coming from the outer suction pipe Te, or of an intermittent type, or again with a controlled actuation on the basis of the flow coming from the outer pipe Te. In the latter case, it may be provided for an appropriate flow sensor associated with the inlet circuit 18.

Advantageously, the suction speed of the suction pump 19 can be chosen by the operator through, for example, the display 5, where an appropriate page for setting the type of operation will be displayed, or selectable for that purpose.

The organic substance O is therefore introduced into the inner volume V of the main container 10.

As the organic substance O occupies the inner volume V of the main container 10, a corresponding amount of air is released towards the external environment from the inner volume V of the main container 10, the main container 10 being configured to seal the inner volume V itself.

According to the present invention, said amount of air is released towards the external environment from the inner volume V through the single communication way 50 and passing through the filtering means 52.

Advantageously, the air exiting from the main container 10 is subjected to a filtration action which is capable of preventing the passage of contaminants such as dust particles and airborne pollutants and/or natural allergens, such as spores, pollen, viruses and bacteria.

The air expelled into the external environment is therefore advantageously purified and not harmful.

The equipment 1A with the drawn organic substance O therefore acts as a reservoir, avoiding any contact with the operators.

The organic substance O may be subsequently discharged. Preferably, said discharge operation takes place in the full load condition of the main container 10, for example detected through said sensor.

The discharge step takes place by means of the discharge circuit 31. The discharge pump 33 is driven and the organic substance O is collected via the withdrawal duct 32 and conveyed to the outlet duct 34, as schematically indicated by the arrows in Figure IB.

Advantageously, the outlet duct 34 can be connected directly to the sewerage system.

At this point the processing of the organic substance O can be considered as concluded. The processing of the organic substance O substantially corresponds to the suction and temporary storage in an airtight volume inside the equipment 1 A until the next discharge.

For what is described above, it is clear how the equipment 1A allows to achieve the preset purposes.

In particular, the air that is released towards the external environment from the inner volume V through the communication way 50, in particular when the main container 10 is filled but in general when air crosses the communication way 50 to reach the outside, is purified by effect of the filtering means 52.

At the end of the discharge step, as described above, the equipment 1A is suitably subjected to a disinfection, or self-disinfection step. This step, described below in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is intended to carry out the cleaning and the disinfection of the main container 10 and of the inner circuits of the equipment 1 A that have come into contact with the organic substance O.

The equipment 1 A and the various parts that constitute it and that need powering are preferably powered by low-voltage batteries, for example 24V, and advantageously of a rechargeable type. This makes it safe to use, especially inside an operating room.

In a preferred embodiment, the discharge means are instead powered by the mains, i.e. with 220V. In this way, the use of a discharge pump of sufficiently high power, for example 36 litres/minute, can be envisaged in order to make the discharge step as fast as possible.

With reference to the schematic representation of Figure 2, an embodiment variant of an equipment 100 according to the invention is described; features and/or component parts similar or equivalent to the previously described embodiment are identified by the same reference numerals.

The equipment 1 comprises main containment means 10, or main container 10, suited to define an inner volume V for receiving the organic substance O to be processed.

According to this embodiment, the organic substance O received in the main container 10 is also subjected to a processing to neutralize the risk elements contained therein, such as bacteria carrying infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, HBV, HCV, etc.

Such neutralization or disinfection processing advantageously consists in the disinfection of the organic substance by adding a special disinfectant substance S. The disinfectant substance S in order to exert its disinfecting action should preferably be present in an adequate percentage in the organic substance O to be processed and act for a predetermined time interval. This time interval must be greater than a minimum time required to allow an effective disinfectant action.

The disinfectant substance S is advantageously received in a secondary container 11. Between the secondary container 11 and the main container 10 there are feeding means 12 for the controlled conveyance of the disinfectant substance S into the main container 10.

Preferably such feeding means 12 comprise a peristaltic pump 13, a withdrawal duct 14 suited to withdraw from the secondary container 11 and a conveying duct 15 suited to convey to the main container 10. A logic control unit 16, preferably comprising an electronic control board, suitably controls the peristaltic pump 13. The controlled actuation of the peristaltic pump 13 allows the withdrawal of doses of the disinfectant substance S from the secondary container 11 and their introduction into the main container 10.

In embodiment variants of the invention, such feeding means may be of a different type, but suitable for the purpose, such as for example other types of pump.

In another embodiment variant, the disinfectant substance S is advantageously received in a secondary container consisting of a bottle. Between the bottle and the main container 10 there may be feeding means for the controlled conveyance of the disinfectant substance S into the main container 10, similarly to what is described above.

In a further embodiment variant, there may be no dedicated feeding means between the secondary container, for example the bottle, and the main container 10, so that the disinfectant substance S from the secondary container can be poured directly into the main container 10. In this case, preferably, the amount of disinfectant substance S inside the secondary container will be suitably predefined, for example on the basis of the volume of organic substance that is expected to occupy the main container or on the basis of the inner volume V of the main container 10.

In embodiments, therefore, the secondary container is removably associated with the equipment.

A first feeding inlet 17 suited to feed the organic substance O to be processed is associated with the main container 10. For this purpose, the equipment 1 comprises an inlet circuit 18 for the introduction of the organic substance O, collected externally, into the main container 10.

The inlet circuit 18 preferably comprises a suction pump 19 connected to the first inlet 17 via a first way 20a. The suction pump 19 is suitably connected to the logic control unit 16.

A suction pipe 23 provided with an end connector 24 is connected to the suction pump 19.

During operation of the equipment 1, an outer suction duct Te will be suitably connected to the end connector 24, as we will see better below.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in accordance with what is described above, the main container 10 is configured to seal the inner volume V with respect to the external environment. The main container 10 is provided with a communication way 50 directed towards the external environment wherein the communication way comprises filtering means 52.

The filtering means 52 are preferably of the type described above with reference to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 A.

With reference to Figure 3, the possible operation of the equipment 1 of Figure 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is described below.

The use of the equipment 1 provides, first of all, for the connection of its inlet circuit 18 to the collection point of the organic substance O to be processed. In particular, the end connector 24 of the suction pipe 23 is connected to a corresponding connector Ce of the outer suction pipe Te, as indicated in the figure.

Once the connection is made with the outer suction pipe Te, the equipment 1 is ready for operation.

According to the present invention, said amount of air is released towards the external environment from the inner volume V through the single communication way 50 and passing through the filtering means 52. Advantageously, the air exiting from the main container 10 is subjected to a filtration action which is capable of preventing the passage of contaminants such as dust particles and airborne pollutants and/or natural allergens, such as spores, pollen, viruses and bacteria.

The logic control unit 16 then acts on the feeding means 12 suited to convey the disinfectant substance S.

The logic control unit 16 drives the peristaltic pump 13 for introducing a dose of disinfectant substance S into the main container 10. Preferably, said dose of disinfectant substance S is introduced on the basis of the amount of organic substance O present in the main container 10. In particular, a dose D of disinfectant substance S is introduced into the main container 10 whenever the organic substance O inside the main container 10 increases by a predetermined amount Q. For example, a dose D of 5 cc is added at each increase in organic substance O by an amount Q equal to 500 cc.

The increase in organic substance O of said quantity Q can be easily calculated by the logic control unit 16 by processing values detected by suitable sensor means suited to provide the filling level of the main container 10, for example a float with a magnetoresistive sensor, as described below. The dose D of disinfectant substance S can be easily made available, for example, through a predetermined number of revolutions of the peristaltic pump 13.

Inside the main container 10 the amount of disinfectant substance S is preferably maintained in a controlled percentage ratio R with respect to the organic substance O, for example of 1% in the case indicated above. It is evident that in embodiment variants this percentage ratio R may be different. This percentage ratio R may depend, for example, on the type of disinfectant substance S used. Preferably, this percentage ratio value R can be chosen by the operator through, for example, the display 5, where an appropriate page for setting this percentage ratio will be displayed, or selectable for that purpose.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the capacities of the main container 10 and of the secondary container 11 are chosen on the basis of this percentage value.

The percentage ratio R between disinfectant substance S and organic substance O represents, as mentioned, a very important parameter for the correct performance of the disinfection process. In general, the equipment shall ensure that this percentage ratio R is greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum percentage ratio Rmin.

In one embodiment variant, for example if there are no feeding means associated with the secondary container such as the peristaltic pump 13, the disinfectant substance S is introduced directly from the secondary container 11 into the main container 10 according to the predetermined amount present therein.

In addition to what has been said with reference to the parameter consisting of the percentage ratio R of disinfectant substance S with respect to the organic substance O, another essential control parameter on the effectiveness of the disinfectant action is the time of action ta of the disinfectant substance S in the organic substance O.

The time of action ta is monitored for this purpose by the control unit 16 which will signal, for example by means of a message on the display 5, when this time of action ta has elapsed.

In addition, special safety systems may be provided to prevent access to the organic substance O before this time of action has elapsed. For example, an acoustic and/or visual signalling may be provided.

Once the time of action ta has elapsed, the disinfected organic substance mixture O’ will be present inside the main container 10.

The equipment 1 is therefore ready for the discharge of this disinfected organic substance O’. This may preferably occur immediately or, alternatively, at a later time. Preferably, said discharge operation takes place in the full load condition of the main container 10, for example detected through said sensor.

The secondary container 11 will advantageously be empty, as mentioned above.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a system for detecting the residual amount of disinfectant substance S in the secondary container 11 can be provided, to ensure that all its contents have actually been discharged into the main container 10, where said system can comprise, for example, optical, magnetic, capacitive, inductive sensors, etc.

In embodiment variants of the invention, the discharge operation can be carried out with any amount of disinfected organic substance O’ present in the main container 10, in this case taking care to ensure that the disinfectant substance S and the organic substance O are in the right percentage ratio R and that the time of action ta has elapsed. The discharge step takes place by means of the discharge circuit 31. The discharge pump 33 is driven and the disinfected organic substance O is collected via the withdrawal duct 32 and conveyed to the outlet duct 34, as schematically indicated by the arrows in Figure 3.

At this point, the disinfection step can be considered as concluded.

For what is described above, it is clear how the equipment 1 allows to achieve the preset purposes.

Furthermore, advantageously, the possibility of processing the organic substance O directly on site is obtained by allowing its immediate discharge, for example by simply conveying the disinfected organic substance O’ into the sewerage system.

At the end of the discharge step, as described above, the equipment 1 is suitably subjected to a disinfection step. This step is intended to carry out the cleaning and the disinfection of the main container 10 and of the inner circuits of the equipment 1 that have come into contact with the organic substance O.

The equipment 1 and the various parts that constitute it and that need powering are preferably powered by low-voltage batteries, for example 24V, and advantageously of a rechargeable type. This makes it safe to use, especially inside an operating room.

With reference to the schematic representation of Figure 4, an embodiment variant of an equipment 100 according to the invention is described; features and/or component parts similar or equivalent to the previously described embodiments are identified by the same reference numerals.

The equipment 100 comprises a main container 10 suited to define an inner volume V for receiving the organic substance O to be processed. A secondary container 11 is suited to receive the disinfectant substance S. Between the secondary container 11 and the main container 10 there are feeding means 12 for the controlled conveyance of the disinfectant substance S to the main container 10.

Preferably such feeding means 12 comprise a peristaltic pump 13, a withdrawal duct 14 suited to withdraw from the secondary container 11 and is a conveying duct 15 to the main container 10. A logic control unit 16 suitably controls the peristaltic pump 13.

A first feeding inlet 17 suited to feed the organic substance O to be processed is associated with the main container 10. For this purpose, the equipment 100 comprises an inlet circuit 18 for the introduction of the organic substance O, collected externally, into the main container 10.

The inlet circuit 18 preferably comprises a suction pump 19 connected to the first inlet 17 of the main container 10 by means of controlled opening/closing means 20. Such controlled opening/closing means 20 preferably comprise a three-way solenoid valve 20 with two outlet ways 20a, 20b. The first outlet way 20a is connected to said first inlet 17 of the main container 10. The second outlet way 20b is connected to a second inlet 22 of the main container 10, the function of which will be better explained below. Preferably said second inlet 22 comprises a diffuser element 40, such as for example a 360° rotating nozzle.

Both the suction pump 19 and the solenoid valve 20 are suitably connected to the logic control unit 16.

During operation of the equipment 100, an outer suction duct will be suitably connected to the end connector 24, as we will see better below.

The equipment 100 then comprises a liquid feeding circuit suited to feed liquid substances 25. Said feeding circuit suited to feed liquid substances 25 preferably comprises controlled opening/closing means 26, for example a solenoid valve, and a respective inlet duct 27 provided with an end connector 28.

The opening/closing means 26 are suitably connected to the logic control unit 16. Preferably, said feeding circuit suited to feed liquid substances 25 is connected via the end connector 28 to a hydraulic water feeding circuit.

Detection means suited to detect its filling level 30 are associated with the main container 10. In the embodiment shown, the detection means 30 are arranged inside the main container 10 and consist of one or two floats with magnetoresistive sensor suited to slide vertically depending on the level of the amount of substance present inside the container 10. The detection means 30 advantageously provide the filling value of the main container 10 to the logic control unit 16.

In embodiment variants, the detection means suited to detect the contents of the main container may be of a different type, such as for example optical type detection means, or flow sensors, etc.

A discharge circuit 31 is associated with the main container 10. The discharge circuit 31 preferably comprises a withdrawal conduit 32 arranged at the bottom of the container 10, discharge means 33, preferably a discharge pump, and an outlet duct 34.

To the main container 10 there is associated an auxiliary container 35, communicating with the inside of the main container 10, suited to receive a cleaning and disinfectant substance S’ of the equipment 100. Advantageously, the cleaning and disinfectant substance S’ is in the form of a single-dose capsule, as we will see better later.

At the bottom of the main container 10 there is associated a recirculation duct 36 provided with an end connector 37.

As will be explained later during the description of the operation steps of the equipment 100, the end connector 37 is connectable to the end connector 24 of the suction pipe 23 of the inlet circuit 18 to realize a recirculation closed circuit.

According to the invention, the main container 10 is configured to seal the inner volume V with respect to the external environment. The main container 10 is provided with a communication way 50 directed towards the external environment wherein the communication way comprises filtering means 52.

The filtering means 52 are preferably of the type described above with reference to the first embodiment. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the operation of the equipment 100 of Figure 4 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is described below.

The use of the equipment 100 provides, first of all, for the connection of its inlet circuit 18 to the collection point of the organic substance O to be processed. In particular, the end connector 24 of the suction pipe 23 is connected to a corresponding connector Ce of an outer suction pipe Te, as indicated in Figure 5. The outer suction tube Te can be associated, for example, with a liquid collection bag used in the surgical interventions.

Once the connection is made with the outer suction pipe Te, the equipment 100 is ready for operation.

For this purpose, the suction pump 19 is driven and the three-way solenoid valve 20 is suitably controlled to convey the organic substance O drawn through the first outlet 20a. The organic substance O reaches the main container 10 from the first inlet 17, as schematically indicated by the path of the arrows along the ducts. The control of the suction pump 19 and of the three-way solenoid valve 20 is advantageously realized by the logic control unit 16.

Advantageously, the type of operation can be chosen by the operator through, for example, the use of the display 5 where an appropriate page for setting the type of operation will be displayed, or selectable for that purpose.

The organic substance O is therefore introduced into the main container 10 and at the same time the detection means 30, in this case the magnetoresistive float, detect its level. The level value is made available to the logic control unit 16. From the detected level values, the logic control unit 16 can easily deduce the amount of organic substance O present, or added, inside the main container 10. As the organic substance O occupies the inner volume V of the main container 10, a corresponding amount of air is released towards the external environment from the inner volume V of the main container 10 and the air is released towards the external environment by passing through the filtering means 52, achieving the advantageous effect according to the present invention described above.

In a preferred embodiment, the logic control unit 16 drives the peristaltic pump 13 for introducing a dose of disinfectant substance S into the main container 10 based on the amount of organic substance O present in the main container 10. In particular, a dose D of disinfectant substance S is introduced into the main container 10 whenever the organic substance O inside the main container 10 increases by a predetermined amount Q. For example a dose D of 5cc is added at each increase of organic substance O by an amount Q equal to 500cc.

The increase in organic substance O of said quantity Q can be easily deduced by the logic control unit 16 by processing the values detected through the magnetoresistive float 30. The dose D of disinfectant substance S can be easily made available, for example, through a predetermined number of revolutions of the peristaltic pump 13.

In view of the above, inside the main container 10 the amount of disinfectant substance S will be maintained in a controlled percentage ratio R with respect to the organic substance O, for example of 1% in the case indicated above. It is evident that in embodiment variants this percentage ratio R may be different. This percentage ratio R may depend, for example, on the type of disinfectant substance S used. Preferably, this percentage ratio value R can be chosen by the operator through the use of the display 5 where an appropriate page for setting this percentage ratio R will be displayed, or selectable for that purpose.

For example, a capacity of 651t can be provided for the main container 10 and a capacity of 3,000cc for the secondary container 11.

The capacity of the secondary container 11 is therefore advantageously chosen to be greater than 1% of the capacity of the first container 10 so as to be able to accommodate the necessary disinfectant substance S. The percentage ratio R between disinfectant substance S and organic substance O represents, as mentioned, a very important parameter for the correct performance of the disinfection process. In general, the equipment must ensure that this percentage ratio R is greater than or equal to a predetermined minimum percentage ratio Rmin.

The time of action ta is monitored for this purpose by the control unit 16 which will signal, for example by means of a message on the display 5, when this time of action ta has been reached.

Special safety systems may also be provided to prevent access to the organic substance O before this time of action ta is reached. For example, an acoustic and/or visual signalling may be provided.

Once it has been ensured that the time of action ta has been reached, the disinfected organic substance mixture O’ will be present inside the main container 10.

The equipment 100 is therefore arranged for the discharge of said disinfected organic substance O’. This may preferably occur immediately or, alternatively, at a later time. Preferably, this discharge operation takes place in the full load condition of the main container 10. This condition is detected by the control unit 16 via the magnetoresistive float 30, as substantially shown in Figure 6.

The secondary container 11 will advantageously be empty, as mentioned above.

In a preferred embodiment, a system for detecting the residual amount of disinfectant substance S in the secondary container 11 can be provided to ensure that all its contents have actually been discharged into the main container 10, such as for example optical, magnetic, capacitive, inductive sensors, etc.

In embodiment variants, the discharge operation can be carried out with any amount of disinfected organic substance O’ present in the main container 10, in this case taking care to ensure that the disinfectant substance S and the organic substance O are in the right percentage ratio R and that the time of action ta has been reached.

The discharge step takes place by means of the discharge circuit 31. The discharge pump 33 is driven and the disinfected organic substance O’ is collected via the withdrawal duct 32 and conveyed to the outlet duct 34, as schematically indicated in Figure 4 from the path of the arrows along the ducts.

At this point, the discharge step can be considered as concluded.

Advantageously, the organic substance O is collected safely, in this case from the liquid collection bag used in the surgical interventions, and immediately introduced into the main container 10.

In addition, the organic substance O undergoes the disinfection processing directly on site, for example during the surgical intervention itself, without the need to store the organic substance O at the hospital pending its collection for subsequent processing as special waste.

Still advantageously, the possibility of being able to process the organic substance O directly on site allows its immediate discharge, for example by simply conveying the disinfected organic substance O’ into the sewerage system. All this results in a reduction in disposal costs for the hospital facility.

With reference to the description made above and in particular with reference to Figure 6, it is assumed that the main container 10 reaches the full load condition in a natural manner, i.e. through subsequent introductions of organic substance O from the inlet circuit 18.

In practice, however, this condition may not occur. More frequently, in fact, the main container 10 is filled with a certain amount of organic substance O that reaches a level lower than the full load, as shown indicatively in Figure 7.

At the same time inside the secondary container 11 there will be a residual amount of disinfectant substance S.

In a preferred embodiment of operation of the equipment 100, instead of maintaining this condition of partial filling pending subsequent introductions in order to completely fill the main container 10, a finalization step is immediately carried out that allows to proceed with the disinfection and the discharge of the organic substance O in any case immediately.

To this end, as shown in Figure 7, the outer suction pipe Te is first disconnected from the inlet circuit 18.

The feeding circuit suited to feed liquid substances 25 is then driven. For this purpose, the end connector 28 of the inlet duct 27 is advantageously connected to a feeding pipe Td suited to feed a liquid L, advantageously water, through a respective connector Cd.

At this point, the logic control unit 16 will completely fill the main container 10 with the liquid L by driving the respective solenoid valve 26.

At the same time, all the residual disinfectant substance S from the secondary container 11 is introduced into the main container 10.

In this way, advantageously, the percentage ratio R of disinfectant substance with respect to the amount of material contained in the main container 10 is ensured, which in this case will consist of the mixture of organic substance O and filling liquid L.

Once it has been ensured that the time of action ta has been reached, it will then be possible to proceed to the next discharge step, in the manner described above. The finalization step just described with the use of a filling liquid L advantageously allows the use of all the disinfectant substance S contained in the secondary container 11. This may be particularly advantageous if the disinfectant substance S has an expiry date.

A non-immediate use thereof could in fact lead to a reduction in its disinfectant effectiveness, with an obvious risk for the effectiveness of the disinfection of the organic substance O.

In an embodiment variant of the disinfection method, it can be provided that the finalization step with the addition of filling liquid L is not carried out immediately at the end of the surgical intervention but is deferred over time, possibly after subsequent uses of the equipment 100. In this case, however, the finalization step will be carried out automatically within the expiry date of the disinfectant substance S.

It will therefore be possible in this case to set, again through the display 5, the expiry date of the disinfectant substance S or, alternatively, the days of duration of the disinfectant substance S from the moment of its introduction into the secondary container 11.

Still, alternatively, this date could be detected automatically by equipping, for example, the equipment with an optical reader capable of detecting the expiry or duration date of a respective barcode on the packaging of the disinfectant substance S.

At the end of the discharge step, as described above, the equipment 100 performs a disinfection step. This step is intended to carry out the cleaning and the disinfection of the main container 10 and of the inner circuits of the equipment 100 that have come into contact with the organic substance O.

This step is described with reference to Figure 8.

The disinfection step envisages using a cleaning and disinfectant substance S’. The cleaning and disinfectant substance S’ is positioned inside the appropriate reception site 35. Such cleaning and disinfectant substance S’ is advantageously in the form of a single-dose capsule, for example an amount of 20cc.

The cleaning and disinfectant substance S’ is then introduced into the main container 10, which will be substantially empty following the discharge step previously carried out.

An amount of cleaning liquid L, advantageously water, is then introduced into the main container 10 via the liquid feeding circuit 25.

The amount of cleaning liquid L introduced will be of such value as to guarantee the percentage ratio required for the particular cleaning and disinfectant substance S’ used, for example 151t of cleaning liquid L for said single dose of cleaning and disinfectant substance S’ equal to 20cc.

At the same time, the recirculation duct 36 is connected to the suction pipe 23 of the inlet circuit 18. This can be done for example by an operator making a bridge connection P between the two respective end connectors 37, 24 of the recirculation duct 36 and of the suction pipe 23, said end connectors 37, 24 preferably being made easily accessible on the body 2 of the equipment 100.

In this way, a recirculation circuit is created which, schematically indicated with the arrows in Figure 8, starts from the bottom of the main container 10, follows the recirculation duct 36, passes through the bridge P, the suction pipe 23, the suction pump 19 and then through the second way 20b of the solenoid valve 20 to reach the second inlet 22 of the main container 10.

The recirculation circuit is put into operation by driving the suction pump 19.

The disinfectant mixture inside the main container 10, consisting of cleaning liquid L and of the cleaning and disinfectant substance S’, is therefore made to flow inside the recirculation circuit and sprayed inside the main container 10 through the nozzle 40 at 360°. The nozzle 40 advantageously directs the disinfectant mixture onto all inner surfaces of the main container 10.

During this recirculation step, the pipes of the inlet circuit 18 are also disinfected. Furthermore, by suitably driving the solenoid valve 20 towards the first way 20a it is possible to recirculate the disinfectant mixture also through the pipe that connects the first inlet 17 of the main container 10.

During the recirculation step, advantageously, a foam is created that allows improving the disinfectant capabilities of the disinfectant mixture.

The recirculation step lasts for a preferred time interval and depends on the characteristics of the disinfectant mixture.

At the end of this operation, a discharge operation follows by driving the discharge means 31 for the evacuation of the disinfectant mixture.

During the discharge step, or alternatively, additional quantities of cleaning liquid L may be introduced to rinse and completely remove the disinfectant mixture.

The equipment 100 will then be ready for further use.

In a preferred embodiment, not illustrated, the communication way 50 is preferably provided with a solenoid valve placed upstream of the filtration means 52. The solenoid valve may advantageously be driven by the logic control unit 16 or manually.

The solenoid valve is responsible for opening/closing the communication way 50.

During said disinfection steps, the solenoid valve is preferably closed preventing the conveyance of liquid inside the filtration means 52 and/or possibly outside. The solenoid valve is then preferably closed by the operator in the steps of replacement of the filtration means 52.

In a preferred embodiment, the detergent liquid L used is at room temperature.

In a further embodiment a heated detergent liquid L is used.

Advantageously such a heated detergent liquid L is provided at such a temperature from the outside. In an embodiment variant, heating means suited to heat the liquid L from the outside, such as for example an electrical resistor, may be provided for the equipment 100.

Advantageously, the equipment 100 performs a self-disinf ection cycle in a simple and immediate manner.

With reference to the schematic representation of Figure 9, an embodiment variant of an equipment 200 according to the invention is described; features and/or component parts similar or equivalent to the embodiment previously described with reference to Figure 4 are identified by the same reference numerals.

The equipment 200 according to this embodiment differs from the equipment 100 previously described with reference to Figure 4 due to the different conformation of the suction part of the organic substance O to be processed and of the circuit responsible for the self-disinfection of the equipment 200.

Parts of the equipment 200 that differ from the equipment 100 previously described and illustrated in Figure 4 will be described below more specifically.

A first feeding inlet 17 suited to feed the organic substance O to be processed is associated with the main container 10. For this purpose, the equipment 200 comprises a first inlet circuit 18 and a second inlet circuit 118 for the introduction of the organic substance O, collected externally, into the main container 10.

The first inlet circuit 18 preferably comprises a first suction pump 19 connected to the first inlet 17 of the main container 10 by means of controlled first opening/closing means 20. Such first controlled opening/closing means 20 preferably comprise a three-way solenoid valve 20 with two outlet ways 20a, 20b. The first outlet way 20a is connected to said first inlet 17 of the main container 10. The second outlet way 20b is connected to a second inlet 22 of the main container 10. Preferably said second inlet 22 comprises a diffuser element 40, such as for example a 360° rotating nozzle.

Both the first suction pump 19 and the first solenoid valve 20 are suitably connected to the logic control unit 16.

A first suction pipe 23 provided with a first end connector 24 is connected to the first suction pump 19.

The second inlet circuit 118 preferably comprises a second suction pump 119, second controlled opening/closing means 120 and third controlled opening/closing means 122. The second controlled opening/closing means 120 preferably comprise a second three-way solenoid valve 120. The third controlled opening/closing means 122 preferably comprise a third three-way solenoid valve 122. The second suction pump 119 and the solenoid valves 120, 122 are suitably connected to the logic control unit 16.

A second common suction pipe 123 provided with a second end connector 124 is connected to the second and third solenoid valve 120, 122.

At the bottom of the main container 10 there is associated a recirculation duct 36 connected at the inlet to the second solenoid valve 120.

During operation of the equipment 200, as described below, corresponding outer suction ducts Tel, Te2 will be suitably connected to the end connectors 24, 124. With reference to Figure 10, the operation of the equipment 200 with regard to the suction of the organic substance O to be processed is described below.

The equipment 200 provides for the connection of the first inlet circuit 18 and of the second inlet circuit 118 to respective two collection points of the organic substance O to be processed. In particular, the first end connector 24 of the first suction pipe 23 is connected to a corresponding first connector Cel of a first outer suction pipe Tel. The second end connector 124 of the second suction pipe 123 is connected to a corresponding second connector Ce2 of a second outer suction pipe Te2.

The first or second outer suction tube Tel, Te2 may be associated, for example, with respective liquid collection bags used in the surgical interventions.

Once the connection is made with the outer suction pipes Tel, Te2, the equipment 200 is ready for operation.

During such operation, the organic substance O is drawn through the first inlet circuit 18 and through the second inlet circuit 118 and introduced into the main container 10.

For this purpose, the first three-way solenoid valve 20 is suitably controlled to convey the organic substance O drawn through the first outlet 20a. The organic substance O reaches the main container 10 from the first inlet 17, as schematically indicated by the path of the arrows along the ducts.

At the same time, the first suction pump 19 and the second suction pump 119 are suitably controlled to convey the organic substance O coming from the outer suction pipes Tel, Te2 to the first three-way solenoid valve 20.

In particular, the second and third solenoid valves 120, 122 are suitably controlled, according to the configuration shown in Figure 10, to convey the organic substance O drawn from the second suction pump 119 and coming from the second outer suction pipe Te2 towards the first three-way solenoid valve 20. The control of the suction pumps 19, 119 and of the three-way solenoid valves 20, 120, 122 is advantageously realized by the logic control unit 16.

The remaining operation steps of the equipment 200 may preferably coincide with the steps described above with reference to the equipment of Figure 4.

In the preferred operation mode described above, the suction of the organic substance O takes place through both the inlet circuits 18, 118. In an embodiment variant, the suction step can be carried out by only one of the two inlet circuits 18, 118, in this case by appropriately controlling the suction pumps 19, 119 and the three-way solenoid valves 20, 120, 122.

With reference to Figure 11 , the configuration of the equipment 200 with regard to the self-disinf ection step is described below.

As described above, the disinfection step envisages using a cleaning and disinfectant substance S’, preferably a cleaning and disinfectant substance S’ positioned inside the specific reception site 35, and an amount of cleaning liquid L introduced through the feeding circuit suited to feed liquid substances 25, preferably water from the feeding pipe Td.

In the disinfection step, the second suction pump 119 and the three three-way solenoid valves 20, 120, 122 are suitably controlled to obtain the configuration shown in the figure.

In this configuration, a recirculation circuit is created which, schematically indicated with the arrows, starts from the bottom of the main container 10, follows the recirculation duct 36, passes through the second solenoid valve 120, the second suction pump 119, the third solenoid valve 122, the first solenoid valve 20 and then through the second way 20b of the solenoid valve 20 to reach the second inlet 22 of the main container 10.

The recirculation circuit is therefore put into operation by driving the second suction pump 119.

The disinfectant mixture inside the main container 10, consisting of cleaning liquid L and of the cleaning and disinfectant substance S’, is therefore made to flow inside the recirculation circuit and sprayed inside the main container 10 through the nozzle 40 at 360°.

The nozzle 40 advantageously directs the disinfectant mixture onto all inner surfaces of the main container 10.

Furthermore, by suitably driving the first solenoid valve 20 towards the first way 20a it is possible to recirculate the disinfectant mixture also through the pipe that connects the first inlet 17 of the main container 10.

The equipment 200 will then be ready for further use.

It has therefore been shown that the present invention described above allows the intended purposes to be achieved.

In particular, the present invention allows to overcome the problems related to the introduction of potential contaminants into the environment. While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments represented in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments represented and described; on the contrary, further variants of the described embodiments fall within the scope of the present invention, which scope is defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS ) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) for processing an organic substance (O), said equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) comprising main containment means (10) comprising a feeding inlet (17) suited to feed said organic substance (O) into the inner volume (V) defined by said main containment means (10); characterized in that said main containment means (10) are configured to seal said inner volume (V) with respect to the external environment and said main containment means (10) comprise a communication way (50) directed towards said external environment, wherein said communication way (50) comprises filtering means (52). ) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) according to claim 1), characterized in that said filtering means (52) comprise a filter provided with holes that are capable of capturing particles larger than 0.3 micrometres in size. ) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) according to claim 1) or 2), characterized in that said filtering means (52) comprise a filter with filtering efficiency up to 99.999995%. ) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said filtering means (52) comprise a ULPA filter. ) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said filtering means (52) are of the removable type.) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for opening and closing said communication way. ) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises suction means (18; 118) suited to draw said organic substance (O) and associated with said feeding inlet (17). ) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises auxiliary containment means (35) suited to receive a cleaning and disinfectant substance (S’) for disinfecting said equipment (100). ) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises secondary containment means (11) suited to receive a disinfectant substance (S) for said organic substance (O). 0) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises feeding means (12) suited to convey said disinfectant substance (S) from said secondary containment means (11) to said main containment means (10). ) Equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said secondary containment means (11) are removably associated with said equipment (1A; 1; 100; 200). ) Equipment (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises detection means (30) suited to detect the contents inside said main containment means (10). ) Equipment (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises discharge means (31) associated with said main containment means (10) for discharging the contents of said main containment means (10).) Equipment (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises feeding means (25) suited to convey liquid substances and associated with said main containment means (10). ) Equipment (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises recirculation means (36) associated with said main containment means (10) for the recirculation of the substances contained in said main containment means (10). ) Equipment (100) according to claim 15) when dependent on claim 7), characterized in that said recirculation means (36) cooperate with said suction means (18; 118) suited to draw said organic substance (O).