JPH0857442A - Method of treating medical waste and heat generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To sterilize medical waste being in danger of infection and to simultaneously segregate a plastic constituent and non-plastic constituent of the waste. CONSTITUTION: The device has a chamber heated up to a temperature which can be selected by a heater element, an inputting means setting a temperature which can be selected and a period which can be selected for maintaining the selected temperature, a bottom, a side and a vessel 22 for holding a waste in the chamber. The vessel 22 has a bottom raising member 27 constituted so that the waste can be held at prescribed intervals from the bottom of the vessel and molten plastic can flow to the bottom of the vessel while supporting a non-plastic element at prescribed intervals from the bottom of the vessel.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for treating medical waste and a heat generating device, and more particularly to treating medical waste at a relatively low temperature below its ignition point to sterilize the same and plastic constituent elements. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a treatment method and a heat generating device for separating a non-plastic constituent element from each other.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known, satisfactory methods of disposal related to waste present a major problem for industry and government agencies. However, the difficulty in treating waste such as medical waste is even greater in view of the potentially infectious nature of biomedical waste such as used syringes, IV tubing, and petri dishes. It is a thing. Such waste may be made entirely of plastic components, or it may include a mixture of plastic components, rubber components and metal components.

Allowed methods of treating medical waste include incineration, encapsulation, and other methods that make contaminated medical waste safe and unusable. Is the way. However, incineration leads to yet another problem, such as air pollution, and also spreads to regulations related to the removal of metallic compounds from exhaust fumes. For example, the red treatment bag currently used for medical waste contains non-negligible cadmium. The incineration method requires additional methods to prevent the emission of cadmium compounds and other hazardous components generated in the incinerator exhaust.

Encapsulation for the disposal of medical needles is also permitted according to some legal regulations. For example, some local dentists encapsulate and dispose of medical needles with stucco. Although such treatments and handling methods are permitted, there are clearly conveniences and practical problems, and neither eliminates nor discourages the problem of illegal dumping.

In addition to the sterilization of such waste, it is also environmentally desirable to recycle many of the materials contained in the waste. Therefore, it is desirable not only to make the waste safe, but also to put some of the material in a ready-for-use state for recycling.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to treat medical waste containing plastic material to render it harmless at the day of use at any selected location such as a clinic. Makes transportation unnecessary and also
Eliminating the possibility of dumping potentially contaminated unprocessed biomedical waste.

A further object of the disclosed exemplary embodiment is to separate some of the material contained in medical waste while at the same time sterilizing the contained material.

The present inventor has found that such an object is achieved by using a waste container and a dry heat generator. Here, the dry heat generator treats medical waste, for example, various other wastes including injection needles, tubing and plastic components, and these medical wastes by subjecting the container to heat treatment. It is useful for making it harmless.

The temperature during the heat treatment is sufficiently high to sterilize various materials and to melt the plastic bodies or plastic elements in the container.

Further, the container is constructed to have a raised bottom or a hill for collecting metal needles, rubber plungers and the like. Also, the container is constructed such that the molten plastic passes through or over the raised bottom so that the molten plastic sinks to the bottom of the container to form a pool of liquid plastic separated from other materials.

Since the melting point of such a plastic material is substantially below its ignition point, the heating function is controlled both in terms of time and temperature, and in this case the heating cycle consists of a plastic material and a non-plastic material. It does not burn or incinerate waste while complying with all governmental regulations relating to both sterilization. In addition, sorted non-plastic elements remain on the raised bottom of the container,
Therefore, it can be recycled as a separate substance thereafter.

A further object of the invention is to use a reusable container having a raised bottom made of wire grid member or wire mesh member therein, the container comprising, for example, stainless steel or other metal. The opening of the wire grid member or the wire mesh member is sized so that the molten plastic reaches the bottom of the container through the grid.

The raised bottom may also be an unbroken metal plate having an outer dimension slightly smaller than the internal dimensions of the container, in which case the molten plastic will pass along the sides of the metal plate to the bottom of the container. Reach

Such containers may be of various sizes, depending on the nature of the waste. Further, the container is used to contain medical waste until it is full or ready for sterilization and material sorting. Containers with any closure elements are not affected when placed in a dry heat generator and subjected to a heating cycle. However, the molten plastic material reaches the bottom over or through the raised bottom pedestal inserted in the container, and the fractionated non-plastic material elements remain on the raised bottom inside the container. After cooling, the top of the container is removed,
The sterilized contents are recycled separately depending on the type of the separated components.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dry heat generator having a safety lock mechanism whereby the heating door is closed until the heating cycle is complete and the temperature of the waste has dropped to a predetermined safe temperature. Can't open. The main purpose of the safety lock system mechanism is not only to prevent contact with medical waste that has not been completely processed due to loss of energy, but also to contact needles that have been processed before cooling to safe temperatures. Is to prevent.

A further object of the present invention is not only to have a high temperature afterburner at the outlet of the dry heat generator, but to remove any metallic or particulate exhaust as well as eliminate odors that may be produced during the process. In addition, it has a charcoal filter for treating fumes containing metal vapor.

These and other objects and benefits of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the following description of the specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0018]

The method for treating medical waste according to the present invention is a method of subjecting a plastic element and a non-plastic element of waste that may be infected to heat treatment and separating them. This method
Arranging the waste in a container having a bottom and sides such that it is spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container; and placing the container and its contents above the melting point of the plastic element but not in the waste. Heating the article below its flash point and maintaining the temperature for a period of time sufficient for the waste to be sterilized and the plastic element to change to a molten state. In this method, the molten plastic flows to the bottom of the container to form a liquid plastic pool and the non-plastic elements are maintained at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container to sterilize the waste. , The non-plastic element is substantially separated from the plastic element. Thereby, the above object is achieved.

The heat generating device according to the present invention is a heat generating device for treating and separating plastic and non-plastic elements of waste that may be infected, and which has a heating element. A chamber that is heated to a selectable temperature by: an input means that sets the selectable temperature and a selectable period for maintaining the selected temperature; And a container in the chamber for holding the container. The container holds the waste at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container and allows the molten plastic to flow to the bottom of the container while supporting the non-plastic element at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container. It has a stand device. The selectable temperature and time period are at least sufficient in the combination to sterilize the waste material and dissolve the plastic element in a molten state, the selectable temperature being the waste material. It is lower than the ignition point of. In this device, the waste after being heat treated at the selectable temperature for the selectable period of time is sterilized to substantially separate the non-plastic elements from the plastic elements. Thereby, the above object is achieved.

[0020]

In the present invention, the waste which may be infected is arranged in the container so that it is located at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container, and the container and its contents are melted by the melting point of the plastic element. Since the heating was performed at a higher temperature but lower than the flash point of the waste, the plastic components constituting the waste melted and flowed to the bottom of the container to form a liquid plastic pool. The non-plastic elements that make up the waste remain in place at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container. This sterilizes the plastic and non-plastic elements that make up the waste and substantially separates the non-plastic elements from the plastic elements.

According to the present invention, the chamber is heated to the temperature selectable by the heating element, the input means for setting the selectable temperature and the selectable period for maintaining the selected temperature, With a container in the chamber for holding the waste, which has a bottom and sides, the waste that may be infected can be sterilized by treating it in the container. .

While the container holds the waste at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container, and the non-plastic element is supported at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container, molten plastic is transferred to the bottom of the container. Since the structure has a pedestal device to make it flow, by heating the waste above the melting temperature of the plastic and below the ignition temperature thereof, the plastic element and the non-plastic element constituting the waste are separated. can do.

[0023]

【Example】

(Example 1) Safe disposal of medical waste has caused difficult problems for some time. In particular, waste products including needles such as hypodermic syringes are troublesome. This is because a used hypodermic needle is potentially infectious and a medical staff who handles such a medical needle may accidentally stick the needle. In view of these issues, governmental authorities have enacted legislation defining conditions and methods for treating such waste. One example of a law on the disposal of needles is to treat such waste by incineration, encapsulation or other means to remove potential infectiousness of the waste or render it unusable. Obligatory.

However, conventional incineration or encapsulation methods are impractical or inherently cause further problems such as air pollution. This requires further legislation that regulates environmental protection. Further, disposal of waste by conventional incineration or encapsulation methods typically involves repeated processing by various personnel. Such treatments increase the likelihood of accidental needle sticks as well as the expense and, as a result, increase the likelihood of disposal or disposal ignoring legal regulations.

The inventor of the present invention has found that a plastic body or a pipe material (such as polypropylene) together with a metal needle and a rubber stopper.
Medical wastes such as hypodermic syringes and needles mainly containing IV needles are safely made non-infectious by the dry heat autoclave method, sterilized, and separated into plastic and non-plastic materials. I found that. Furthermore, the method also applies to other medical wastes with plastic components such as catheters, petri dishes, tubing and the like.

Such a method does not use a flame or other heat source that provides sufficient heat for the material contained in the waste to reach the flash point. The plastic material contained in the waste has a flash point of, for example, about 730 ° F., whereas the melting point of the plastic syringe material is about 320 °.
It is F. Therefore, when such medical waste is heated in a suitable container for a sufficient period of time at a temperature above the melting point of the plastic material, the plastic and non-plastic materials will
It is sterilized at a temperature well below its ignition point, and the plastic and non-plastic materials are separated and recycled.

FIG. 1 shows a dry heat generator (hereinafter, also referred to as a heater or a heating unit) as an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view showing 1. The heater 1 may be sized to fit well in, for example, a doctor's office shelf or desk. The heater 1 or the autoclave has a cabinet 2. The cabinet 2 can be loaded from the front by the hinged door 3. The hinged door 3 comprises a rotatable handle 5 for actuating a mechanical latch mechanism. The heater 1 further comprises a row of pushbuttons or keyboard selection circuits 6 for selecting cycle parameters such as temperature and time, and other control inputs such as start, set electrical latch, cycle reset.

Furthermore, a heating unit (heat generator u)
The cabinet 2 of the (nit) 1 is provided with an afterburner and a filter unit connected to the heating chamber of the heating unit 1 through an outlet (not shown), and an exhaust opening 7 of the cabinet 2 is provided. Fumes are emitted from. Afterburner unit, January 30, 1990
It is of the category disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,528 issued dated. The afterburner has a relatively high temperature heating element and a condensation channel. As described in the incorporated patent, the afterburner unit further comprises a filter unit, such as an activated charcoal filter, which allows the exhaust fumes to pass through the filter unit and out through the exhaust opening 7. Acts to remove all metal or particulate matter and eliminates odors that may occur during the heating process.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the handle 5 is rotated via the shaft 9,
The mechanical latch element 8 can be activated. The latch element 8 further comprises a solenoid 12 with a spring biased plunger 1
1 has an opening portion 10 for housing 1. As will be explained later, the solenoid 12 and the plunger 11 cooperate with the mechanical latch element 8 to form an electrically operated safety lock. This prevents the hinged door 3 of the cabinet 2 from opening until the heating cycle is complete and the temperature of the waste in the heating chamber of the cabinet 2 has decreased to a predetermined safe temperature. As shown, mechanical and electrical latching mechanisms are provided in the side wall of cabinet 2. Further, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the mechanical latching mechanism can take various forms including a keyed or coded locking mechanism. However, the equipment must also include the electrical connection structure of the above characteristics.

Further, a microprocessor 13 is provided in the insulating wall of the heater 1. As shown generally in FIG. 3, the microprocessor 13 includes a keyboard 6
Receiving the control input from the selection circuit related to
A control output is generated that activates an electrically operated interlock such as solenoid 12 to control the operation of heating element 14 contained within unit 1 and the afterburner.

Microprocessor 13 is of conventional construction and includes random access memory (R) for storing input information such as temperature and timing cycle set points and elapsed time data and cycle break flag data.
AM) or the like. Microprocessor 13 further comprises a conventional read only memory (ROM) which stores instructions for implementing the control process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

The control process for carrying out the medical treatment of the medical waste by the dry heat autoclave method starts in the starting step 15, as shown in FIG. Thereby, a suitable container containing needles and other medical waste is loaded into the heating chamber of the heating unit 1 with a mechanically latched hinged door 3 and the operator can set the appropriate temperature via the keyboard 6. Set points and cycle times.
In this respect, to meet the criteria for obtaining sterilized waste, a temperature of 320 ° F. for 2 hours 20 hours is normally used.
Although it is sufficient to maintain minutes, the minimum set point that should be included in this example is about 350 ° F. to ensure compliance with government regulations. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in order to make the best use of the heating chamber, or even for materials with higher melting points, the keyboard should include high set points in both time and temperature as needed. May be. However, the temperature set point should be well below the flash point of the waste being treated.

After the starting step 15, the worker starts the step 16
Then set the solenoid lock that operates electrically. This step 16 is performed by, for example, a start key or button included in the keyboard 6 of FIG. Setting the electric lock initiates the heating cycle in step 17. In step 17, electrical energy is supplied to the heating element and the afterburner of unit 1 according to the temperature and time set points stored in the non-volatile RAM memory in step 15. In the heating cycle, clock pulses provided by the microprocessor are used to decrement the data for a selected and stored period.

With respect to temperature control, in addition to storing the selected temperature set point in memory, thermocouples within the teachings of US Pat. No. 4,451,726 issued May 29, 1984 are also units. Included in the heating chamber for accurately determining the temperature of one heating chamber. The microprocessor 13 continuously compares the sensed temperature to the temperature set point to reduce or maintain the supply of electrical energy to the heating elements of the heating chamber during the heating cycle, and to select a desired temperature within the heating chamber. Maintain at temperature.

Furthermore, at the beginning of the heating cycle, 1
It is desirable to gradually heat the temperature in a manner similar to that taught in US Pat. No. 4,367,399 issued Jan. 4, 983. Here, it is desirable to raise the temperature in stages because residual fluid may be contained within the hypodermic syringe, tubing or other waste material. Such residual fluid must be vaporized and removed through the afterburner unit before melting the plastic body and before depositing in the plastic body.

After sufficient time to remove such residual fluid (this time may be included within the initially set time period), the temperature is sufficient to melt the waste plastic body. Raised to sufficient selected temperature set point. Assuming the heating cycle is not interrupted, such as by a power failure, the heating cycle will proceed at the selected temperature for the rest of the period set by the operator.

However, if the heating cycle is interrupted, this interruption can be detected in step 18 by the action of a solenoid operated switch or other switch element. The switch or switch element is connected to set a flag bit in memory to indicate that an interruption has occurred.

When the power is turned on again, the flag bit
As sensed by the microprocessor 13, the heating cycle begins with the first step, as illustrated by the Y (Yes) response to the question in step 18.

Assuming the heating cycle is not interrupted, the heating cycle may be maintained until completed as sensed in step 19. Completion of such a heating cycle may be detected by a processor that determines that the stored timing cycle data has decreased to zero.
As shown in step 19 of FIG. 4, the cycle completion step is repeated every time the period data is reduced until the time remaining is exhausted. Upon detecting that the heating cycle is complete, the microprocessor 13 draws energy from the chamber of the heating unit and performs step 20. Here, the temperature of the chamber is continuously compared with a pre-stored temperature, such as room temperature, to determine when the heating unit 1 can be opened and the contents can be safely removed. Upon detecting that the heating unit 1 has cooled to the desired safe temperature, the microprocessor 13 supplies electrical energy to the solenoid 12, which causes the latch mechanism to be electrically disengaged in step 21. This allows the hinged door 3 to be opened.

In the above process, the afterburner unit is stripped of energy along with the chamber heating unit 1, but some time after the heating chamber of the heating unit 1 is at or near room temperature,
It seems that removing the energy from the afterburner element is a more demanding method. Using the latter approach, metallic contents and odors can be reliably and continuously removed during cooling periods and heating cycles.

5 (a), 5 (b), 6 and 7
(A) and FIG. 7 (b) show two examples of containers useful for holding medical waste before and during the above heating cycle from various angles. Prior to the heating cycle, waste can be safely inserted and stored through the easily accessible container openings. During the heating cycle, the raised bottom member in the container supports the waste material above the container bottom.

As mentioned above, the temperature during the heating cycle of the dry heat generator disclosed herein is maintained well below the flash point of the waste being treated. But,
The target temperature is high enough to melt the plastic body contained in the waste so that the molten material flows through the raised bottom member or beyond its side to the bottom of the container. This separates the plastic and non-plastic materials.

Next, the embodiment of the container shown in FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b) and 6 will be described.
Even when viewed from the top as shown in FIG. 5A, it has a rectangular structure as in the case viewed from the side as shown in FIG. The outer dimensions of this container are generally indicated by x, y and z. Typical suitable x, y and z dimensions are, for example:
They are 8 inches, 6 inches, and 4 inches, respectively. However, it goes without saying that this size depends on the scale and nature of the waste. The container 22 is a stainless alloy,
It is believed to be made of a leak-proof material that can withstand the above temperatures, such as aluminum. In addition, the top 23 of the container in the illustrated embodiment is removable and can be held in place by friction fitting the bottom end 23a of the cover and the internal size of the side wall of the container. You can In addition, the container cover is provided with an elongated opening 24 which allows medical waste to be introduced inside the container. It is also conceivable for this cover 23 to be hingedly attached to the top position 25a of the cover part 23 so that the opening 24 can be covered when not in use. The container also preferably has a side opening 26 in addition to the top opening 24 so that medical waste can be inserted from the side.

As can be seen from the sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 6, a raised bottom portion 27 is provided inside the container 22. The raised bottom 27 is supported above the bottom of the container by legs (not shown) or extends the raised bottom 27 upwards along the wall of the container and extends beyond the upper end of the container. It is hung and supported by the part 27a formed by. Other alternatives, such as flanges extending around the four walls and attached to the container, may be used to suspend the element 27 to a suitable height.

The raised bottom portion 27 as well as the suspended portion 27a
It is also believed that they can also be made from metal wire grid members such as conventional hardware wire or screen members. Here, the size of the opening is such that molten plastic formed during the thermal cycle can be guided to the bottom of the container through the opening. However, the size of this opening depends on the metal cannula (metal
Non-plastic waste elements such as cannulas), rubber plungers, etc. should be small enough not to pass through the screen member. Thereby, plastic substances and non-plastic substances can be separated. That is, when a container 22 containing medical waste therein is placed in the heater and subjected to a thermal cycle, the non-plastic material of this waste is separated and placed on the raised bottom sorting element 27. Remains stuck in. On the other hand, the molten plastic flows out through this sorter and collects in the molten pool at the bottom of the container. After thermal cycling and cooling, the container can be opened and the sterilized and fractionated plastic and non-plastic components can then be treated separately for recovery and regeneration.

As previously noted, the lid 25 can be hinged at position 25a using a conventional piano hinge and can also be opened to open the opening 24 for the introduction of medical waste. Can be In addition, the extension 27a can be provided with openings sized and arranged to fit the opening 26 so that the side opening 26 of the container can also be used to put medical waste into the container. . Further, the side surface separating element 27a may be structured so as to extend downward so that the horizontal portion 27 can be supported at an appropriate height. In either case, the cover flange 23a is sized and arranged to form a friction fit with the size of the inner wall of the container 22. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the cover 23 may be attached to the container 22 by conventional means such as soldering, hanging elements or the like, thereby allowing for accidental containment of the contents prior to sterilization. Separation and leakage can be prevented.

With this in mind, the container can be prevented from inadvertently leaking during insertion of medical waste and during transfer of the container to the heater of FIG. It is desirable that 22 and cover 23 not be easily separated when operating them. For example, it is not desirable for the cover 23 to easily separate from the container for insertion of medical waste, even when the container is positioned with the opening 26 pointing directly above.

Thus, in this embodiment, medical waste containing plastic and non-plastic elements is placed in a metal container. The metal container has a raised bottom insert for supporting waste above the bottom of the container. The container and the medical waste used are dry heat treated at a temperature below the flash point of the waste but at a temperature sufficient to melt the plastic elements and sterilize the contents for a sufficient period of time. During the heat treatment, metal, rubber and other non-plastic elements remain on the raised bottom insert, but molten plastic flows through the insert or beyond its sides to the bottom of the container. . When cooled,
The plastic and non-plastic components of medical waste are sorted and sterilized. Thus, the container can be opened and its contents can be handled separately for proper recycling. The heater is preferably installed in a medical office or the like and is microprocessor controlled to obtain the desired end product. In addition, the processor controls the electrical interlock system, which causes the heat generator unit to complete the entire heating cycle,
It cannot be opened until the waste has cooled to a safe temperature.

Example 2 Another example of a container useful in the method described herein for sterilizing medical waste and separating it into plastic and non-plastic is shown in FIG. 7 (a). And shown in FIG. As is apparent from these figures, the container 30 has a cylindrical shape and has a side opening 30a for inserting medical waste into the container.
have. Further, as shown in the figure, the cover 31
Which is provided with a downwardly extending flange 31a for frictional engagement with the inner wall of the container 30. In the case of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b) and 6, the cover 3 is provided to prevent accidental leakage of contaminated medical waste from the container.
Other conventional techniques can be used to attach 1 to the container.

As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the cover 31 has an opening 31b used for inserting a contaminated medical waste. Container 30
The bottom of the insert 32 is also provided with a bottom-up insert 32, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the inner wall of the container, so that during the thermal cycle the molten plastic is exposed to the surface of the insert 32. Flowing down the side wall of the container to form a molten pool at the bottom of the container. The difference between the diameter of the insert and the inner diameter of the container should be sufficient to allow the molten plastic to flow freely, but not so large that the non-plastic waste elements run down to the bottom of the container.

The bottom-up insertion portion 32 is made of a plate-shaped metal, and is formed by a usual method so as to include the leg portion 32a as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b). These legs are bent to extend in the downward direction,
Its length is such that the top of the insert is located at a height such that it works well in the container. Leg 32
Is bent so that its end extends slightly outward and contacts the inner wall surface of the container. Forming the legs in the manner described above not only allows the insert to be positioned at a suitable height within the container (eg, 3/4 inch), but also when the insert is installed in the container. It also prevents the department from rolling over.

The container 30 can be configured to have any size suitable for the nature and size of the waste. For example, the size of the container is 6 inches in diameter and 8 inches in height. You can In addition, the openings 30a and 31b may be of any suitable size, for example, 17/16 inch so that conventional metal plug closure means may be applied to each opening. Further, the materials that are considered to be usable for forming the container, the cover, and the insertion portion are the same as the materials specified for the container in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

A possible use of the container of FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) is similar to the first embodiment. That is, medical waste containing plastic and non-plastic elements is placed in the opening 3 so that it rests on top of the bottom raising member 32.
Insert into container via 0a and 31b. When filled, or at the end of the day's work, conventional metal plug elements are used to close these openings, thereby preventing accidental leakage during handling of the container. The container is then placed on the heater of Figures 1 and 9 and subjected to a thermal cycle for sterilization and sorting of the container contents.

As mentioned above, during this thermal cycle, the plastic enclosure melts, overflows from the top of insert 32 and flows down the inside of the container, forming a molten pool at the bottom of the container. On the other hand, non-plastic metal and / or rubber waste components remain on the top of the insert and are separated from the plastic material. Considering this point, it has been shown that the raised bottom insertion member 32 is made of a plate-shaped metal with respect to the wire grid member of the insertion member 27 of FIG. 6, but for example, the insertion member 32 of FIG. The wire mesh shown in the embodiment may be used. Alternatively, the insert member of FIG. 6 could alternatively be constructed of a plate metal with the legs bent downwards, for example in contrast to the circular shape of FIG. 8 (a). It is composed of a rectangular shape.

(Embodiment 3) As yet another embodiment, the heater shown in FIG. 1 can be reconfigured to a conventional one as shown in FIG. In that case, the heater has a front door 40 of the type that opens and closes with a hinge inclined at approximately 45 degrees. The outer wall 42 shown in cross section is shown in FIG.
It is constructed by the usual method as shown in. In this configuration, for example, the container 41 configured as shown in FIG.
Accepted and partially supported. An additional element to support this container is obtained by constructing the inner wall of the heater, which is provided with heating elements etc., with a recess of the usual shape of the container 41.

In the above description, what is considered to be the most practical and preferable embodiment at present is described, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, and vice versa. It is intended to cover various modifications and variations of the same value, which come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0057]

As described above, according to the method for treating medical waste according to the present invention, the waste which may be infected is arranged in the container so that the waste is located at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container. Since the container and its contents are heated at a temperature higher than the melting point of the plastic element but lower than the ignition point of the waste, the plastic element constituting the waste is melted and A liquid plastic pool is formed which flows to the bottom of the container, leaving the non-plastic elements that make up the waste at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container, thereby forming the waste. The plastic element and the non-plastic element to be sterilized can be sterilized, and the non-plastic element and the plastic element can be substantially separated.

Further, according to the heat generating device of the present invention, the chamber heated to the temperature selectable by the heating element, the selectable temperature set, and the selected temperature maintained can be selected. Since the input means for setting a period and the container in the chamber for holding the waste, which has a bottom and a side surface, are provided, the waste which may be infected is treated in the container. This has the effect of being able to sterilize.

While the container holds the waste at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container and the non-plastic element is supported at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container, the molten plastic is transferred to the bottom of the container. Since the structure has a pedestal device to make it flow, by heating the waste above the melting temperature of the plastic and below the ignition temperature thereof, the plastic element and the non-plastic element constituting the waste are separated. There is an effect that can be.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical embodiment of the present invention, including disposal and
Alternatively, a dry heat generator or autoclave that makes medical waste safe for recycling.
It is a perspective view of e).

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a dry heat generator, and FIG.
Prevents opening doors in potentially dangerous situations,
FIG. 6 is a partial view of a dry heat generator sidewall and door cut to show a mechanically and electrically operated locking mechanism.
FIG. 2 (b) is a side view of a typical mechanical latch member attached to the door handle of a dry heat generator.

FIG. 3 is a heat generator for controlling electrically operated solenoid door locks and heating elements and afterburner heating elements of a heater in response to input control information entered by push button or keyboard selection. It is a block diagram which shows the microprocessor provided.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of operational steps by the microprocessor when performing a heating cycle in response to a control signal from the input selection circuit.

5 is a view for explaining the structure of a typical container for holding medical waste, which is used in the dry autoclave or the heat generator of FIG. 1, and FIG. A plan view and FIG. 5B are side views of the container.

6 is a front cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 5 with a removable cover for the container and a raised bottom of the container used to support and separate plastic and non-plastic elements during a heating cycle. 3 shows an internal grid member for a vehicle.

FIG. 7 is a view showing another typical container having an internal base member made of a plate-shaped metal having a size slightly smaller than the internal size of the container, and FIG. 7 (a) is a plan view of the container. FIG. 7 (b) is a sectional view of the container.

8 is a view showing the base member of FIG. 7 (b) before and after the legs are bent to the operation position of FIG. 7 (b), and FIG. 8 (a) is a plan view of the base member. FIG. 8B is a side view of the base member.

9 is a side cross-sectional view showing another front loading structure for the dry heat generator of FIG. 1 with the door and waste container mounted at an angle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Dry heat generator (heater, heating unit) 2 Cabinet 3 Swing door 5 Handle 6 Keyboard selection circuit 7 Exhaust opening 8 Mechanical latch element 9 Shaft 10 Opening 11 Plunger 12 Solenoid 13 Microprocessor (μP) 14 Heating element 22 , 30, 41 Container 23 Container top 24 Elongated opening 25 Lid 26 Side opening 27 Raised bottom 31 Cover 32 Insert 40 Front door 42 Outer wall

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI Technical display location A61L 11/00 ZAB (72) Inventor Frank H.C. Anthony, Junia United States Louisiana 70005, Meteor, Atherton Drive 326

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A method for treating medical waste, in which a plastic element and a non-plastic element of waste that may be infected are subjected to a heat treatment and separated from each other, the method being provided in a container having a bottom and side surfaces. Placing the waste so that it is spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container, and heating the container and its contents at a temperature above the melting point of the plastic element but below the flash point of the waste. And maintaining the temperature for a period of time sufficient for the waste to be sterilized and the plastic element to change to a molten state,
A method of treating medical waste, wherein the molten plastic flows to the bottom of the container to form a liquid plastic pool and the non-plastic element is kept isolated from the bottom of the container for a predetermined period of time. 2. The method for treating medical waste according to claim 1, further comprising the step of cooling the container and its contents to a specific temperature to solidify the liquid pool. 3. The heating step includes the step of placing the container and its contents in a dry heat generator, and the container is above the melting point of the plastic element but below the ignition point of the waste. The method for treating medical waste according to claim 1, comprising heating at a selectable temperature. 4. The dry heat generation means for preventing access to the container and its contents until the process of heating the container and its contents for the period of time at the selected temperature is complete. The method for treating medical waste according to claim 3, further comprising the step of providing a container. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of preventing access to the container and its contents after heating the container and its contents until they are cooled to substantially room temperature. Medical waste treatment method. 6. The container is configured to include a pedestal member arranged to maintain a predetermined distance between the waste and the bottom surface of the container, the molten plastic passing over the pedestal member,
Alternatively, the method for treating medical waste according to claim 1, further comprising a step of passing the same. 7. The method of claim 2, further comprising removing the solidified liquid pool and the non-plastic element from the container for subsequent fractional recycling. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of treating vaporized air from the heated container and its contents to substantially remove odors and vaporized metal and particulate inclusions. Medical waste treatment method. 9. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of treating the vapor from the heated container and its contents to substantially remove odors and vaporized metal and particulate inclusions. Medical waste treatment method. 10. A heat-generating device for treating and separating plastic and non-plastic elements of potentially infectious waste, comprising a heating element and heating to a temperature selectable by the heating element. A chamber, an input means for setting the selectable temperature and a selectable period for maintaining the selected temperature, and a bottom and a side for holding the waste. A container within the chamber, the container holding the waste at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container and supporting the non-plastic element at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container, It has a pedestal device that allows the molten plastic to flow to the bottom of the container, the selectable temperature and time period sterilize the waste and the plastic in that combination. Is intended to dissolve the manufacturing elements in a molten state, said selectable temperatures,
A heat generator that is below the flash point of the waste. 11. The wire mesh member (me) wherein the platform device has an opening large enough for molten plastic to pass through.
11. The heat generating device according to claim 10, which is composed of a tal wire screen material). 12. The heat generating device according to claim 10, further comprising means for supporting the table device at the predetermined interval. 13. The heat generating device according to claim 10, wherein the container includes a cover attached to the side surface of the container. 14. The heat-generating device according to claim 13, wherein the cover has an opening for inserting waste into the container. 15. The heat-generating device according to claim 14, wherein the cover has a hinged connection lid for closing the opening. 16. The heat generating device according to claim 10, wherein the side surface is provided with an opening for inserting waste into the container. 17. The container is made of an unbroken plate-shaped metal, and its size and position in the container are such that molten plastic flows over the surface and flows down the side surface of the container. 11. The heat-generating device of claim 10, adapted to form a liquid plastic pool at the bottom of the. 18. The table device integrally has means for holding the table device at the predetermined distance.
7. The heat generator according to 7. 19. The heat-generating device according to claim 16, further comprising a metal stopper means for closing the opening. 20. The chamber has a top surface portion and at least one side wall, and is angularly mounted with a hinged door connecting the top surface portion and the at least one side wall, the container comprising: 11. The heat generator of claim 10, mounted and supported under the door by the top surface and the at least one sidewall.