KR102664676B1 - Medical waste sterilization processing method using mobile sterilization processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for sterilizing medical waste using a mobile sterilization system is disclosed.
A method of sterilizing medical waste using a mobile sterilization system according to an example of the present invention includes the steps of moving the mobile sterilization system to a medical waste collection point while being mounted on a vehicle; A medical waste input step of injecting medical waste into a crushing device in a container mounted on a vehicle using an input device; A medical waste crushing step of crushing the medical waste input into the crushing device; A medical waste input transfer step of transferring the medical waste pulverized in the grinding device into a sterilization tank of the sterilization device; A medical waste sterilization process step of sterilizing medical waste introduced into the sterilization tank; and a medical waste discharge step of discharging the sterilized medical waste from the sterilization tank out of the container.

Description

Medical waste sterilization processing method using mobile sterilization processing system}

The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing medical waste, and more specifically, to a method for sterilizing medical waste using a mobile sterilization system mounted on a vehicle.

According to the Waste Management Act, medical waste refers to waste discharged from health and medical institutions, animal hospitals, testing and inspection institutions, etc., including waste that is likely to cause harm to the human body such as infection, extracts such as human tissue, and carcasses of laboratory animals, etc. for health and environmental protection. This refers to waste that is recognized as requiring special management. These medical wastes are largely divided into quarantined medical waste, hazardous medical waste, and general medical waste.

Quarantine medical waste refers to all medical waste generated from medical treatment on people quarantined to protect others from infectious diseases, and hazardous medical waste includes tissue logistics waste, pathological waste, damaging waste, biological and chemical waste, and blood. This refers to medical waste that is considered polluted waste. In addition, general medical waste refers to medical waste corresponding to cotton pads, bandages, gauze, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, disposable syringes, and IV sets containing blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions. Among these medical wastes, quarantined medical waste, hazardous medical waste, and general medical waste that has not been sterilized can only be incinerated in a dedicated incinerator for pathogenic waste. However, only sterilized general medical waste is allowed to be incinerated in an industrial waste incinerator.

Therefore, when general medical waste is sterilized and disposed of in an industrial waste incinerator, the load on the incinerator dedicated to pathogenic waste can be reduced, enabling smooth treatment of medical waste. In particular, according to recent data from the Ministry of Environment, general medical waste accounts for the highest proportion of all medical waste, so the effect of increasing the amount of general medical waste treated at industrial waste incinerators is expected to be very large.

However, it is very difficult to install or expand new sterilization facilities depending on the conditions of the installation location and civil complaints. In addition, the number of large hospitals that generate large amounts of medical waste and can install sterilization facilities in compliance with the law and the amount of medical waste discharged from them are only a small portion compared to the total amount of medical waste discharged, and most medical waste is generated in large quantities. It is occurring in small and medium-sized veterinary hospitals, and this is also making it difficult to install or expand new sterilization facilities. In addition, fixed sterilization facilities have a large processing capacity and are difficult to deal with medical waste that is generated little by little sporadically in various places. In addition, it is practically difficult to install such fixed sterilization treatment facilities in small and medium-sized hospitals.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2003-0017286 (Publication Date: March 3, 2003)

The present invention was developed in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and uses a mobile sterilization processing system that is mounted on a vehicle and can be moved, and visits medical facilities that generate a certain amount of medical waste to collect and sterilize the medical waste, thereby enabling residents to use it. The purpose is to provide a sterilization method for medical waste that can minimize opposition.

The object of the present invention is not limited to the above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above-described object, a container mounted on a vehicle, a crushing device, a transfer device, and a sterilization device arranged within the container, and an input device for injecting medical waste into the crushing device within the container. A medical treatment using a mobile sterilization system including a discharge device for discharging crushed and sterilized waste to the outside of the container, and a control unit for controlling the crushing device, the transfer device, the sterilization device, the input device, and the discharge device. A waste sterilization treatment method is provided, which includes moving a mobile sterilization treatment system mounted on a vehicle to a medical waste collection site; A medical waste input step of injecting medical waste into a crushing device in a container mounted on a vehicle using an input device; A medical waste crushing step of crushing the medical waste input into the crushing device; A medical waste input transfer step of transferring the medical waste pulverized in the grinding device into a sterilization tank of the sterilization device; A medical waste sterilization treatment step of sterilizing the medical waste introduced into the sterilization tank; and a medical waste discharge step of discharging the sterilized medical waste from the sterilization tank out of the container.

The medical waste sterilization treatment step includes a steam sterilization treatment step of injecting steam generated from a steam generator into the sterilization tank with the interior of the sterilization tank sealed, and a microwave generator with the interior of the sterilization tank sealed. It includes a microwave sterilization step of irradiating microwaves generated in the sterilization tank.

The input device includes a box unit including a medical waste input box, a rail frame coupled to the rear part of the container and guiding the vertical movement of the box unit, and a box lifting unit that elevates the box unit along the rail frame. It includes, wherein the rail frame integrally includes a pair of rail bars each including a straight rail groove and a curved rail groove formed on an upper part of the straight rail groove, and the box unit supports the medical waste input box. It includes a wheel bracket that is installed to be able to go up and down along the rail frame, and a lower rail wheel and an upper rail wheel that are rotatably installed on the wheel bracket and roll along the straight rail groove, wherein the wheel bracket is the lower rail wheel. It includes an installed bracket body and a bracket bar coupled to the medical waste input box and rotatably connected to the bracket body by a hinge axis, and in the medical waste input step, the lower rail wheel is in the straight rail groove and the upper Raising the box unit until the rail wheel is in the curved rail groove and tilting the top opening of the medical waste input box by rotating the bracket bar about the hinge axis.

In the medical waste input step, the weight of the medical waste input box filled with medical waste is measured by the box weight measuring unit, and when the weight measured by the box weighing unit exceeds the set weight, the lifting unit is driven, and the box unit is driven. Includes raising .

The medical waste input and transfer step includes stopping the operation of the transfer device and sealing the interior of the sterilization tank when the volume of medical waste introduced into the sterilization tank reaches a predetermined processing capacity.

The medical waste sterilization method further includes an air purification step of purifying the air inside the container and exhausting it to the outside using an air purification device.

The air purification device includes an exhaust pipe extending from the sterilization device and the crushing device to an exhaust port formed on one side of the container, a turbo fan installed in the exhaust pipe to generate an air flow that exhausts air through the exhaust port, and It includes a deodorizer installed in the exhaust pipe to remove bad odors in the air flowing through the exhaust pipe, and a cyclone installed in the exhaust pipe to remove dust in the air flowing through the exhaust pipe using centrifugal force.

The cyclone is disposed on the downstream side of the exhaust pipe with respect to the deodorizer, and the exhaust pipe includes a main pipe extending from the sterilization device to the exhaust port and a connection pipe connecting the pulverizing device and the main pipe. .

The medical waste input box is arranged to face each other and includes a pair of narrow side plates, each of which is folded in half by a central hinge, and both side ends are folded and joined to both sides of the pair of narrow side plates by side edge hinges. It includes a pair of wide side plates and a bottom plate folded and coupled to the bottom of one of the pair of wide side plates.

The air purifying step includes selectively blocking the main pipe and the connection pipe using a damper installed at the connection between the main pipe and the connection pipe.

As described above, the method of sterilizing medical waste according to the present invention allows a vehicle equipped with a sterilization system to directly visit medical facilities such as hospitals where medical waste is generated in a certain amount or more, collect the medical waste, and sterilize it, so the facility can be installed. Residents' objections and complaints can be resolved.

In addition, the present invention has the advantage that all processes can be automated, from the point of inserting medical waste into the input device to the final stage where the medical waste is pulverized and sterilized and brought out to the outside.

Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the mobile sterilization system used in the medical waste sterilization method according to an embodiment of the present invention in a sterilization process state.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the mobile sterilization system used in the medical waste sterilization method according to an embodiment of the present invention in a sterilization state.
Figure 3 is a side view showing the mobile sterilization system used in the medical waste sterilization method according to an embodiment of the present invention while being transported in a running vehicle.
Figure 4 is a plan view showing the mobile sterilization system used in the medical waste sterilization method according to an embodiment of the present invention while being transported in a running vehicle.
Figure 5 is a configuration diagram for generally explaining the mobile sterilization processing system shown in Figures 1 to 4.
Figures 6 to 9 are diagrams for explaining the input device of the mobile sterilization processing system shown in Figures 1 to 5.
Figure 10 is a diagram showing elements related to the control of a mobile sterilization system used in the sterilization method of medical waste according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a flowchart showing a method of sterilizing medical waste according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In explaining the present invention, the size or shape of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated or simplified for clarity and convenience of explanation.

Additionally, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. These terms should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the content throughout this specification.

In order to clearly explain the present invention, descriptions of parts unrelated to the technical idea of the present invention have been omitted, and identical or similar components are assigned the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

In addition, in various embodiments, components having the same configuration will be described only in the representative embodiment using the same symbols, and in other embodiments, only components that are different from the representative embodiment will be described.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be “connected” to another part, this includes not only “directly connected” but also “indirectly connected” through another member. Additionally, when a part "includes" a certain component, this may mean that it further includes other components rather than excluding other components, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

The medical waste sterilization method according to the present invention sterilizes medical waste using a sterilization system that is mounted on a vehicle and can be moved. Below, prior to a detailed description of the medical waste sterilization method according to the present invention, a mobile sterilization processing system that can be used in the medical waste sterilization processing method according to the present invention will first be described.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the mobile sterilization system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a vehicle that can be driven, and crushes and sterilizes medical waste, especially general medical waste that has not been sterilized. Constructed to be discharged, a container (9) mounted on a vehicle and forming a processing space, a crushing device (4) installed within the container (9) to crush medical waste, and a crushing device (4) installed within the container (9) to crush medical waste. A sterilization device (6) for sterilizing waste, an input device (2) for injecting medical waste from the outside of the container (9) into the crushing device (4) inside the container (9), and crushing in the crushing device (4). It includes a transfer device (5) that transfers the medical waste to the sterilization device (6), and a discharge device (7) that discharges the medical waste sterilized in the sterilization device (6) to the outside of the container (9).

In addition, the mobile sterilization system of this embodiment further includes an air purification device 8 that purifies contaminated air and discharges it to the outside during the process of pulverizing and sterilizing medical waste. The air purification device (8) is installed in the exhaust pipe (81) connected from the sterilization device (6) and the grinding device (4) to the exhaust port (91) formed on one side of the container (9), and is installed in the exhaust pipe (81) to provide an exhaust port (81). A turbofan 83 that generates an air flow that discharges air through 91), a deodorizer 85 installed in the exhaust pipe 81 to remove odors in the air flowing through the exhaust pipe 81, and an exhaust pipe 85 It includes a cyclone (87) installed in (81) to remove dust in the air flowing through the exhaust pipe (81) using centrifugal force. Since the odor contains a large amount of components that corrode metals, such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, the cyclone 87 and the turbofan 83 are installed in the exhaust pipe 81 based on the deodorizer 85 to protect from the odor components. It is preferable to place it on the downstream side. The exhaust pipe 81 is a pipe for sucking in polluted air including odor and dust in the sterilization tank 61 of the sterilization device 6, which will be described below, and a pipe for sucking in polluted air including odor and dust in the pulverizing device 4. It is preferable that the deodorizer 85 joins from the upstream side and is formed as a single pipe from the deodorizer 85 to the exhaust port 91.

The deodorizer 85 preferably includes a dry deodorizer that adsorbs and removes odor components and a wet deodorizer that removes odor components by dissolving them with water or moisture.

The sides and rear of the container 9 include shutter doors 92 and 94. Additionally, an exhaust port 91 through which deodorized air is discharged is formed on the upper surface of the container 9. The exhaust port 91 is connected to the end of the exhaust pipe 81 of the air purifying device 8.

In addition, the mobile sterilization system includes a control unit 10 for controlling the input device 2, the grinding device 4, the transfer device 5, the sterilization device 6, and the air purification device 8. The control unit 10 is connected to an external input unit or remote controller, and operates the input device 2, grinding device 4, transfer device 5, sterilization device 6, and air according to external commands through the input device or remote controller. The purification device (8) can be controlled. In addition, the control unit 10 is connected to various sensors and according to the signals provided from the sensors, the input device 2, the grinding device 4, the transfer device 5, the sterilization device 6, and the air purification device 8 ) can control all or part of the functions.

A grinding device 4, a transfer device 5, and a sterilization device 6 are installed on the inner bottom of the container 9. In addition, a rear opening that can be opened and closed by the rear shutter door 94 may be formed at the rear of the container 9, and the insertion device 2 is installed adjacent to the rear of the container 9, as described below. , box unit 400 including the medical waste input box 420, and box lifting to move the box unit 400 from the lower loading position to the upper dumping position or from the upper dumping position to the lower loading position. Includes unit 500.

The crushing device 4 is moved to the upper dumping position and placed in the container 9 adjacent to the input device 4 to receive medical waste from the tilted medical waste input box 420 and crush it. The sterilization device 6 includes a sterilization tank 61 arranged long back and forth within the container 9, a steam generator 62 that generates steam for sterilization and supplies it into the sterilization tank 61, and a microwave for sterilization. It includes a microwave generator 63 that generates and provides it into the sterilization tank 61. Additionally, a sensor that measures temperature/humidity within the sterilization tank 61 may be installed in the sterilization tank 61.

In addition, the mobile sterilization processing system of this embodiment uses a self-contained generator to provide power to operate the input device (2), grinding device (4), transfer device (5), sterilization device (6), and air purification device (8). It is constructed to be obtained by developing using (11). As power storage efficiency has improved with the development of supercapacitors, the power generated during vehicle operation can be efficiently stored and this stored power can be used to operate the input device (2), grinding device (4), transfer device (5), and sterilization device ( 6) and air purification device (8) can be operated.

Devices (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) mounted within the container (9) to ensure stability by preventing the vehicle or system from leaning to the left or right due to unbalanced weight during vehicle operation and system operation. The weight balance must be properly distributed. For this purpose, the heaviest and longest sterilizing tank 61 and the generator 11 are placed on one side based on the center line (X) of the left and right widths of the container 9, and the steam generator 62 is placed on the opposite side based on the center line (X). ), a microwave generator 63, a grinding device 4, an input device 2, and a turbo fan 83 are disposed. The insertion device 2 is relatively easy to move left and right, and in order to balance the vehicle, the installation position of the insertion device 2 can be adjusted with respect to the left and right width center line (X). Meanwhile, the turbofan 83 is disposed on the inner front side of the container 9 adjacent to the driver's seat so as to be vertically below the exhaust port 91 formed on the upper surface of the front side of the container 9.

As well shown in Figures 2 and 6 to 8, the insertion device 2 is coupled to the rear part of the container 9 and is positioned parallel to the opening of the rear part. The input device 2 is configured to input medical waste into the crushing device 4 with the opening formed in the rear portion of the container 9 open, and includes a box unit 400 including a medical waste input box 420. ) and a rail frame 200 that guides the box unit 400 to move up and down from the loading position to the dumping position or in the opposite direction, and the box unit 400 from the lower loading position to the upper dumping position or It includes a box lifting unit 500 that moves the box from the upper dumping position to the lower loading position.

The box unit 400 grinds the medical waste loaded in the box unit 400 into the container 9 from the lower loading position where the worker can load the medical waste into the box unit 400 by the box lifting unit 500. It can be raised along the rail frame 200 to a dumping position at the top where it can be poured into the device 4. When the box unit 400 reaches the upper dumping position, the upper opening of the medical waste input box 420 included in the box unit 400 faces the hopper 42 of the crushing device 4 in the container 9. It is tilted so that the medical waste contained in the medical waste input box 420 can easily be poured into the hopper 42 of the crusher 4, and the box unit 400 reaches the upper dumping position to insert the medical waste into the box. The configuration in which (420) is tilted will be described in more detail next.

The rail frame 200 includes a pair of rail bars 210, 210 each including a straight rail groove 212 and a curved rail groove 214 formed on the upper part of the straight rail groove 212, and a pair of rail bars. A pair of support bars (240, 240) supporting (210, 210) and fixedly coupled to the medical waste input box (420), and a plurality of connection parts (230a) connecting between the pair of support bars (240, 240) , 230b, 230c).

The box unit 400 includes a medical waste input box 420 having an open space at the top that can be filled with medical waste, and a device that can be raised and lowered along the rail frame 200 while supporting the medical waste input box 420. It includes a wheel bracket 440, a pair of lower rail wheels 452 and a pair of upper rail wheels 454 that are rotatably installed on the wheel bracket 440 and roll along the straight rail groove 212.

Here, the wheel bracket 440 is directly coupled to the bracket body 442, which has a pair of lower rail wheels 452 installed and consists of a pair of bracket arms and a bracket base, and the medical waste input box 420, It is rotatably connected to each arm of a pair of bracket bodies 442 by a hinge axis 460, and includes a pair of bracket bars 444 on which a pair of upper rail wheels 454 are installed.

The lower rail wheel 452 and the upper rail wheel 454 are slidably fitted into the straight rail groove 212 of the rail frame 200, and thus the box unit 400, that is, the wheel bracket 440 and the wheel bracket The medical waste input box 420 coupled to (440) moves up and down by both the lower rail wheel 452 and the upper rail wheel 454 installed on the wheel bracket 440 moving along the straight rail groove 212. Can be elevated to . And the box unit 400 is lifted and lowered by driving the box lift unit 500.

When the box unit 400 approaches the dumping position at the top, the lower rail wheel 452 is in the straight rail groove 212, and the upper rail wheel 454 enters the curved rail groove 214, in this state. When the box unit 400 rises further, the bracket bar 444 on which the upper rail wheel 454 is installed and the medical waste input box 420 directly coupled thereto rotate around the hinge axis 460, and the upper rail wheel 454 is installed. Upon reaching the dumping position, the medical waste input box 420 is tilted with its upper opening towards the hopper 42 of the shredding device 4, thereby allowing the lifting of the medical waste input box 420 and subsequent medical treatment without the operator. The input of medical waste into the crushing device 4 can be carried out automatically and continuously by dumping the waste.

The box unit 400 is lowered by driving the box lifting unit 500, and in this process, the upper rail wheel 454 in the curved rail groove 214 enters the straight rail groove 212, causing the bracket The bar 444 and the medical waste input box 420 directly coupled thereto rotate with respect to the hinge axis 460 to return to their original state, that is, the upper opening of the medical waste input box 420 faces vertically upward. In this state, the upper rail wheel 454 and the lower rail wheel 452 move downward along the straight rail groove 212, so that the box unit 400 can descend to the lower position.

The box lifting unit 500 includes a drive cylinder 520 that is connected to the lower connection portion 230c of the rail frame 200 and extends or contracts vertically, and a chain sprocket rotatably installed at the tip of the drive cylinder 520 ( 540), one end of which is fixed to one side of the rail frame 200 and the other end of which is fixed to the wheel bracket 440, more specifically, the bracket body 442 of the wheel bracket 440, and is coupled to the chain sprocket 540. Includes chain 560. The chain sprocket 540 is raised by the extension drive of the drive cylinder 520, and as a result, the distance between the chain sprocket 540, which is raised to the maximum, and the other end of the chain 560 connected to the wheel bracket 440 is shortest. As it falls, the wheel bracket 440 and the medical waste input box 420 installed on the wheel bracket 440 rise to the top. In this upper position, the lower rail wheel 452 installed on the bracket body 442 of the wheel bracket 440 is in the straight rail groove 212, and the upper rail wheel 454 installed on the bracket bar 444 is curved. Since it is within the rail groove 214, the bracket bar 444 rotates with respect to the bracket body 442, and accordingly, the medical waste input box 420 directly coupled to the bracket body 442 is tilted, thereby discharging medical waste. is in a state where it can be poured into the hopper 42 of the grinding device 4.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the medical waste input box 420 is arranged to face each other and includes a pair of narrow side plates 422, each of which is folded in half by a central hinge 421, and a pair of narrow side plates 422. A pair of wide side plates (424, 424) whose side ends are folded and joined to both side ends of each of the pair of narrow side plates (422) by side edge hinges (423), and a pair of wide side plates (424, 424) It includes a bottom plate 426 folded and coupled to the bottom of one of the wide side plates 424 by a bottom corner hinge 425. During the medical waste input operation, as shown in (a) of FIG. 9, the narrow side plate 422 of the medical waste input box 420 is unfolded, and the narrow side plate 422 and the long side plate 424 form an angle of 90 degrees. The floor plate 426 is used in a form that blocks the floor while forming a right angle to the wide side plate 424, as shown in Figure 9(b) to avoid interference with other vehicles or other interference while the vehicle is running. , the narrow side plate 422 is folded based on the central hinge 421, and the angle between the narrow side plate 422 and the wide side plate 424 is maintained as folded as possible. The bottom plate 426 is also almost overlapped with the wide side plate 424.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 5, the grinding device 4 is coupled to a hopper 42 with a medical waste inlet formed on one side, and the lower part of the hopper 42, and the medical waste is fed into the grinding chamber through the hopper 42. It includes a crusher 44 that crushes medical waste with a plurality of crushing rollers.

As mentioned above, the air purification device 8 is configured to purify contaminated air and discharge it to the outside during the process of pulverizing and sterilizing medical waste, and is configured to discharge a container ( It includes an exhaust pipe 81 that extends to the exhaust port 91 formed on the upper surface of 9) and whose end is connected to the exhaust port 91. At this time, it is preferable that the main inlet of the exhaust pipe 81 is connected to the exhaust port of the sterilization tank 61. In addition, the exhaust pipe 81 includes a connection pipe 812 connected to the hopper 42 of the grinding device 4, and this connection pipe is connected to the main pipe extending from the sterilization tank 61 to the exhaust port 91. By doing so, the bad odor generated in the sterilization tank 61 and the grinding device 4 can be removed at the same time. In addition, a damper 89 is installed at the connection portion of the connection pipe and the main pipe to selectively block the exhaust passage leading from the sterilization tank 61 to the exhaust port 91 and the passage leading from the crusher 4 to the exhaust port 91. , an operation to simultaneously remove bad odors inside the sterilization tank (61) and the inside of the grinding device (4), and an operation to remove bad odors by selecting only one of the inside of the sterilization tank (61) and the inside of the grinding device (4) can be performed. It is desirable to have it.

In addition, the air purification device 8 is installed in the exhaust pipe 81 and includes a turbo fan 83 that generates an air flow that exhausts air through the exhaust port 91, and a turbo fan 83 installed in the exhaust pipe 81 to generate an air flow that discharges air through the exhaust port 91. A deodorizer 85 that removes bad odors in the air flowing through 81, and is installed on the downstream side of the exhaust pipe 81 based on the deodorizer 85 to remove dust in the air flowing through the exhaust pipe 81 by centrifugal force. Includes Cyclone (87). As the turbofan 83 is driven, the air containing bad odors and dust sucked from the inside of the sterilization tank 61 and/or the inside of the grinding device 4 through the main inlet and/or connection pipe 812 is deodorized. The odor is removed as it passes through (85) and the dust is removed through the next cyclone (87), after which it can be discharged to the outside through the exhaust port (91). The cyclone 87 may include a main body that drops dust downward by centrifugal force and a dust container that collects and stores dust falling from the main body. At this time, it is preferable that it is further connected to the exhaust pipe 81, another connection pipe connected to the inner space of the container 9 outside the sterilization tank 6. In this case, not only the odor and dust inside the grinding device 4 and the sterilization tank 61, but also the odor and dust inside the container 9 can be removed, if necessary.

The transfer device 5 includes a first transfer conveyor 51 that transfers the pulverized medical waste pulverized in the crusher 44 while raising it forward, and a sterilization tank that receives the pulverized medical waste at the end of the first transfer conveyor 51. It includes a second transfer conveyor (52) that inputs the pulverized medical waste through an inlet formed on one side of (61). It is preferable that the first transfer conveyor 51 and the second transfer conveyor 52 are configured to transfer pulverized medical waste while being disposed within a pipe formed with an airtight structure.

The sterilization tank 61 includes an inlet through which medical waste transported on the first conveyor 51 and the second conveyor 52 included in the transfer device 5 is input, and an outlet through which medical waste that has completed sterilization treatment is discharged. do. Although not shown in detail, the inlet of the sterilization tank 61 may be formed at a position to receive medical waste coming from the end of the transfer device 5, more specifically, the end of the second conveyor 52. Also, when the sterilization device 5 is in operation, it is desirable that the inlet is airtightly closed by a door that blocks it.

The transfer device 5 or the conveyor provided in the transfer device 5 is connected to the reciprocating transfer drive unit (M) including a motor and a power transmission mechanism, and the transfer device 5 or the conveyor provided in the transfer device 5 The end can be allowed to enter or exit the inlet of the sterilization tank (61). In this case, when medical waste is introduced into the sterilization tank 61, the end of the transfer device 5 advances and is located inside the inlet, and just before the start of sterilization treatment, the end of the transfer device 5 retracts and the inlet is closed. It can be.

As mentioned above, during sterilization, the inlet and outlet may be airtightly closed to the outside of the sterilization tank 61. The sterilization tank 61 includes a sterilization processing space that is airtightly separated from the outside of the sterilization tank 61. In addition, at the top of the sterilization tank 61, there is a steam supply port 614 for supplying steam generated from the steam generator 62 into the sterilization tank 61 and an exhaust port 615 connected to the air purification device 8. is formed Additionally, the sterilization tank 61 may include a microwave transmission window 616 through which microwaves generated from the microwave generator 63 are transmitted. A transport means may be installed in the sterilization tank 61 to transport the sterilized medical waste through an outlet. Alternatively, the conveyor of the discharge device 7 or the transfer device 5 is extended to the inside of the sterilization tank 61, so that the discharge conveyor provided in the discharge device 7 or the transfer device 5 is inside the sterilization tank 61. Moving your medical waste may also be considered. The discharge device 7 may include a discharge conveyor. The outlet is preferably formed at the bottom of the sterilization tank 61. In addition, the discharge device 7 receives medical waste sterilized in the sterilization device 6 through an outlet formed in the sterilization tank 61 and discharges it to the outside of the container 9. The discharge device 7 includes a discharge conveyor that transfers the sterilized medical waste received through the discharge port to the outside of the container 9. The side shutter door of the container 9 is opened while discharging the sterilized medical waste. Additionally, the sterilizing tank 61 may be equipped with a sterilizing water spray unit that sprays sterilizing water into the sterilizing tank 61 on which sterilization has been completed to clean and sterilize the inside of the sterilizing tank 61 at the same time.

After sterilization is completed, the sterilized medical waste may not be discharged immediately, but may be transported to a distant industrial waste incinerator and then discharged there. Medical waste discharged outside of the container (9) can fall into the waste collection bin (W) and be collected. Medical waste that has been sterilized can be incinerated along with other general industrial waste in an industrial waste incinerator.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 10 together, the mobile sterilization processing system measures the operating load of the box weight measuring unit 12 and the crusher 44, which measures the weight of the medical waste input box 120 filled with medical waste. It includes a crusher load measuring unit 13 that measures the weight of the sterilizing tank 62 into which medical waste is placed, and a sterilizing tank weight measuring unit 14 that measures the weight of the sterilizing tank 62 into which medical waste is added. The box weight measurement unit 12 and the sterilization tank weight measurement unit 14 may be sensors that directly measure weight, such as a load cell. The crusher load measuring unit 13 is preferably a sensor that detects the load of the motor that drives the crusher 44, but a sensor that measures the weight of the crusher 44 may also be used.

In addition, the mobile sterilization processing system may further include a timer 15 that measures the steam sterilization processing time and the microwave sterilization time. Additionally, the mobile sterilization system may further include a speaker unit for outputting an alarm, etc.

Hereinafter, a method for sterilizing medical waste according to an embodiment of the present invention, which sterilizes medical waste using the above-described mobile sterilization system, will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 11 together, the medical waste sterilization method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of moving the mobile sterilization system to a medical waste collection point while being mounted on a vehicle ( S0), an input step (S1) of injecting the medical waste into the crushing device 4 in the container 9 mounted on the vehicle, and a crushing step of pulverizing the medical waste introduced into the crushing device 4 into particles of a certain size or less. (S2), an input transfer step (S3) in which medical waste pulverized into particles of a certain size or less in the grinding device 4 is transferred into the sterilization tank 61 of the sterilization device 6, and the interior of the sterilization tank 61 A steam sterilization process step (S4) in which medical waste is sterilized by injecting high-temperature, high-pressure steam generated from the steam generator 62 of the sterilization device 6 into the sterilization tank 61 in a sealed state, and the sterilization device. A microwave sterilization process step (S5) in which medical waste is sterilized by radiating microwaves generated from the microwave generator 63 of (6) into the sterilization tank 61, and the sterilization completed medical waste is placed in a sterilization tank ( It includes a discharge step (S6) of discharging to the outside by a discharge device (7) including a discharge conveyor disposed on the lower side of 61). Medical waste discharged after sterilization can be stored in a medical waste collection box or ton bag and then transported to an industrial waste incinerator for incineration. The deodorizer 85 collects and removes bad odors generated during the grinding and sterilization process of medical waste, and the cyclone 87 collects and removes dust generated during the grinding and sterilization process. Air from which bad odors and dust have been removed, that is, purified air, passes through the exhaust pipe 81 and is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 91 formed on the upper surface of the container 9.

The input step (S1) includes the worker putting medical waste into the medical waste input box 420 of the box unit 400 at the lower loading position. At this time, when the weight measured by the box weight measuring unit 12 exceeds a certain weight, the control unit 10 generates an alarm to notify the operator, and then drives the box lifting unit 500 to lower the box unit 400 to the bottom. Raise it from the loading position to the dumping position at the top. When the box unit 400 reaches the upper dumping position, the upper opening of the medical waste input box 420 is tilted at a certain angle due to the structure of the box unit 400 and the rail frame 200, Medical waste contained in the waste input box 420 is poured into the hopper 42 of the crushing device 4. Next, the control unit 10 drives the box lifting unit 500 in the reverse direction to lower the box unit 400 from the upper dumping position to the lower loading position. The control unit 10 may stop or resume the operation of the input device 2 according to the information measured by the grinder load measurement unit 13 and/or the sterilization tank weight measurement unit 14.

The pulverizing step (S2) includes pulverizing the medical waste introduced into the pulverizer 44 through the hopper 42 to a certain particle size or less. At this time, the control unit 10 may stop the operation of the input device 2 when the load value is above a certain load value according to the information measured by the crusher load measurement unit 13.

The input transfer step (S3) includes transferring and inserting the medical waste pulverized by the grinding device 4 into the sterilization tank 61 of the sterilization device 6. At this time, when the volume of medical waste introduced into the sterilization tank 61 according to the weight information measured by the sterilization tank weight measuring unit 14 reaches the predetermined processing capacity, the operation of the transfer device 5 is stopped and sterilization is performed. The sterilization space in the tank 61 is sealed from the outside.

The steam sterilization process step (S4) includes sterilizing medical waste by injecting high-temperature, high-pressure steam generated from the steam generator 62 into the sterilization tank 61. The amount of steam injection per hour is predetermined. In addition, when the steam sterilization process time reaches the set time according to the time information measured by the timer 15, the control unit 10 stops injecting steam into the sterilization tank 61 and ends the steam sterilization process.

The microwave sterilization treatment step (S5) includes sterilizing medical waste by radiating microwaves generated from the microwave generator 63 into the sterilization tank 61 simultaneously with or after the steam sterilization treatment. . The microwave power is predetermined. In addition, the control unit 10 terminates microwave generation and radiation when the micro sterilization process time reaches the set time according to the time information measured by the timer 15, thereby ending the microwave sterilization process.

The discharge step (S6) includes discharging the sterilized medical waste to the outside through a discharge device 7 including a discharge conveyor disposed on the lower side of the sterilization tank 61.

In addition, the medical waste sterilization method according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes an air purification step of removing odor and dust during the process of pulverizing and sterilizing medical waste and discharging the purified air to the outside through the exhaust port 91. Includes.

In addition, the method for sterilizing medical waste according to an embodiment of the present invention involves washing the inside of the grinding device 4, where the grinding of medical waste has been completed, that is, the inside of the hopper 42 and the inside of the grinder 44, with sterilizing water. Additional steps may be included.

Although the present invention has been shown and described in connection with preferred embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention, the invention is not limited to the construction and operation as so shown and described, but is limited to the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will be able to understand that many changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

2: Insertion device 4: Grinding device
5: Transfer device 6: Sterilization device
7: Discharge device 8: Air purification device
9: container

Claims (10)

A container mounted on a vehicle, a crushing device, a transfer device, and a sterilization device arranged within the container, an input device for injecting medical waste into the crushing device in the container, and a discharge device for discharging the crushed and sterilized waste to the outside of the container. , A medical waste sterilization treatment method using a mobile sterilization system including a control unit for controlling the crushing device, the transfer device, the sterilization device, the input device, and the discharge device,
Moving the mobile sterilization system mounted on a vehicle to a medical waste collection site;
A medical waste input step of injecting medical waste into a crushing device in a container mounted on a vehicle using an input device;
A medical waste crushing step of crushing the medical waste input into the crushing device;
A medical waste input transfer step of transferring the medical waste pulverized in the grinding device into a sterilization tank of the sterilization device;
A medical waste sterilization process step of sterilizing medical waste introduced into the sterilization tank; and
It includes a medical waste discharge step of discharging sterilized medical waste from the sterilization tank out of the container,
The input device includes a box unit including a medical waste input box, and a rail frame that is coupled to the rear portion of the container and guides the box unit to move up and down from the loading position at the bottom to the dumping position at the top or in the opposite direction. and a box lifting unit that moves the box unit from the loading position to the dumping position or from the dumping position to the loading position,
The rail frame integrally includes a pair of rail bars each including a straight rail groove and a curved rail groove formed on an upper part of the straight rail groove,
The box unit includes a wheel bracket that is installed to be able to move up and down along the rail frame while supporting the medical waste input box, a lower rail wheel and an upper rail wheel that are rotatably installed on the wheel bracket and roll along the straight rail groove. Including,
The wheel bracket includes a bracket body on which the lower rail wheel is installed, and a bracket bar coupled to the medical waste input box and rotatably connected to the bracket body by a hinge axis,
When the lower rail wheel and the upper rail wheel are in the straight rail groove, the medical waste input box moves straight up and down, the lower rail wheel is in the straight rail groove, and the upper rail wheel is in the curved rail groove. When the bracket bar rotates around the hinge axis, the upper opening of the medical waste input box is tilted toward the inside of the hopper of the crushing device,
The box lifting unit includes a drive cylinder that extends or retracts up and down, a chain sprocket rotatably installed at the front end of the drive cylinder, one end of which is fixed to one side of the rail frame while hanging over the chain sprocket, and the other end of which is attached to the bracket. Includes a chain fixed to the body,
The medical waste input box is arranged to face each other and includes a pair of narrow side plates, each of which is folded in half by a central hinge, and both side ends are folded and joined to both sides of the pair of narrow side plates by side edge hinges. A method of sterilizing medical waste, comprising a pair of wide side plates and a bottom plate folded and coupled to the bottom of one of the pair of wide side plates.
In paragraph 1.
The medical waste sterilization treatment step is,
A steam sterilization process step of injecting steam generated from a steam generator into the sterilization tank while the interior of the sterilization tank is sealed;
A medical waste sterilization method comprising a microwave sterilization step of radiating microwaves generated from a microwave generator into the sterilization tank while the interior of the sterilization tank is sealed.
delete According to paragraph 3,
In the medical waste input step, the weight of the medical waste input box filled with medical waste is measured by the box weight measuring unit, and when the weight measured by the box weighing unit exceeds the set weight, the lifting unit is driven to box the box. A method of sterilizing medical waste, characterized in that the unit is raised.
According to paragraph 1,
In the medical waste input and transfer step, when the volume of medical waste introduced into the sterilization tank reaches a predetermined processing capacity, the operation of the transfer device is stopped and the interior of the sterilization tank is sealed. Sterilization method.
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