REMOVABLE INLET MANIFOLD FOR A MEDICAL/SURGICAL WASTE COLLECTION SYSTEM, THE MANIFOLD INCLUDING A DRIVER FOR ACTUATING A VALVE INTEGRAL WITH THE WASTE COLLECTION SYSTEM
A manifold (46) for connection to a medical/surgical waste collection unit is described, wherein the waste collection unit has a receiver for receiving the manifold. Said manifold comprises a housing having a void space, wherein the housing is dimensioned to fit in the waste collection unit receiver. The manifold further comprises at least one fitting (48) attached to the housing that extends away from the housing. The fitting is dimensioned to receive a suction line. At least one port (237) formed in the manifold provides a fluid communication opening between each fitting and the interior void space of the manifold. A valve unit (248) is associated with the fitting. The valve unit is configured to allow fluid flow through the fitting into the housing void space and block fluid flow from the housing void space out through the fitting. An outlet opening (170) is provided in the manifold housing that allows fluid from said void space into the waste collection unit. The valve unit is disposed in the housing void space and includes a hub (250) formed from compressible material. Said hub has opposed first and second faces, wherein the hub first face is distally directed and disposed against the housing. Said hub is held in the housing in that it is compressed between components of the manifold and has a number of ribs that extend outwardly from each of the opposed faces of the hub. At least one valve member (262) is pivotally connected to and extends from said hub. Said valve member is positioned and dimensioned to cover the port.본 발명은 의료/수술 폐기물 수집 시스템용의 제거가능한 매니폴드에 관한 것이다. 상기 매니폴드는 상기 시스템과 일체로 된 수용부에 장착되는 크기를 갖는다. 상기 매니폴드는 상기 수용부 내부의 상보적인 밸브와 맞물리기 위한 드라이버를 포함한다. 상기 밸브는 상기 폐기물 수집 시스템의 하행 라인 구성요소 및 수용부 간의 흐름을 조절한다. 상기 밸브는 통상적으로 폐쇄되어있다. 상기 매니폴드가 상기 수용부에 맞춰질 때, 상기 드라이버는 상기 밸브와 맞물려서 상기 밸브를 개방 위치로 이동시킨다. 이는 매니폴드 및 수용부로부터 시스템의 하류 구성요소로의 유체 흐름을 가능하게 한다.
