SOLAR POWERED SENSOR BASED BIN FOR MEDICAL WASTE

Abstract

Abstract The present invention discloses a solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste collection and monitoring. The bin (1) incorporates a combination of sensors and technologies to ensure proper waste segregation, sterilization and odor control. The bin (1) is equipped with ultrasonic sensors (4) to prevent unauthorized disposal, weight sensors (12) to monitor bin fullness, and humidity sensors (9) to aid in waste segregation. Once full, microwave treatment is employed to sterilize and reduce the volume of the waste. Gas sensors (7) continuously monitor the air quality within the bin, detecting and alerting operators to any harmful emissions. This bin (1) is operated by a solar panel (2) mounted on its lid. The integrated system offers a comprehensive solution for managing medical waste, reducing the risk of disease transmission, and protecting the environment.

Specification

Description:SOLAR POWERED SENSOR BASED BIN FOR MEDICAL WASTE

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the medical waste bin. More particularly, a solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste collection and monitoring.

Background of the Invention
While existing smart medical waste bins represent a significant advancement in waste management, there are still several features that are absent or underutilized in the current literature. One notable omission is the lack of real-time biohazard detection capabilities. While some bins can monitor fill levels and temperature, they often lack the sensitivity to detect potentially dangerous biological agents like bacteria or viruses. This limitation could be addressed by integrating advanced sensors capable of identifying and alerting staff to the presence of biohazards. Additionally, many smart bins do not have the ability to automatically identify and segregate different types of hazardous materials, such as chemotherapy drugs or radioactive waste. This could lead to accidental mixing of incompatible substances and pose serious safety risks. Incorporating humidity sensors, automated segregation mechanisms would enhance the safety and efficiency of waste disposal. Furthermore, while remote monitoring and control are increasingly common features, there is a need for more sophisticated systems that can provide real-time data on bin conditions, such as fill levels, temperature, and the presence of hazardous materials. This would enable proactive maintenance and prevent overflow or contamination. Finally, many smart bins lack integration with electronic health records (EHRs), which could streamline waste tracking and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. By connecting bins to EHR systems, healthcare facilities could establish a more comprehensive chain of custody for medical waste, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or tampering.
Rakesh, Uppala, V. Ramya, and V. Senthil Murugan. "Classification, Collection, and Notification of Medical Waste Using IoT Based Smart Dust Bins." Ingénierie des Systèmes d'Information 28.1 (2023).
Divakaran, S., Janney, J. B., Charan, M. A., Krishnakumar, S., Mathangi, B., & Dhanalakshmi, K. (2023, January). A Smart Bin for Disposal of Infectious Medical Waste. In 2023 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Discovery in Concurrent Engineering (ICECONF) (pp. 1-5). IEEE.
Kurani, Hemal B. "Smart waste management system." U.S. Patent Application No. 16/124,189.
While some bins have the ability to track temperature and fill levels, they frequently lack the sensitivity to identify biological agents like germs or viruses that could be harmful. One way to overcome this constraint would be to incorporate sophisticated sensors that can detect and notify personnel of the existence of biohazards. Furthermore, a lot of smart bins lack the capability to automatically recognize and separate various hazardous item kinds.
The absence of real-time biohazard detection capability is one noteworthy shortcoming. Although certain bins have the ability to track temperature and fill levels, they frequently lack the sensitivity to identify biological agents that could be harmful, such as germs or viruses. Many smart trash cans lack the capability to automatically recognize and separate various dangerous materials, such radioactive garbage or chemotherapy medications. This might unintentionally combine substances that shouldn't go together and present major safety risks.
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior arts by providing solar powered based bin for medical waste collection and monitoring by incorporating a sophisticated system of sensors to ensure efficient and safe waste management.

Objectives of the Invention
The prime objective of the present invention is to provide a solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste.
Another object of this invention is to provide the solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste collection and monitoring.
Another object of this invention is to provide the solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste where the ultrasonic sensors are employed to detect the presence of objects, preventing unauthorized disposal and ensuring only medical waste is deposited.
Another object of this invention is to provide the solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste where the weight sensors monitor the bin's fullness, triggering collection when it reaches capacity, the humidity sensors measure moisture levels, aiding in waste segregation and ensuring proper handling.
Another object of this invention is to provide the solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste where once the bin is full, it is transported to a processing facility.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide the solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste where the microwave treatment sterilizes the waste, destroying pathogens and reducing its volume.
Still yet another object of this invention is to provide the solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste where the treated waste is compacted and transported for further processing or incineration, complying with environmental regulations.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings and descriptions herein. Every object of the invention is attained by at least one embodiment of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention
In one of the aspects of the invention, it provides the solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste collection and monitoring where the integration of the sensors enables the smart medical waste bin to provide a comprehensive solution for managing medical waste, reducing the risk of disease transmission, and protecting public health and the environment.
In one of the aspects of the present invention, the solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste is operated by a solar panel mounted on its lid.
In one of the aspects, in the present invention, the bin uses numerous sensors for tracking and collecting medical waste such as waste material is detected in the bin by the ultrasonic sensor, the weight sensor then determines if the trash can hold more waste or is already full, with the aid of the humidity sensor, the waste material will be separated into wet and dry waste as it is disposed of in the bin. The gas sensor detects the hazardous gases that are emitted following the microwave treatment.
Brief Description of Drawings
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Further objectives and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates the schematic diagram according to preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification which follow, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as "including, but not limited to".
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The headings and abstract of the invention provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments. Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
The present invention discloses a solar powered sensor-based bin for medical waste collection and monitoring by incorporating a combination of sensors and technologies to ensure proper waste segregation, sterilization and odor control.
In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to like numerals refer to like features of the invention.
According to preferred embodiment of the invention, referring to Figure 1, solar powered sensor-based bin (1) for medical waste collection and monitoring comprises of solar panel (2), screen interface (3), ultrasonic sensor (4), microwave generator (5), waste gas outlet (6), gas sensor (7), chute (8) for waste disposal, humidity sensor (9), wet waste (10), dry waste (11), weight sensor (12) and a microcontroller.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the bin (1) equipped with ultrasonic, weight and humidity sensors (4,12, 9). Ultrasonic sensors (4) detect the presence of objects, ensuring only medical waste is deposited. Weight sensors (12) determine the bin's fullness, triggering collection when it reaches capacity. Humidity sensors (9) measure moisture levels, aiding in waste segregation. Once full, the bin (1) is transported to a processing facility. Microwave treatment sterilizes the waste, destroying pathogens and reducing its volume. Gas sensors (7) continuously monitor for harmful gases, ensuring safe handling and disposal. The treated waste is then compacted and transported for further processing or incineration, complying with environmental regulations.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the solar powered sensor-based bin (1) for medical waste collection and monitoring works in the following manner:
• Firstly, the ultrasonic sensor (4) detects the presence of waste material in the bin (1);
• then the weight sensor (12) checks whether the bin is full or can accommodate more waste, if it is full, then on the LCD screen (3) the message indicating 'FULL' will appear else the inlet chute (8) will get open;
• as the waste material is disposed in the bin, it will be segregated into wet waste (10) and dry waste (11) with the help of humidity sensor (9);
• the microcontroller reads the data from the sensors, and processes this raw data to extract meaningful information, based on this sensor data, the microcontroller makes decisions about the bin's operation.
• once the bin is full, a microwave generator (5) within the bin (1) is activated, this generator emits electromagnetic waves, similar to those used in household microwave ovens, the electromagnetic waves interact with the water molecules present in the waste, causing them to vibrate rapidly, this rapid vibration generates heat, which can reach temperatures of up to 250°C;
• the high temperatures created by the microwave radiation effectively sterilize the waste, destroying harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi;
• the harmful gases that are released after the microwave treatment are detected by the gas sensor (7) and release by the waste gas outlet (6).
According to another embodiment of the invention, for waste detection ultrasonic sensors (4) are employed in this medical bin (1). By emitting ultrasonic waves and measuring the time it takes for the echoes to return, the sensor (4) can determine the distance between itself and the object. If an object is detected within a specified range, the bin (1) can activate a warning system or refuse to accept the item, thereby maintaining the integrity of the medical waste stream.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the weight sensor (12) in the medical bin (1) is responsible for measuring the weight of the waste deposited within. This information is crucial for determining when the bin (1) is full and needs to be emptied. By monitoring the weight over time, the sensor (12) can provide an accurate indication of the bin's capacity and trigger a notification or automated collection process when the threshold is reached. This helps to prevent overflow and ensure efficient waste management.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the humidity sensor (9) in the medical bin (1) is used to measure the relative humidity of the waste. While it may not directly aid in segregation based on waste type, it can indirectly contribute to the process in a few ways. By knowing the humidity level, the bin can estimate the moisture content of the waste. This information can be useful for determining if the waste is suitable for certain disposal methods, such as composting or incineration. Higher humidity levels can accelerate the decomposition process, which may affect the timing of waste collection or disposal. Moisture can contribute to odor generation, especially in organic waste. Monitoring humidity levels can help to identify potential odor issues and take appropriate measures, such as adjusting ventilation or adding odor-neutralizing agents. While the humidity sensor (9) is not the primary tool for waste segregation, it provides valuable data that can support the overall waste management process.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the microwave treatment is performed for: the bin (1) is filled with medical waste, which can include items like syringes, bandages, and disposable gloves. Once the bin (1) is full, a microwave generator (5) within the bin is activated. This generator (5) emits electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves interact with the water molecules present in the waste, causing them to vibrate rapidly. This rapid vibration generates heat, which can reach temperatures of up to 250°C. The high temperatures created by the microwave radiation effectively sterilize the waste, destroying harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The heat also causes the waste to dry out and shrink, reducing its overall volume. This makes it easier to transport and dispose of. The bin (1) is designed with safety features to prevent the escape of harmful gases or fumes during the microwave treatment process. This may include ventilation systems, filters, or containment chambers. By using microwave technology, the medical bins can provide a safe and efficient method for sterilizing and reducing the volume of medical waste, helping to prevent the spread of disease and protect the environment.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the gas sensor (7) is a highly sensitive semiconductor oxide sensor designed to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air. The gas sensor (7) plays a vital role in maintaining the safety and efficiency of medical waste bins (1) by providing real-time monitoring of air quality and detecting potential hazards. In the solar powered sensor based medical waste bin, its primary function is to monitor the air quality within the bin (1) and detect the presence of potentially harmful gases that may be emitted from the medical waste. The sensor (7) detect a wide range of VOCs, including those commonly associated with medical waste, such as methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. These gases can be emitted from decomposing organic matter, chemical disinfectants, or other medical waste components. The sensor (7) can also be used to monitor odors, which can be an indicator of potential health hazards or environmental concerns. If the sensor detects elevated levels of harmful gases or odors, it can trigger an alarm or notification to alert operators of a potential problem. By monitoring the air quality, the sensor (7) help to ensure that workers are not exposed to hazardous gases and that the bin is operated safely. The sensor can help to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards related to waste management.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the microcontroller plays a crucial role in monitoring and controlling the operations of medical waste bin (1). It serves as the central processing unit (CPU) of the bin, coordinating the functions of various sensors and actuators. The microcontroller is responsible for reading the data from the ultrasonic, weight, humidity, and gas sensors. It processes this raw data to extract meaningful information, such as the presence of objects, the bin's fullness, the moisture content of the waste, and the concentration of harmful gases. Based on the sensor data, the microcontroller makes decisions about the bin's operation. The microcontroller can communicate with other devices, such as a computer or a smartphone, to provide real-time updates on the bin's status and to allow for remote control.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the solar powered sensor-based bin (1) for medical waste as application/ use in hospitals and healthcare facilities. The bins can monitor fill levels and send alerts when they're nearing capacity. This helps optimize waste collection routes and reduces the risk of overflowing bins, which can lead to health hazards. By tracking the location and status of medical waste bins, facilities can ensure proper handling and disposal, minimizing the risk of exposure to infectious materials. Hospitals and healthcare facilities often face strict regulations regarding the handling and disposal of medical waste. Smart bins can help ensure compliance with these regulations by providing real-time data on waste management processes.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will at once be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention includes advantages and features over and beyond the specific illustrated construction. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited solely by the scope of the hereinafter appended claims, and not by the foregoing specification, when interpreted in light of the relevant prior art.
solar powered sensor-based bin (1) for medical waste collection and monitoring comprises of solar panel (2), screen interface (3), ultrasonic sensor (4), microwave generator (5), waste gas outlet (6), gas sensor (7), chute for waste disposal (8), humidity sensor (9), wet waste (10), dry waste (11), weight sensor (12) and a microcontroller.

List of Reference Numbers

1. Solar powered sensor-based bin 2. solar panel
3. screen interface 4. ultrasonic sensor
5. microwave generator 6. waste gas outlet
7. gas sensor 8. chute
9. humidity sensor 10. wet waste
11. dry waste 12. weight sensor
13. microcontroller (Not shown in Figure 1)

, Claims:We Claim;

1. A solar powered sensor-based bin (1) for medical waste collection and monitoring comprises of a solar panel (2), a screen interface (3), an ultrasonic sensor (4), a microwave generator (5), a waste gas outlet (6), a gas sensor (7), a chute (8) for waste disposal, a humidity sensor (9), a wet waste (10), a dry waste (11), a weight sensor (12) and a microcontroller wherein the bin (1) equipped with (4,12, 7, 9), on the data of these sensor, once the bin (1) is full, it is transported to a processing facility, the microwave treatment sterilizes the waste, and the treated waste is then compacted and transported for further processing or incineration, complying with environmental regulations.

2. The solar powered sensor-based bin (1) for medical waste collection and monitoring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bin (1) works in the following manner:
• Firstly, the ultrasonic sensor (4) detects the presence of waste material in the bin (1);
• then the weight sensor (12) checks whether the bin is full or can accommodate more waste, if it is full, then on the LCD screen (3) the message indicating 'FULL' will appear else the inlet chute (8) will get open;
• as the waste material is disposed in the bin, it will be segregated into wet waste (10) and dry waste (11) with the help of humidity sensor (9);
• the microcontroller reads the data from the sensors, and processes this raw data to extract meaningful information, based on this sensor data, the microcontroller makes decisions about the bin's operation.
• once the bin is full, a microwave generator (5) within the bin (1) is activated, this generator emits electromagnetic waves, that interact with the water molecules present in the waste, causing them to vibrate rapidly, this rapid vibration generates heat, which can reach temperatures of up to 250°C;
• the high temperatures created by the microwave radiation effectively sterilize the waste, destroying harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi;
• the harmful gases that are released after the microwave treatment are detected by the gas sensor (7) and release by the waste gas outlet (6).

3. The solar powered sensor-based bin (1) for medical waste collection and monitoring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bin (1) communicates with other devices to provide real-time updates on the bin's status and to allow for remote control.

4. The solar powered sensor-based bin (1) for medical waste collection and monitoring as claimed in claim 1, wherein the other devices are selected from computer, mobile phones, laptop, smart watches, smart TV, tablets and alike.

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