IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,740,771
Granted Patent B2
US 12,740,771 · App. 17/602,020 · Granted Sep 22, 2026

Waste collection cart for collecting waste during a medical procedure

Inventors: Michael Zollinger (Chelsea, MI); Jacob C. Foor (Kalamazoo, MI); Chamara L. Gamhewage (Kalamazoo, MI); Brian MacLachlan (Norton Shores, MI); Peter LaDuke (Holland, MI); Rachel Wallace (Monona, WI); Michael Hammond (Monona, WI); Fernando Erismann (Sacramento, CA); Brooke Mason (Mattawan, MI); Noah Needler (Mattawan, MI); Michael Peterson (Richland, MI); Caitlynn Roy (Portage, MI); Grant Westphal (Delton, MI)
Assignee: Stryker Corporation
A61B10/0096A61B10/0045A61B10/04A61B50/13A61M1/60A61M1/79A61M1/74A61M2205/587A61M2209/084
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,740,771
App. No.
17/602,020
Filed
Oct 7, 2021
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3781
USPC
604/317
Abstract

A waste collection cart assembly for collecting waste material from a suction line during a medical procedure. The waste collection cart assembly includes a housing having a top portion defining a work surface. A waste container is coupled to the housing for collecting the waste material from the suction line. A manifold receiver defining an opening is coupled to the waste container. A manifold having a specimen trap is received within the opening of the manifold receiver. A vacuum source is coupled to the waste container. The vacuum source provides a vacuum on the waste container to draw the waste material from the suction line through the manifold and into the waste container. The specimen trap collects a specimen from the waste material while being drawn into the waste container. The specimen may be transferred to a specimen container disposed on the work surface.

Claims (32)

1 . A waste collection cart assembly for collecting waste material within a procedure room, the waste collection cart assembly comprising:

a housing comprising a top portion that is monolithic in construction, wherein the top portion includes a work surface, a front sidewall, and lips extending rearwardly from the front sidewall, wherein the work surface is inset from and surrounded by the front sidewall and the lips, wherein the front sidewall is formed from transparent or translucent material, wherein a thickness of the work surface is at least twice the thickness of the front sidewall to prevent light being projected through the work surface and to permit light to project through the front sidewall and to prevent the light from being projected toward the procedure room, and wherein the top portion of the housing, other than the front sidewall, is opaque;

a waste container supported on the housing;

a vacuum source supported on the housing and configured to provide a vacuum to draw the waste material from a suction line into the waste container; and

a light source assembly disposed within the housing and positioned at least partially above the work surface that is opposite the front sidewall, wherein a thickness of the front sidewall is such that light from the light source assembly is configured to be projected through the transparent or translucent material of the front sidewall to illuminate the work surface, wherein the top portion other than the front sidewall being opaque is configured to prevent the light from being projected toward the procedure room.

2 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light source assembly is disposed beneath an upper surface of the housing and adjacent the front sidewall.

3 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 1 , wherein the top portion comprises side handles disposed on opposing sides of a front portion of the housing.

4 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 3 , wherein the side handles extend from and are contoured to the lips.

5 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a suction control panel disposed on the front portion of the housing and configured to receive inputs for controlling vacuum operations, wherein the suction control panel is disposed between the side handles.

6 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a manifold receiver coupled to the front portion of the housing and configured to removably receive a manifold, wherein the light assembly is configured to project the light away rearwardly away from the manifold receiver.

7 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 6 , wherein the manifold receiver is positioned between the suction control panel and one of the side handles.

8 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a line management member projecting outwardly from the front portion of the housing adjacent the manifold receiver.

9 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a trap light assembly comprising a shroud projecting outwardly from the front portion of the housing, and a light source positioned beneath the shroud and configured to project light towards the manifold receiver.

10 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 1 , wherein the top portion further comprises a handle spaced apart from a back portion of the housing, and wherein the light assembly is oriented to project light rearwardly towards the handle.

11 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a docking control panel configured to receive additional inputs for controlling docking operations, wherein the docking panel is disposed and coupled on the back portion of the housing and defined by a grasping section of the handle and an external surface of the back portion of the housing.

12 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 11 , wherein a top edge of the docking control panel is positioned above the handle.

13 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 12 , wherein the docking control panel is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the base of the waste collection cart assembly.

14 . A waste collection cart assembly for collecting waste material within a procedure room, the waste collection cart assembly comprising:

a housing comprising a top portion that is monolithic in construction, wherein the top portion includes a work surface, a front sidewall, lips extending rearwardly from the front sidewall, and a handle spaced apart from a back portion of the housing, wherein the work surface is inset from and surrounded by the front sidewall and the lips, wherein the front sidewall is formed from transparent or translucent material, and wherein a thickness of the work surface is at least twice the thickness of the front sidewall to permit light to project through the front sidewall and to prevent light being projected through the work surface and configured to prevent the light from being projected toward the procedure room;

a waste container supported on the housing;

a vacuum source supported on the housing and configured to provide a vacuum to draw the waste material from a suction line into the waste container; and

a light source assembly disposed within the housing and positioned at least partially above the work surface that is opposite the front sidewall, wherein the light source assembly is oriented to project light rearwardly through the transparent or translucent material of the front sidewall and towards the handle to illuminate the work surface.

15 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a docking control panel configured to receive additional inputs for controlling docking operations, wherein the docking control panel is disposed and coupled on the back portion of the housing and defined by a grasping section of the handle and an external surface of the back portion of the housing.

16 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 15 , wherein a top edge of the docking control panel is positioned above the handle.

17 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 16 , wherein the docking control panel is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the base of the waste collection cart assembly.

18 . A waste collection cart assembly for collecting waste material within a procedure room, the waste collection cart assembly comprising:

a housing comprising a top portion that is monolithic in construction, wherein the top portion includes a work surface, a front sidewall, lips extending rearwardly from the front sidewall, and side handles disposed on opposing sides of a front portion of the housing, wherein the work surface is inset from and surrounded by the front sidewall and the lips, wherein the front sidewall is formed from transparent or translucent material, and wherein a thickness of the work surface is at least twice the thickness of the front sidewall to permit light to project through the front sidewall and to prevent light being projected through the work surface and configured to prevent the light from being projected toward the procedure room;

a waste container supported on the housing;

a vacuum source supported on the housing and configured to provide a vacuum to draw the waste material from a suction line into the waste container;

a light source assembly disposed within the housing and positioned at least partially above the work surface that is opposite the front sidewall, wherein the light source assembly is configured to project light through the transparent or translucent material of the front sidewall; and

a suction control panel disposed on the front portion of the housing and configured to receive inputs for controlling vacuum operations, wherein the suction control panel is disposed between the side handles.

19 . The waste collection cart assembly of claim 18 , further comprising a manifold receiver coupled to the front portion of the housing and configured to removably receive a manifold, wherein the manifold receiver is positioned between the suction control panel and one of the side handles.

Assignments (7)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Dec 18, 2024
From: STRYKER CORPORATION
To: STRYKER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 069737/0184 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2021
From: LADUKE, PETER
To: WIDGET FARMS LLC
Reel/Frame 057811/0215 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2021
From: WIDGET FARMS LLC
To: ESOX ENGINEERING, LLC
Reel/Frame 057811/0229 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2021
From: WALLACE, RACHEL; HAMMOND, MICHAEL
To: DELVE, INC.
Reel/Frame 057811/0235 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2021
From: GAMHEWAGE, CHAMARA L.; MACLACHLAN, BRIAN; ZOLLINGER, MICHAEL; ERISMANN, FERNANDO; PETERSON, MICHAEL; NEEDLER, NOAH; MASON, BROOKE; ROY, CAITLYNN; WESTPHAL, GRANT; FOOR, JACOB C.
To: STRYKER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057811/0217 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2021
From: DELVE, INC.
To: STRYKER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057811/0241 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2021
From: ESOX ENGINEERING, LLC
To: STRYKER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057811/0232 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62849548 · May 17, 2019
Provisional Application 62833399 · Apr 12, 2019
Related Publication 20220142621A1 · May 12, 2022
References Cited (75)
US 4768241A · Beney · 1988 [cited by applicant]
US 5971913A · Newkirk et al. · 1999 [cited by applicant]
US 7615037B2 · Murray et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7621898B2 · Lalomia et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7715037B2 · Castellani et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 8216199B2 · Murray et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8518002B2 · Murray et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8740866B2 · Reasoner et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8915897B2 · Murray et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 9579428B1 · Reasoner et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9782524B2 · Reasoner et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9931451B2 · Iske et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9943291B2 · VanderWoude et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9990776B2 · Jagga et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10105470B2 · Reasoner et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10471188B1 · Zollinger et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 11623038B2 · Hall, III et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20020166163A1 · Shimizu · 2002 [cited by applicant]
US 20030164600A1 · Dunn et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20050171495A1 · Austin et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 20070191731A1 · Kaye et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080082021A1 · Ichikawa et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080263771A1 · Hakamiun et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090094734A1 · Diebel et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20140323914A1 · VanderWoude · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 20140338529A1 · Reasoner et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150144514A1 · Brennan · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150223892A1 · Miller · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150342683A1 · Zoland · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20160128465A1 · Karasina · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20160367732A1 · Reasoner et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170234524A1 · Schäfer et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170258547A1 · Karasina · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180185111A1 · Shuart · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20180235583A1 · VanderWoude et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180333520A1 · Mills et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190001029A1 · Davie et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200168322A1 · Brandt · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20210379322A1 · Maurer · 2021 [cited by examiner]
CN 202536546U · 2012 [cited by examiner]
CN 202554346U · 2012 [cited by applicant]
CN 204542710U · 2015 [cited by applicant]
CN 105025948A · 2015 [cited by applicant]
CN 204951457U · 2016 [cited by applicant]
CN 105709290A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
CN 206102891U · 2017 [cited by applicant]
CN 107822808A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CN 207755493U · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CN 108577969A · 2018 [cited by examiner]
DE 102006054130A1 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
DE 102008033743A1 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
EP 1174661A1 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2007070570A2 · 2007 [cited by examiner]
WO 2007103842A2 · 2007 [cited by applicant]
WO 2013090579A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO 2014066337A2 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
WO 2017023732A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO 2017070570A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO 2017103842A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO 2017112684A1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO 2018170233A1 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
English language abstract and machine-assisted English translation for WO 2017/103842 A1 extracted from espacenet.com database on Dec. 4, 2023, 11 pages. [cited by applicant]
Partial International Search Report for Application No. PCT/US2020/027850 dated May 29, 2020, 2 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report for Application No. PCT/US2020/027850 dated Jul. 20, 2020, 2 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract and machine-assisted English translation for CN 108577969 A extracted from espacenet.com database on Oct. 13, 2021, 11 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract and machine-assisted English translation for DE 10 2006 054 130 A1 extracted from espacenet.com database on Oct. 13, 2021, 11 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract and machine-assisted English translation for CN 204542710 U extracted from espacenet.com database on Aug. 29, 2024, 5 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract and machine-assisted English translation for CN 204951457 U extracted from espacenet.com database on Aug. 29, 2024, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract for CN 105025948 A extracted from espacenet.com database on Dec. 2, 2024, 2 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract and machine-assisted English translation for CN 207755493 U extracted from espacenet.com database on Dec. 2, 2024, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract for CN 105709290 A extracted from espacenet.com database on Jul. 22, 2025, 2 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract and machine-assisted English translation for CN 206102891 U extracted from espacenet.com database on Jul. 22, 2025, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract and machine-assisted English translation for DE 10 2008 033 743 A1 extracted from espacenet.com database on Jul. 22, 2025, 7 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract and machine-assisted English translation for CN 202554346 U extracted from espacenet.com database on Mar. 3, 2025, 5 pages. [cited by applicant]
English language abstract and machine-assisted English translation for CN 107822808 A extracted from espacenet.com database on Mar. 3, 2025, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]