The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a method for producing pulp fibres for saccharification from the pulp fibres of used sanitary items, said pulp fibres for saccharification having low lignin contents distributed within a narrow range, and enabling the production of pulp fibres for saccharification having superior saccharification properties. The production method according to the present disclosure is characterised by comprising the following: a step for supplying a mixed solution (51) containing pulp fibres and highly-absorbent polymers sourced from used sanitary items to a treatment tank (31) via a mixed-solution supply port (32); a step for supplying an ozone-containing gas (53) to a treatment solution (52) within the treatment tank (31) via an ozone-containing-gas supply port (43); a step for lifting the ozone-containing gas (53) whilst lowering the pulp fibres and highly-absorbent polymers within the treatment tank (31), thereby bringing the ozone-containing gas (53) into contact with the pulp fibres and highly-absorbent polymers, and forming pulp fibres for saccharification from the pulp fibres; and a step for discharging the treatment solution (52) via a treatment-solution discharge port (33). The method is further characterised in that the pulp fibres for saccharification have lignin contents of 0.1% or less.

An apparatus for entirely removing a medical sharp from a holder to which it is connected, including a body (102), a heating unit (104) disposed in the body, a receiving unit (114) fixedly disposed in the body and configured to receive the holder, and a collet (122) movably disposed within the body and configured to receive the medical sharp. The apparatus also includes a first biasing member (130) disposed within the body, and a user interface (136) coupled to the collet and configured to displace the collet away from the receiving unit, actuate the first biasing member to increase a bias on the collet toward the receiving unit, and actuate the heating unit.

A microwave applicator box for breakdown of medical waste materials is provided, including: an interior defined by at least one wall; a plurality of inclined grates in an alternating arrangement, including: a first grate extending from a first direction, and a second grate extending from a second direction and underlapping the first grate; vibration devices connected to the grates by arms; wherein the area above the first grate is defined as a Zone A and wherein the area below the first grate and above the second grate is defined as a Zone B; wherein a first waveguide is connected to an opening in the wall in the area of the Zone A; wherein a second waveguide is connected to an opening in the wall in the area of the Zone B; and wherein the interior of the waveguides is in communication with the interior of the microwave applicator box.

A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

A method for remote control of decontamination of medical waste in an apparatus includes receiving, by a server via a first network interface and from the apparatus via a second network interface, a plurality of signals, the plurality of signals comprising operation data of the apparatus generated while the apparatus performs medical waste decontamination cycles in a first configuration; analyzing, by the server, the plurality of signals according to an operation policy; selecting, by the server, a first signal based on the analyzing the plurality of signals; and adjusting, by the server, operation of the apparatus by transmitting, via the first network interface, instructions to the second network interface of the apparatus, the instructions comprising the first signal, wherein receipt of the instructions causes the apparatus to perform a medical waste decontamination cycle in a second configuration different from the first configuration.

A system for detecting disposal of metallic objects into an opening of a medical waste container, including: an indicator for indicating passage of metallic objects through the opening, a pair of receive coils and a transmit coil spaced therebetween shaped for receiving waste therethrough adjacent to the opening, and a controller in electrical communication with the coils. The controller generates and communicates a transmit signal to the transmit coil, which generates a magnetic field that induces voltage in each of the receive coils, which each generate a receive signal. The controller generates a waveform based on the receive signals with a baseline corresponding to absence of metallic objects, and analyzes the waveform with respect to opposite first and second thresholds. The controller activates the indicator in response to metallic objects passing through the coils when the waveform first exceeds the first threshold and then subsequently exceeds the second threshold.

A method and installation for handling medical waste, which is collected in a receptacle, includes a vacuum waste system (V), whereby medical waste is collected in the receptacle, medical waste is discharged from the receptacle into a waste fixture connected to a vacuum waste piping (13) of the vacuum waste system (V). The discharge sequence of the vacuum waste system discharges the medical waste from the waste fixture or the vacuum waste piping (13) of the vacuum waste system (V) to a waste collecting unit (20) of the vacuum waste system.

Compositions comprising a blister pack, a container dimensioned to hold the blister pack and a pharmacological agent activity mitigation component are provided. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions.

A method for sterilizing and decontaminating post-consumer absorbent products polluted with organic compounds derived from human metabolism including drug residues, the post-consumer absorbent sanitary products comprising fractions of plastic, super-absorbent polymers (SAP), and optionally cellulose, the method including at least the steps of: sterilizing (SR) the absorbent sanitary post-consumer products by heating to a temperature equal to or less than 140° C., and to a pressure lower than 4 bar, decontaminating (DC) the post-consumer absorbent sanitary products of organic compounds by treating with an oxidizing composition comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, potassium percarbonate, sodium perborate, potassium perborate, potassium monopersulfate, ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, and ozone. The at least one compound is contained in the oxidizing composition in an amount equal to or greater than 2% by weight with respect to the dry weight of the post-consumer absorbent sanitary products.

Disposal means for large scale efficient disposal of medication and controlled substances comprising a homogeneous mixture of one or more surfactants, aerobic enzymes, anaerobic enzymes, soluble bitterants, insoluble bitterants, colorants, excipients, thickener agents, and humectant. Unwanted medication and controlled substances, such as opioids, are introduced to the solution and rendered inert and/or useless.