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 waste disposal system with a waste receiver for receiving pharmaceutical waste material. A locking assembly is secured to a fixed surface and actuated from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. A lock cylinder of the locking assembly may extend forward of a front wall of a receiver body of the waste receiver to engage a locking feature of the cover in the locked configuration. A cover retention feature may prevent axial decoupling of the cover from the receiver body. An engagement feature is moved to be disengaged from the receiver body, and the receiver body is moved away from the fixed surface to disengage the locking assembly from the cover. The cover is decoupled from the cover retention feature, and coupled with the receiver body to seal the pharmaceutical waste material. The locking assembly may be removed from a lock passageway for disposal of the waste receiver.

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 waste receiver for receiving pharmaceutical waste material and adapted to be releasably secured to a fixed surface is disclosed. The waste receiver comprises a receiver body with a fluid absorber and a chemical composition disposed within the receiver body. The receiver body defines an opening for receiving the pharmaceutical waste material and comprises an inner surface defining a container volume in fluid communication with the opening, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface with the outer surface defining a lock passageway through the receiver body and a keyway comprising a portion of the lock passageway. The lock passageway is adapted to receive a locking assembly and the keyway is adapted to receive an engagement feature of the locking assembly to releasably secure the waste receiver to the locking assembly in a single orientation. The waste receiver also comprises a cover adapted to be coupled with the receiver body.

A box and take-back bag liner suitable for transporting regulated and controlled medications to a disposal site are together shipped in a first configuration as a substantially flat, compact, and durable take-back kit. The take-back kit is readily assembled to a second configuration defining a bag-lined receptacle. When the receptacle requires replacement, such as when full or otherwise determined, the box and bag liner are reconfigured to a third configuration that transports the contents of the bag liner to the disposal facility. The box incorporates a double-sealed vertical side seam, an auto-folding bottom having a pair of mutually engaging notches and slits, a multi-layer top, and pre-affixed tapes and glues. The liner incorporates both a rib and groove seal and a tape seal to provide a liquid tight and tamper evident seal. The combined box and liner provide structural integrity, security, tamper resistance and evidence, and governmental regulation compliance.

A waste disposal system with a waste receiver for receiving pharmaceutical waste material. A locking assembly is secured to a fixed surface and actuated from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. A lock cylinder of the locking assembly may extend forward of a front wall of a receiver body of the waste receiver to engage a locking feature of the cover in the locked configuration. A cover retention feature may prevent axial decoupling of the cover from the receiver body. An engagement feature is moved to be disengaged from the receiver body, and the receiver body is moved away from the fixed surface to disengage the locking assembly from the cover. The cover is decoupled from the cover retention feature, and coupled with the receiver body to seal the pharmaceutical waste material. The locking assembly may be removed from a lock passageway for disposal of the waste receiver.

A mobile cart that holds a bag for receiving solid waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure. The cart includes a sensor that monitors whether or not an object containing metal is placed in the bag. A processor monitors the signal output by the sensor. If the sensor signal indicates that an object with a minimal amount of metal is placed in the bag, the processor momentarily asserts an audible alarm and continuously asserts a light alarm. The light alarm remains asserted until turned off. If, while the light alarm is on, the sensor signal indicates a second object with the minimal amount of waste is placed in the container, the processor again momentarily asserts the audible alarm. This provides notice that it may be necessary to investigate the contents of the bag to determine if not one but two or more objects were inadvertently discarded.

A waste cart includes a base housing; a center upright having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is secured to the base housing; a top housing secured to the distal end of the center upright, wherein the top housing has two or more disposal openings for two or more separate disposal portions including, a first waste portion which has a first metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; and a second waste portion which includes a second metal detector and an indicator for providing a notification when a metal item passes through the opening; an electronics module which operates each metal detector independently; and an alarm indicator operationally associated with the electronics module which is activated when the electronics module detects the passage of a metal item through an opening into a waste portion.

A mobile cart that holds a bag for receiving solid waste generated during a medical or surgical procedure. The cart includes a sensor that monitors whether or not an object containing metal is placed in the bag. A processor monitors the signal output by the sensor. If the sensor signal indicates that an object with a minimal amount of metal is placed in the bag, the processor momentarily asserts an audible alarm and continuously asserts a light alarm. The light alarm remains asserted until turned off. If, while the light alarm is on, the sensor signal indicates a second object with the minimal amount of waste is placed in the container, the processor again momentarily asserts the audible alarm. This provides notice that it may be necessary to investigate the contents of the bag to determine if not one but two or more objects were inadvertently discarded.

A waste disposal system for receiving pharmaceutical waste material including at least one of a solid phase pharmaceutical waste material and a liquid phase pharmaceutical waste material is provided. The waste receiver includes a receiver body defining an opening. The waster receiver further includes an inner surface defining a container volume in fluid communication with the opening, and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The outer surface defines a lock passageway separate from the opening. The system further includes a bracket adapted to be secured to a fixed surface and a locking assembly coupled to the bracket and adapted to releasably secure the waste receiver to the fixed surface. The locking assembly includes a lock housing sized to be removably positioned at least partially within the lock passageway.