U.S. patent application number 09/974562 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-28 for device for the disposal, recovery and recycling of pharmaceuticals from human wastes.
Invention is credited to Braxton, Earl J..
Application Number | 20020035750 09/974562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26716877 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020035750 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Braxton, Earl J. |
March 28, 2002 |
Device for the disposal, recovery and recycling of pharmaceuticals
from human wastes
Abstract
A method for removing pharmaceutical agents from human wastes.
Such pharmaceuticals may include their metabolized byproducts,
either or both of which may be harmful as a toxin or a carcinogen.
The method generally includes the use of a portable human waste
containment unit which is configured to serve as a toilet for an
individual who has been treated with a pharmaceutical agent. The
waste containment unit is preferably configured as a self-contained
unit with a separate removable reservoir or plastic reservoir
liner, such that it is capable of being sealed for transporting to
a facility where human wastes contained within the waste
containment unit or its separate reservoir or liner can be
appropriately processed. An outer, upper surface of the waste
containment unit forms a seat equipped with a cover for sealing the
waste containment unit. The waste containment unit includes a
reservoir whose capacity is preferably sufficient to hold human
waste produced over approximately a period in which pharmaceuticals
and their metabolized byproducts are typically eliminated from the
body of an individual. The waste containment unit will be of
different configurations to fit the patients' needs in the
hospital, in the home, and for use while the patient is mobile and
being treated as an outpatient. The purpose of the different types
of waste containment units is to interdict the pharmaceuticals
before they enter the eco-system through a municipal sewage system
or a septic tank system.
Inventors: |
Braxton, Earl J.; (Shelby
Township, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REMY J. VANOPHEM, P.C.
755 W BIG BEAVER ROAD
SUITE 1313
TROY
MI
48084
US
|
Family ID: |
26716877 |
Appl. No.: |
09/974562 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09974562 |
Oct 10, 2001 |
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09040245 |
Feb 23, 1998 |
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6317900 |
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09040245 |
Feb 23, 1998 |
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08504132 |
Jul 19, 1995 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/483 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 50/30 20180101;
Y02A 50/454 20180101; A47K 11/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/483 |
International
Class: |
A47K 011/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for isolating pharmaceutical agents from human wastes,
said method comprising the steps of: providing a portable waste
receptacle which is configured to serve as a toilet for an
individual who has been treated with a pharmaceutical agent, said
portable waste receptacle being further configured as a
self-contained unit which is capable of being sealed for transport
of human wastes to a facility; accumulating human wastes in said
portable waste containment unit, said human wastes containing said
pharmaceutical agent and metabolized byproducts thereof,
transporting said portable waste receptacle and said human wastes
contained therein to said facility; and removing said
pharmaceutical agent from said human wastes.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing step includes
forming said portable waste containment unit to have a reservoir
and an outer surface, said outer surface having a seat formed
therein and a cover attached thereto for sealing said portable
waste containment unit.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing step includes
forming said portable waste containment unit to have a handle
attached thereto.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said accumulating step comprises
said individual sitting on said portable waste containment unit and
voiding into said portable waste containment unit.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of disposing
of said human wastes after said removing step.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of recycling
said pharmaceutical agent after said removing step.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of disposing
of said pharmaceutical agent after said removing step.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said pharmaceutical agent is toxic
or carcinogenic.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said metabolized byproducts are
toxic or carcinogenic.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said removing step includes
removing said metabolized byproducts from said human wastes.
11. A method for isolating pharmaceutical agents from human wastes,
said method comprising the steps of: providing a portable waste
containment unit which is configured to serve as a toilet for an
individual who has been treated with a pharmaceutical agent, said
portable waste containment unit being further configured as a
self-contained unit which is capable of being sealed for transport
of human wastes to a facility, said portable waste containment unit
having a reservoir or a reservoir liner and an outer surface, said
outer surface having a seat formed therein and a cover attached
thereto for sealing said portable waste containment unit;
accumulating human wastes in said portable waste containment unit
by said individual sitting on said portable waste containment unit
and voiding into said portable waste containment unit, said human
wastes containing said pharmaceutical agent and metabolized
byproducts thereof; transporting said portable waste containment
unit waste reservoir or sealed liner and said human wastes
contained therein to said facility; and removing said
pharmaceutical agent and said metabolized byproducts from said
human wastes.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said providing step includes
forming said portable waste containment unit to have a handle
attached thereto.
13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of disposing
of said human wastes after said removing step.
14. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of recycling
said pharmaceutical agent after said removing step.
15. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of disposing
of said pharmaceutical agent after said removing step.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein said pharmaceutical agent is
toxic or carcinogenic.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein said metabolized byproducts are
toxic or carcinogenic.
18. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of encoding
said sealed liner or said portable waste containment unit and its
removable waste reservoir so as to identify said pharmaceutical
agent with which said individual has been treated.
19. A portable waste containment unit with its removable reservoir
for accumulating human wastes for the purpose of isolating
pharmaceutical agents from said human wastes, said portable waste
containment unit comprising: a self-contained unit forming a
reservoir with or without a sealable liner adapted to receive said
human wastes and transport said human wastes to a facility, said
portable waste containment unit having an outer surface formed
thereon, said outer surface having a seat formed therein and a
cover attached thereto for sealing said self-contained unit.
20. The portable waste containment unit of claim 19 further
comprising a handle attached to said self-contained unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to methods for the
removal of pharmaceutical agents from human waste that is
completely segregated from all other types of waste matter. More
specifically, this invention relates to a method in which a
permanent or portable device is provided to be used by individuals
who have been treated with pharmaceutical agents, which if released
into the environment could pose an environmental hazard. The
portable device is configured for two types of toilet facilities.
One type can be transported and used daily by outpatients and
patients recovering at home. Another type of unit is removably
installed semi-portably in a hospital facility to allow isolation
of a patient's waste from the sewage system and, thus, from the
ecosystem. Thereafter the waste as an isolated unit is transported
to a facility where the pharmaceuticals can be harvested, isolated
and then either disposed of or recycled.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In response to ecological considerations, the proper
treatment and disposal of waste materials have become increasingly
of concern. Much interest has been directed toward solid waste
management, with recent emphasis on the exclusion of toxic
materials from landfills. A counterpart to solid waste management
is the treatment of human wastes. Sewage treatment plants have long
been used to purify sewage through the activity of aerobic or
anaerobic bacteria which digest sewage. The bacteria convert the
sewage into a sludge which, when filtered and dried, can be used as
a fertilizer base.
[0005] While such techniques serve their purpose well, the
processes involved generally do not have any effect on
pharmaceutical wastes expelled into the ecosystem from the patient
and those pharmaceuticals are toxic to all when present in the
sewage system. No regard has been given to pharmaceutical wastes
present in homes which rely on septic tank systems. Generally, and
as used herein, pharmaceutical wastes are pharmaceutical agents and
their metabolized byproducts which are excreted by individuals
being treated with such agents. An example of the toxic oncology
drugs secreted in human waste and the
1 A Partial List of the Toxic Oncology Drugs Secreted In Human
Waste And the Length of Time for Their Excretion Bleomycin excreted
in urine 72 hrs. 50% in 1.sup.st day Busulfan excreted in urine
12-24 hrs. Carboplatin excreted in urine 24 to 48 hrs. Carmustine
excreted in the urine over 96 hrs. Chlorambucil excreted in urine
in 48 hrs. Cistplatin excreted in urine in 7 days Citrate excreted
in feces and urine Chlorambucil excreted mostly in urine 60% in 24
hrs. Cyclophosphamide excreted in urine 72 hours (i.v.) Cytarabine
excreted in the urine within 1.sup.st day hydrochloride Dacarbazine
excreted in the urine 30-46% within 6 hrs. Dactinomycin excreted in
urine in 5 days 20% in first 24 hrs. Daunorubicin excreted in feces
7 days 48 hrs. in urine Doxorubicin excreted in feces 7 days urine
6 days Epirubicin Hydo excreted in urine 7 days and feces 5 days
Etoposide excreted in urine in 4 days feces in 7 days Fluorouracil
excreted in urine in 48 hrs. Floxuridine excreted in the urine
Hydrochloride 60% excreted in urine 40% in feces Hydroxyurea
excreted in urine Ifosfamide excreted in urine 48 hrs. Limustine
excreted principally in the urine Mechlorethamine excreted in urine
in 48 hrs. hydrochloride Megestrol Acetate excreted in urine 57-78%
Melphalan excreted in urine 48 hrs. Mercaptopurine excreted in
urine in 72 hrs. Methotrexate excreted in the urine 72 hrs.
Mitomycin excreted in urine first day Mitoxantrone excreted in
urine Hydrochloride Plicamycin excreted in urine 40% in 15 hrs.
Streptozocin excreted principally in urine Tamoxifen research not
completed Thiotepa excreted in urine in 72 hrs. Thioguanine
excreted in urine in 72 hrs. Vincristine sulfate excreted in urine
4 days Vinblastine Sulfate excreted in urine 4 days
[0006] Often, the agents and/or their metabolized byproducts are
carcinogenic, particularly those pharmaceuticals used in
oncological treatments and chemotherapy, and therefore pose a toxic
hazard risk. Consequently, sewage treatment plants and septic
systems typically generate some level of carcinogens, which are
released into the environment as a byproduct of sewage treatment
plants and septic systems.
[0007] The hazards of such carcinogenic wastes have been
recognized, and in response hospitals employ appropriate waste
disposal techniques for medical devices such as syringes, clothing,
pharmaceutical containers and mixing equipment, and for unused
medicinal portions, but no thought has been given to their patients
who have been treated with pharmaceuticals whose human metabolic
waste could pose a hazard to the environment. Moreover, patients
are often released from the hospital while therapeutic drug levels
are still in their bodies, or are treated on an outpatient basis.
As such, any harmful pharmaceuticals within their systems may or
may not be eliminated within the controlled environment of the
hospital, but will generally be eliminated elsewhere for up to
about three days, such that the pharmaceuticals are again released
directly into a municipal sewage system or septic system.
[0008] Various approaches to isolating constituents of human waste
have been proposed in the past, though none have been addressed to
solving the problem outlined above. Moreover, the devices taught
for isolating human waste constituents have not been adapted or
suitable for use by patients on an individual basis. As an example,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,077 to Braxton teaches a portable public toilet
which is equipped with a filtering device disposed in the drain
conduit of a urinal bowl. The filtering device serves to collect
pharmaceutically useful trace elements within urine which passes
through the filtering device. While well conceived for its purpose,
the large portable toilet taught by Braxton is impractical for use
by individual patients over a brief period after treatment and
after release from the hospital. Furthermore, the portable toilet
is only directed to isolating certain trace elements from
urine.
[0009] Current disposal and contamination prevention procedures do
not take into account the hazards of burning toxic medical wastes
that contain remnants of toxic pharmaceuticals. The burning
procedure simply changes the pollution from a water borne pollutant
via the sewage treatment system to an airborne pollutant via
current incineration procedures. Most approved incinerators today
cannot effectively or safely destroy the toxic drugs by
burning.
[0010] From the above, it can be appreciated that the prior art is
lacking a method for preventing the release of potentially
hazardous pharmaceuticals into municipal sewage systems by patients
who have undergone treatment with such pharmaceuticals.
Accordingly, what is needed is a reliable and sanitary method by
which human wastes can be collected, to isolate, remove and treat
toxic components in a cost efficient manner, such that the
pharmaceuticals can be properly disposed, recovered or recycled.
Ideally, such a method would enable such pharmaceuticals to be
reclaimed and recycled when possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to the present invention there is provided a
method for collecting, segregating by type, and removing
pharmaceutical agents introduced into the human body for medical
treatment of patients from human wastes. Such pharmaceuticals may
include their metabolized byproducts, either or both of which may
be harmful as a toxin or a carcinogen. The method generally
includes the use of a portable human waste containment unit (WCU)
or permanent unit configured to adapt to a standard toilet and
removably attached thereto which serves as a toilet for an
individual who has been treated with a pharmaceutical agent. The
permanent unit is identical to the portable unit but designed to
custom fit existing toilet facilities and be equipped with a
removable waste containment suction that is removed on a regular
basis. The removable portion would include any part of the unit
that comes into contact with the patient's body or waste.
[0012] The unit can be removably fixed to a standard toilet or
portable and has specialized components made from easily destroyed
or replaceable materials that come into contact with the patient's
body. This is to allow for the destruction or disinfecting of the
toxic drugs that are eliminated by the patient through the normal
process of perspiration.
[0013] The waste containment unit is preferably configured as a
self-contained unit, such that it is capable of being sealed for
transporting as a unit to a facility where human wastes accumulated
within the waste containment unit can be appropriately processed.
An outer, upper surface of the waste containment unit forms a seat
equipped with a cover for sealing the waste containment unit. The
waste containment unit includes a reservoir whose capacity is
preferably sufficient to hold human waste produced over
approximately a seven day period, such that the reservoir has a
capacity for use during a period in which pharmaceuticals and their
metabolized byproducts are typically eliminated from the body of an
individual.
[0014] This new technology requires the complete segregation of the
patient's bodily wastes and is not limited to urine and feces as it
must contain the specific provision that all parts of the
sanitation unit that come in contact with the patient must be
disinfected or replaced and destroyed in an approved manner. The
patient can expel the toxic drugs through their normal function of
perspiration.
[0015] This device is the only waste abatement process that is in
place in the hospital and in the patient's home. This device is
customized for each patient to be utilized in the hospital and home
and is structured to prevent combining of different types of
pharmaceuticals which may cause a greater pollution hazard.
[0016] As such, the waste containment unit of this invention
enables a method by which human wastes containing pharmaceutical
agents and their metabolized byproducts can be collected by a
patient both while in the hospital and while away from the
hospital. As noted above, both waste containment units are
configured with a seat, allowing the patient to sit on the waste
containment unit and void into the waste containment unit. Because
the preferred waste containment unit of this invention is portable,
the patient is capable of using it at home or any other location
which is convenient for its use.
[0017] Thereafter, the waste reservoir compartment of the waste
containment unit can be sealed and transported to a suitable
facility, where the pharmaceutical agents can be removed from the
human wastes. The wastes can then be processed with bacteria or
incinerated in a conventional manner known in the art as discussed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,316 to Webster, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
4,359,415 to Sloane; 4,452,987 to Bonifacio; U.S. Pat. No.
4,479,937 to Said et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,884 to Naoi; as
well as other conventional processes well known in the art and
incorporated herein by reference. In contrast, the pharmaceutical
agent or agents can be recycled, if possible, or otherwise properly
disposed of in an appropriate manner. Any metabolized byproducts of
the pharmaceutical agent can also be removed and recycled or
disposed of in a manner known in the art.
[0018] In view of the above, it can be seen that a significant
advantage of the present invention is that a method is provided by
which harmful pharmaceutical agents and their metabolized
byproducts can be prevented from entering a municipal sewage
treatment plant or septic system. The harmful pharmaceutical agents
and their metabolized byproducts are now entering the environment
as airborne or ground pollutants when the delivery instruments such
as syringes are destroyed by burning or dumping in landfills. The
invention will allow a safe place in which to clear out the
syringes or IV instruments to further prevent the toxic drugs from
entering the ecosystem. As such, a source of toxic and carcinogenic
matter is prevented from being eventually released into the
environment. The benefits of this invention are particularly
significant for large urban areas where relatively high levels of
pharmaceuticals may be present in the municipal sewage.
[0019] Another advantage of this invention is that some
pharmaceuticals can be reclaimed, and thereafter returned to a
pharmaceutical company for purification and reuse. As such, the
method of this invention provides a potentially economical source
for certain pharmaceuticals. A particularly useful scenario for the
implementation of this invention is for patients undergoing
chemotherapy or other medical therapy, in which patients are
subjected to treatment with toxic pharmaceuticals.
[0020] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a method by which pharmaceutical agents can be prevented
from entering the environment by isolating and removing the agents
from human wastes.
[0021] It is a further object of the invention that the method
entail the use of a removably permanent or portable waste
containment unit which is configured as a self-contained unit for
use by an individual.
[0022] It is still a further object of the invention that the waste
containment unit be provided with a seat formed on one surface
thereof, so as to permit an individual to sit on the waste
containment unit while voiding into the waste containment unit.
[0023] It is another object of the invention that the portable
waste containment unit be constructed in a manner that allows the
proper sterilization or disposal of all parts and materials touched
by either the patient or the patient's wastes, such as the seat,
lid and the waste receptacle.
[0024] It is yet another object of the invention that the waste
containment unit be configured to accommodate human wastes produced
over a period in which pharmaceuticals and their metabolized
byproducts are eliminated from the body of the user (see chart
hereinabove).
[0025] It is yet another object of the invention that the method
enable pharmaceuticals to be reclaimed, and thereafter returned to
a pharmaceutical company for purification and reuse.
[0026] Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more
apparent after a reading of the following detailed description
taken in conjunction with the drawings provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable toilet for use in
the method of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] The present invention provides a method by which
pharmaceutical agents and/or their metabolized byproducts can be
isolated and removed from human wastes, so as to prevent such
components from entering a sewage treatment plant where they would
eventually be released into the environment. The invention also
serves as a reservoir for the residue from the cleaning of the
delivery instruments such as syringes or IV bags or tubes. The
toxic drugs in such delivery instruments are now entering the
environment as air or ground pollutants when these delivery devices
are burned or buried. As such, pharmaceuticals and their
metabolized byproducts that are harmful as toxins or carcinogens
are prevented from being released into the environment, where they
would pose an environmental and health hazard.
[0029] The total waste by product would be liquefied in a
controlled closed environment and would be lyophilized into a dry
powder and sorted by pharmaceutical brand or type. At all times no
name identification record would exist. The lyophilized powder is
reconstituted in a sterile solution. The toxic pharmaceutical is
thereafter separated from the sterile slurry in the same manner
that the original manufacturer purified the drug for the initial
regulatory approval. The pharmaceutical disposal procedure and
disposal of the clean up residue follows the same methodology as
that of the original manufacturer.
[0030] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a portable human
waste receptacle 10 which constitutes a key feature of this
invention. The receptacle 10 is configured to serve as a portable
toilet for an individual who has been treated with a pharmaceutical
that, due to its toxicity, would be hazardous if released into the
environment. The following description will specifically refer to
the receptacle 10 shown in FIG. 1, though it will be apparent that
the receptacle 10 could be considerably altered in its appearance,
and yet be configured to function in the manner intended by this
invention.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle 10 is configured as a
self-contained unit, meaning that the receptacle 10 is capable of
being sealed for transporting as a unit to a facility where human
wastes within the receptacle 10 can be appropriately processed. The
receptacle 10 is generally composed of a tank 12 having an upper
surface 14 which is sufficiently large to enable its use as a seat.
The tank 12 is preferably formed from a suitably strong plastic
material which is stain resistant and can be readily cleaned for
reuse. Ideally, the exterior of the receptacle 10 is manufactured
to conceal its function.
[0032] The tank 12 forms an internal reservoir whose capacity is
preferably sufficient to hold human waste produced over
approximately a three day period, which is generally the period
over which pharmaceuticals and their metabolized byproducts are
typically eliminated from the body of an individual. Optionally,
the portable unit may also contain a heavy, leak-proof plastic
liner which can be sealed and utilized to transport the waste
material safely to a facility at which the contents can be removed
and processed. Optionally, the reservoir or the liner may also
contain a solution which neutralizes the odor of the waste material
without affecting the ability to isolate pharmaceutical agents in
the material.
[0033] A seat 16 is formed on the upper surface 14 of the
receptacle 12 and surrounds an opening 18 into the reservoir. The
seat 16 may be integrally formed with the tank 12, or formed as a
separate component which is bonded or adhered to the tank 12. The
seat 16 may be equipped with a hinged cover 20 which is configured
to sealingly close the opening 18, such that the receptacle 10 can
be sealed and transported safely to a facility at which the
contents of the tank 12 can be removed and processed. The cover 20
may also be preferably equipped with a lock (not shown) so as to
secure the cover 20 and to prevent accidental and intentional
tampering with the human wastes contained within the tank 12.
Furthermore as shown, the tank 12 preferably includes an integrally
molded handle 22 to facilitate transport of the waste receptacle
10, however, any other suitable handle may be employed as will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0034] The above-described receptacle 10 enables the method of this
invention, by which human wastes containing pharmaceutical agents
and their metabolized byproducts can be collected by the patient.
Because the receptacle 10 is equipped with a seat 16, the patient
is able to sit directly on the upper surface 14 of the waste
receptacle and void into the receptacle 10 through the opening 18.
The portability of the receptacle 10 renders it highly suitable as
a unit which can be provided to patients on a short term basis both
during their treatment in the hospital and after their treatment
and/or release from the hospital.
[0035] Therefore, in use the receptacle 10 is employed for several
days, typically three days after the last treatment with a
pharmaceutical of concern. Optionally, at the end of the required
duration, the receptacle 10 is sealed by closing the cover 20.
However, it is possible that at the end of the date or the specific
duration, the plastic liner is removed and sealed to prevent
contamination of and tampering with its contents. As noted
previously, the cover 20 is preferably locked in place so as to
prevent contamination of and tampering with its contents. The
patient or a qualified courier then transports the receptacle 10 or
the sealed liner to a suitable facility where the pharmaceutical
agent and/or its metabolized byproducts are isolated and removed
from the human wastes. It is anticipated that the sealed liner of
the portable receptacle 10 would be provided with identification
means so as to be capable of notifying the processing facility of
the pharmaceuticals which are present in the waste material.
Optionally, this information may be coded in a manner which
protects the identity of the patient.
[0036] The appropriate processing technique required to isolate a
given agent is dependent on the type of pharmaceutical in question.
Suitable techniques for the isolation and removal of numerous
pharmaceuticals are known to those skilled in the art. Such
pharmaceutical agents may be capable of being reclaimed and
recycled, in order to allow the agents to be reprocessed into a
usable form. Harmful metabolized byproducts of pharmaceutical
agents may also be removed and then recycled or disposed of in a
manner known in the art. After removal of the agent and its
byproducts, the remaining human waste can be processed with
bacteria in a conventional manner known in the art.
[0037] Current disposal and contamination prevention procedures do
not take into account the hazards of burning toxic medical wastes
that contain remnants of toxic pharmaceuticals. The burning
procedure simply changes the pollution from a water borne pollutant
via the sewage treatment system to an airborne pollutant via
current incineration procedures. Most approved incinerators today
cannot effectively or safely destroy the toxic drugs by
burning.
[0038] When adequate processing techniques are not available, the
entire contents of the sealed liner or the receptacle 10 may be
disposed of or destroyed in a manner permitted by applicable
regulations which prevent the pharmaceuticals of concern from being
released into the environment.
[0039] In view of the above, it can be seen that a significant
advantage of the present invention is that a method is provided by
which harmful pharmaceutical agents and their metabolized
byproducts can be prevented from entering the environment. The
current handling of those contaminants allows the contaminants to
enter the environment as water, air and/or ground pollutants while
the great bulk of the toxic pharmaceuticals expelled into the
environment through patient waste elimination are ignored. Due to
the prevalent occurrence of both in-hospital and outpatient
treatment, it is believed that the method of this invention may
prevent the bulk of toxic drugs used in the treatment of various
human afflictions from entering the ecosystem through municipal
sewage treatment plants. As a result, the safety of such treatment
plants can be significantly improved, as well as the safety of the
byproducts of such plants.
[0040] Another advantage of this invention is that use of the
receptacle 10 enables a method by which hazardous pharmaceuticals
and their metabolized byproducts can be separated from human wastes
at an appropriate facility. By providing proper identification of
the treatment that a patient has undergone, the pharmaceuticals and
byproducts present in the human waste can be identified, and
potentially isolated and removed from the waste. The
pharmaceuticals and their byproducts can then be properly disposed
of or destroyed, as may be required by applicable regulations,
while the remaining waste can be treated using conventional sewage
processing techniques.
[0041] Finally, another advantage of this invention is that some
pharmaceuticals can be reclaimed by known and appropriate
techniques, and thereafter returned to a pharmaceutical company for
purification and reuse. As such, the method of this invention
provides a potentially economical source for certain
pharmaceuticals. One foreseeable application is the reclamation of
toxic pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of patients undergoing
chemotherapy.
[0042] Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for
collecting, separating and either safely disposing or recycling
toxic pharmaceutical waste material. The specialized portable waste
receptacle 10 of this invention is equipped with a small reservoir
with or without a sealed plastic liner into which a patient
undergoing a toxic treatment can void for purposes of collecting
all human wastes which contain the pharmaceutical and its
metabolized byproducts. The receptacle 10 or the sealed liner can
then be delivered to an appropriate facility where the contents of
the receptacle 10 or the sealed liner are safely destroyed, or
preferably, the toxic substances are isolated and removed for
appropriate destruction or recycling.
[0043] While the invention has been described in terms of a
preferred embodiment, it is apparent that other forms could be
adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, the appearance and
construction of the receptacle 10 could be modified from that shown
in the figure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be
limited only by the following claims.
* * * * *