Manifold for filtering medical waste being drawn under vacuum into a medical waste collection system

A manifold for filtering medical waste received under the influence of a vacuum provided by a medical waste collection system, wherein the medical waste collection system includes a receiver defining an opening into which said manifold is configured to be inserted in a proximal direction and removed in a distal direction opposite the proximal direction, said manifold comprising:

• a housing defining a manifold volume and an outlet opening in fluid communication with said manifold volume, said housing comprising a body portion extending to a distal aspect, a first leg extending proximally from said distal aspect, and a second leg spaced apart from said first leg to define a void;
• a filter element disposed within said manifold volume;
• an arm extending outwardly from one of said body portion and said first leg, said arm comprising a proximally-directed surface;
• a lock element extending outwardly from one of said body portion and said first leg, said lock element comprising a distally-directed surface positioned distal to said proximally-directed surface of said arm;
• a catch disposed on said second leg and comprising a distally-directed surface positioned proximal to said proximally-directed surface of said arm;
• and
• a spine extending outwardly from one of said body portion, said first leg, and said second leg, said spine having a proximal end positioned distal to said distally-directed surface of said catch and proximal to said proximally-directed surface of said arm.

A manifold for filtering medical waste received under the influence of a vacuum provided by a medical waste collection system, wherein the medical waste collection system includes a receiver defining an opening into which said manifold is configured to be inserted in a proximal direction and removed in a distal direction opposite the proximal direction, said manifold comprising:

• a housing defining a manifold volume and an outlet opening in fluid communication with said manifold volume, said housing comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, and opposing sides each extending between said upper and lower walls when said manifold is oriented for insertion into the opening of the receiver, said housing further comprising a rim defining said outlet opening;
• a filter element disposed within said manifold volume;
• an arm extending laterally outward from one of said opposing sides and comprising a proximally-directed surface;
• a catch comprising a distally-directed surface positioned proximal to said proximally-directed surface of said arm, wherein said catch is located on a first side of a void separate from said manifold volume and separate from said outlet opening, with said rim located on a second side of said void opposite said first side;
• and
• a spine extending downwardly from said lower wall, said spine comprising a ramped surface positioned distal to said distally-directed surface of said catch.

A manifold for filtering medical waste received under the influence of a vacuum provided by a medical waste collection system, wherein the medical waste collection system includes a receiver defining an opening into which said manifold is configured to be inserted in a proximal direction and removed in a distal direction opposite the proximal direction, said manifold comprising:

• a housing defining a manifold volume and an outlet opening in fluid communication with said manifold volume, said housing comprising a rim defining said outlet opening;
• a filter element disposed within said manifold volume;
• an arm extending outwardly from said housing and comprising a proximally-directed surface positioned distal to said rim;
• a lock element extending outwardly from said housing, said lock element comprising a distally-directed surface positioned distal to said proximally-directed surface of said arm and distal to said rim;
• and
• a catch comprising a distally-directed surface positioned proximal to said proximally-directed surface of said arm and proximal to said rim, wherein said rim and said catch are spaced apart by a void external to said housing.