Waste collection unit including a light assembly

A waste collection unit for collecting medical waste through a suction line, said waste collection unit comprising:

• a canister for receiving the medical waste;
• a manifold receiver comprising an opening in fluid communication with said canister, said opening configured to removably receive a manifold to provide a fluid communication path from the suction line to said canister;
• a suction pump configured to draw a vacuum on said fluid communication path;
• a vacuum regulator configured to regulate a vacuum draw on said fluid communication path;
• and
• a light assembly positioned near said opening of said manifold receiver and comprising a light, and a light tube comprising a hollow structure that is configured to direct said light towards the manifold when the manifold is removably received in said manifold receiver.

A waste collection unit for collecting medical waste through a suction line, said waste collection unit comprising:

• a canister for receiving the medical waste;
• a manifold receiver comprising an opening in fluid communication with said canister, said opening configured to removably receive a manifold to provide a fluid communication path from the suction line to said canister;
• a suction pump configured to draw a vacuum on said fluid communication path;
• a vacuum regulator configured to regulate a vacuum draw on said fluid communication path;
• and
• a light assembly positioned near said opening of said manifold receiver and comprising a light configured to emit light of different colors based on a commanded or measured level of the vacuum draw, said light assembly arranged to direct said light arcuately around said opening of said manifold receiver.