Removable inlet manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system, the manifold include a backflow prevention valve that seats on a portion of the manifold

A manifold for connection to a medical/surgical waste collection unit, the waste collection unit having a receiver for receiving the manifold, said manifold comprising:

• a housing having:
• opposed spaced apart distal and proximal ends;
• a void space between the ends, the void space being at least partially defined by an inner face adjacent the distal end;
• at least one inlet port into void space adjacent the distal end of the housing;
• a rib that extends outwardly from the inner face and that extends circumferentially around the inlet port;
• and an outlet opening from the void space in the proximal end;
• at least one fitting attached to the housing that extends away from the housing, the fitting dimensioned to receive a suction line and that opens into the at least one housing inlet port;
• and
• a backflow prevention valve disposed in said housing, said backflow prevention valve being formed from a single piece of flexible material that includes:
• a hub that is statically disposed against the housing inner face adjacent the inlet port;
• and a valve member that is pivotally connected to and extends from said hub, said valve member positioned and dimensioned to extend over the at least one inlet port and to abut said rib that surrounds the port.

A manifold for connection to a medical/surgical waste collection unit, the waste collection unit having a receiver for receiving the manifold, said manifold comprising:

• a housing having:
• opposed spaced apart distal and proximal ends;
• a void space between the ends, the void space being at least partially defined by an inner face adjacent the distal end;
• at least one inlet port into void space adjacent the distal end of the housing;
• a rib that extends outwardly from the inner face and that extends circumferentially around the inlet port;
• and an outlet opening from the void space in the proximal end;
• at least one fitting attached to the housing that extends away from the housing, the fitting dimensioned to receive a suction line and that opens into the at least one housing inlet port;
• and
• a backflow prevention valve disposed in said housing, said backflow prevention valve including:
• a hub located adjacent the housing inner face adjacent the inlet port;
• a head piece disposed in the housing void space adjacent said valve hub, said head piece being secured to said housing so as to hold said hub in a static position and a valve member that is pivotally connected to and extends from said hub, said valve member positioned and dimensioned to extend over the at least one inlet port and to abut said rib that surrounds the port.