Apparatus, systems and method for collecting and reclaiming anaesthetic agents and for removing nitrous oxide from exhaust gases

Abstract

A system for collecting an anaesthetic agent, having at least one anaesthetic gas scavenging system (AGSS) for receiving exhaust gas from a plurality of sources, the exhaust gas including the anaesthetic agent to be collected, each AGSS comprising at least one power source for providing suction of the exhaust gas from the plurality of sources under negative pressure, and a central collection system for receiving the exhaust gas, the central collection system comprising at least one collector for collecting the anaesthetic agent from the exhaust gas, wherein the at least one collector is configured to adsorb the anaesthetic agent from the exhaust gas. The central collection system may be configured to received the exhaust gases from the at least one AGSS, with the central collection system being located downstream of the at least one AGSS.

1 . A system for collecting an anaesthetic agent, the system comprising:
 at least one anaesthetic gas scavenging system (AGSS) for receiving exhaust gas from a plurality of sources, the exhaust gas including the anaesthetic agent to be collected, each AGSS comprising at least one power source for providing suction of the exhaust gas from the plurality of sources under negative pressure; and   a central collection system for receiving the exhaust gas, the central collection system comprising at least one collector for collecting the anaesthetic agent from the exhaust gas, wherein the at least one collector is configured to adsorb the anaesthetic agent from the exhaust gas.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one power source outputs the exhaust gas under positive pressure such that the collector collects the anaesthetic agent under positive pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one power source comprises at least one vacuum pump. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one power source comprises a plurality of power sources. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of power sources comprises at least one vacuum pump. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the collector includes a molecular sieve. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one collector comprises a multi-stage collector. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a reaction chamber for decomposing nitrous oxide, wherein the reaction chamber is located downstream of the central collection system. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising an oxygen collector for removing oxygen from the exhaust gas, wherein the oxygen collector is located upstream of the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the reaction chamber comprises a plasma arc conversion module. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a compressor for compressing the exhaust gas so as to increase the concentration of nitrous oxide in the exhaust gas, wherein the compressor is located downstream of the central collection system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) module for removing nitrogen from the exhaust gas, wherein the PSA module is located downstream of the central collection system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one drug concentrator located upstream of the at least one collector, each drug concentrator configured to remove at least one substance from the exhaust gas so as to increase the concentration of the anaesthetic agent in the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one drug concentrator includes a dryer. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one drug concentrator includes a filter. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one drug concentrator includes a membrane separator. 
     
     
         17 . A system for collecting an anaesthetic agent, the system comprising:
 at least one anaesthetic gas scavenging system (AGSS) for receiving exhaust gas from a plurality of sources, the exhaust gas including the anaesthetic agent to be collected, each AGSS comprising at least one power source for providing suction of the exhaust gas from the plurality of sources under negative pressure; and   a central collection system for receiving the exhaust gas, the central collection system comprising at least one collector for collecting the anaesthetic agent from the exhaust gas.   
     
     
         18 . A system for collecting an anaesthetic agent, the system comprising:
 at least one anaesthetic gas scavenging system (AGSS) for receiving exhaust gas from a plurality of sources, the exhaust gas including the anaesthetic agent to be collected, each AGSS comprising at least one power source for providing suction of the exhaust gas from the plurality of sources; and   a central collection system for receiving the exhaust gas, the central collection system comprising:
 at least one dryer for removing moisture from the exhaust gas and outputting a dehumidified exhaust gas; and 
 at least one collector for receiving the dehumidified exhaust gas, each collector including a molecular sieve configured to adsorb the anaesthetic agent from the dehumidified exhaust gas. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one dryer includes a membrane separator. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one dryer includes desiccant material. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising at least one dryer regeneration module for removing collected moisture from the desiccant material. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one dryer is configured to operate continuously for a period of at least eight hours after being regenerated by the at least one dryer regeneration module. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one dryer regeneration module comprises a compressor for supplying dry air to the at least one dryer. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising at least one pneumatically controlled valve for directing fluid flow, and wherein the compressor supplies pressurized air for controlling the at least one pneumatically controlled valve. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one dryer comprises a plurality of dryers fluidly coupled in parallel, each of the dryers including desiccant material. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one dryer regeneration module is configured to selectively remove collected moisture from the desiccant material of at least one of the plurality of dryers while at least another one of the plurality of dryers is operating to remove moisture from the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the dryer is configured to operate continuously for a period of at least eight hours. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the dryer is configured to operate continuously for a period of at least sixteen hours. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one dryer comprises a plurality of dryers fluidly coupled in parallel. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one filter located upstream of the at least one dryer. 
     
     
         31 . A system for collecting an anaesthetic agent, the system comprising:
 a central collection system for receiving exhaust gas from a plurality of sources, the exhaust gas including the anaesthetic agent to be collected, the central collection system comprising:
 at least one dryer for removing moisture from the exhaust gas and outputting a dehumidified exhaust gas; and 
 at least one collector for receiving the dehumidified exhaust gas, each collector including a molecular sieve configured to adsorb the anaesthetic agent from the dehumidified exhaust gas. 
   
     
     
         32 . A conservation valve for use with a collection system for collecting an anaesthetic agent, the conservation valve comprising:
 a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a fluid passageway between the inlet port and the outlet port, the inlet port connectable to a source of exhaust gas so as to allow the exhaust gas to flow through the fluid passageway, and the outlet port connectable to the collection system;   a sensor for detecting at least one particular compound within the exhaust gas, wherein detection of the at least one particular compound indicates that the anaesthetic agent is present in the exhaust gas; and   an actuator for selectively opening and closing the fluid passageway based on whether the sensor detects the at least one particular compound within the exhaust gas.   
     
     
         33 . The conservation valve of  claim 32 , wherein the sensor is an oxygen sensor and the at least one particular compound being detected is oxygen. 
     
     
         34 . The conservation valve of  claim 33 , wherein the oxygen sensor is configured to measure an oxygen content within the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         35 . The conservation valve of  claim 34 , wherein the actuator is configured to open and close the fluid passageway based on whether the measured oxygen content changes. 
     
     
         36 . The conservation valve of  claim 34 , wherein the actuator is configured to open and close the fluid passageway based on whether the measured oxygen content falls within a particular range. 
     
     
         37 . The conservation valve of  claim 36 , wherein the actuator opens the fluid passageway when the measured oxygen content is outside the particular range, and wherein particular range is between about 19% and about 23% oxygen. 
     
     
         38 . The conservation valve of  claim 34 , wherein the measured oxygen content is calculated as an average over a particular time interval. 
     
     
         39 . The conservation valve of  claim 38 , wherein the particular time interval is between about ten seconds and about five minutes. 
     
     
         40 . The conservation valve of  claim 32 , wherein the actuator is configured to keep the fluid passageway open for a particular waiting period before closing the fluid passageway. 
     
     
         41 . The conservation valve of  claim 40 , wherein the particular waiting period is between about one minute and about one hour 
     
     
         42 . The conservation valve of  claim 32 , wherein the outlet port is connected to at least one anaesthetic gas scavenging system (AGSS), and the at least one AGSS comprises at least one power source for providing suction of the exhaust gas from the source of the exhaust gas, and wherein the power source turns on and off based on whether the sensor detects the at least one particular compound within the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         43 . A conservation valve for use with a collection system, the conservation valve comprising:
 a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a fluid passageway between the inlet port and the outlet port, the inlet port connectable to a source of exhaust gas so as to allow the exhaust gas to flow through the fluid passageway, and the outlet port connectable to the collection system;   a sensor for detecting at least one particular compound within the exhaust gas, wherein detection of the at least one particular compound indicates that there is a flow of the exhaust gas; and   an actuator for selectively opening and closing the fluid passageway based on whether the sensor detects the at least one particular compound within the exhaust gas.   
     
     
         44 . The conservation valve of  claim 43 , wherein the outlet port is connected to at least one anaesthetic gas scavenging system (AGSS), and the at least one AGSS comprises at least one power source for providing suction of the exhaust gas from the source of the exhaust gas, and wherein the power source turns on and off based on whether the sensor detects the at least one particular compound within the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         45 . A system for monitoring collection of an anaesthetic agent, the system comprising:
 a processor configured to communicate with at least one collection system, each collection system having at least one collector for collecting the anaesthetic agent from an exhaust gas that includes the anaesthetic agent; and   at least one sensor in communication with the processor, each respective sensor corresponding to a respective collector for measuring an amount of anaesthetic agent collected by the respective collector;   wherein the processor is configured to initiate reclamation of the anaesthetic agent from the respective collector when the respective sensor measures a particular amount of anaesthetic agent collected by the respective collector.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the processor is configured to initiate a purge process for reclaiming the anaesthetic agent. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the processor is configured to alert a collection agency so as to reclaim the anaesthetic agent. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 45 , further comprising a storage medium for tracking an overall amount of anaesthetic agent collected. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate tax credits corresponding to the overall amount of anaesthetic agent collected. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the processor is configured to communicate with a plurality of collection systems. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , further comprising a storage medium for tracking an overall amount of anaesthetic agent collected by the plurality of collection systems. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate tax credits corresponding to the overall amount of anaesthetic agent collected by the plurality of collection systems. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the processor is configured to communicate with the plurality of collection systems remotely. 
     
     
         54 . A method for monitoring collection of an anaesthetic agent, the method comprising:
 communicating with at least one collection system, each collection system having at least one collector for collecting the anaesthetic agent from an exhaust gas that includes the anaesthetic agent;   measuring an amount of anaesthetic agent collected by each collector; and   initiating reclamation of the anaesthetic agent from a respective collector after measuring a particular amount of anaesthetic agent collected by the respective collector.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising tracking an overall amount of anaesthetic agent collected. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising calculating tax credits corresponding to the overall amount of anaesthetic agent collected. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising communicating with a plurality of collection systems. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , further comprising communicating with the plurality of collection systems remotely. 
     
     
         59 . A system for collecting an anaesthetic agent, the system comprising:
 at least one anaesthetic gas scavenging system (AGSS) for receiving exhaust gas from a plurality of sources, the exhaust gas including the anaesthetic agent to be collected, each AGSS comprising at least one power source for providing suction of the exhaust gas from the plurality of sources; and   a central collection system for receiving the exhaust gas, the central collection system comprising:
 a disinfection module for disinfecting the exhaust gases and outputting a disinfected exhaust gas; and 
 at least one collector for receiving the disinfected exhaust gas, wherein the at least one collector is configured to adsorb the anaesthetic agent from the exhaust gas. 
   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the disinfection module utilizes a non-contact and non-chemical treatment for disinfecting the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein the disinfection module utilizes ultraviolet radiation. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 59 , further comprising at least one filter upstream of the disinfection module for filtering the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the at least one filter includes a bank of filters fluidly coupled in parallel. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the at least one filter includes a first stage filter, and a second stage filter downstream of the first stage filter. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein the disinfection module utilizes ultraviolet radiation. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the ultraviolet radiation has a wavelength and a power level selected to eliminate a substantial number of biological substances remaining in the exhaust gas after being filtered by the at least one filter. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one filter is configured to remove substances larger than 120 nanometers, and wherein the disinfection module is configured to apply UV-C radiation such that the wavelength has a range of between about 240 nanometers and about 280 nanometers, and the power level is above about 30,000 microwatts-second per square centimeter. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 59 , further comprising a condenser for removing moisture from the exhaust gas. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the disinfection module is located downstream of the condenser. 
     
     
         70 . A system for collecting an anaesthetic agent, the system comprising:
 a central collection system for receiving exhaust gas from a plurality of sources, the exhaust gas including the anaesthetic agent to be collected, the central collection system comprising:
 a disinfection module for disinfecting the exhaust gases and outputting a disinfected exhaust gas; and 
 at least one collector for receiving the disinfected exhaust gas, wherein the at least one collector is configured to collect the anaesthetic agent from the exhaust gas.