Apparatus and method for decontaminating virus-infected body fluids

Claim 1

A body fluid collection system for decontaminating a virus-infected body fluid as it is being transported from a source of the body fluid to a collection receptacle, said system comprising in combination: a collection receptacle for receiving and storing a fluid, said receptacle having a first port means for connection to a source of suction and a second port means for admitting a fluid into the receptacle; a section of tubing connected at one end to the second port of said collection receptacle and the other end comprising a means for connection to a source of body fluid and for transporting body fluid by suction from the source to said collection receptacle; and viricidal dispensing means connected in-line with said tubing between the source and the collection receptacle for introducing a viricidal agent into body fluid transported by suction through the tubing toward the collection receptacle, said dispensing means including a container having a constricted closure and containing a liquid viricidal agent with a predetermined concentration, and aspirating means comprising a T-shaped body having a bore extending through in-line arms each connected to one end of a respective segment of said tubing and a branch arm having an inlet to said bore and means for mounting said container with its constricted closure in communication with said bore, said aspirating means communicating suction pressure to said liquid viricidal agent in response to the flow of body fluid through said bore for causing a metered amount of viricidal agent to be sprayed from said container into the body fluid transported through said bore, said metered amount being sufficient to destroy the virus present in the fluid collected in said collection receptacle to a sufficient degree to permit safe disposal of the fluid.