Problem/Solution

Operating room surgical procedures create fluid waste and smoke which need to be neutralized and disposed of. Collecting and transporting this waste from the O.R. to the disposal site creates potentially dangerous situations. The challenge for the first Neptune system was to provide a means for collecting fluid waste with on-board suction, into a sealed, mobile container while clearing the air of smoke contaminants if present. The system was a functional success in terms of reducing exposure to collected waste and disposing of it safely. The Neptune 1 Waste Management System offered a good starting point, but opportunities for improvements were evident in the areas of:

Patient/health-care worker safety - Reducing the chances of exposure to the waste during procedures, transporting and disposal. By containing the fluid waste inside two plastic canisters, we decreased the chances of exposure dramatically. Sanitizing the Rover between procedures requires external surface materials to withstand harsh chemical cleaners. Keeping the form geometry very simple and eliminating gunk traps helps the speed and efficiency of this process. Docking the Rover for neutralization and disposal is as simple as parking a shopping cart. Waste now exits the Rover vertically to prevent any blockages thus reducing the frequency of maintenance and exposure to the waste.

Ergonomics - Poor handle height and visibility of waste levels reduce the products efficiency. Transporting the 300lb Rover within the O.R. and over obstacles led to an extensive study of the products demographic and environment. Care was put into handle shape and placement, caster selection and weight distribution within the Rover. Internal components were arranged with the heavier components located low and central to decrease the chances of tipping.

Aesthetics - Develop a contemporary aesthetic which supports the functionality and brand. The form creates a striking and rugged statement which evokes confidence in the product’s abilities. This rugged form was designed to give the Neptune system an individualized look and feel within the medical field.
The waste which is collected is primarily blood and saline. International sensitivity to the sight of blood led to the addition of doors to cover the contents. The 24 liter capacity allows the unit to be used for multiple cases. By closing the doors on the Rover, each new patient can be protected from seeing the unsightly contents from the previous case.


User feedback – Controls, GUI’s and Displays need to communicate the functions of the Rover and Docking Station accurately and intuitively. By enclosing the canisters inside the Rover, visibility of the canister from different angles was reduced compared to Neptune 1. To solve this, a large blue backlit display was added to track the volume of the two canisters. This display swivels and tilts allowing for optimal viewing from multiple angles.
A single membrane panel with two dial knobs provides the controls for the Rover and Docking Station. Membrane panels were chosen for their long life span, flexibility of adding graphics to improve intuitiveness, low production cost and easily cleanable surfaces.