Manifold for Medical Waste Collection Device

A manifold for connection to a waste collection vacuum device. The manifold includes suction port tubes and a vacuum port that define interconnected fluid communication pathways such that no walls define proximal and distal ends of the manifold. Tabs are coupled to at least one of the interconnected fluid communication pathways. The tabs interface with keyed surfaces of the waste collection vacuum device so as to facilitate positive location and mechanical fixation with the waste collection vacuum device. The manifold may include a body, and a flow director may be disposed within the body. A filter element may also be disposed within the body and include a distal section having a cross-sectional area less than a cross-sectional area of a proximal section. Each of the distal and proximal sections may define apertures configured to trap liquid, semi-solid, or solid waste within the fluid path.