U.S. patent application number 10/775827 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for aircraft medical unit.
Invention is credited to Keogh, Marvin.
Application Number | 20050040288 10/775827 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23265451 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050040288 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keogh, Marvin |
February 24, 2005 |
Aircraft medical unit
Abstract
An aircraft medical unit comprises a front panel configured to
fit in an aircraft cabin so as to form a divider inside the cabin
and a spaced rear panel of substantially the same shape as that of
the front panel. A side panel is constructed between the front and
rear panels, and the front, rear and side panels defines a chamber.
An access opening is formed in the front panel. A stretcher frame
is provided and is movable between a folded and stowed position in
the chamber and an unfolded and extended position to the outside of
the chamber. The aircraft medical unit further includes at least
one item of medical equipment used in the treatment of a
patient.
Inventors: |
Keogh, Marvin; (Sun Valley,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Colin P. Abrahams
Suite 400
5850 Canoga Avenue
Woodland Hills
CA
91367
US
|
Family ID: |
23265451 |
Appl. No.: |
10/775827 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10775827 |
Feb 10, 2004 |
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10254491 |
Sep 25, 2002 |
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6691952 |
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60324871 |
Sep 26, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
244/118.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 2220/10 20130101;
B64D 11/0604 20141201; A61G 3/00 20130101; B64D 11/00 20130101;
B64D 2011/0092 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
244/118.5 |
International
Class: |
B64D 011/00 |
Claims
1. An aircraft medical unit comprising: a front panel configured to
fit in an aircraft cabin so as to form a divider inside the cabin;
a rear panel of substantially the same shape as that of the front
panel and spaced therefrom; a side panel between the front and rear
panels, the front, rear and side panels defining a chamber; an
access opening in the front panel; and a stretcher frame, movable
between a folded and stowed position in the chamber and an unfolded
and extended position to the outside of the chamber.
2. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the front
panel is configured so as to fit in the aircraft cabin between rows
of seats, the front, rear and side panels following the contour of
the shape of at least a portion of the aircraft cabin.
3. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising at least one item of medical equipment used in the
treatment of a patient.
4. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
equipment is a monitor.
5. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
equipment is a camera.
6. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
equipment is a refrigerator.
7. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
equipment is an incubator.
8. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
equipment is a defibrillator.
9. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
equipment is a respirator.
10. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
equipment is an oxygen supply.
11. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
equipment is an autoclave.
12. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
access opening can be opened and closed by doors.
13. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 12 wherein the
doors comprise a pair of slidable shutters which run in tracks
formed within the chamber of the medical unit.
14. An aircraft medical unit further comprising a plurality of
cupboards, each cupboard accommodating selected medical equipment
or machinery.
15. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising an access door in the rear panel for providing access to
the chamber for installation and maintenance.
16. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
stretcher frame comprises a head end portion, a foot end portion
and a foot end support leg, wherein the head end portion and foot
end portions, and the foot end support leg are pivotally connected
to each other so as to fold for stowage within the chamber, the
head end portion and foot end portion unfolding in the extended
position to form a substantially rectangular stretcher frame, and
the foot end support leg being attached to the foot end portion and
unfoldable with respect thereto, the head end portion being
securely fastened to a clamp within the chamber when in the
extended position, and the foot end support leg being unfolded to
fasten to the aircraft cabin when in the extended position.
17. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a mattress frame and an associated mattress connectable
to the stretcher frame.
18. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a belt extending between the stretcher frame at its one
end, and fastenable to the cabin at its other end, to provide
further stability to the stretcher frame when in the unfolded and
extended position.
19. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising adjustable lighting for positioning over the
stretcher.
20. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 further
comprising a power unit.
21. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 further
comprising a power converter for converting aircraft power into a
power source usable by the medical equipment.
22. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising communication equipment to enable personnel at the
medical unit to communicate within the aircraft and with land-based
sources.
23. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
stretcher frame is spring-mounted within the chamber to facilitate
movement thereof between the folded and the stowed position on the
one hand, and the unfolded and extended position on the other.
24. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 further
comprising at least one clamping member for attaching an item of
medical equipment to the stretcher frame at a desired location.
25. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising attachment members for securing the medical unit to
tracks constructed in the cabin of the aircraft.
26. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising an oxygen supply connector for connecting the medical
unit to the oxygen supply within an aircraft.
27. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising communication system connector for connecting to the
communication system within the aircraft.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/254,491 filed Sep. 25, 2002, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/324,871 filed Sep. 26, 2001, both of which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to medical units for use in aircraft.
More particularly, the invention is for modular units which can be
attached within the cabin of an aircraft, and especially in large
commercial airliners configured for passenger transportation.
[0003] In this specification, the term "medical units" should be
broadly interpreted to mean medical equipment and machinery
typically used in the treatment of patients. All of this equipment
and machinery is, in accordance with the invention, housed within a
modular unit which can be placed in the cabin of an aircraft, or
other convenient location in an aircraft, so that the contents are
generally hidden from view, and the modular unit occupies as little
space as possible, until needed. The equipment and machinery which
may comprise the medical unit includes, but is not limited to,
stretchers which can be folded out and retracted in relation to the
medical unit, power systems and power adaptation units, incubators,
refrigerators, appropriate lighting mechanisms, communication
systems for use by personnel operating the medical unit to
communicate with either other crew members within the aircraft or
medical and health professionals in remote ground locations,
various body-function monitoring devices, and the like. These are
representative examples only, and the scope of the invention is
such that the extent and use of such equipment can be varied
according to the situation. Other types of equipment which may be
incorporated into the medical unit of the invention will be
discussed during the course of this specification.
[0004] Air transportation is, of course, a major industry for the
conveyance, on a large scale, of substantial numbers of people
between many locations. Depending upon the size of the jet liner,
commercial air liners during flight may be transporting anywhere
from about 50 to nearly 500 passengers. While it is not unusual for
some aircraft, particularly the larger aircraft with substantial
numbers of passengers, to carry certain medical equipment to treat
onboard medical emergencies, such equipment found on board is
typically very limited in scope, and only capable of treating some
of the most basic medical problems.
[0005] Furthermore, the issue of space in an aircraft cabin is
critical in commercial airliners, and compacting galleys, storage
areas and other components/compartments to an optimal degree allows
more passengers to be accommodated within the aircraft.
[0006] The typical layout in an aircraft cabin consists of both
rows and lines of seats extending down the length of the cabin. At
certain intervals, walls or dividers are formed between rows of
seats, and these have the effect, amongst other things, of
separating the aircraft cabin into preselected and desired areas.
The dividers, may, therefore, divide a large cabin into different
classes of passenger travel, such as first class, business class
and economy class. They also typically define one or more galley
areas where flight attendants are able to prepare food and
drinks.
[0007] As an example of the limited nature of any relevant prior
art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,115,884 (Keogh) discloses a carrier for
medical stretchers on aircraft. The installation consists of two
frames with vertical and diagonal members supporting a horizontal
rack, which has clamps with which to attach the stretcher to a top
surface.
[0008] One of the purposes of the present invention is therefore to
provide an aircraft medical unit to include a plurality of modern
devices used in health care treatment, especially configured for
optimum use inside the cabin of an aircraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one aspect, the present invention utilizes an adaptation
of a wall or divider within the cabin of an aircraft. The divider
of the present invention may comprise a pair of spaced walls
defining a chamber or space which, as will be discussed in greater
detail below, is designed to compactly house various forms of
medical equipment. Particularly, this medical unit of the invention
comprises a module, which, in the normal course, partitions off
areas within the cabin. However, the spaced-apart walls form a
closet or space between them, in which medical equipment may be
stored and easily accessed when needed. An important component of
the medical unit, in modular form as described above, would be the
presence of a stretcher, located within the space between the
walls, which can be unfolded out of the space, and formed into a
substantially horizontally positioned bed for use by a person
requiring medical treatment.
[0010] The present invention thus takes advantage of typical cabin
layout which utilizes partitions or dividers between sections of
the aircraft cabin. Presently, these dividers may consist of
nothing more than panels, which of course divide sections of the
aircraft so that one section cannot be seen by passengers in an
adjacent section. In most instances, the dividers may be no more
than 4-8 inches thick, serving as they do, as physical dividers and
nothing more. The invention, in one aspect, slightly expands these
dividers so as to form a double-paneled unit, defining a space, and
placing within the space a potentially vast array of sophisticated
medical equipment, in addition to a stow-away stretcher. Compacting
all this equipment into such an area, termed herein a medical unit,
not only has the advantage of optimal space utilization, but also
serves to keep medical equipment generally out of sight of
passengers, but at the same time providing very easy access to such
stored equipment should it be needed.
[0011] The medical unit of the invention would, in a preferred
form, comprise various doors to chambers which may house various
forms of medical equipment and supplies, ranging from simple first
aid and/or trauma kit supplies to sophisticated medical equipment,
including respirators, suction apparatus, oxygen equipment,
defibrillators and the like. Thus, the space in the medical unit of
the invention may be further divided into cupboards, chambers,
accessible recesses etc., all of which are configured to best
accommodate the different forms of equipment being stored.
[0012] The medical unit may further comprise a monitor, global
positioning system (GPS), and cameras which may allow personnel and
passengers on board to communicate, when necessary, with a doctor
in a land-based hospital, contacted to provide guidance and
information for on-board medical treatment. Preferably, the medical
unit will be constructed as a modular unit, manufactured in an
appropriate facility, and designed to be rolled in and installed in
a specific aircraft. Therefore, the unit would typically have a
vertical edge, a horizontal edge for mounting on the floor, and a
contoured edge which would be custom-shaped to fit within the body
of a specific commercial airliner, such as a Boeing 747, Airbus
320, or the like.
[0013] In a preferred form, the modular medical unit would easily
attach to existing structural fasteners already located in the
aircraft, so that they may be easily installed and removed as
desired. Further, larger aircraft may be designed to accommodate
more than one modular medical unit. In yet another form, a
plurality of modular medical units of the invention may be lined up
and installed within an aircraft cabin or cargo bay for
transportation to remote sites where emergency workers may require
temporary hospital facilities.
[0014] A significant advantage on the present invention is its
compactness. The medical unit of the invention facilitates storage
of a significant number of medical devices and pieces of equipment
within a very small area, some of which may be folded out for use
when needed. The invention thus would meet the needs and
requirements of commercial carriers, which would be able to install
sophisticated medical equipment capable of treating a wide range of
conditions, but, when not needed, would take up very little space,
and further be invisible to passengers. In other words, the medical
unit of the invention may not even be recognizable as such when in
a closed or unused position, and would merely appear to the casual
observer to be a wall or divider separating the cabin into
conventional and recognizable segments.
[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
an aircraft medical unit comprising a front panel configured to fit
in an aircraft cabin so as to form a divider inside the cabin; a
rear panel of substantially the same shape as that of the front
panel and spaced therefrom; a side panel between the front and rear
panels, the front, rear and side panels defining a chamber; an
access opening in the front panel; and a stretcher frame, movable
between a folded and stowed position in the chamber and an unfolded
and extended position to the outside of the chamber. Preferably,
the front panel is configured so as to fit in the aircraft cabin
between rows of seats, the front, rear and side panels following
the contour of the shape of at least a portion of the aircraft
cabin, the medical unit comprises at least one item of medical
equipment used in the treatment of a patient.
[0016] The equipment may be selected from amongst the following: a
monitor, a camera, a refrigerator, an incubator, a defibrillator, a
respirator, an oxygen supply, and an autoclave.
[0017] Preferably, the access opening can be opened and closed by
doors, which may comprise a pair of slidable shutters which run in
tracks formed within the chamber of the medical unit. The aircraft
medical unit may further comprise a plurality of cupboards, each
cupboard accommodating selected medical equipment or machinery.
[0018] In one embodiment, the stretcher frame comprises a head end
portion, a foot end portion and a foot end support leg, wherein the
head end portion and foot end portions, and the foot end support
leg are pivotally connected to each other so as to fold for stowage
within the chamber, the head end portion and foot end portion
unfolding in the extended position to form a substantially
rectangular stretcher frame, and the foot end support leg being
attached to the foot end portion and unfoldable with respect
thereto, the head end portion being securely fastened to a clamp
within the chamber when in the extended position, and the foot end
support leg being unfolded to fasten to the aircraft cabin when in
the extended position.
[0019] Preferably, the aircraft medical unit further comprises a
mattress frame and an associated mattress connectable to the
stretcher frame. Adjustable lighting for positioning over the
stretcher may also be provided.
[0020] Preferably, the aircraft medical unit further comprises a
power unit. Also, a power converter for converting aircraft power
into a power source usable by the medical equipment may be
provided.
[0021] The stretcher frame may be spring-mounted within the chamber
to facilitate movement thereof between the folded and the stowed
position on the one hand, and the unfolded and extended position on
the other. Further, a clamping member for attaching an item of
medical equipment to the stretcher frame at a desired location may
be provided.
[0022] In one form, attachment members are provided for securing
the medical unit to tracks constructed in the cabin of the
aircraft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of a medical unit in
accordance with the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front view of the medical unit of the invention
as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, generally in the closed or
unused position;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the medical unit of the
invention, when installed within the cabin of an aircraft, shown
generally with the stretcher in the unfolded position and the
appropriate seat backs down;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the medical unit of
the invention, showing the stretcher in the unfolded or in-use
position, and the appropriate seats in the seat-back down
position;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a side view of the medical unit of the invention,
with the stretcher in the unfolded position;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view through the medical
unit of the invention, showing the position of the stretcher in
both the folded and the unfolded positions (only one of the
positions being possible at a time);
[0029] FIG. 7 is a front view of the medical unit of the invention,
with the stretcher in the unfolded position;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the stretcher
in the medical unit, shown in the folded or non-use position;
and
[0031] FIG. 9 is front view of the medical unit of the invention
illustrating some of the equipment and machinery associated
therewith.
DEATAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which
show different applications and conditions of the medical unit, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0033] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a medical unit 12,
from a rear view perspective, which generally comprises a rear
panel 14, a front panel 16, and side wall, indicated generally by
reference numeral 18. The front and rear panels 16 and 14, and the
side wall 18, define a chamber 20 for housing various items of
medical equipment and machinery, as will be described. The side
wall 18 comprises a base wall 21, including a mechanism for
fastening the medical unit 12 to existing tracks in an aircraft, as
will be described below. Additionally, there is provided a
contoured wall 22, a top wall 24 and an aisle wall 26, all of which
constitute the side wall 18. The rear panel 14 further includes an
access door 28, which can be opened and closed as appropriate for
the purposes of installing, maintaining and servicing components of
the medical unit.
[0034] FIG. 2 of the drawings shows the medical unit 12, and
particularly a front view thereof. The front panel 16 is clearly
shown, and comprises a central portion 30, and lateral portions 32
and 34. The central portion 30 includes an upper slidable shutter
36 and a lower slidable shutter 38 which may be moved upwardly and
downwardly respectively in order to gain access to the chamber 20,
and its contents. Below the lower slidable shutter 38 is a fixed
panel 40.
[0035] The lateral portion 32 comprises three stacked cupboards
40a, 40b and 40c, each of which has its own door 42, and each door
42, which may be mounted on hinges, can be opened or closed by
manipulating the handle 44 associated therewith. Likewise, the
lateral portion 34 also has three stacked cupboards 46a, 46b and
46c, each of which has a door 42, preferably mounted on hinges,
which open and close using handle 44.
[0036] As a general rule, the central portion 30 of the medical
unit 12 provides access to a stretcher contained within the chamber
20, to be described more fully below, by opening and closing the
upper and lower slidable shutters 36 and 38 respectively. The
slidable shutters 36 and 38 may be easily moved within rails, to be
discussed, using the handles 50 and 52. Once the stretcher has been
unfolded from within the chamber 20, the slidable shutters 36 and
38 can be substantially closed, with the stretcher extending
outwardly from the chamber 20 through a space between the edges of
the upper and lower slidable shutters 36 and 38 respectively.
[0037] While the stretcher access through the upper and lower
slidable shutters 36 and 38 is generally shown in the somewhat
centered position in FIG. 2 of the drawings (as well as other
drawings in this application), there is nothing in this invention
which should be seen as limiting the location of the stretcher to
this central area. Indeed, the stretcher can be appropriately
placed laterally, centered, or anywhere in-between, and the optimal
position may be determined by the exigencies of the particular
aircraft in which the medical unit 12 is located.
[0038] The stacked cupboards in the lateral portion 32, as well as
the stacked cupboards in lateral portion 34, may be individually
designed to contain various forms of equipment. As an example only,
the cupboard 40c may contain special lighting equipment which can
be pulled out and adjusted over the stretcher. The cupboard 40a may
contain first aid materials and the like. As a matter of
practicality, it may be advantageous to place in the stacked
cupboards 46a, 46b and 46c heavier equipment, or equipment which
may be more infrequently used, or can be adjusted from a distance.
It will be appreciated that the stacked cupboards in the lateral
portion 34 may be just slightly less accessible than those stacked
cupboards on the lateral portion 32, and the placement of different
types of medical equipment will, of course, be made according to
this and other criteria.
[0039] FIG. 3 of the drawings shows a rear perspective view of the
medical unit 12 when installed within the cabin of an aircraft.
Only a small representative section of the cabin is shown, and
comprises a floor 60, having a pair of seat tracks 62a and 62b.
Further, there is provided an inner wall 64, and an outer wall or
skin of the aircraft 66. A space 68 is formed between the inner
wall 64 and the skin 66, and is conventionally used for electrical
wiring, piping and the like, and the importance of these will be
discussed further below in describing how the medical unit 12 of
the invention may tap into certain aircraft systems and resources
in order function more effectively.
[0040] In FIG. 3, it can be seen that a cabin ceiling 70 is
provided, and to one side thereof conventional rows of baggage
compartments 72 are installed. Like conventional dividers in
aircraft cabins, the medical unit 12 of the invention is designed
to properly fit within existing cabin structures, and in fact
resembles from the outside in large part a simple divider.
[0041] It will thus be noted that the base wall 21 of the medical
unit 12 rests firmly on the cabin floor 60. The medical unit 12 is
secured on the floor 60 by attaching it with appropriate bolts, or
other conventional hardware, to existing seat tracks 62a and 62b,
which are present as part of the construction in an airliner
cabin.
[0042] The contoured wall 22 of the medical unit 12 is constructed
so as to properly engage with the contoured inner wall 64. The top
wall 24 of the medical unit 12 fits in below the baggage
compartments 72, while the aisle wall 26 of the medical unit 12 is
generally exposed and, with other structures in the cabin, forms a
passage through which access from one portion of the cabin to
another is secured. It will be seen that the door 28, as shown in
FIG. 3, provides enlarged access to the chamber 20 of the medical
unit 12, so that personnel may have better access to the contents
of the chamber 20 in order to effect installation and maintenance,
as may be necessary.
[0043] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 of the drawings which shows
a front perspective view of the medical unit 12 of the invention,
with the stretcher 80 in the unfolded or usable position. One
aspect of the invention comprises the availability of a stretcher,
generally designated by the reference numeral 80, which can be, for
the most part, in a stowed position when it is not needed. Most of
the time, of course, the stretcher is not needed, and, in this
regard, the medical unit 12 provides a very compact space in which
the stretcher 80 can be stored. While the availability of the
stowed stretcher 80 is an important aspect of the invention,
another aspect of the invention relates to the provision of
essential medical equipment and machinery in the vicinity of the
stretcher 80, so that such equipment can be available for use on an
as needed basis. The unfolding and setting up of the stretcher 80
enables the patient to be properly and comfortably positioned, an
important factor which must be established before appropriate
medical treatment can be provided.
[0044] The stretcher 80 in FIG. 4 of the drawings generally
comprises a base frame 82, the base frame 82 having a fixed end 84,
and an unsecured end 86. The fixed end 84 is attached to components
within the chamber 20 of the medical unit 12, while the unsecured
end 86 is fixed to a rear support 88. The base frame 82 is thus
supported at both ends. At its fixed end 84 it is attached to
components within the chamber 20, and at its unsecured end 86, the
rear support 88 extends between the base frame 82 and the floor 60,
and preferably connects to the seat tracks 62a and 62b, so that the
base frame 82 of the stretcher 80 is very firmly and stably fixed.
This proper fixing of the stretcher 80 within the cabin is of
considerable importance in view of the significant forces which may
be placed on the stretcher 80 by virtue of the aircraft movement
including take-offs and landings.
[0045] As will be seen in FIG. 4 of the drawings, two rows of seats
90 and 92 are adjusted so that their seat backs are folded
forwards, to thus create the vertical clearance necessary for the
positioning of the stretcher 80.
[0046] Once the base frame 82 of the stretcher 80 has been unfolded
from the medical unit 12, a mattress frame 96, and mattress 98 are
connected to the base frame 82. The mattress frame 96 has a head
end 100, a foot end 102, and a pair of side portions 104 and 105
respectively. The head end 100 is secured within a pair of top
clamps 106, while the foot end 102 is secured within a pair of
bottom clamps 108. The mattress 98 is firmly held within the
mattress frame 96, and an elevator frame 110 may be provided so
that the patient may be placed with his or her head elevated or
inclined, as may be necessary for comfort or treatment. It will be
noted that the mattress 98 has a series of straps and clamps, which
will not be discussed in any further detail, all or some of which
may be used to secure the patient to the mattress 98, as may be
required.
[0047] The rear support 88 folds away from the base frame 82 so as
to preferably be at right angles thereto. The rear support 88
comprises a pair of fixed legs 116, in each of which is located a
telescoping leg 118, the telescoping leg 118 being adjustable with
respect to the fixed leg 116 so as to place the base frame 82 in a
substantially horizontal position, or slightly inclined, as may be
required. The telescoping legs 118 are joined by a base plate 120
which has the necessary structure and hardware to enable the rear
support 88 to be fastened to the seat tracks 62a and 62b.
Furthermore, the aircraft may be provided with a special
stretcher-fastening track 122, shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the
fastening track 122 being substantially at right angles to the seat
tracks 62a and 62b, and designed to receive at least a portion of
the base plate 120.
[0048] Although not specifically shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings,
the stretcher 80 may further comprise one or more straps or belts,
having one end fixed to the stretcher 80, and the other end peg to
a connecting portion in the cabin, such as the seat tracks 62a and
62b. In certain circumstances, such belts may provide additional
stability to the stretcher 80 so that its relative movement is very
much reduced in response to the natural flying motions of the
aircraft.
[0049] Reference is now made to FIG. 6 of the drawings which shows
a cross-sectional side view, similar to the view shown in FIG. 4
and FIG. 5, but also showing the stretcher in the folded position
within the chamber 20 of the medical unit 12. The stored/stowed
position of the stretcher 80, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings
will be described in further detail with reference to FIG. 8 of the
drawings. However, it can be seen in FIG. 6 that the top clamp 106a
is held in a fixed position when the stretcher 80 is in the
unfolded position, and is designed to be at the appropriate height
when the stretcher 80 is in the unfolded position. FIG. 7 of the
drawings shows a view of the medical unit and unstowed stretcher
when looking towards the front thereof, also showing the various
cupboards and/or compartments designed to house various items of
equipment and machinery. As has been mentioned, the medical unit 12
of the invention may comprise any one or more of a fairly wide
range of equipment and machinery, and many of these items require
power. Other pieces of equipment may require oxygen, wiring for
various forms of communication, and the like, and to the extent
possible, the medical unit 12 of the invention taps into existing
power and other systems in the aircraft.
[0050] The power lines, oxygen conduits, electrical and
communication wirings and the like, may be conveyed in different
forms and locations, depending on the type of aircraft. Thus, these
sources may be contained in the space 68 formed between the outer
skin or the aircraft and the inner wall 64. Alternatively, these
sources may run under the floor 60 of the cabin, or above the
ceiling 70. For the purposes of this invention, it does not really
matter where the sources are located, but a medical unit 12
designed for a specific aircraft would, of course, take these
factors into account so that appropriate connectors to power,
oxygen and communication systems can be readily achieved. As an
example only, FIG. 7 shows an oxygen supply line 130 and an
electrical supply line 132 running in the space 68. The oxygen
supply is tapped by means of a connector 134, so that aircraft
oxygen can be used, where necessary, by equipment contained within
the medical unit 12 for patient treatment. Likewise, a connector
136 taps into the electrical supply of the aircraft so as to power
the various pieces of equipment and systems which may form part of
the medical unit 12. Also shown running through the space 68 are
communication lines 138, which are tapped by connector 140 and
directed to appropriate equipment within the medical unit 12 for
use as needed, so that personnel operating the medical unit 12 can
establish the desired lines of communication both within the
aircraft, and with land-based resources.
[0051] Reference is now made to FIG. 8 of the drawings, which shows
a detailed view of one embodiment of the stowed stretcher 80,
contained within the chamber 20 of the medical unit 12. The medical
unit 12 is shown as comprising the components discussed above,
including the base wall 21, rear panel 14, top panel 24, upper
slidable shutter 36, lower slidable shutter 38, the door 28 and
various other components. As will be noted from FIG. 8, the base
frame 82 is in a folded condition/position, and comprises a forward
section 150, and a rear section 152, connected to each other by
means of a hinge 154. The rear support 88 is pivotally or hingedly
connected to the rear section 152 and folds out to a position
essentially normal to the rear section 152 so as to provide the
necessary support as shown in, for example, FIG. 6 of the drawings.
The base frame 82, when in the folded position, shows one of the
top clamps 106, and a bottom clamp 108, the clamps 106 and 108
being configured so as to receive the mattress frame 96. In the
particular embodiment shown, the mattress frame 96, also contained
within the chamber 20, is unfolded independently and positioned on
the base frame 82, and thereafter clamped into position using
clamps 106 and 108. In alternative embodiments, the mattress frame
96, as well as the mattress 98 may also be foldable, so that when
the base frame 82 is unstowed, the mattress frame 96 and mattress
98 are already in position.
[0052] Within the chamber 20 of the medical unit 12, there is
provided a track 158, and a bracket 160, attached near the fixed
end 84 of the base frame 82, including a wheel, or other component,
which slides up and down in the track 158 when the base frame 82 is
moved between he stowed and unstowed positions. In FIG. 8 of the
drawings, the bracket 160, when shown near the base wall 21,
illustrates its position when the base frame 82 is in the stowed
position, and the illustration of the bracket 160a, extending
outside the chamber 20, illustrates its position when the base
frame 82 is in the unstowed or extended position.
[0053] The bracket 160 includes a reel 162, upon which a cable 164
can be wound. The cable 164 connects at one end to the reel 162,
and to a winch-like or cable attachment structure 166 mounted in
the chamber 20. The structure 166 may include spring-biased
components so as to draw in the cable 164, and to facilitate
unstowing of the base frame 82, when the stretcher 80 is required.
Alternately, the spring-biasing may be in the reel 162.
[0054] In order to move the stretcher 80, and more particularly the
base frame 82 thereof, from the stowed to the unstowed position,
the upper slidable shutter 36 is moved upward to slide into an open
position, along the tracks 170. Similarly, the lower slidable
shutter 38 is moved downwardly along track 172, at which point an
opening is provided to access the base frame 82. The operator then
pulls the forward section 150 upwardly and outwardly, so that the
bracket 160 runs along the track 158, and, at the same time, the
forward section 150 moves out from the chamber 20 and into the
cabin of the aircraft, as illustrated, for example in FIG. 6 of the
drawings. When the bracket 160 has reached the position shown as
bracket 160a, the rear section 152 is unfolded by pivoting it about
the hinge 154, so that the forward section 150 and the rear section
152 together make up a substantially rectangular base frame 82. The
rear support 88 is then pivoted or unfolded downwardly so that the
base plate 120 is on the floor 60 of the cabin, and supports the
base frame 82. The base frame 82 is thus supported by the clamp
160a and the rear support 88. A locking mechanism may be provided
to place the bracket 160a in a position so that movement thereof
will be restrained, to provide additional stability to the
stretcher 80 when in the unstowed position.
[0055] In order to facilitate unfolding, the user is assisted by
the operation of the cable 164, which tends to raise the base frame
out of the chamber 20. Reference numeral 164a shows the cable in
its position when the stretcher is in the unstowed position.
[0056] It will be appreciated that only one of many embodiments of
a folded and stowed stretcher 80 is shown in FIG. 8 of the
drawings. It is not intended that the invention in any way be
limited to the specific structure and configuration of the foldable
stretcher 80 shown in the various drawings. The only factor of
importance in this regard is that the stretcher 80 is configured
and dimensioned such that it can move in and out of an access
space, which may be opened and closed in the medical unit 12. The
importance of the invention is that a stretcher 80 is provided, but
in normal circumstances is stowed in a relatively compact area
until it is needed.
[0057] Reference is now made to FIG. 9 of the drawings, which
illustrates a representative example of the types of equipment and
machinery which may be used in the medical unit 12 of the
invention. In FIG. 9, for illustrative purposes, the doors to the
various enclosures have been removed. Thus, on the one side, a
schematic view of the inside of stacked cupboards 40a, 40b, and 40c
are shown, while on the other side, stacked cupboards 46a, 46b and
46c are shown with their interiors exposed. Within these various
closets, which of course extend back into the chamber 20 and
preferably utilize as much of the space as is possible, a wide
variety of different types of equipment can be stored. Examples of
such supplies and equipment include trauma kits and bags 182, which
may include dressings, bandages 184, eye pads, antibiotic
ointments, blood pressure kits 186, blankets, stethoscopes 188 and
forceps, to name just a small selection of more commonly used
items. These may be arranged conveniently on shelves 190, shown in
this example as being contained in the closet 40c. The kits may be
divided and prepared according to the type of condition being
treated, so that in the case of an emergency medical treatment on
board, the user could access a kit within the medical unit 12 of
the invention which essentially contains all of the supplies
necessary to treat that condition.
[0058] In addition to the basic medical first aid supplies, more
sophisticated equipment may be provided and appropriately connected
to sources of power which enable their operation. Examples of such
equipment which may be included in the medical unit are respirators
192, IV infusion pumps 194, as well as their requisite controls,
suction apparatus, defibrillators 196, blood pressure equipment 198
and resuscitators, to name but a few. Some of these items are
illustrated schematically in FIG. 9 of the drawings, and each may
be positioned according to its size and likelihood of use. The
invention is not, however, intended to be limited to any specific
type or combination of equipment that may be stored in the medical
unit 12, but it should be appreciated that the medical unit 12
itself can accommodate a wide variety of equipment, and
combinations thereof.
[0059] In addition to the equipment for treating patients, the
medical unit 12 of the invention may also comprise a monitor 200, a
camera 202, communication equipment and Global Positioning Systems
204. This equipment may enable passengers or crew within the
aircraft to make real-time contact with doctors, hospitals or other
health providers who are able to provide relevant guidance and
information to assist in the treatment process. For example, the
medical unit 12 may include a camera 202 which may photograph the
patient and transmit the information to a doctor or hospital which
is land based. A health professional would be able to guide people
treating the patient, and the land based health professional can
monitor patient color or complexion, wounds, or treatment
processes, and provide immediate guidance. Further, information
from outside sources may be communicated to the system and
displayed on the monitor, which may provide assistance to the
people treating the patient.
[0060] In another form, the medical unit may also comprise lighting
equipment 206 which may be stored within or outside of the chamber
20, and which can be removed and appropriately located over the
patient to provide sufficient light. Clocks, timers and other basic
equipment may also form part of the medical unit.
[0061] In a preferred form, the medical unit of the invention would
tap into the power and oxygen supply within the aircraft generally.
However, additionally, the medical unit would also have its own
power supply system in the form of a battery or other component, or
oxygen tanks, which could be relied upon if other systems within
the aircraft failed. In addition to the power supply system, the
medical unit may also comprise power interface systems so that the
aircraft power can be modulated or changed to a form which can be
used by any of the components within the medical unit. As an
example, some aircraft may provide power at 110 volts and 400
cycles, and this may be changed by appropriate equipment to 110
volts and 60 cycles, a form which may be used by most of the
equipment. Further, an inverter may be provided for changing DC
power to AC power, or vice versa.
[0062] The medical unit may also comprise its own oxygen supply
226. In FIG. 9, an auxiliary power unit or generator is shown at
228, while appropriate convertor means 230 are shown in the same
Figure, and this may be used for converting the aircraft power
systems to a usable form by apparatus and equipment within the
medical unit.
[0063] Additionally, it should be noted that some or all of the
equipment and machinery contained in any one of the closets, or
surrounding the medical unit, may be removed therefrom and placed
with appropriate clamps around the stretcher, preferably on the
base frame 82 or the mattress frame 96. Thus, for example, a camera
202 may be removed from the closet, and clamped onto the mattress
frame 96 at an appropriate location, so that the camera is directed
into the desired position. The camera may be joined to power and
other communication lines either by cable, or it may contain its
own power unit or battery, and transmit wirelessly to the medical
unit for onward transmission, as required. Similarly, lighting may
be appropriately placed around the stretcher 80 by clamping it, as
discussed, as may be any other of the equipment or machinery
contained within or as part of the medical unit.
[0064] The medical unit 12 may further comprise other pieces of
equipment such as a refrigerator 205, an autoclave 208 for
sterilizing instruments, and may also include such equipment as an
incubator, not specifically shown in the drawings.
[0065] In FIG. 5 of the drawings, there is also illustrated a
typical securing means which could optionally be installed to
provide further support and integrity to the stretcher 80 when in
the unfolded position. In FIG. 5, the stretcher 80 has a belt 216
connected at hinge 218, or indeed at any other point along the
stretcher 80, and extends obliquely down towards the floor 60 of
the cabin, where it fastens to a connector 220 on the floor 60 of
the craft. The purpose of this belt 216 is to counteract the
natural forces which may arise due to the acceleration or
deceleration of the aircraft. The aircraft moves in the direction
indicated by arrow 222 in FIG. 5. When accelerating, the stretcher
80 would therefore tend to move backwards, towards the rear of the
aircraft due to the acceleration forces. Any such movement is
significantly and substantially restrained by the belt 216 fastened
to the floor 60 of the cabin. When the aircraft is decelerating,
the front panel would serve to operate as a barrier, and prevent
any forward movement as a result of the deceleration forces.
[0066] It will be appreciated that the medical unit of the
invention is not limited to the precise details which have been
described above. The precise shape, width and configuration of
cupboards shown in the drawings and described herein may be varied
depending on the type of equipment which is stored. Further, the
nature of storing the stretcher, and the manner in which it
unfolds, can vary. Of course, the medical equipment stored within
the medical unit can vary widely, both in terms of the amount of
equipment, as well as its nature.
[0067] While, for most purposes, a passenger commercial airliner
may typically only require one medical unit 12 on board, there is
nothing to prevent a plurality of such units from being located and
spaced about the aircraft. Different units within an aircraft may
be either more or less sophisticated, depending upon anticipated
requirements. Further, an aircraft may be converted into a mobile
hospital of sorts by installing a plurality of the medical units 12
spaced throughout the cabin, so that an aircraft can travel to an
emergency area, and stretchers unfolded in each unit so as to
provide multiple treatment bays on the aircraft.
* * * * *