U.S. patent application number 10/751248 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for ventilated dissection table.
Invention is credited to Irwin, Paul.
Application Number | 20050160948 10/751248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34794682 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050160948 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Irwin, Paul |
July 28, 2005 |
Ventilated dissection table
Abstract
Applicant's invention defines a ventilated dissection table
having an air chamber atop a pedestal. Said air chamber comprises a
support structure for a removable stainless steel work surface
positioned at an optimal distance below an air inlet, said air
inlet having a negative pressure created by a blower attached to an
exhaust duct which draws undesirable noxious fumes from said air
inlet through said chamber past a screen into a plenum and out the
exhaust. The positioning of said work surface to air inlet provides
improved capture performance. Primary and secondary drains are
provided for the removal of fluids generated by the dissection
process, as well as the facilitation of basic cleaning. The table
is made of stainless steel to aid cleaning and is sized for ease of
transfer and mobility via size and weight.
Inventors: |
Irwin, Paul; (Dixon,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William S. Bernheim
Bernheim, Gutierres & McCready
255 W. Lincoln Street
Dixon
CA
95620
US
|
Family ID: |
34794682 |
Appl. No.: |
10/751248 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 13/0027
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/024 |
International
Class: |
A47B 085/00 |
Goverment Interests
[0001] Applicant hereby represents that no part of the subject
invention or application has come about with the assistance of
government funds or by virtue of a government program.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A ventilated dissection table comprising: an air chamber, said
air chamber having four substantially rectangular sides joined
together vertically, each side having a top edge and a bottom edge,
the inside perimeter of said top edges of said sides formed
substantially into a downward projecting "U" shape, the inside
perimeter of said bottom edges of said sides formed substantially
into an upward projecting "U" shape establishing a secondary drain
channel; a plurality of gusset support brackets, said brackets
fixed to said sides of said air chamber; a primary drain channel
proximate to said air chamber and running along said chamber's
inside perimeter, said primary drain channel formed substantially
into a "U" shape, said primary drain channel affixed atop said
brackets; a plurality of lateral support beams affixed to said
brackets; at least one work surface support channel affixed across
said beams; a removable work surface sized to fit proximate to,
below and inside said top edges of said air chamber thereby forming
an air inlet allowing air to pass therethrough and into said
chamber; means for disposing of fluid passing through said drains;
a pedestal having a substantially rectangular frame forming a
plenum, with a close off plate on its upper surface, said plate
fashioned to accept the passage of air from said air chamber into
said plenum and to support said chamber, said chamber removably
affixed to said pedestal chamber and sized such that the height of
said work surface is conducive to dissection of a cadaver; an
exhaust duct in communication with said air inlet through said
chamber.
2. The ventilated dissection table of claim one wherein: said
support brackets affixed to said sides of said air chamber by spot
welding.
3. The ventilated dissection table of claim 1 wherein: said primary
drain channel affixed to said sides of said air chamber by spot
welding.
4. The ventilated dissection table of claim 1 wherein said means
for disposing of said fluids comprising: a first drain and a second
drain, said first drain projecting downward from said primary drain
channel, said second drain projecting downward from said secondary
drain channel. first and second tubes, said tubes in communication
with said first and second drains, said tubes projecting downward
to a disposal means.
5. The ventilated dissection table of claim 4 wherein said disposal
means comprises a catch basin, receptacle or pail.
6. The ventilated dissection table of claim 4 wherein said tubes
empty into a floor drain.
7. The ventilated dissection table of claim 1 further comprising:
one side of said pedestal, not including said side having an air
exhaust duct, having been formed to provide access to the inside of
said pedestal proximate to said drain tubes and said catch basin or
receptacle; closure means pivotally affixed to said pedestal access
to allow said catch basin or receptacle to be removed therefrom and
emptied.
8. The ventilated dissection table of claim 7 wherein: said closure
comprises a hinged door.
9. The ventilated dissection table of claim 1 further comprising:
at least four mounting plates affixed to said pedestal at said
pedestal's lower corners; at least four casters affixed to said
mounting plates thereby allowing movement of said dissection table.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of dissection
tables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the fields of education, particularly education of
medical students of human anatomy, there is a need to use an
apparatus which allows the convenient dissection of a human body or
cadaver. The need for safety is not so much with respect to the use
of surgical instruments, but instead refers to the need to evacuate
noxious fumes from the work area which abound due to the use of
formaldehyde and other preservative agents in the embalming of
cadavers.
[0004] Previous to applicant's invention, dissection tables known
to be in service require a significant amount of air movement in
order to evacuate the aforementioned fumes. In some cases these
tables require exhaust systems which move in excess of 2000 cubic
feet per minute ("cfm") and up to and including 2500 cfm. Moving
such a volume of air demands that a suitable ventilation duct be
sized and in addition, a fan or blower must also be utilized which
has a rating capable of moving such a large amount of air. In most
circumstances, the air which must be "made up" as air containing
noxious fumes is evacuated is conditioned air. Consequently, the
amount of air moved in order to evacuate unwanted fumes has a cost
component associated with it in terms of energy consumption, as
conditioned air is typically chilled, and a fixed cost component as
the make-up air must be routed to the location of the table via
sufficient ducting, and a final associated cost component in terms
of a blower or fan rated sufficient to move the air.
[0005] Several other considerations must be accounted for in the
design of such tables, including cleanliness; size and mobility
being among those considerations.
[0006] Naturally, as a medical class progresses in its utilization
of a human cadaver, there is an increasing risk to students of
exposure to elevated levels of noxious fumes given off by the
cadaver. It is important that suitable surface materials be
utilized which can readily be cleaned and sanitized. Non porous
materials are preferred, with stainless steel being an optimum
choice when considering strength, weight, cleaning, fabrication and
durability.
[0007] In addition to considerations of cleanliness and the
movement of conditioned make-up air, during use, various fluids
will be generated over time which must also be directed and finally
disposed. Consequently, such tables must optimally be provided with
a drainage system to handle such direction and disposal.
[0008] What is needed then is a dissection table which: utilizes
optimal amounts of exhaust air; has a durable, cleanable surface;
is relatively mobile; and, has adequate drainage and disposal
provisioning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of applicant's ventilated dissection table
to evacuate an optimum amount of air to remove noxious fumes
thereby reducing several cost components: the size of ducting
required; the rating of the blower or fan; and the resulting amount
of conditioned make-up air and the associated energy cost to
produce it. Applicant has found that by lowering the dissection
table work surface to a position lower than the air chamber intake,
that an improved "capture rate" of the table can be achieved.
Instead of requiring between 2000 cfm to 2500 cfm of conditioned
exhaust air, adequate capture performance can be achieved at around
half, or 1200 cfm. The resulting reduction in exhaust air and
conditioned air make-up constitutes a direct energy savings for the
user.
[0010] Further, by reducing the amount of air movement, the
associated ducting for make-up air and exhaust can be sized
smaller, having a further cost benefit associated therewith.
[0011] Applicant has provided a removable stainless steel work
surface fashioned from 304 stainless steel. Stainless steel has
desirable strength to weight and thickness ratios allowing it to be
fabricated at reasonable cost, and affording the user a surgical
grade surface which can be readily removed for cleaning with little
effort.
[0012] Applicant's invention is comprised primarily of an air
chamber which sits atop a pedestal. The air chamber essentially
contains the support structure for the top, positioned near the
ventilation inlets, the primary drain channels, and the secondary
drain system with access thereto.
[0013] The pedestal serves to provide basic support for the air
chamber which sits atop a "close-off" plate, houses the exhaust
access and plenum, and a frame which can be fitted with casters for
easy movement of the table. In the preferred embodiment, the air
chamber, the pedestal and the work surface are all of the same
material, 304 stainless steel. In the preferred embodiment, the air
chamber and pedestal are typically fashioned from 16 gage stainless
steel. Other equivalent materials may be used, such as galvanized,
corrosion resistant carbon steel, or aluminum having had a suitable
coating applied. In the preferred embodiment, the use of 304
stainless allows for the easy bending, cutting and welding of the
material to fashion the various structural components.
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
relatively portable, or mobile dissection table. By making the
overall size of the table 33 inches wide, and 84 inches long, the
unit is long enough to accommodate a male cadaver, yet is narrow
enough to allow the table to be moved through a standard 36"
doorway. By further employing optional industrial grade casters
with non-marring wheels, a user may re-configure his classroom or
transport the dissection table to where it is needed with
relatively little effort. Applicant has further provided that the
air chamber may be disassembled from the pedestal for ease of
shipping or storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the top surface of
applicant's invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the air chamber of the
preferred embodiment having the work surface removed;
[0018] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the air chamber showing
interior structure.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the air chamber in the area of the
primary drain;
[0020] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the air chamber having the
work surface removed and showing access to the exhaust duct;
and
[0021] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the air chamber with the work
surface removed.
[0022] FIG. 7 is an isometric end view of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of applicant's
invention, dissection table 10. Also readily shown are air chamber
20 sitting atop pedestal 30. Exhaust duct 40 is provided at one end
of pedestal 30, and casters 50 are provided at the bottom of
pedestal 30 to allow ease of mobility. Pedestal 30 is provided with
a close-off plate at its top, which supports air chamber 20. The
basic structure is fabricated from 304 stainless steel or
equivalent. As stated above, in the preferred embodiment, air
chamber 20 and pedestal 30 are fabricated from 16 gage stainless
which has the advantage of being easily formed by bending, has
strength, may be welded, and is still relatively light in
weight.
[0024] FIG. 2 depicts the basic configuration of removable work
surface 70 proximate to air chamber 20. An inlet 80, proximate to
said work surface provides a negative pressure, drawing whatever
noxious fumes are attendant to the specimen being dissected down
into the chamber for exhausting through pedestal 30 (not
shown).
[0025] As can be seen in FIG. 2, work surface 70 is positioned
inside the perimeter of and lower than the top edges of air chamber
20, thereby allowing better capture performance of undesirable
fumes, and operating at a lower cfm evacuation rate than other
tables.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a portion of air chamber 20 having work surface
70 removed. With the removal of the work surface, the underlying
support structure can be viewed. Near the corner of air chamber 20
and along the perimeter thereof are positioned approximately 12
gusset support brackets, 90. Spot welded thereto are up to 4
lateral support beams 110. Atop support beams 110 rest up to 2
longitudinal work surface support channels 120. Also positioned
atop gusset 90 is a primary gutter 130. The positioning of air
inlet 80 can be seen in each of FIGS. 3 and 3A.
[0027] FIG. 3A further depicts the positioning of work surface 70
atop the air chamber support structure, or pedestal, and the
relative location at the bottom of chamber 20 of secondary gutter
140.
[0028] FIG. 4 further discloses the structure of air chamber 20,
showing lateral support beam 110, lateral support beam 120, primary
gutter 130, and its associated drain, 150. Secondary drain 160 is
also seen at the bottom of air chamber 20.
[0029] FIG. 5 again depicts air chamber 20 with work surface 70
removed to expose the underlying support structure. In this view,
the exhaust duct is evidenced by screen 170 and is positioned in
the bottom of the chamber.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows the bottom of air chamber 20 again with work
surface 70 removed to expose the underlying structure. Underneath
screen 170 is a plenum 180 which acts as the transition from the
air chamber to exhaust duct 40.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows the positioning of drain tube 190 from the
primary drain and drain tube 210 from the secondary drain. Each
drain tube can be accessed via an access door 220 provided in
pedestal 30. A receptacle may be kept in this area of pedestal 30
to catch any effluent from the drains for later disposal.
[0032] Not shown are a fan or blower and ducting which are
connected to exhaust duct 40 and which draw the air from air inlet
80 in air chamber 20 through screen 170 into plenum 180 and out
exhaust duct 40.
[0033] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered the most practical and preferred
embodiment(s), it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiment(s) but, on the contrary is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the scope of the appended claims.
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