U.S. patent number 3,782,265 [Application Number 05/140,549] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-01 for assembly for separating a dust-free part from a space, and method for disinfecting the same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pielkenrood-Vinitex B.V.. Invention is credited to Jacob Pielkenrood, Piet Van Galen, Johannes G. Th. Van Nes.
United States Patent |
3,782,265 |
Pielkenrood , et
al. |
January 1, 1974 |
ASSEMBLY FOR SEPARATING A DUST-FREE PART FROM A SPACE, AND METHOD
FOR DISINFECTING THE SAME
Abstract
An assembly of tent-like units for isolating patients, each unit
comprising four columns supporting an air supply chamber and
pliable side walls, the air supply chamber being designed for
producing a uniform downward air flow in the unit in question for
keeping out dust at the lower side of the pliable side walls. Such
units may be coupled with one another at corresponding side walls
or with auxiliary devices for transferring objects to and from such
units. The inner space of such an assembly may be disinfected unit
by unit by closing the connection between the unit to be
disinfected and an adjacent unit so that a patient should not be
removed from the assembly during disinfection.
Inventors: |
Pielkenrood; Jacob (Krommenie,
NL), Van Galen; Piet (Krommenie, NL), Van
Nes; Johannes G. Th. (Heerhugowaard, NL) |
Assignee: |
Pielkenrood-Vinitex B.V.
(Assendelft, NL)
|
Family
ID: |
19810031 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/140,549 |
Filed: |
May 5, 1971 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/187; 96/226;
62/261; 600/21; 55/473; 454/237 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
13/108 (20130101); A61G 10/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61G
13/00 (20060101); A61G 10/02 (20060101); A61G
10/00 (20060101); F24f 013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;98/33,39 ;62/261 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wye; William J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Michael; Bayard H.
Claims
I claim:
1. An assembly for making a dust-free space and isolating it from
its surroundings for nursing a bed patient, comprising
a frame set upon the floor and including corner posts
interconnected at their upper ends by a top closure including an
air supply chamber having a perforated bottom wall,
imperforate side walls suspended from the frame so the bottoms of
the walls are spaced from the floor to provide a peripheral gap for
the escape of air,
means minimizing air flow between the walls and the frame and
between the walls and the top closure,
blower means drawing air from outside the enclosed space and
delivering the air to said air supply chamber,
air filter means operative to filter the air before it leaves said
air supply chamber through the perforated bottom wall,
said space having a positive air pressure with a downward air flow
leaving the enclosed space through the gap between the walls and
the floor,
at least one of the side walls being flexible and slidably
suspended from the frame,
at least one of the side walls being provided with air lock means
permitting objects to be moved into and removed from the space
without introducing dust bearing outside air into the space.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 including a raised platform
inside the dust-free space and sized slightly smaller than the
enclosed floor area to define a peripheral space between the
platform and the side walls and leading to the gap between the side
walls and the floor.
3. An assembly according to claim 1 interconnected to an adjacent
like assembly whereby both assemblies have a common wall which may
be opened for movement between the units or closed for isolating
the units from each other whereby one may be disinfected while the
other is occupied and vice versa.
4. An assembly according to claim 2 in which the raised platform
contains an exhaust blower and filters for deactivating
disinfectant introduced into the unit.
5. An assembly according to claim 1 including an enclosed workbench
outside the unit and separately supplied with pressurized filtered
air,
means for placing materials into the bench from outside the bench
and means providing access to the inside of the bench from inside
the assembly providing the dust-free space.
6. An assembly according to claim 1 in which said flexible side
wall is suspended for sliding movement along the side of the bed
and is provided with glove means permitting a worker on the
exterior of the enclosed space to manipulate objects within the
space along the length of the bed.
7. An assembly according to claim 4 including spaced suction inlets
to the raised platform and stop means preventing the side walls
from being drawn against the inlets.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 70,454 an assembly for separating
a substantially dust-free part from a space is described, which
assembly comprises a frame delimiting, together with a floor, the
part to be separated, which part is, furthermore, delimited by
walls supported by this frame, at least a part of which consists of
transparent plastic sheet or plate material, the rear wall being
formed by the exit surface of the air filters, through which, air
may be blown into the separated part of the space, and the front
wall is open or may for the greater part be closed by a lid.
Preferably a pliable plastic hose is suspended in the frame and is
connected to the filters, which hose forms the lateral and upper
walls, and is partly lying on the floor.
Such an assembly is, in the first place, intended for nursing
patients in a dust-free space. The substantially horizontal air
flow directed towards the partly open front wall keeps dust out of
the separated part, and it is possible that nursing personnel enter
this part against the air flow. The patient remains visible through
the transparent walls. Moreover it is possible to speak with the
patient through these walls, and the persons outside the separated
part do not need to be dust-free at all. Finally various
instruments such as X-ray apparatus may be brought into the
immediate vicinity of the patient without being freed of dust, and
the walls may be provided with transfer locks, transfer openings,
openings closed by gloves and the like.
Such an assembly is extremely favorable for nursing and treating
bedridden patients without requiring a complete isolation, and the
greater part of the nursing personnel and of the apparatus for
examination and treatment is not to be submitted to dust removing
treatments. Finally a substantially normal contact with visitors is
possible.
In some cases, e.g., patients with specific allergic skin
affections or skin injuries, very contagious diseases and the like,
no direct contact at all with the patient is allowed, even not with
personnel which has been submitted to a rigorous dust removing
treatment. Such patients are not always being confined to bed, and
their treatment may, on the other hand, last very long.
In the dust-free part for nursing such a patient all sanitary
provisions should, therefore, be present. Furthermore it should be
possible to approach treatment or examination instruments as
closely as possible from all sides towards the patient without
entering the separated space. It should also be possible to move
the patient in a dust-free manner into and from this space if this
is required for special treatments. It is also desirable to be able
to extend the separated space, especially to provide more moving
space for patients not confined to bed, or for accommodating
permanently required instruments or auxiliary devices. Finally it
should be possible to disinfect such a space during the presence of
the patient without inconvenience for him.
The prior assembly is less suitable for these purposes since the
filter box makes the space inaccessible at one side, and the
separated space may not arbitrarily be extended. Moreover such an
assembly is designed for being accessible, which is, however, in
the cases mentioned above not allowed at all, so that the
provisions made to that end are useless then. Moreover such an
assembly cannot be made suitable for being moved to other rooms
and, when coupled with other dust-free spaces or transport means,
disturbances in the flow distribution will occur which might
endanger the dust-free condition. Finally the disinfection of such
a space during the presence of the patient is rather difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an assembly which is adapted to the special
requirements mentioned above. To that end the assembly according to
the invention is characterized in that the upper wall of the
separated part is formed by the perforated exit wall of dust
filters or an air supply box, and in that the side walls supported
by the frame which join the dust filters or this box and the
upright columns of the frame in a substantially dust-proof manner
terminate over the full circumference at a small distance from the
floor, this in such a manner that the substantially vertical air
flow in the separated part may escape along the bottom and form
there a flow keeping out dust.
In this manner a separated space is obtained in which the patient
is visible from all sides and may be approached from all sides by
examination instruments when the side walls are pliable or are
provided with suitable transfer means, which is especially
important in the case of bedridden patients. Moreover the patient
may freely move in the substantially vertical air flow without
causing turbulences in this flow which might cause dust entering
the separated space.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be elucidated below by reference to the
drawings, shown in:
FIG. 1 is a cross-section of two assemblies according to the
invention and a transfer box interconnecting these assemblies along
the line I--I of FIG. 3;
FIG. 2 is a cross-section along the line II--II of FIG. 3;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section along the line III--III of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cross-section on a larger scale of the
upper end of a pliable side wall of such an assembly;
FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic cross-section and top views,
respectively of a special embodiment of a raised floor of such an
assembly;
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic cross-section of a special transportable
disinfection unit; and
FIGS. 8A and B are simplified cross-sections of a transportable
filter and disinfection unit in two different conditions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The double assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3 comprises four units 1 which
are mutually equal. Each unit comprises a frame with four columns 2
carrying at the top of a filter box 3 to which a blower chamber 4
is connected. This filter box contains a number of dust filters, by
means of which the air which is passed through can be efficiently
freed from harmful dust. The blower chamber preferably comprises
two or more electric blowers adapted to suck in air from the
ambient atmosphere and to blow it through the filters, this air
being blown vertically downwards into the unit in question.
The various blowers are preferably connected to different network
groups and, if necessary, to an emergency power supply in order to
ensure the supply of air in the event of a breakdown. Moreover
these blowers are equipped with such control means, that in spite
of an increasing contamination of the filters, a constant flow rate
may be maintained, and on attainment of a critical contamination an
alarm will be given.
Between the columns 2 there are provided side walls which, for a
considerable part, consist of a pliable transparent plastic
material, although, in certain cases, some walls will be formed
from a rigid plastic material. These walls do not extend down to
the floor so that an air gap 6 remains between the lower edge of
such a wall 5 and the floor, through which the air blown by the
blowers into the space between the walls 5 can flow outwards. The
air flow in these gaps has such a velocity as to efficiently
prevent dust from entering.
The side walls 5 are provided at suitable points with openings 7
closed with gloves so that a patient may be assisted from the
outside or other manipulations may be carried out from the outside.
Since the persons who stick their hands into such openings are
close to the side wall in question, it cannot be prevented that the
front portion of their shoes are stuck under the side wall, which
may lead to the introduction of dust. Therefore, it is preferred to
provide a raised floor 8 in each unit 1 which comprises vertical
side walls so that a small passage is formed where the air flowing
outwards attains a higher velocity, so that any possibly introduced
dust is blown away in a downward direction. It may, furthermore, be
of advantage to provide this raised floor at the lower side round
about with a recess 10 in which the front portions of the shoes
fit, so that nursing personnel may come closer to the wall. As far
as the side walls consist of pliable material, it is preferred to
construct these walls as pleated sliding curtains adapted to be
fastened to the adjacent columns 2 in a substantially dust-free
manner, for example with push buttons, a clamping edge or the like.
The advantage thereof is that the openings 7 with gloves are still
laterally slidable when the wall is in the closed condition, so
that the accessible area is increased and manipulations are
rendered easier. In order to prevent these side walls from bulging
as a result of the air flow, in particular close to the gaps 6, at
the outer sides rods limiting the outward movement may be
arranged.
FIG. 4 shows the manner in which such a wall may be suspended. In a
channel 11 secured at the bottom side of a filter box 3 there is
provided a hollow guide 12 of the usual shape in which running
wheels 13 are movable, from which the pliable wall 5 with pleats 5'
may be suspended. In order to avoid a too high leakage of the air
at the top at least at the inner side a resilient flap 14 is
fastened to the channel 11 and/or the guide 13, this flap smoothing
itself against the wall in consequence of the interior pressure,
thus increasing the leakage path and leakage resistance so that air
leakage is considerably reduced. A certain amount of leakage is not
harmful since the interior pressure prevents the air from flowing
from the outside inwards.
If, as shown, two units 1 are combined to a unitary space, it is
advisable to provide between both units a foldable wall 5 adapted
to be closed from the outside in order, as will be described below,
to be able to separate both units for disinfection purposes. It
will be obvious that, if desired, also walls adapted to the rolled
up may be used.
For the introduction of food, nursing requisites and the like, air
locks may be provided in the walls. However it is preferred to use
a dust-free working bench with a horizontal air flow, the main
features of which have been described in U.S. Pat. Application Ser.
No. 95,035 and Dutch Pat. Application 70/03 208. Such a working
bench is designated by reference numeral 15. This bench comprises a
separated working space 16 which is accessible from the front side,
and, at the rear side, a blower-filter unit 17 is mounted which, as
shown, is adapted to maintain a substantially horizontal dust-free
air flow in this working space directed towards the front opening.
Everything which is introduced in the closed space of this working
bench must be moved against this air flow. In the side walls of
this working space openings 18 are provided which, by means of a
tube 19, are passed through the adjacent side wall of a unit 1. If
this wall is pliable, an opening may be provided therein which may
be clamped around the tube 19. The opening 18 is preferably
provided with self-closing closure means, for example a closure
flap or the like disposed at the inside of the unit 1. If the
pressure in the unit it higher than the pressure in the working
bench, this flap is kept sufficiently closed. In the working space
of this bench an object or the like to be transferred to the
assembly will be stripped of its anti-dust cover, and is
subsequently passed on. It is also possible to arrange in such a
working bench dust-free working cupboards for certain nursing
requisites. As shown it is possible to serve two identical
separation units with one working bench 15.
Such a separated space can be composed of any number of units 1,
and the columns 2 may be provided with rapidly fixable and
detachable connecting means with which also a working bench 15 may
be fastened to a column, as for example threaded pins to be
inserted into holes of another column. One of the units may, for
example, be provided with a bed 20, whereas the other one may serve
as a day room and may be provided with sanitary requisites. The
latter ones may thereby be equipped with bays for receiving the
waste these bays being adapted to be removed from the outside in a
sterile way. Since one starts from detached units, the size of the
separated space can be adapted to the prevailing conditions. For a
bedridden patient two units will suffice. For ambulant patients and
in particular for children a larger or playing space may be
provided if necessary.
It is, furthermore, possible to make such a unit suitable to be
wheeled about in order to be able to place it at any desired point,
or to use it for dust-free transport of patients. Such a unit on
wheels may then be connected to a stationary unit, whereupon the
adjoining walls will be opened to transfer the patient to the
stationary unit. Since in all the units the air flow moves in the
same way and with the same intensity vertically downwards, this
coupling of an additional unit does not disturb the air flows.
It may, sometimes, be necessary to disinfect such a separated space
while a patient is still inside. In that case the patient is
transferred to one of the units, and the intermediate wall to the
adjoining unit to be disinfected is closed. A gaseous or vapor-like
disinfectant (for example perchloro-acetic acid) is then introduced
in the blower chamber 4 so that it is blown into the unit in
question. The disinfectant is then blown again into the ambient
atmosphere and might then be sucked into the blowers 4 of the
adjoining unit. In order to prevent this, carbon filters are
disposed in front of the blowers. After completion of the
disinfection the patient can be transferred to the disinfected
unit, and the other unit may be disinfected in a similar way.
With such a disinfecting method the disinfectant enters the
adjoining room which may be inconvenient to the personnel present
in this room. It is, therefore, preferred to carry out the
disinfection in another way. For that purpose sprinkler lines 21
are arranged near the filter boxes 3 (FIG. 1), and the raised floor
8 is made hollow as is shown in FIG. 5. The cavity 22 of the floor
is then put into communication with a suction blower (not shown)
which communicates in some suitable manner with the atmosphere.
When disinfection is carried out this blower is started and the
disinfectant is sprayed through the lines 21 into the respective
unit, so that it may be sucked away at the bottom. In order to
prevent that, on account of the suction force of this blower, the
pliable wall 5 is sealingly sucked against the raised floor 8, the
latter is provided at the edges with straps 23 adapted to the
pleated shape of the wall 5, as shown in FIG. 6. Thus there remains
a sufficient passage 24 free for the suction of air. If the suction
blower cannot be put into communication with the atmosphere,
additional filters 25 (FIG. 5) may be provided.
An important advantage of the assembly according to the invention
is that all walls are equivalent, which considerably simplifies its
erection in a space, and also the treatment and the nursing of the
patient which should be done from the outside. Such units may,
furthermore, be constructed in such dimensions that in cases of
emergency they can be erected at once in any space, for instance
around a bed of the like. In addition these units may be combined
in any manner. It is for example also possible to couple two units
containing a bed by means of an intermediate unit serving as an
interchange unit for both patients.
It is, furthermore, advisable to provide the rods arranged at the
outside of the pliable walls for limiting the outward deflection of
said walls at such a height that persons having stuck their arms
into the gloves may lean against said rods. Moreover, these rods
prevent falling objects or the like from pushing the walls
considerably inwards from the outside.
For facilitating the disinfection of an assembly according to the
previous figures the auxiliary unit of FIG. 7 may be used, which
comprises a frame 26 on castor wheels 27, supporting a blower 28,
the inlet 29 of which is to be connected to the cavity 22 of the
raised floor 25. The outlet 30 of this blower opens into a space
30, the side wall of which is provided with an opening which is
normally closed by a lid 31. The upper side of this space 30
communicates with an absorbent box 32. In this box two perforated
metal plates 33 are supported horizontally. Between these plates a
bed of a suitable absorbent for the disinfectant, e.g. soda lime if
the disinfectant is an acid, is arranged between two layers 35 of
glass fibers. The air sucked in through the inlet 29 is blown
through the bed 34, and the disinfectant is absorbed in this
bed.
As soon as the absorbing capacity is reduced to a critical level,
the lid 31 is opened and a tray 36 is slid into the space 30, which
tray is connected to a bag 37 of plastic foil. After removing the
upper plate 33 and layer 35, the lower layer 35 is pulled away, so
that the absorbent may fall down through the perforations of the
lower plate 33 in the tray 36 and the bag 37. The latter may then
be closed and destroyed.
FIG. 8 shows a filter unit designed for a simplified assembly,
which unit comprises a box 38 on castor wheels 39 and containing a
blower 40, the outlet 41 of which is to be connected to one or more
air supply boxes 3 of an assembly according to the preceding FIGS.
The inlet 42 communicates with a space 43 which, in the case of
FIG. 8A, contains a filter 44, which space is provided with a
suction duct 45 then communicating with the ambient air. In the
case of FIG. 8B the space 44 of the same or a similar unit is
provided with an absorbent bed 35 of the same kind as in FIG. 7,
and then the duct 45 is connected to the cavity 22 of the isolation
unit then being disinfected.
The assembly described in the preceding description may be varied
in many ways. For instance the blowers 4 may be arranged in another
room for reducing the noise level. In some cases it may be
favorable to connect the cavity 22 with the inlet side of the
blowers 4. Furthermore the beds 20 may be mounted on the columns 2
so that the floor may be more easily cleaned. Lamps may be arranged
outside the units. Instead of gloves,bags may be fixed in one or
more openings 7 for introducing X-ray apparatus or the like.
* * * * *