Operating room air conditioning system

Abstract

This novel air conditioning system for operating rooms is applied in medical institutions with multiple operating rooms. These operating rooms share a single positive pressure air conditioning unit, and each operating room is equipped with at least one exhaust fan. This fan allows each operating room to distribute the fresh air output from the positive pressure air conditioning unit to each operating room as needed. Combined with the return air duct, the air conditioning operation of multiple operating rooms can be controlled. This significantly reduces the number of positive pressure air conditioning units required and the electricity cost, and also reduces the area occupied by the positive pressure air conditioning unit during the construction of these operating rooms, making the overall air conditioning planning of the operating rooms more convenient.

Description

Operating room air conditioning system Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the design of an air conditioning system, and more particularly to an air conditioning system for an operating room. Prior Technology

[0002] To create a compliant operating room, the following conditions must be met: the temperature, pressure, and number of bacteria and particulate matter within the enclosed space must be below specified limits. Therefore, to ensure the cleanliness of the operating room and effectively control the temperature difference in the surgical environment to maintain a certain level, thus preventing bacterial growth and reducing the risk of infection for patients during surgery, refer to Figure 1, a simplified diagram of a conventional operating room's air conditioning installation. As shown in the diagram, each operating room 1 must be equipped with an external positive pressure air conditioning system. The equipment includes a 2, and an air outlet device 3 connected to the positive pressure air conditioning unit 2. Each operating room 1 has a working space 14 and a setting space 15 enclosed by a ground 11, a perimeter 12 and a top surface 13, and an air inlet duct 16 and a return air duct 17 connected to the working space 15. The ground 11 is used for the installation of the operating table 18, and the operating table 18 is located in the working space 15. At the same time, the working space 15 forms a gas circulation due to the air flow between the air inlet duct 16 and the return air duct 17.

[0003] Continuing from the previous description, the positive pressure air conditioning unit 2 has a main unit 21, and an air inlet 22, an air outlet 23, and an external air inlet 24 disposed on the main unit 21. The main unit 21 contains a blower 211, a filter 212, a heater 213, and a chiller 214 arranged sequentially inside. The air inlet 22 is connected to the return air duct 17, and the air outlet 23 is connected to the air inlet duct 16. The air entering through the air inlet 22 and the external air inlet 24 is filtered by the filter 212 and processed by the heater 213 and the chiller 214, and fresh air at a set temperature is output from the air outlet 23. The fresh air is output through the air inlet duct 22. In addition, the air outlet device 3 has at least one air box 31 disposed between the working space 14 and the setting space 15, and a delivery pipe 32 connecting the air inlet duct 16 and the air box 31.

[0004] Therefore, when each operating room 1 is in operation, the air conditioning for the operating room 1 that needs to be air-conditioned is started individually. That is, after the positive pressure air conditioning equipment 2 is turned on, the positive pressure air conditioning equipment 2 will blow the air collected in the return air duct 17 and the air that enters from the outside in a timely manner through the air supply unit 211. Then, it will be filtered by the filter 212 and processed by the heater 213 or the chiller 214, so that the air is clean and fresh. The fresh air is output through the air inlet 22 and flows through the delivery pipe 32, the air box 31, etc., and then enters the air supply system. In the operating space 14, the air in the operating space 14 is then recycled through the return air duct 17, and so on, to ensure that the air in the operating room 1 meets the regulations. However, conventional air conditioning designs for operating rooms 1 all have an external positive pressure air conditioning unit 2 installed in each operating room 1. In addition to the high purchase cost, high power consumption and high maintenance cost of the external positive pressure air conditioning unit 2, the external positive pressure unit 2 is also large in size and occupies a large amount of space, which increases the difficulty of hospital construction. Therefore, the design and planning of the air conditioning location in the operating room 1 is often affected by the existing space, which increases the construction cost and needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide an air conditioning system for operating rooms that can control the air conditioning operation of multiple operating rooms by operating a single positive pressure air conditioning unit. This significantly reduces the number of positive pressure air conditioning units required and the electricity cost, and also reduces the area occupied by the positive pressure air conditioning unit when the operating room is built, making the overall air conditioning planning of these operating rooms more convenient.

[0006] Therefore, the air conditioning system of this novel operating room, through a single positive pressure air conditioning unit, combined with multiple sets of terminal air outlets and intelligent control operation, can simultaneously or selectively supply air to multiple operating rooms. The air conditioning system includes a positive pressure air conditioning unit, at least one air outlet fan, a transmission duct, an intelligent control valve, and a control device. The positive pressure air conditioning unit has a main unit, and an air outlet and an external air inlet respectively disposed on the main unit. The air outlet is connected to the air inlet duct of the operating room. External air is introduced into the external air inlet, processed by the main unit, and fresh air at a set temperature is output from the air outlet and discharged through the air inlet duct. Furthermore, the air outlet fan is located in the operating room's installation space and is connected to the air inlet duct, allowing the fresh air in the air inlet duct to interact with the operating room's return air duct. The reclaimed air is processed by the exhaust fan and enters the operating space of the operating room. The transmission pipeline is connected to the exhaust end and the air inlet ducts to transmit the gas output from the exhaust end to the corresponding operating space via the exhaust fan. The smart control valve is located on the transmission pipeline and connected to the external positive pressure air conditioning equipment. By switching the smart control valve, the gas output from the exhaust end is connected to the corresponding air inlet duct. Finally, the control device is connected to the external positive pressure air conditioning equipment, the exhaust fans, and the smart control valve. It can receive control commands from the outside and the operating rooms, so that the control device can control the air volume, air supply path, temperature, and humidity according to the usage status of each operating room, automatic scheduling, or real-time needs.

[0007] Therefore, by connecting the single outdoor air conditioning unit in series with the exhaust fans of the operating rooms to supply gas, the operating rooms can share a single positive pressure outdoor air conditioning unit. The control device can control the gas transmission of the single positive pressure outdoor air conditioning unit to multiple operating rooms and the individual drive of the exhaust air filtration devices. This not only achieves centralized management, automatic adjustment, reduced energy consumption and improved maintenance efficiency, but also effectively reduces the construction cost of the automatic air conditioning control device. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the installation of air conditioning in a conventional operating room. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of this preferred embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2. Implementation

[0009] The foregoing description and other technical contents, features and effects of this invention will become clear in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Referring to Figure 2, the air conditioning system of this novel operating room is used in medical institutions with multiple operating rooms. Each operating room 5 has a working space 54 and a setting space 55 enclosed by a floor 51, a perimeter 52 and a top surface 53, and an air inlet duct 56 and a return air duct 57 respectively connected to the working space 54. The floor 51 is provided for a surgical table 58, and the surgical table 58 is located in the working space 54. At the same time, the working space 54 forms an air circulation due to the air flow between the air inlet duct 56 and the return air duct 57.

[0011] The air conditioning system 4 includes an external positive pressure air conditioning unit 41, at least one air outlet fan 42, a transmission duct 43, a smart control valve 44, a control device 45, and at least one detection element 46; wherein, the external positive pressure air conditioning unit 41 has a main unit 411, and an air outlet 412 and an external air inlet 413 respectively disposed on the main unit 411; wherein, the main unit 411 is provided with a blower 411a, a filter 411b, a heater 411c, and a chiller 411d in sequence, and the air outlet 412 and the external air inlet 413 are respectively disposed on the main unit 411. The air duct 56 is connected, and the blower 411a generates an air extraction action so that the air entering through the external air inlet 413 passes through the filter 411b to filter dust and bacteria in the air, then passes through the heater 411c to remove bacteria that cannot be filtered by high temperature sterilization, and finally the chiller 411d cools the air after high temperature treatment. Finally, the air outlet 412 outputs fresh air at a preset temperature and is delivered to the air inlet duct 56 through the transmission pipe 43.

[0012] The exhaust fan 42 is installed in the installation space 55 of each operating room 5. The exhaust fan 42 has an air supply unit 421 connected to the air inlet duct 56, a dry coil 422 located between the air supply unit 421 and the air inlet duct 56, and an air box 423 located between the operating space 54 and the installation space 55 and connected to the air supply unit 421. The fresh air in the air inlet duct 56 and the recycled air in the return air duct 57 enter the operating space 54 through the air supply unit 421 and the air box 423. At the same time, the dry coil 422 can regulate the temperature of the air to be input into the air box 423 to ensure that the temperature of the input air is within the preset value. The aforementioned air supply unit 421... The setup can be configured in one group (as shown in Figure 3) or two groups, depending on the size and requirements of the operating room 5. In this embodiment, since the air in the working space 54 will be recycled through the return air duct 57, and the recycled air may contain germs, a filter screen 421a is provided on the air supply host 421 to filter the air that is about to enter the air box 423. This ensures that the air circulating back into the working space 54 is clean and unpolluted. In addition, the transmission pipe 43 is connected to the air outlet 412 and the air inlet pipes 56 respectively, that is, the fresh air output from the air outlet 412 is diverted and transmitted to the corresponding working space 54 through each of the air outlet fans 42.

[0013] Continuing from the above, the intelligent control valve 44 is installed on the transmission pipeline 43. The intelligent control valve 44 can switch the transmission path of the fresh air output by the positive pressure air conditioning equipment 41 according to the control command, so that the fresh air is guided to the corresponding air intake duct 56 for the air outlet fan 42 to receive. As for the detection device 46, it is installed in the operating room 5 and located in the work space 54. The detection device 46 is connected to the control device 45 and detects the ambient temperature and humidity in the work space 54, and outputs the detected information.

[0014] Furthermore, the control device 45 is connected to the positive pressure air conditioning unit 41, the air outlet fans 42, the smart control valve 44, and the detection device 46. The control device 45 can receive external control commands, control commands issued by the operating room 5, and detection information output by the detection device 46. Based on the form of the received control commands, it can drive and control the positive pressure air conditioning unit 41, the air outlet fans 42, and the smart control valve 44 in a unified or individual manner. It analyzes, judges, and processes the received detection information, and appropriately controls the positive pressure air conditioning unit based on the processing results. The system is driven by the air conditioner 41, the air outlet fan 42, or the smart control valve 44. At the same time, the control device 45 stores the preset values ​​of the optimal ambient temperature and humidity in the working space 54 of each operating room 5. Once a difference is analyzed and determined, a control message of the processing result will be output so that the air conditioner 41 or the air outlet fan 42 that receives the control message will also make adjustments and corrections. Of course, the control device 45 will also receive feedback from the air conditioner 41, the air outlet fan 42, and the smart control valve 44 so that the control device 45 can grasp the individual operating status of each device.

[0015] Referring to Figures 2 and 4, during installation, the positive pressure air conditioning unit 41 is first installed in a suitable location adjacent to the operating rooms 5. Then, the number of exhaust fans 42 is selected according to the size of each operating room 5. After the transmission pipeline 43 is installed, the air inlet pipe 56 of the operating rooms 5 is connected in series with the positive pressure air conditioning unit 41, and then it can be used.

[0016] First, when an individual operating room 5 is activated, the control device 45 receives a control command and will first control the positive pressure air conditioning equipment 41 to start, and simultaneously control the exhaust fan 42 and the smart control valve 44 of the operating room 5 to be activated. At this time, the air supply unit 411a located in the main unit 411 will generate an air extraction effect to introduce external air into the main unit 411 through the external air inlet 413. The external air first passes through the filter 411b to remove dust and some bacteria, and then passes through the heater 411c for sterilization and the chiller 411d for cooling. The external air is then treated to form clean and fresh air, and is output from the air outlet 412 to the transmission pipeline 43 for transmission.

[0017] Continuing from the above, at this time, under the pre-controlled linkage of the control device 45, the intelligent control valve 44 selectively switches to open the transmission pipeline 43 to connect with the air intake duct 56 of one of the operating rooms 5, so that the fresh air output from the air outlet 412 can be delivered to the corresponding operating room 5 according to the switching mode of the intelligent control valve 44. At this time, the air supply host 421 operates synchronously and generates an air extraction effect to introduce the fresh air entering the air intake duct 56. The dry coil 422 first adjusts the temperature of the incoming fresh air, then the filter screen 421a filters the fresh air, and finally the air enters the working space 54 through the air box 423. In this way, it can be ensured that the air that subsequently enters the working space 54 is not only clean and fresh, but also that the temperature is maintained within the preset range to meet regulatory requirements.

[0018] Simultaneously, the air in the operating space 54 is drawn in by the air supply unit 421, recycled through the return air duct 57, mixed with newly introduced fresh air, and then processed by the dry coil 422 and the filter 421a before being sent back into the operating space 54. This cycle repeats continuously, maintaining a clean air environment in the operating space 54 that meets surgical operating standards. Furthermore, the sensor 46 installed in the operating space 54 can continuously monitor the ambient temperature and humidity, transmitting the detected information to the control device 45 for analysis, judgment, and processing of the received monitoring information against preset values, and outputting the processing results. The positive pressure air conditioning unit 41 and the dry coil 422 are appropriately controlled to adjust the temperature or humidity of the air entering the work space 54, so as to ensure that the environment in the work space 54 meets the requirements. Of course, the operating rooms 5 can also be started simultaneously. The control device 45 controls the smart control valve 44 appropriately according to the control signal, the usage status of each operating room 5 and the order of operation. Under the switching control of the smart control valve 44, the transmission pipeline 43 guides the fresh air output from the air outlet 412 to the corresponding air inlet duct 56, and then sends it into each work space 54 for use through the exhaust fan 42.

[0019] Therefore, the air conditioning system 4 of this new type of operating room is based on the sharing of one positive pressure air conditioning unit 41 by the operating rooms 5. It can activate the designated operating room 5 according to the surgical schedule, and the unused operating rooms 5 will remain in standby mode to reduce energy waste. The environmental parameters of each operating room 5 can be managed in a central monitoring mode through the control device 45, which improves the management efficiency of medical institutions. This not only greatly reduces the number of positive pressure air conditioning units 41 installed and the electricity consumption, but also reduces the area occupied by the positive pressure air conditioning units 41 when the operating rooms 5 are built, and makes the overall air conditioning planning of the operating room 5 more convenient. At the same time, the detection devices 46 report the temperature status of the set-up work space 54, which can achieve centralized management, automatic adjustment, reduced energy consumption and improved maintenance efficiency.

[0020] In summary, the air conditioning system of this novel operating room can control the air conditioning operation of multiple operating rooms by operating a single positive pressure air conditioning unit. By utilizing the transmission pipeline between the air inlet ducts and the positive pressure air conditioning unit, and the appropriate switching of the intelligent control valve on the transmission pipeline, the fresh air output by the positive pressure air conditioning unit can be guided to the corresponding air inlet duct, and then enter the operating space through the exhaust fan. At the same time, the detection devices report the ambient temperature and humidity of the operating space, thus achieving centralized management, automatic adjustment, reduced energy consumption, and improved maintenance efficiency.

[0021] However, the above description is only for illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the present invention's patent application and the contents of the specification should still fall within the scope of the present invention's patent.

[0022] (customary knowledge) 1: Operating Room 11: Ground 12: Circumference 13: Top surface 14: Workspace 15: Setting Space 16: Air intake duct 17: Return air duct 18: Operating table 2: Positive pressure air conditioning equipment 21: Host 22: Intake end 23: Air outlet end 24: External air inlet 211: Air blower 212: Filter 213: Heater 214: Chiller 3: Air outlet device 31: Bellows (this new type) 4: Air conditioning system 41: Positive pressure air conditioning equipment 42: Exhaust fan 43: Conveyor Pipeline 44: Intelligent Control Valve 45: Control device 46: Detection device 411: Host 411a: Air supply unit 411b: Filter 411c: Heater 411d: Chiller 412: Air outlet end 413: External air inlet 421: Air supply unit 421a: Filter screen 422: Dry coil 423: Bellows 5: Operating Room 51: Ground 52: Circumference 53: Top surface 54: Workspace 55: Setting Space 56: Air intake duct 57: Return air duct 58: Operating Table

Claims

1. An air conditioning system for an operating room, used in a medical institution with multiple operating rooms, each operating room having a working space and a storage space enclosed by the floor, surrounding walls, and ceiling, and air intake ducts and return air ducts respectively connected to the working space; wherein, The floor provides space for an operating table, which is located within the work area. The work area forms an air circulation system due to the airflow between the air inlet and return ducts. The air conditioning system includes: an external positive pressure air conditioning unit with a main unit, and an air outlet and an external air inlet respectively disposed on the main unit; wherein, the main unit contains, in sequence, an air supply unit, a filter, a heater, and a chiller, and the air outlet is connected to the air inlet duct so that air entering through the external air inlet is filtered by the filter and processed by the heater and the chiller, and fresh air at a set temperature is output from the air outlet, which is then output through the air inlet duct. At least one exhaust fan is provided in the installation space of each operating room. The exhaust fan has an air supply unit connected to the air inlet duct, a dry coil between the air supply unit and the air inlet duct, and an air box between the working space and the installation space and connected to the air supply unit. The fresh air in the aforementioned air inlet duct and the recycled air in the return air duct enter the working space through the air supply unit and the air box. A transmission duct is connected to the air outlet and the air inlet ducts respectively, that is, to transmit the gas output from the air outlet to the corresponding working space through the exhaust fan. A smart control valve is installed on the transmission pipeline and connected to the external positive pressure air conditioning equipment, so as to connect the gas output from the outlet to the corresponding air inlet pipeline by switching the smart control valve; and a control device is connected to the external positive pressure air conditioning equipment, the air outlets and the smart control valve respectively, and the control device can receive control commands from the outside and the operating rooms, so as to control the air transmission operation of each operating room according to the received control commands.

2. The air conditioning system for the operating room as described in claim 1, wherein, A filter screen is installed on the air supply unit.

3. The air conditioning system for the operating room as described in claim 1, wherein, The surgical air conditioning system also includes at least one detector connected to the control device and located in the operating room and in the work space to detect the temperature and humidity of the environment in the work space and output the detected information.

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