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.

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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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