Patient isolation structure

Abstract

A patient isolation structure includes a base sheet through a plurality of removable support ribs above a patient support over a patient. The patient cover is supported in position by the ribs that extend downwardly on both sides of the normal patient position on the patient support. The ribs maintain the cover away from a patient position on the patient support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a patient isolation structure for a patient transportation system. Background Art

[0002] Patients infected with viruses or bacteria may need to be transported to a hospital for treatment. This poses a risk to the various personnel involved in transporting the patient and contaminates their working environment. For example, transporting the patient to the hospital requires the use of an airplane, helicopter and / or ambulance. Typically, the patient is transported secured on an open stretcher. This firstly poses a risk to the crew / medical staff and secondly requires thorough disinfection of all environments after each trip. Current patient isolation products are not suitable due to their physical size and the inability to fit in an ambulance, especially a helicopter and airplane. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the present invention, a patient isolation structure comprises: a base member, a removable support rib extending over the base sheet and above the patient, ribs extending downwardly on both sides of the patient position on the base member support, a patient cover supported in place by these ribs, and these ribs hold the cover away from the patient position on the patient support, and these ribs are held in place relative to the patient support.

[0004] Embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and / or in the accompanying description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first patient isolation structure according to the present invention, wherein the patient safety belt is not in place;

[0006] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D The coupling piece of the open side of the patient isolation structure is shown;

[0007] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D The hinges on the side of the patient isolation structure where the top piece is attached to the side panel are shown;

[0008] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of a patient isolation structure with the patient safety belt not in place;

[0009] Figure 5 The arrangement below the base sheet is shown, wherein the coupling means to a stretcher or the like are shown;

[0010] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B for Figure 1 two parts of a sealing device for holding a patient safety belt in place in a base piece of a patient isolation structure;

[0011] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 Detail of the rib connection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The first embodiment of the present invention is as follows Figure 1 shown.

[0013] exist Figure 1 In the invention, a patient isolation structure 1 has a patient cover 10, which includes opposite rectangular side panels 11 and 12, a top sheet 14, an end 16 and a base member in the form of a base sheet 18. Opposite pairs of elastic side ribs 20 and 21 extend upwardly on the outside of the patient isolation structure, with the rib 20 in each pair of ribs being on the outside of the side panel 11 and the other rib 21 being on the outside of the side panel 12. Top ribs 24 extend across the top sheet 14, extending between the top ends of each pair of ribs 20 and 21. When assembled, each side rib 20 and 21 is inclined inwardly between its respective bottom and top, and the top ribs 24 are each bent around the top sheet 14, so that the patient cover 10 forms an inverted U-shaped structure away from anyone inside. The bottoms of the ribs 20 and 21 are welded to the lower portions of the side panels 11 and 12, respectively.

[0014] The side ribs 20 and 21 are mounted in outer sleeves 26 on the side panels 11 and 12 of the patient isolation structure. The top rib 24 is mounted in a sleeve 28 on the top outside of the patient isolation structure.

[0015] The patient cover 10 has two parts 30 and 31 .

[0016] The first part 30 of the patient cover 10 includes: the side panel 11 and two generally triangular end panels 32 (forming part of the end 16), the bottom edge 33 of each end panel 32 being welded to the base sheet 18. The second edge 34 of the end panel 32 is inclined at an angle of 48° to the bottom edge 33, while the third edge 35 is at an angle of 76.12° to the bottom edge 33 and is welded to the side panel 11 so that the side panel 11 is inclined inwardly from bottom to top. Therefore, the side panel 11 and the two triangular end panels 32 constitute the first part 30 of the patient cover 10.

[0017] The second part 31 of the patient cover 10 comprises the side panels 12, two end panels 36 (which together with the panel 32 form the end 16 of the patient cover 10) and the top sheet 14. Each of these end panels 36 has a straight edge 37, a side edge 38 and a curved top edge 39, wherein the straight edge 37 is adjacent to the second edge 34 of the panel 32 and is at an angle of 48° to the patient base sheet 18, and the side edge 38 is at an angle of 76.12° to the patient base sheet (i.e., at an angle of 28.12° to the edge 37). The side edges 38 are welded to the side panels 12 so that the side panels 12 are tilted inwardly from bottom to top. However, the curved top edge 39 is welded to the top sheet 14 so that the top sheet can be freely folded back above the side panels 12.

[0018] A single zipper 40 is mounted on the angled edges 34 and 37 of the end panels 32 and 36, the edge of the top sheet 14 adjacent the side panel 11, and the long top edge of the side panel 11, and seals when closed.

[0019] Beside the top edges of the side panels 11 and 12, a removable rod 42 is mounted in a sleeve 44 welded to the outside of the side panels.

[0020] Each top rib 14 is coupled to the side ribs 20 by a coupling 46 , and is pivotally connected to the side ribs 21 by a hinge 48 .

[0021] 2 and 3 show further details of the coupling 46 and hinge 48, respectively.

[0022] exist FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D In the embodiment, the coupling 46 includes a pivotable member 461, a fixed member 462 having a cutout 466, and a hook member 463 mounted at the lower portion of the fixed member 462. The shaft 464 is mounted across the cutout 466. The pivotable member 461 has a transverse U-shaped groove 465, which engages around a portion of the periphery of the shaft 464 when the coupling is engaged. When the coupling 46 is assembled, parallel guides 469 on both sides of the fixed member 462 respectively assist in positioning the pivotable members. When the coupling is assembled, the tongue 468 of the pivotable member 461 is located in the cutout 466. The hook member is mounted on the fixed member and has an upright hook 470.

[0023] Rivet 472 attaches the pivotable member 461 to the end of each top rib 24 on the side of the zipper 40 of the patient isolation structure. Rivet 473 attaches the hook member 463 to the outside of the fixing member 462 and attaches both to the top of the side rib 20. The hook member 463 and the fixing member 462 are located below the rod 42 on the zipper side of the patient isolation structure, where the hook 470 bears against the rod. The outward pressure caused by the curved shape of the top rib 24 ensures that the hook 470 remains in place. The U-shaped groove 465 is located between the shaft 464 and the patient cover 10, so that the outward pressure from the top rib 24 to which the pivotable member 461 is attached urges the U-shaped groove into place around the shaft 464.

[0024] The periphery of the tongue 468 of the pivotable member 461 corresponds to the inner periphery of the cutout 466, which has a truncated corner 475. However, at the truncated corner of the tongue 468, a square corner tab 474 engages behind the truncated corner 475, thereby preventing the pivotable member 461 from over-rotating.

[0025] When the zipper 40 is opened, the end of the top rib 24 is pushed slightly inward to release the shaft 464 from the groove 465.

[0026] exist FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D In the embodiment, hinge 48 comprises a pivotable member 481, a fixed member 482 having a cutout 486, and a hook member 483 mounted below the fixed member 482. A shaft 484 is mounted across the cutout 486. The pivotable member has a transverse C-shaped groove 485 which is placed around the shaft 484 when the coupling is engaged, the groove covering more than 180° of the shaft surface. Parallel guides 489 are provided on both sides of the fixed member 482. When the coupling is assembled, the tongue 468 of the pivotable member is located in the cutout 486. The hook member is mounted above the fixed member and has an upright hook 490. The C-shaped groove 485 is a press fit around the shaft 484, so that when the groove 485 is engaged with the shaft 484, a hinge 491 is formed in which the pivotable member 481 can rotate around the shaft 484 but cannot be disengaged under normal circumstances.

[0027] Rivet 492 attaches the pivotable member 481 to the end of each top rib 24 on the side of the patient isolation structure where the top sheet 14 is welded to the side panel 12. Rivet 493 attaches the hook member 483 to the outside of the fixing member 482 and both to the top of each side rib 21. The hook member 483 and the fixing member 482 are located below the rod 42 adjacent to the top of the side panel 12, with the hook 491 bearing against the rod 42. The outward pressure caused by the curved shape of the top rib 24 ensures that the hook remains in place when the patient isolation structure is in use.

[0028] The periphery of the tongue 488 of the pivotable member 482 corresponds to the inner periphery of the cutout 486, and the cutout 486 has a truncated corner 495. However, at the truncated corner, a square corner label 494 engages behind the truncated corner 495, thereby preventing the pivotable member 481 from rotating excessively.

[0029] Although the pivotable member 481 is not normally separated from the shaft 484, if a portion of the hinge 48 needs to be replaced, the hinge can be separated by forcing the C-shaped groove 485 out of engagement with the shaft 484.

[0030] When the zipper 40 is open, the ends of the top ribs 24 are pushed slightly inwards, releasing the shafts 464 from the grooves 465, and the top ribs and top sheet can then be rotated about the hinges 48, thereby enabling access to the interior of the patient isolation structure. To store the patient isolation structure, the zipper 40 is opened, and the top sheet 14 and ribs 24 are folded back against the side panels 12 and ribs 21. The side panels 11 and ribs 20 are folded down onto the base panel 16, and the side panels 12, ribs 21, top sheet 14 and ribs 24 are folded inwards on top. The entire structure can be rolled up with the base sheet on the outside.

[0031] Figure 1 The patient isolation structure of the embodiment has an access port 60 provided in one or both of the side panels 11 and 12 through which auxiliary equipment can enter the isolation structure. Smaller ports 62 are also provided in one or both of the side panels through which cables to and from monitoring equipment and the like can pass; such cables are provided with an airtight seal with the side panels.

[0032] The annular member may be inserted into the first sleeve member and then twisted to engage the first sleeve member. The second sleeve member has internal threads that engage with the external threads of the first sleeve member, wherein the wall around the port 60 of the patient cover engages between the two sleeve components. To fit a medical glove to the port, the glove is inserted through the annular member, wherein the open end of the glove is folded back around the outer edge of the annular member and held in place by an O-ring around the outer end of the annular member. Alternatively, a cover may be mounted on one or more ports, or, for example, an airlock and / or air filter may be mounted on the port.

[0033] At the end 16 of the patient cover 10, a further port 64 is shown containing a filter 65. At one end, one or more smaller ports 66 may provide connection to pressurized air or oxygen, or preferably to a pump.

[0034] A connection to pressurized air or oxygen at port 66 will allow filtered air or oxygen to enter the patient isolation chamber, thereby forcing air, carbon dioxide and water vapor out of the patient isolation structure through filter 65. However, it is now recommended to connect a pump to the smaller port 66 to draw air, excess carbon dioxide and water vapor from the patient isolation structure and draw air from the surrounding atmosphere through filter 65. The latter configuration with a pump means that the pressure inside the patient isolation structure is less than that of the surrounding atmosphere, with the advantage that if the patient cover is punctured, the risk of contamination from the patient is minimized.

[0035] It should be noted that the functions of the ports may be interchanged, for example, an air filter may be fitted to one or more of ports 60 and a glove may be fitted to port 64 .

[0036] Although a flat filter 65 is shown, in some cases it may be desirable to increase the airflow, in which case a larger capacity filter may be used.

[0037] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 6 , handles 68 are shown to assist in transporting the structure, with straps 70 hanging from the handles 68 ; these straps 70 can be used to tie the patient isolation structure to a bed rail or a stretcher rail.

[0038] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The base sheet 18 of the patient isolation structure 1 is shown. Slots 72 (three pairs in this case) are provided in the base sheet 18. To prevent the patient from moving or rolling, a conventional safety belt ( Figure 4 The safety belt has an anchoring strap 74 that passes through the slot 72 (see Figure 5 ). The ends of the anchoring straps have clips 76 for clipping onto mounting points on a stretcher or other mounting member. The specific design of the clips 76 will vary depending on the design of any stretcher or mounting member with which the patient isolation structure is used.

[0039] The anchoring strip is sealed to the base sheet 18 by a sealing device 78 to prevent air from entering or leaving the patient isolation structure through the slot 72 .

[0040] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B One of these sealing devices 78 is shown in more detail in FIG.

[0041] The seal 78 includes two identical rectangular clamping pieces 80 having parallel sides 81 and 81A and bolted to the top and bottom of the base sheet 18 with the slot 72 located between the two rectangular clamping pieces 80. Each clamping piece 80 includes a locating lug 82 for engaging a corresponding hole 83 in the other clamping piece. For one side where the slot 72 is located when the clamps are connected together, there is a transverse upright ridge 84, and on the other side where the slot 72 is located, there is a transverse groove 85 parallel to the ridge 84. When the clamps are assembled, the ridge 84 of one clamping piece is located in the groove 85 of the other clamping piece. Between the ridge 84 of the clamping piece and the edge 81A is a wide rectangular recess 86, wherein the sides parallel to the ridge are inclined. Between the groove 85 of the clamping piece and the opposite edge 81 is a boss 87 with inclined sides, which is shaped and sized to be placed in the recess 86 of the other clamping piece when the seal 78 is assembled. Assembly is accomplished by passing a bolt 88 through a hole 89 in one of the clamping members and engaging a threaded hole 90 in the other clamping member.

[0042] During assembly, the belt anchoring strap 74 of the patient safety belt enters the recess 86 of the lower clamping member from the inside of the patient cover, where the anchoring strap is clamped against the base sheet 18 by the matching boss 87 of the other clamping member. The belt anchoring strap 74 then passes through the ridge 84 of the lower clamping member, where it is again clamped against the base sheet 18 in the groove 85 of the upper clamping member. The belt anchoring strap 74 of the patient safety belt then passes through the slot 72 in the base sheet 18, where it is once again clamped to the base sheet 18 between the ridge 84 and the groove 85, but this time it is the ridge of the upper clamping member and the groove is the groove of the lower clamping member. Finally, the belt anchoring strap 74 is clamped to the base sheet between the boss 87 of the lower clamping member and the recess 86 of the upper clamping member. The clamping method adopted ensures that the slot 72 does not allow air to enter or exit the patient isolation structure 1.

[0043] As an alternative to the sealing means 78, although less robust in practice, the seat belt anchor strip 74 may be bonded to the base sheet, and the bonded area and the immediate periphery may be covered with a patch of the same material as the base sheet 18, completely sealing the slot 72. However, in practice, this method of assembly has been found to be insufficiently robust for long-term use.

[0044] The material of the patient cover 10 is transparent PVC or PTU (thermoplastic polyurethane). The material of the sleeves 26 and 28 is usually the same as the material of the cover.

[0045] Whatever the application, the material of the ribs needs to be elastic but not so rigid that it is difficult to bend in practice, and ribs formed from strips of PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) have been found to work well. In addition to its mechanical properties, it is also highly resistant to solvents, acids and hydrocarbons.

[0046] In a further development, remote monitoring of the patient by, for example, a specialist can be achieved by a person accompanying the patient in the isolation structure (e.g., an air ambulance crew) using goggles and a sound device to electronically transmit pictures and talk to the remote monitor. By installing a recorder, it is also possible to record the conversation with the remote monitor so that it can be downloaded when the patient arrives at the treatment point, thereby understanding the previous treatment history.

[0047] Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment provides an effective device for patient care and transfer. Once zipped up, the patient isolation structure provides a flexible yet strong and stable structure around the patient. The optically transparent panel and access port 60 allow for full monitoring of the patient.

[0048] Figure 7 A second, simpler embodiment of the present invention is shown. A patient isolation structure 100 has an integral patient cover sheet 101 over and around a base member 102, which may be a hospital mattress or an ambulance mattress. U-shaped semi-rigid support ribs 104 are over the base member 102 and any patient lying on it.

[0049] Each end 105 of each rib 104 engages with a transverse bottom rib 106 that passes under the patient's mattress. An end 107 of each bottom bar 106 is connected to the opposite end 105 of the rib member 104.

[0050] The system for connecting the ribs to the bottom bar is as follows Figure 8 shown.

[0051] Each rib end 105 has a transverse slot 115 and a tab 116. Each connecting member end 107 has a lateral deformable lug 118. To connect the transverse bottom rib 106 to the rib 104, the end 107 of the bottom bar 106 is bent upward through the slot 115, and the lugs 117 are deformed to allow them to pass through the slot. The lugs 117 are then engaged against the end 105, wherein the rear edge 118 of the lug rests against the periphery of the slot 115. The front end of the transverse member engages under the tabs 116 to ensure that they do not expand outward. To disengage the transverse bottom rib 106 from the rib 104, a sudden pull on the transverse bottom rib 106 causes the lugs 117 to deform and disassemble through the slot 115.

[0052] The rib 104 is covered by a removable integral cover 101. The cover has sides 109 extending downwardly over the rib to a transverse bottom rib 106 and an opposite closed end 110 extending downwardly to cover the end of the base member 102.

[0053] As shown, the integral cover 101 is loose fitting and does not require vents to allow air to reach the patient on the patient mattress. However, the lower edge of the integral cover 101 may be zippered or secured to the base sheet, in which case vents may be provided in the cover. Figure 1 The arrangement shown provides forced ventilation in a similar manner, wherein if air or oxygen enters the patient isolation structure 1, the outlet is filtered; if the patient isolation structure is maintained at a pressure lower than the surrounding atmosphere, the inlet is filtered.

[0054] Straps are provided on both sides of the patient mattress to allow transport of the structure, especially if the patient mattress incorporates a rigid panel member or frame.

[0055] Figure 7 Embodiments of the invention are intended for emergency protection of patients and as emergency isolation units for transporting patients within a vehicle or hospital, or as emergency isolation units or infection control units for use in field hospitals and for infection control surgeries. It may therefore be used to isolate potentially infectious patients and protect them from the elements while awaiting transport, or in hospital wards or physician surgery environments providing short-term and / or staff care where protection from aerosol transmission of infectious diseases may be required.

[0056] Within one minute the lateral bottom rib 106 is slid under the patient and the rib 104 is locked in place.

[0057] The ribs and sticks are extremely easy to clean after use, can be reused multiple times, and store in their own protective case.

[0058] The base member 102 can be part of the structure by attaching the transverse bottom rib 106 through the sleeve below the base member 102. This arrangement provides additional stability to the structure and allows patients to be moved between different locations quickly and efficiently. The patient isolation structure can be used with existing ambulance stretchers. If the base member is a mattress, an additional layer of comfort is given to the patient. The base member 102 as part of the structure allows the device to be slid from a stretcher to a bed (or vice versa) without removing the protective cover.

Claims

1. A patient isolation structure, comprising: A base member, a removable support rib extending over the base member and above the patient, ribs extending downwardly on both sides of the patient position on the base member support, a patient cover supported in place by the ribs and the ribs retaining the cover away from the patient position on the patient support, and the ribs are retained in place relative to the patient support.

2. The patient isolation structure according to claim 1, wherein: The base component is a base sheet, and the cover sheet is attached to the base sheet, and the cover sheet has side pieces and a top sheet; wherein pairs of elastic side ribs are attached to the outer sides of the side pieces, and wherein, when the patient isolation structure is erected, the side ribs extend upward; elastic top ribs are attached to the outer side of the top sheet, each top rib extends between a pair of side ribs, at least one end of the top rib is pivotally connected to one end of one of the side ribs in the side rib pair by a hinge, and the other end of each top rib has a connecting piece so as to engage or disengage with the top of the other side rib of the side rib pair; all the hinges are aligned toward one side of the patient isolation structure, and the connecting piece is aligned toward the other side of the patient isolation structure, and when the connecting piece is disengaged, each hinge allows the attached top rib to rotate, thereby opening the patient isolation structure.

3. The patient isolation structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The couplings each comprise a pivotable member attached to a top rib, the pivotable member having a groove which is capable of engaging or disengaging an axis which passes through a hole in a fixing member, the fixing member being attached to the side rib on one side of the patient isolation structure and wherein the groove is located between the axis and the patient cover when in use.

4. The patient isolation structure according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The hinges each include a first portion of a pivotable member attached to a top rib, the pivotable member being pivotably mounted about an axis that passes through a hole in a securing member attached to the side rib on one side of the patient isolation structure.

5. The patient isolation structure according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that: The connector and hinge each have a hook member mounted on the fixed member, the hook member having an outwardly directed hook which, in use, engages one of the two at the top of one side panel and the other rod at the top of the other side panel.

6. The patient isolation structure according to claim 5, wherein: The rod is mounted in the sleeve.

7. The patient isolation structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The base sheet has a slot therein through which an anchor strap of a patient safety strap passes, the slot having a seal that prevents air from entering or exiting the patient isolation structure.

8. The patient isolation structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The patient safety belt has fastening means outside the patient isolation structure to attach the safety belt to a mounting point on a stretcher.

9. The patient isolation structure according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The seal comprises two clamping pieces, one of which is mounted above the slot and the other of which is mounted below the slot, wherein the anchoring band and the base sheet are clamped between the two clamping pieces.

10. The patient isolation structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The clamping pieces are identical, each having transverse ridges and transverse grooves, and when assembled, the ridges of one clamping piece engage with the grooves of the other clamping piece, wherein the anchoring strip and the base sheet are sandwiched between the ridges and grooves, and the slot in the base sheet through which the anchoring strip passes is located between two pairs of ridges and grooves.

11. The patient isolation structure according to claim 10, characterized in that: Each clamping piece has a recess between the transverse ridge and one edge of the clamping piece, and a recess between the transverse groove and the opposite edge of the clamping piece, and when assembled, the recess of one clamping piece engages with the boss of the other clamping piece, with the anchoring strip and the base sheet sandwiched between the recess and the boss.

12. The patient isolation structure according to claims 7 to 11, characterized in that: The anchor straps of the patient safety belt have clips for attachment to a stretcher or other device on which the structure is to be mounted.

13. The patient isolation structure according to claim 1, wherein: The ribs that hold the cover in place extend downwardly in an inverted U-shape on either side of the base member and are engageable with transverse bottom ribs beneath the patient support to connect opposite ends of the rib members.

14. The patient isolation structure according to claim 1 or 13, wherein: A bottom sleeve is provided beneath the base piece, the bottom sleeve partially spanning the bottom of the patient support, and in use, transverse bottom ribs are mounted in the sleeve with their ends engaging the lower ends of the side ribs.

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