Combined access and ventilation device intended to be provided in a hazardous zone, and hazardous zone provided with such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (I) intended in particular to be provided in a room (II) of a hospital, comprising a frame (1) which is mounted on the main door frame of the room and which forms a secondary door frame defining a secondary opening (2), an opening panel (3) making it possible to close off the secondary opening, a ventilation unit (4) which is in the upper part of the frame and which comprises highly efficient air filtration means (53), and also a system for suction and blowing. This device defines, with the main door frame, an intermediate air passage (160) which is in communication with the internal opening (60) of the ventilation unit. Thus, in a first configuration, air is extracted from outside the hazardous zone via, in succession, the intermediate air passage (160), the internal opening (60) and the external opening (62) and, in a second configuration, air is blown into the hazardous zone via, in succession, the external opening, the internal opening and the intermediate passage. The invention has minimal impact in terms of civil engineering, allows practical access to a hazardous zone, and does not impede the free passage of healthcare professionals and medical equipment into the hazardous zone itself.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Combined access and ventilation device, intended to equip a risk area, and risk area thus equipped

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to the technical field of so-called risk areas. Within the meaning of the invention, these risk areas may firstly be rooms that are contaminated, or that are likely to be contaminated. This may arise from the fact that these rooms accommodate, or will accommodate, a source of contamination. The latter may in particular come from patients who are at least potentially contaminated. The expression "at least potentially contaminated" means that the patients concerned are actually contaminated, or have significant suspicions of such contamination. In this case, such risk areas are typically hospital rooms.

[0005] However, the invention also finds its application to other sources of contamination, which may come from animals, or even from industrial equipment. The risk zones, targeted by the invention, may therefore also be the site of a contaminating activity in the sense in particular of nuclear, radiological, chemical or biological risks for human beings.

[0006] For the purposes of the invention, these risk areas may also be related to the treatment of immunocompromised patients, or those who need to be protected from contamination. As in the first situation above, a risk area in this case is generally a hospital room intended to accommodate a patient of this type.

[0007] More specifically, the invention relates first of all to a device providing a dual function of access and ventilation, which is capable of equipping a risk zone as defined above. It also relates to a risk zone, which is equipped with such a combined device.

[0008] State of the art

[0009] In the case where these risk areas concern potentially contaminated patients, it is classically a question of depressurizing the risk area in relation to its adjacent environment. On the contrary, when the risk areas concern immunocompromised patients, it is a question of putting the area in question in excess of pressure in relation to this environment. In either case, the nursing staff must respect strict protection rules.

[0010] When the patient is contaminated, it is necessary to prevent the healthcare staff from becoming victims of this contamination and, in addition, to prevent them from communicating the contaminating agents to outsiders. On the other hand, when the patient is immunocompromised, the healthcare staff must avoid carrying, from the outside, substances harmful to the patient's immune system.

[0011] Generally speaking, various solutions are proposed in the state of the art. These include the creation of folding tents, which can be deployed inside a hospital room. The use of ventilation units, which are equipped with filtration systems, is also known. The implementation of deployable airlocks, however, is relatively marginal.

[0012] These different solutions are not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, they can be ineffective, in that they carry an unacceptable quantity of contaminating agents. Furthermore, they can be uncomfortable for the patient, particularly in terms of noise pollution. In addition, they are bulky, which is likely to hinder the proper use of the interior volume of the room, in terms of walls, floors and ceilings. Finally, some of these solutions are not very versatile, in that they do not allow treatment of both contaminated patients and immunocompromised patients.

[0013] Under these conditions, the invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art, presented above.

[0014] In particular, it aims to provide a device which effectively ensures both the depression and the overpressure of a risk zone.

[0015] It also aims to propose such a device, which generates minimal impact on civil engineering.

[0016] It also aims to provide such a device which allows convenient access to the risk area, in particular by delimiting an opening whose dimensions are not such as to hinder the passage of healthcare personnel as well as any medical equipment.

[0017] It also aims to provide such a system, which does not hinder the free movement of this healthcare staff and any medical equipment, within the risk zone itself.

[0018] It also aims to offer such a device, which allows risk areas to be equipped quickly and easily, so that they can accommodate a large number of patients. This need is acutely felt during the appearance of large-scale epidemic phenomena, such as in the case of the proliferation of viruses such as the Corona virus.

[0019] It also aims to offer such a control system, the manufacturing cost of which is reasonable so that it can be installed on a large scale in the same hospital establishment.

[0020] Finally, it aims to offer such a control set which brings appreciable comfort to the patient's overall environment, particularly in terms of acoustics.

[0021] Objects of the invention

[0022] At least one of the above objectives is achieved by a first object of the invention which is a combined access and ventilation device for a risk zone, in particular a room in a hospital establishment, said risk zone comprising enclosure walls forming at least one so-called main frame, this frame delimiting a so-called main opening, said device comprising a frame equipped with mounting means on the main frame, this frame forming a so-called secondary frame delimiting a so-called secondary opening, an opening allowing the selective closing of the secondary opening, a ventilation unit, provided on the upper part of the frame, this ventilation unit being capable of being secured to the upper part of the main frame and comprising high-efficiency air filtration means, as well as a suction and blowing system,said ventilation unit further comprising at least one so-called internal orifice allowing the circulation of air between the interior of the risk zone and the ventilation unit, as well as at least one so-called external orifice allowing the circulation of air between the ventilation unit and the exterior of the risk zone, said device comprising sealing means which are capable of cooperating with the main frame, said combined device being capable of delimiting, with the main frame, an intermediate air passage communicating in service with the internal orifice (60) of the ventilation unit, each ventilation unit being capable of circulating the air so that:,

[0023] - in a first configuration, air is extracted outside the risk zone via successively the intermediate passage, the internal orifice and the external orifice

[0024] - in a second configuration, air is blown into the risk zone successively via the external orifice, the internal orifice and the intermediate passage.

[0025] By virtue of the invention, the risk zone is, in said first configuration, under pressure relative to the adjacent environments, while in the second configuration, the risk zone is under pressure relative to the adjacent environments. Such a pressure difference, or pressure cascade, between the risk zone (a hospital room) on the one hand and the adjacent zone (the corridor giving access to the different rooms) on the other hand may be, for example, of the order of 1 Pascal in absolute value. More generally, it is sought to achieve, by means of the combined access and ventilation device of the invention, a pressure cascade of at least 2 Pascal, or even at least 5 Pascal depending on the needs or standards in force. In certain particular cases, a differential of 15 Pascal or more may be achieved.

[0026] According to other characteristics of the device according to the invention, taken in isolation or in any technically compatible combination:

[0027] - the internal orifice is produced in the form of a slot provided on a front wall (42) of the ventilation unit, in particular at the lower end of this front wall, said front wall being intended to come into contact with the main frame.

[0028] - the height of said slot is between 10 mm and 150 mm, in particular between 10 mm and 50 mm.

[0029] - the width of said slot is between 900 mm and 1500 mm, in particular between 1000 mm and 1250 mm.

[0030] - the surface area of ​​the secondary opening is greater than 80%, in particular 90% of the surface area of ​​the main opening. - the upper region of the opening is capable of delimiting, with the main frame, at least part of the intermediate air passage.

[0031] - the filtration means comprise at least one high-efficiency filter, while the suction and blowing system comprises at least one fan, two filters and two fans being advantageously provided in two separate compartments of the ventilation unit. In order to achieve the pressure differences mentioned above, the at least one fan of the suction and blowing system has a minimum flow rate of at least 100 m 3 / h in particular to compensate for untimely air losses at the envelope of the risk zone and to be able to generate positive or negative pressure there.

[0032] - the sealing means comprise first so-called lateral seals in each case, which are capable of coming to bear against a respective lateral upright belonging to the frame, each lateral seal being at least partly covered by a respective cover, this cover being fixed to a lateral rail of the frame and projecting opposite said lateral upright.

[0033] - the sealing means comprise a so-called upper seal, fixed to the ventilation unit so as to bear against an upper edge belonging to the frame.

[0034] - the ventilation unit comprises a control, of any suitable type, which receives information from sensors making it possible in particular to measure the pressure differential, on the one hand in the risk zone, on the other hand outside the risk zone (i.e. in the corridor). The control is capable of triggering an alarm of any suitable type, in particular visual and / or auditory, in the event that the pressure difference between the sensor measurements is outside a predefined range. Advantageously, the alarm is located outside the risk zone, i.e. it is for example placed on the outside of the frame. This prevents the alarm from being visible to the patient, which would harm both their physical and psychological balance.

[0035] - the ventilation unit I comprises a device for detecting the opening and / or closing of the opening 3 on the central opening 2. By determining whether the opening 3 is in the closed position or in the open position, the detection device allows the control to take advantage of the information on the state of the opening 3 so as not to trigger the alarm in the event of the absence of a pressure cascade when the opening 3 is open, or on the contrary to trigger the alarm in the event that the opening 3 remains in the open state for an abnormally long period.

[0036] A second subject of the invention is a risk zone, in particular a room in a hospital establishment, said risk zone comprising enclosing walls forming at least one so-called main frame, this frame delimiting a so-called main opening, said risk zone being equipped with a combined access and ventilation device such as above, the frame of said combined device being either received at least in part in said main opening, or else placed in application against the external face of the main frame while the ventilation unit is placed in application against the external face of a so-called upper edge of the main frame, extending above said main opening, said combined device, in particular the upper region of its opening, delimiting, with the main frame, in particular with said upper edge, an intermediate air passage which communicates with the internal orifice of the ventilation unit,this intermediate passage being in particular located opposite this internal orifice.,

[0037] According to one possibility, the filtration means comprise at least one high-efficiency filter of the HEPA filter type (for high-efficiency particulate air, in English terminology).

[0038] Alternatively, the filtration means may include chemical filtration means, at least one LIV lamp or an air catalysis device.

[0039] According to a first characteristic of the invention, the height of the intermediate passage is equal to the height of the internal orifice. Alternatively, this height of the intermediate passage is strictly greater than the height of this internal orifice.

[0040] According to another characteristic of the invention, the upper part of the opening, in particular its leaf, delimits at least in part the air passage between the main frame.

[0041] The device according to the invention is intended to replace, functionally, the existing door of the risk zone. However, this existing door is generally not removed, but typically retracted along a partition. This device is equipped with a ventilation unit, making it possible to ensure in turn the overpressure of the interior of the zone, as well as its depression. This ventilation unit is directly integrated into the frame of the device according to the invention, so that it does not significantly encroach on the interior of the risk zone. The device according to the invention therefore has the advantage of being perfectly adapted to be directly deployed on existing infrastructures, without the need to carry out any work or to modify the pre-existing joinery.

[0042] Obviously, the invention is not limited to this embodiment which is particularly advantageous in terms of deployment, and the ventilation unit of the invention could also be integrated directly into the existing building, which would nevertheless have the disadvantage of having to make certain modifications to the latter.

[0043] According to one possibility, the combined access and ventilation device according to the invention does away with the use of any equipment, such as tubing, a duct or the like, inside the risk zone. This allows for smooth circulation in this risk zone for the healthcare staff. Furthermore, there is an acoustic advantage, given that the ventilation unit is placed on the corridor side. The noise generated by the suction and blowing system therefore propagates mainly outside, and not inside the risk zone.

[0044] In a particularly advantageous manner, the device according to the invention delimits a low intermediate space with the main frame of the risk zone. This intermediate space allows ventilation air to flow both towards the risk zone in the event of overpressure, but also outside this zone in the event of depression. The device according to the invention therefore ensures convenient access towards this risk zone, since the so-called secondary opening, made in the secondary frame above, has dimensions close to the original main opening. In this way, easy transit between the inside and the outside of this risk zone is ensured.

[0045] The device according to the invention is capable of bringing fresh air into the risk area.

[0046] According to one possibility, this function can be supplemented by a specific pre-existing filtration and purification unit, of any suitable type, suitable for use in a highly controlled environment according to the regulations in force. This pre-existing filtration and purification unit is generally positioned on the ground in the risk area. The ventilation unit of the combined access and ventilation device according to the invention advantageously supplements it by means of appropriate and complementary adjustments to be applied to each of said two units. According to another possibility, the combined access and ventilation device of the invention comprises its own filtration and purification unit which can be positioned in the risk area, advantageously in a suitable location, such as a side wall or the ceiling, and in any case not on the ground in order to free up space at floor level so as not to disturb either the patient or the staff.According to this possibility, the ventilation unit and the filtration and purification unit are pre-set in such a way as to be able to ensure, as regards the ventilation unit, an adequate pressure (depending on the depression and / or overpressure objectives to be achieved at any time) and together a necessary mixing rate and in compliance with the standards in force within the risk zone.

[0047] In this possibility, the two units are in permanent communication, by wired or wireless means, which allows them to continuously self-manage by means of an appropriate configuration in order to achieve the performance required by the health authorities.

[0048] According to this possibility, the filtration and purification unit is equipped with a baffle system and sound-absorbing foam which advantageously minimizes the noise it produces inside the risk zone.

[0049] Such a filtration and purification unit, in order to be effective, includes at least one fan generally having a flow rate of between 300 m 3 / h and 1000 m 3 / h.

[0050] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0051] The invention will be described below, with reference to the appended drawings, given solely as non-limiting examples, in which:

[0052] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view, illustrating a hospital room, forming a risk zone according to the invention, which is equipped with a combined access and ventilation device according to the invention.

[0053] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view, showing on an enlarged scale the combined device illustrated in Fig. 1, seen from outside the chamber.

[0054] [Fig. 3] is a sectional view, along line lll-lll in Figure 2.

[0055] [Fig. 4] is a sectional view, along line IV-IV in Figure 2.

[0056] [Fig. 5] is a longitudinal sectional view, illustrating in more detail a ventilation unit belonging to the device of the preceding figures.

[0057] [Fig. 6] is a cross-sectional view, illustrating the ventilation unit of Figure 5, as well as the integration of the device according to the invention in relation to the frame of the chamber. [Fig. 7] is a front view, illustrating the ventilation unit seen from inside the chamber, in particular its so-called internal air passage orifice.

[0058] [Fig. 8] is a schematic front view, illustrating the frame of the chamber, the main opening of this frame, as well as the secondary frame and the secondary opening delimited by the device according to the invention.

[0059] [Fig. 9] is a sectional view, similar to Figure 3, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0060] [Fig. 10] is a cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 6, illustrating the integration of the device of Figure 9 with respect to the frame of the chamber.

[0061] Detailed description

[0062] As shown in Figure 1, the combined access and ventilation device according to the invention, which is designated as a whole by the reference I, is intended to equip a risk zone in the sense given above. In the example illustrated, this risk zone is a room II belonging to a hospital establishment. This room comprises, in a manner known per se, a floor 110, a ceiling not shown, a glazed partition 111 as well as opposite blind partitions 112, 113. Furthermore, an additional partition 114 allows communication between this room II and the corridor, which is designated as a whole by the reference III. For this purpose, this partition 114 is hollowed out with a so-called main opening 130, at the periphery of which extends a so-called main frame 140. The room is also equipped with various medical devices of a conventional type, which will not be described in more detail below, such as in particular a bed 115.

[0063] In the embodiment of Figures 2 to 8, the combined access and ventilation device I is intended to be inserted into the main opening 130 above. It will be noted that the device is provided in place of the original door, for example of the fire-resistant type, which is retracted along the partition. This device I firstly comprises a frame 1, forming a secondary frame. This frame is essentially formed by two side rails 10 and 11, which are mutually connected at the top by a ventilation unit which will be described below. If necessary, a door sill, not shown, may be provided in a completely non-limiting manner.

[0064] This frame 1 delimits a central opening 2, called secondary, which can be selectively closed by an opening 3. In the example illustrated, the latter is formed by a single leaf 30, provided with a handle 32. As a variant, it is possible to use a double leaf. This leaf 30 is articulated on the frame by any appropriate means, in particular via hinges 34 mounted on one of the rails, for example that 10. The leaf 30 is advantageously transparent, which allows direct visual inspection of the patient by the nursing staff.

[0065] The device according to the invention further comprises a ventilation unit, designated as a whole by the reference 4, which will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5 and 7. This unit 4 firstly comprises a box 40, which is for example of parallelepipedal shape in the example illustrated. This box 40 is fixed to the upper part of the frame 1 by any suitable means, in the example illustrated by L-shaped angles 41, provided on each rail as well as on the lower wall of the box 40 (see in particular Figure 2). However, it can be provided that the box 40 is fixed directly to the upper edge 146 of the frame.

[0066] This box is composed of different walls, namely first of all a so-called front wall 42 intended to be attached against the aforementioned upper edge 146. There is also an opposite wall 43, called rear, an upper wall 44, a lower wall 45 visible in particular in FIG. 7, as well as side walls 46. The box is equipped with a first partition 48, called transverse, which connects between the opposite side walls. This partition delimits a channel 49, extending along the lower wall then the rear wall, which opens into a main enclosure 50. The latter is divided into two compartments 51, by means of a so-called axial partition 52 which connects the opposite walls respectively front and rear.

[0067] Each compartment 51 first receives a respective filter 53, 54 which is said to be high efficiency, also called HEPA for the English expression High Efficiency Particulate Air. In the sense of the standard EN 1822 this means that at least 99.95% of particles, of a size less than or equal to 0.3 micrometers, are retained through this filter. Each compartment also receives a respective fan 55 56, of any suitable type. The fact of providing separate compartments, each of which is equipped with a dedicated fan, makes it possible to advantageously reduce noise pollution.

[0068] With reference in particular to Figure 6, the front wall 42 delimits a so-called internal orifice 60, which ensures communication between the interior of the room and the interior volume of the ventilation unit, in both directions as will be seen below. In a particularly advantageous manner, this internal orifice 60 is produced in the form of a slot, arranged at the lower end of this front wall. For example, the height H60 of this orifice is between 10 mm (millimeters) and 150 mm, in particular between 10 mm and 50 mm. Furthermore, this slot, which advantageously extends over the entirety of the front wall, has a width L60 of between 900 mm and 1500 mm, in particular between 1000 mm and 1250 mm.

[0069] Referring now to Figures 2 and 5, each side wall 46 delimits a respective orifice, called external 62. The latter ensures communication between the interior volume of the ventilation unit 4 and the exterior of the room, in both directions as will be seen below. The shape, location and dimensions of each orifice 62 do not constitute essential characteristics of the invention: those skilled in the art will thus be able to choose these parameters appropriately. Typically, the orifices 62 are made in the form of a grid.

[0070] Finally, the ventilation unit comprises a control unit (not shown), of any suitable type, which receives information from sensors (also not shown) making it possible in particular to measure the pressure, on the one hand in the room, on the other hand in the corridor. The control unit is capable of triggering an alarm of any suitable type, in particular visual and / or auditory, in the event that the pressure difference between the sensor measurements is outside a predefined range. Advantageously, the alarm is located outside the room, i.e. it is for example placed on the outside of the frame. This prevents the alarm from being visible to the patient, which would harm both their physical and psychological balance.

[0071] In addition to pressure sensors, the ventilation unit also includes, in a manner not shown, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a sensor for measuring the CO2 level and that of fine particles present in the ambient air of the risk zone. More generally, the ventilation unit includes any type of sensor configured to determine the quality of the ambient air. These various sensors make it possible to continuously monitor the performance of the combined access and ventilation device I.

[0072] Finally, the ventilation unit I comprises a device (not shown) for detecting the opening and / or closing of the opening 3 on the central opening 2. By determining whether the opening 3 is in the closed position or in the open position, the detection device allows the control to take advantage of the information on the state of the opening 3 so as not to trigger the alarm in the event of the absence of a pressure cascade when the opening 3 is open, or on the contrary to trigger the alarm in the event that the opening 3 remains in the open state for an abnormally long period.

[0073] In the embodiment of Figures 2 to 8, the peripheral dimensions of the frame 1 are slightly smaller than those of the main opening, defined above. Consequently, as shown in Figure 3, the side rails 10 and 11, as well as the upper rail 13, are placed inside the opening. This frame is fixed to the walls of the frame, by any suitable means. In the example illustrated with reference in particular to this Figure 3, brackets 15 and 16 are used, which allow the mounting of each rail 10 and 11 on a respective upright, belonging to the main frame.

[0074] We will now describe the various means which ensure the sealing of the device according to the invention, namely that they prevent any significant flow of air between the inside and the outside of the risk zone, outside the ventilation unit described above. Each rail 10 and 11 is first of all covered by a respective cover 17 and 18, which projects towards the main frame. The projecting part 171, 181 of the cover is equipped with a seal 81, 82, itself fixed against a respective upright 142, 144 belonging to the frame 140.

[0075] Furthermore, in the lower part, the leaf 30 is provided with a seal 83 of any suitable type, in particular a lip seal. This seal 83 cooperates with the floor of the room, so as to prevent any flow of air. In the case not shown where the frame incorporates a door threshold, the latter can act as a stop by being equipped with a seal ensuring sealing. Finally, the front wall 42 of the ventilation unit 4 receives an additional seal 84, also of any suitable type. This seal 84, which cooperates with the upper edge 146 of the main frame, has for example an inverted U shape as shown in particular in figure 7.

[0076] With reference to figures 7 and 8, which summarize the above explanations, the frame 1 of the device I is housed in the main opening 130 made in the frame 140, the walls of which are shown in dotted lines. On the other hand, the ventilation unit 4 comes into contact with the external face 147 of the upper edge 146 of the frame. Furthermore, the upper region of the leaf 30 delimits, with the edge 146, an intermediate passage 160 (see in particular figure 7). This passage 160, which opens into the internal orifice 60, has in the illustrated example a height H 160 which is close to that H60 of the orifice. As a variant, it can be provided that this height H 160 is slightly greater than the height of the orifice 60. On the other hand, an intermediate passage 160, of lower height than the orifice 60, represents a clearly less preferred possibility of the invention.

[0077] As can be seen in these figures 7 and 8, the frame 1 is received in the main opening 130, which does not cause any additional space inside the chamber itself. The invention takes advantage of the low intermediate passage 160 to circulate the ventilation air via the slot 60 of the ventilation unit. This guarantees good ventilation quality, using very little useful space.

[0078] The secondary opening 2, provided in this frame, is therefore likely to have dimensions barely smaller than those of the main opening 130. Advantageously, the surface area of ​​this secondary opening is greater than 80%, in particular 90% of the surface area of ​​the main opening. Consequently, transit between the room and the corridor is particularly convenient.

[0079] Finally, the ventilation unit 4, which can be relatively large, is placed in the corridor, above the frame. Such a location is particularly optimized, since it is not likely to hinder the free movement of the nursing staff and any medical equipment. In a manner not shown, it is possible to provide for a filtration and purification unit, of any conventional type, to be placed on one of the side walls of room II, for example room 112, or even at the ceiling of this room.

[0080] The filtration and purification unit can be an integral part of the combined access and ventilation device to be deployed. In this case, this unit and the ventilation unit are preconfigured to work together to continuously achieve the air circulation and pressure level objectives to be achieved in the risk area. In addition, the filtration and purification unit supplied with the combined access and ventilation device is equipped with a baffle system and sound-absorbing foam to advantageously minimize the noise it produces inside the risk area.

[0081] The filtration and purification unit may also already be present in the risk area. In this case, the ventilation unit of the combined access and ventilation device advantageously complements it and said two units are configured in a complementary manner in terms of settings and communicate with each other, by wired or wireless means, continuously. An example of implementation of the combined access and ventilation device, according to the invention, will now be described. It is first assumed that a so-called infectious patient is received in the room. Under these conditions, if the fans 55 and 56 are started, the air present in the room is sucked towards the enclosure 50, via the intermediate passage 160, the internal orifice 60 then the channel 49. This air is then treated in the filters 53 and 54, the filtered air being evacuated outside the unit 4 via the external orifices 62.These different air movements are illustrated in figures 5 and 7, being materialized by the solid arrows f1.

[0082] Furthermore, as this suction operation is carried out, it is understood that the pressure inside the chamber tends to decrease, compared to the pressure in the corridor. This difference in pressure is partly compensated, naturally, by a flow of air (not shown), from the outside to the inside of the chamber. This air flows in particular through the existing joinery, in particular the windows, as well as through other leaks in the partitions of the chamber, which supplies the latter with fresh air.

[0083] It is now assumed that a so-called immunocompromised patient is received in the room. Under these conditions, the fans must be placed in a configuration inverse to that described above, in a manner known per se. If the fans 55 and 56 are started, the air present in the corridor is sucked towards the enclosure 50, via the external orifices 62. Then this air is treated in the filters 53 and 54, the filtered air being blown towards the room via the channel 49, the internal orifice 60 and then the intermediate passage 160. These different air movements are illustrated in Figures 5 and 7, being shown by the dotted arrows f2.

[0084] Furthermore, as this blowing operation progresses, it is understood that the pressure inside the room now tends to increase, compared to the pressure in the corridor. This difference in pressure is again partly compensated, naturally, by a flow of air not shown from the inside to the outside of the room. As in the case of the suction above, the exit of this air is carried out in particular through the existing joinery as well as other leaks in the partitions of the room. Whether for the reception of an infectious patient or an immunocompromised patient, it is preferable that this patient is first received in the room while the appropriate suction or blowing operation is already in progress. Of course, it is also possible to bring a patient into the room, initially, and then implement one or other of these suction or blowing operations.

[0085] In operation, as explained above, the ventilation unit control measures the pressure cascade between the inside of the room and the corridor. If this measured value is outside a predetermined range, an alarm is activated. In this way, an operator is able to intervene quickly to repair the malfunction.

[0086] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the combined device, in accordance with the invention. In these figures, the mechanical elements similar to those of Figures 1 to 8 are assigned the same reference numbers, increased by the number 200.

[0087] This variant differs from the embodiment of Figures 2 to 8, in particular in that the frame of the device is not inserted inside the main opening. On the contrary, this frame 201 is mounted on the outside of the frame. More precisely, each rail 210, 211 is fixed to the outer face 343, 345 of a respective upright 342, 344. This fixing is ensured by any suitable means, in particular using screws 215, 216. As shown in Figure 10, the door 230 is offset in the direction of corridor III, relative to the door 30 of Figure 7.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Combined access and ventilation device (I) for a risk zone, in particular a room (II) of a hospital establishment, said risk zone comprising enclosure walls forming at least one main frame (140), this frame delimiting a main opening (130), said device comprising a frame (1) equipped with means (15, 16) for mounting on the main frame, this frame forming a secondary frame delimiting a secondary opening (2), an opening (3) allowing the selective closing of the secondary opening, a ventilation unit (4), provided on the upper part of the frame, this ventilation unit being capable of being fixed to the upper part of the main frame and comprising high-efficiency air filtration means (53, 54), as well as a suction and supply system (55, 56) comprising at least one fan,said ventilation unit further comprising at least one internal orifice (60) allowing air circulation between the interior of the risk zone and the ventilation unit, and at least one external orifice (62) allowing air circulation between the ventilation unit and the exterior of the risk zone, said device comprising sealing means (81, 82, 83, 84) which are capable of cooperating with the main frame (140), said combined device (I) being capable of delimiting, with the main frame, an intermediate air passage (160) communicating in operation with the internal orifice (60) of the ventilation unit, said ventilation unit (4) being capable of circulating air such that: - in a first configuration, air is extracted from outside the risk zone via successively the intermediate passage (160), the internal orifice (60) and the external orifice (62) so as to establish a depression in the risk zone; - in a second configuration, air is blown inside the risk zone via successively the external orifice, the internal orifice and the intermediate passage in order to establish overpressure in the risk zone.

2. Combined device according to the preceding claim, in which the internal orifice is made in the form of a slot (60) provided on a front wall (42) of the ventilation unit, in particular at the lower end of this front wall, said front wall being intended to be applied against the main frame.

3. Combined device according to the preceding claim, wherein the height (H60) of said slot is between 10 mm and 150 mm, in particular between 10 mm and 50 mm.

4. Combined device according to the preceding claim, wherein the width (L60) of said slot is between 900 mm and 1500 mm, in particular between 1000 mm and 1250 mm.

5. Combined device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface area of ​​the secondary opening (2) is greater than 80%, in particular 90%, of the surface area of ​​the main opening (130).

6. Combined device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper region of the opening (3) is able to delimit, with the main frame, at least a part of the intermediate air passage (160).

7. Combined device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filtration means comprise at least one high-efficiency filter (53, 54), two high-efficiency filters and two fans being advantageously provided in two separate compartments (51) of the ventilation unit (4).

8. Combined device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means comprise first so-called lateral seals (81, 82), each of which is able to bear against a respective lateral post (142, 144) belonging to the frame, each lateral seal being at least partially covered by a respective cover, this cover (17, 18) being fixed on a lateral rail (10, 11) of the frame and projecting opposite said lateral post; and a so-called upper seal (84), fixed on the ventilation unit so as to bear against an upper edge (146) belonging to the frame.

9. Hazardous area, in particular room (II) of a hospital establishment, said hazardous area comprising enclosure walls forming at least one main frame (140), this frame delimiting a main opening (130), said hazardous area being equipped with a combined access and ventilation device (I) according to any one of the preceding claims, the frame (1) of said combined device being either received at least in part in said main opening, or placed against the outer face of the main frame while the ventilation unit is placed against the outer face of a so-called upper edge of the main frame, extending above said main opening, said combined device (I), in particular the upper region of its opening (3), delimiting, with the main frame, in particular with said upper edge (146), an intermediate air passage (160) which communicates with the internal orifice (60) of the ventilation unit, this intermediate passage being in particular located opposite this internal orifice.

10. Hazard zone according to the preceding claim, in which the height (H160) of the intermediate passage (160) is equal to the height (H60) of the internal orifice (60), or is strictly greater than the height of this internal orifice.

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