Disinfection equipment for medical helmets

Abstract

An automatic disinfection device (1) for one or more surgical helmets (C1, C2), comprising: a box-shaped disinfection chamber (2) configured to accommodate therein the helmets to be disinfected and extending mainly in a sagittal plane (S), a means (5) for supplying a disinfecting substance, communicating with the interior of said disinfection chamber (2); a printing means (6) for printing a label that can be attached to the helmet and that contains information regarding disinfection.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a device adapted to disinfect helmets of the type used by medical personnel, particularly surgeons, during surgery. [Background technology]

[0002] background In the past two decades, helmet-based head and face protection systems for medical personnel worn during surgical procedures have become very popular. Traditionally, such systems also include a hood or cape that covers the helmet, with a lens - a transparent visor shield - attached to the fabric of the hood. The hood is designed to slip over the open front frame of the helmet.

[0003] As mentioned above, the system is typically worn by medical personnel during a surgical procedure, such as orthopedic surgery, to cover the entire head of the medical personnel and create a sterile barrier between the medical personnel and the patient, thus offering superior performance to masks and typical face shields. Additionally, helmets typically include a ventilation system for forced air circulation within the environment of the surgeon's head. This air circulation helps keep the surgeon cool and oxygenated, preventing sweating, thereby increasing the surgeon's comfort level.

[0004] Additionally, the above system also beneficially protects the patient against contamination from surgeons and other medical personnel, preventing the possibility of wound infection due to hair, dander and saliva droplets landing on the surgical field.

[0005] Examples of helmets of the above type are described, for example, in WO 2017 / 120562 A2 and WO 2012 / 111030 A1.

[0006] Known surgical helmets generally have a relatively complex geometry, including ventilation components as described above, due to a lattice structure with one or more struts, and for this reason, pre-disinfection procedures prior to wear can be time-consuming, complicated, and sometimes unreliable. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, the technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is mainly to provide a disinfection device for surgical helmets, making it possible to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks mentioned in the art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1.

[0009] Preferred features of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] In the context of this description, by reference to known terms, spatial characteristics such as "sagittal", "frontal", "anterior", "transverse", "lateral", "posterior", "superior", "inferior" and derivatives refer to the position of the helmet in the worn configuration in relation to the anatomical definition of the body of the surgeon wearing the helmet.

[0011] The device of the invention defines a pair of disinfection chambers, preferably suitable for receiving a surgical helmet each, each of which has a closed box-like structure, extending predominantly in the sagittal plane, in particular in the anterior-posterior and vertical directions, and with a transverse thickness that is smaller than the other two dimensions.

[0012] Each chamber is selectively accessible for the introduction of a respective helmet and thereafter is closeable, for example, by a hatch or window in one or more of its outer peripheral walls which defines an interior compartment for the helmet.

[0013] Each chamber communicates with a means for selectively supplying a disinfectant substance, configured to deliver a controlled amount or volume of disinfectant to the or each chamber. Advantageously, the disinfectant is delivered in misted form. In one embodiment, the device may be configured by a corresponding control device to sequentially perform disinfection steps, or sanitization and cleaning steps with a detergent.

[0014] Further, the device may include means for printing a label, the label including, for example, the sterilization certification, the date, the time, any parameters of the sterilization process and / or of the substance or substances used and / or various operational information.

[0015] The labels can also be sterile and readily affixed to the helmets once they are removed from their respective disinfection chambers.

[0016] Preferably the apparatus comprises a support base which may contain said disinfectant supply means and / or said control device.

[0017] In one embodiment thereof, the device further comprises a user interface, preferably located on the support base, for operating and controlling the disinfection.

[0018] The device is therefore particularly adapted for disinfection of surgical helmets, which is carried out efficiently, with limited space requirements and advantageously in a fully automatic mode as well.

[0019] Other advantages, features and uses of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, given by way of illustration and not of limitation.

[0020] Reference may be made to the figures in the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1A]FIG. 1 shows a schematic sagittal view of a preferred embodiment of a disinfection device according to the invention. [Figure 1B] 1 shows a schematic perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of a disinfection device according to the invention; [Figure 1C] 1 shows a schematic perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of a disinfection device according to the invention; [Figure 1D] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1A in an open configuration allowing insertion of a surgical helmet into the disinfection chamber of the device. [Diagram 2] 1B shows a perspective side view of a device in an alternative embodiment to that shown in FIG. 1A when used for disinfection of two helmets, either independently or in combination. [Diagram 3] 3 shows an exemplary block diagram of components of the device of FIG. 1A or FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 1A, 1B and 1C, a disinfection apparatus for surgical helmets according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, collectively designated 1.

[0023] For immediate reference, a Cartesian triple (x,y,z) is shown defined according to the position each helmet takes within the apparatus 1 and according to the configuration of the helmet itself (anatomical position) corresponding to its configuration as worn by a standing surgeon.

[0024] Thus, the xz plane (designated F) corresponds to an arrangement substantially parallel to the surgeon's coronal plane, the xy plane (T) to an arrangement parallel to the transverse plane, and the zy plane (S) to the sagittal plane.

[0025] The apparatus 1 comprises a pair of sterilization chambers 2 and 3, respectively, arranged side-by-side, parallel to a plane F, each adapted to receive an individual surgical helmet.

[0026] Each of the disinfection chambers 2, 3 has a closed box shape and extends prevalently according to a sagittal plane S, in particular according to the anterior-posterior y-direction and the vertical z-direction.

[0027] Each structure of chambers 2, 3 includes opposing sagittal walls, one of which is shown in FIG. 1A and is labeled 20.

[0028] 1A-1D, each sagittal wall 20 is delimited by a broken line profile connected towards the outside of the device 1. In particular, in said profile delimited by each sagittal wall 20, starting from the top, a substantially straight anterior-posterior section 21, a downward connecting section 22 having an arched profile, a first substantially straight downward section 23, a second also substantially straight downward section 24 having a less steep slope than the first section 23, a substantially straight upward section 25, a section 26 perpendicular to the interface between the two chambers 2 and 3 and a further substantially straight upward section 27 are identified.

[0029] Generally, therefore, each chamber has an outwardly convex profile in the sagittal plane S.

[0030] The two chambers 2, 3 each have an independent internal compartment for receiving their respective helmets. Between them, a structural partition 7 is defined, which extends substantially vertically and is parallel to the plane F.

[0031] Each of the chambers 2, 3 may have a closable hatch or opening for introducing a surgical helmet therein, or may allow for an opening movement, obtained for example by changing the position by rotation of one or more of the respective walls, as shown in FIG. 1D.

[0032] Preferably, each of the chambers 2, 3 has transparent surrounding walls or transparent viewing windows to also allow visual inspection of the presence of the helmets and / or the associated disinfection operations.

[0033] Beneath the two chambers 2 , 3 , in the inclined wall associated with the section 25 , a support base 4 is defined, for example comprising legs 40 .

[0034] 3, the base 4 may house the operating components of the device 1, such as a control device 100, as well as a means for supplying a disinfecting substance 5, which communicates with the interiors of the chambers 2 and 3. The control device 100 may be associated with a user interface, such as a knob 10, for controlling the device 1.

[0035] The disinfectant supply means 5 is conveniently arranged to deliver a controlled amount or volume of disinfectant, preferably in mist form, to one or each of the disinfection chambers 2, 3.

[0036] The device 1 further comprises means 6 configured to generate and print a label that can be attached to the helmet, as only illustrated in Figure 3, which is also advantageously located at the base level 4 and controlled by the device 100. The label may convey information about the disinfection carried out, such as the date, the time, parameters of the disinfection process and / or of the substance or substances used, or even an identifier of the device used.

[0037] The control device 100 may be programmed to perform one or more disinfection or helmet cleaning operations or cycles so that the device 1 operates automatically.

[0038] The mode of operation may include first delivering the disinfectant and then the cleaning solution. Typically, as mentioned above, the delivery means will include atomisation.

[0039] For example, in addition to all products suitable for disinfection by atomization, a specific combination of ionic silver, citric acid and lactic acid can be used as the disinfectant solution.

[0040] Furthermore, the control device 100 may control signalling means arranged on the base 4, such as lights indicating the working status of the device 1, a disinfection operation in progress and / or the presence of a helmet in the room.

[0041] Similarly, the signalling means may indicate the state of charge of the device 1, or that there is a need for maintenance, if a self-powered device is provided.

[0042] The device is preferably equipped with suitable sensors to detect correct closure of the chamber and any deviations from the performance of the sterilization tasks programmed by the control device 100.

[0043] Figure 2 shows two surgical helmets C1 and C2 housed in respective chambers of a variant of an embodiment of the device of the invention, here indicated by 1'. The device of Figure 2 has a disinfection chamber with a more square / polyhedral structure than the device of Figure 1A.

[0044] In general, helmet C1 or C2 may be made as described in WO 2017 / 120562 A2.

[0045] Figures 1D and 2 also show means 8 for retaining each helmet. In the example shown, the means 8 comprise a snap-fitting system acting bilaterally at the rear of the central pillar M of the helmet itself.

[0046] According to the described configuration, the device 1 is easily transportable and in particular portable.

[0047] The present invention has been described so far with reference to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that there may be other forms of embodiment related to the same inventive core as defined by the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable automatic disinfection device (1) for one or more surgical helmets (C1, C2), comprising: at least one box-shaped disinfection chamber (2) exhibiting a plurality of side walls defining an interior compartment adapted to accommodate a single helmet to be disinfected therein and extending mainly along the sagittal plane (S) of said helmet; means (5) for supplying a disinfecting substance, in communication with the interior of said disinfection chamber (2); printing means (6) configured to generate a label that can be affixed to said helmet and that contains information regarding said disinfection; A disinfection device (1) comprising:

2. 2. A disinfection device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a pair of disinfection chambers (2, 3) arranged parallel to one another, each box-shaped, extending mainly along the sagittal plane and configured to accommodate an individual helmet to be disinfected, said supply means (5) independently communicating with the interior of each of said disinfection chambers.

3. 2. Disinfection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the or each chamber (2, 3) is openable for introducing the surgical helmet therein.

4. 2. Disinfection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the or each chamber (2, 3) has a transparent surrounding wall or a transparent viewing window.

5. 2. Disinfection device (1) according to claim 1, comprising means (8) for holding helmets, preferably of the latch type, arranged in the or each chamber (2, 3).

6. 2. The disinfection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means (5) for supplying a disinfectant substance is configured to introduce a controlled amount or volume of disinfectant into the or each disinfection chamber (2, 3).

7. 2. Disinfection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means (5) for supplying are configured to atomize a disinfecting substance in the or each chamber (2, 3).

8. 2. The disinfection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the printing means (6) is configured to print on the label one or more information selected from: date, time, parameters of the disinfection process and / or of the substance or substances used.

9. 2. The disinfection device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a support base (4) provided with a user interface (10).

10. 10. The disinfection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a control device (100) for the means for supplying (5) and the means for printing (6), the control device (100) being programmed to perform one or more disinfection processes.

Images