Disposable Bio-secure Patient Isolation Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current patient isolation solutions, such as flammable resin enclosures and privacy screens, are inadequate for safely transporting and isolating patients suspected of infectious or contagious diseases like Ebola and COVID-19, as they are either time-consuming to set up, pose safety risks, or restrict visibility and access for medical personnel.

Innovation Solution

A disposable bio-secure environmental unit featuring a reusable adjustable frame supporting a collapsible pneumatic enclosure with resealable openings, integrated negative pressure ventilators, and sealed port access points, allowing for safe and efficient transport and temporary housing of patients while maintaining negative pressure and visibility for medical care.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flammable resin enclosures are used for patient isolation, then isolation capability is provided, but safety risk increases due to flammability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation capabilityVSAvoidflammability risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable containment enclosures made from non-flammable materials that can be discarded after single use, eliminating the need for expensive fire-resistant materials while removing flammability risks entirely. The disposable nature ensures biosecurity while the non-flammable material composition resolves the safety concern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If privacy screens are used for patient isolation, then privacy is provided, but visibility and access for medical personnel deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidmedical access and visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The containment enclosure incorporates transparent or translucent panels in strategic locations to provide visibility and access for medical personnel while maintaining privacy in other areas. This localized differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous achievement of privacy protection and medical accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure includes dynamic access mechanisms such as retractable barriers, movable panels, or adjustable openings that can be configured based on medical needs. These dynamic elements allow the system to transition between privacy mode and access mode as required by different medical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If complex isolation enclosures are erected for patient isolation, then isolation effectiveness is improved, but setup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation effectivenessVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation system is divided into modular components including frame structures, containment enclosures, and accessory modules that can be independently assembled. This segmentation allows rapid assembly through simple connection mechanisms while maintaining the effectiveness of complete isolation when all modules are assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The containment enclosures and frame components are pre-fabricated and pre-configured during manufacturing with attachment mechanisms already in place. This preliminary preparation eliminates complex on-site assembly steps, allowing healthcare workers to quickly deploy the isolation system by simply connecting pre-assembled modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a safe, efficient, and cost-effective means to isolate and transport patients suspected of infectious diseases, ensuring both patient and medical staff safety by maintaining negative pressure and allowing for necessary access and visibility during transport and initial assessment.

Implementation Method 1

one or more battery powered negative pressure ventilators mechanically attached to said frame, one or more of said ventilators having pneumatic access to said containment enclosure's interior volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10842697B1Disposable bio-secure environmental unit

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 PATIENT SAFETY CO OF AMERICA

AI summary

A low cost, disposable bio-secure environment to temporarily hold, and where required to transport, patients who are suspected of having an infectious or contagious disease requiring contact, droplet and/or respiratory isolation precautions. The described Environmental Unit's unique design provides a unit that is disposable and relatively inexpensive. The frame is designed to integrate and adapt to various hospital stretchers and beds. The unit is large enough for a patient to sit up and allows movement of arms and legs and the ability to eat and drink while isolated on a bed.