Isolation apparatus

Details Isolation apparatus Isolation apparatus

1999-07-16

2001-06-05

Lacyk, John P. (Department: 3736)

Surgery

Isolation treatment chambers

C005S626000, C005S627000, C312S006000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06241653

ABSTRACT:

DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
This invention is an isolation apparatus for isolating an individual patient either in chemical or biological incidents or in standard medical care and transport. Such isolation may be necessary under several scenarios. First, if the individual has been exposed to a chemical or biological agent, the apparatus permits transportation and treatment of the patient from the site of the exposure to a remote uncontaminated site or facility while isolating the affected individual and protecting those responsible for transporting and treating him from accidental exposure. Second, it may be necessary to transport an uncontaminated patient through a contaminated or potentially contaminated zone. Under this condition, the apparatus prevents exposure of the patient to the chemical and biological agent while allowing transport and medical treatment. Third, the apparatus can be used to isolate and transport an infectious or potentially infectious patient under standard medical care and transport scenarios, while protecting the medical and transport personnel and vehicles from contamination. Fourth, the apparatus can be used as a portable or temporary isolation chamber in a hospital environment to protect hospital personnel and facilities from contamination by a potential or known infectious patient. Fifth, the apparatus may be used to isolate an individual such as a burn or immune compromised patient, either during transport or in a hospital environment, thereby protecting the patient from infection from outside sources.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Governments and armed forces are increasingly concerned over the potential for the use of chemical or biological weapons in terrorist attacks or in warfare. The use of chemical or biological weapons create special concerns among rescuers. Particularly, unlike conventional weapons, exposure by rescuers to victims of chemical or biological attack can adversely affect these rescuers. To avoid such affects on rescuers, including medical and transport personnel, it is necessary to isolate the victims of the attack. Additionally, it may be necessary to transport non-contaminated patients through zones that are already contaminated or are under the threat of chemical or biological attack. Meanwhile, in the civilian sector it is increasingly required to treat all emergency patients as potentially infectious and hazardous to personnel and equipment. This requires the use of isolation techniques during transport and treatment. Further, the resurgence of virulent strains of other diseases has required that the civilian medical community consider the need for individual isolation facilities.
Many United States Patents describe various devices for the isolation of victims, and other generally similar devices, some of them portable, for providing sterilized operating environments. These United States Patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,725,426; 5,630,296; 5,626,151; 5,331,991; 5,314,377; 4,000,749; 3,766,844; 3,695,507; 3,272,199; 3,265,059; 3,119,358; 3,118,401; 2,985,129; and 2,683,262.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an isolation apparatus for isolating an individual patient, either in chemical or biological incidents or in connection with standard medical care and transport. The invention comprises a transparent or semi-transparent, generally tubular enclosure, having two opposite ends. Secured to each of the two opposite ends of this transparent or semi-transparent, tubular enclosure are a pair of end walls. At least one semi-rigid support band extends around a portion of the outer periphery of the generally tubular enclosure.
A base mat assembly, comprising at least a first flexible, flat sheet having a top side and a bottom side, is also a part of the invention. The top side of this first sheet is secured to the underside of the generally tubular enclosure. The bottom side of this first sheet is secured to at least one reinforcing strap.
Each of these one or more reinforcing straps has lateral ends, and the lateral ends of these straps are formed into loops. The loops serve as handholds, through which persons may grasp the isolation apparatus and transport the victim to another site for medical care.
The base mat assembly of the isolation apparatus may also include a second flexible, flat sheet secured to the underside of the first flexible, flat sheet. In addition, at least two air inlet ports may be secured to one end wall, and two air outlet ports may be secured to the other of the two end walls of the transparent or semi-transparent, generally tubular enclosure.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4224936 (1980-09-01), Cox
patent: 4922562 (1990-05-01), Allred et al.
patent: 5061235 (1991-10-01), Hogan
patent: 5342121 (1994-08-01), Koria
patent: 5699568 (1997-12-01), Couldridge
patent: 5865722 (1999-02-01), Heng
patent: 6001057 (1999-12-01), Bongiovanni et al.
Vickers Aircraft Transit Isolator Model 121.
Vickers Stretcher Transit Isolator Model 132 (see particularly p. 3).

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