PATIENT ISOLATOR

Abstract

A patient isolator includes a base and a cover which is arranged to seal with the base. The cover is formed from a rigid material and has two access ports on an end face. The two access ports are angled in a width direction relative to a plane which extends parallel to the width direction of the patient isolator. The two access ports are angled relative to each other. A method of isolating a patient from an environment is also disclosed

Claims

1. A ventilator port for a patient isolator, the ventilator port comprising: a sealing surface against which a part of a ventilator can seal, wherein the sealing surface is movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

2. A ventilator port according to claim 1, wherein the ventilator port is for providing a seal around a part of the ventilator that extends into the patient isolator.

3. A ventilator port according to claim 2, wherein the part of the ventilator that extends into the patient isolator is a ventilator filter or ventilator tube, and the sealing surface is a surface against which part of the ventilator filter or ventilator tube can seal.

4. A ventilator port according to claim 1, wherein the sealing surface comprises an aperture through which the ventilator can extend into the patient isolator, and the aperture has an elastic ring that can seal onto the part of the ventilator that extends through the aperture.

5. A ventilator port according to claim 4, wherein the ventilator port is configured such that when the sealing surface is moved between the extended position and the retracted position, the seal between the inside of the patient isolator and the external environment is maintained.

6. A ventilator port according to claim 5, wherein the ventilator port comprises a flexible conduit that is fixed at one end to the patient isolator and at the other end to the sealing surface, and wherein the flexible conduit allows the sealing surface to be moved between the extended position and the retracted position.

7. A ventilator port according to claim 1, wherein the ventilator port is configured such that when the sealing surface is moved between the extended position and the retracted position, the seal between the inside of the patient isolator and the external environment is maintained.

8. A ventilator port according to claim 1, wherein the ventilator port comprises a flexible conduit that is fixed at one end to the patient isolator and at the other end to the sealing surface, and wherein the flexible conduit allows the sealing surface to be moved between the extended position and the retracted position.

9. A ventilator port according to claim 1, wherein the ventilator port comprises a seal annulus which is configured to, in use, engage with a portion of the ventilator, wherein the seal annulus has a wedge shaped cross section.

10. A ventilator port as claimed in claim 9, wherein the thickness of the seal annulus at its external diameter is greater than the thickness of the seal annulus at its internal diameter.

11. A ventilator port as claimed in claim 9, wherein the thickness of the seal annulus at its external diameter is greater than the thickness of the seal annulus at its internal diameter in order to form a frustoconical sealing surface.

12. A patient isolator, the patient isolator comprising the ventilator port of claim 1.

13. A patient isolator according to claim 12, wherein the ventilator port is located within a base of the patient isolator.

14. A patient isolator according to claim 13, comprising a cover arranged to seal with the base.

15. A patient isolator according to claim 13, wherein the cover has a curved end face that is curved in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

16. A patient isolator according to claim 13, wherein the cover has two access ports on an end face of the cover and wherein the two access ports are angled relative to each other.

17. A system comprising a ventilator and a patient isolator according to claim 12, wherein the ventilator extends into the patient isolator with a seal being formed between the part of the ventilator and the sealing surface of the ventilator port.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the sealing surface of the ventilator port comprises an aperture through which the ventilator can extend into the patient isolator, and the aperture has an elastic ring that can seal onto the part of the ventilator that extends through the aperture.

19. A system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the ventilator port is configured such that when the sealing surface is moved between the extended position and the retracted position, the seal between the inside of the patient isolator and the external environment is maintained.

20. A ventilator port according to claim 19, wherein the ventilator port comprises a flexible conduit that is fixed at one end to the patient isolator and at the other end to the sealing surface, and wherein the flexible conduit allows the sealing surface to be moved between the extended position and the retracted position.

Description

[0185] Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0186] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first patient isolator;

[0187] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the first patient isolator of FIG. 1;

[0188] FIG. 3 is a side view of a second patient isolator;

[0189] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third patient isolator;

[0190] FIG. 5 is an end view of the third patient isolator;

[0191] FIG. 6 is a side view of the third patient isolator;

[0192] FIG. 7 is a top view of the third patient isolator;

[0193] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the third patient isolator;

[0194] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate exemplary angles of access ports;

[0195] FIGS. 11 to 13 show views of a first line entry apparatus;

[0196] FIG. 14 is a schematic of a plug for use with the first line entry apparatus;

[0197] FIG. 15 shows a second line entry apparatus;

[0198] FIG. 16 shows a ventilator port;

[0199] FIG. 17 shows the ventilator port in the extended position;

[0200] FIG. 18 shows the ventilator port in the retracted position;

[0201] FIGS. 19 and 20 show further details of the ventilator port;

[0202] FIGS. 21 to 25 show details of the ports and how they may be used;

[0203] FIG. 26 shows details of the undercarriage and carrier handles; and

[0204] FIG. 27 shows details of an exemplary clip.

[0205] A patient in a patient isolator 1 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As can be seen in these Figures, the patient isolator 1 comprises a rigid cover 2 (which may for example be formed of polycarbonate) and a rigid base 4 (which may for example be formed of carbon fibre, aluminium, or plastic, such as a thermoplastic, a polycarbonate or a polycarbonate blend). In use the cover 2 seals with the base 4 to isolate the patient from the outside environment. This may be to protect the environment from the patient or to protect the patient from the environment.

[0206] The base 4 has upwardly extending sides on all edges of the base 4 so as to form a tray shape. This allows the collection of any fluids from the patient in the base 4. This is watertight as the base 4 is formed as a single component.

[0207] The base 4 has a lip 6 around its entire periphery which receives the bottom edge of the cover 2. The lip 6 of the base 4 is sized so that the cover seals to the base 4. An O-ring may be provided between the lip 6 of the base 4 and cover 2 to provide a good seal between the cover 2 and the base 4.

[0208] The patient isolator 1 may be provided with clips 7 (not shown in FIG. 1 or 2) which allow the cover 2 to be fastened to the base 4. Details of an exemplary clip 7 are shown in FIG. 27. These clips 7 are attached to the base 4 of the patient isolator 1.

[0209] The clips 7 each have a rounded clip top 101 which clips onto a curved lower part 103 of the rigid cover 2.

[0210] Each clip 7 is secured in the locked position by a button 105. This button 105 has to be pushed down (as shown in the left-hand illustration of FIG. 27) to enable the opening of the clip 7. This may be used to avoid inadvertent or accidental opening of the clips 7. Each clip 7 is arranged so that it can be dismounted entirely from the patient isolator 1 in order to allow it to be cleaned and disinfected.

[0211] As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 10 for example, the cover 2 is dome shaped and is curved across its width on the top surface 8, curved across its width on the head end face 10 and curved from the head end face 10 to the top surface 8 in the lengthwise direction.

[0212] The foot end face 12 of the patient isolator 1 is provided by a part of the base 4. This foot end face 12 may provide attachment means 14 for supporting components such as a fan (which may be used to control the pressure in the patient isolator), a filter and/or monitoring equipment.

[0213] The base 4 may have a receiving hole for a line entry apparatus 20 for lines, such as IV lines, monitoring cables, or electrical wires, entering the patient isolator 1 (although not shown in FIG. 1 or 2). The receiving hole may have a gasket, such as an O-ring, around its periphery. This is so that when the line entry apparatus 20 is inserted into the receiving hole, a reliable seal can be formed between the line entry apparatus 20 and the patient isolator 1.

[0214] The patient isolator 1 may comprise a bed 16 on which a patient lies when in the patient isolator 1. The bed 16 has individually adjustable head and leg portions. This is so the patient can be put into a comfortable position when in the patient isolator 1.

[0215] The bed 16 may engage in grooves in the base 4.

[0216] The cover has a number of access holes 18. In the example patient isolator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the patient isolator 1 has ten access holes 18.

[0217] Two access holes 18 are provided on the head end face 10. As the head end faced 10 is curved/domed the two access holes 18 on this face 10 are angled relative to each other and angled relative to the plane which is parallel to the width and height direction in both the width and height directions. This can make access to the patient easier and/or more comfortable for a person outside the patient isolator 1 who is treating the patient.

[0218] The patient isolator 1 (more specifically in the cover 2) also has a pair of access holes 18 near the foot end of the patient isolator 1, two pairs of access holes 18 near the centre of the patient isolator 1 and a pair of access holes 18 near the head end of the patient isolator 1.

[0219] The access holes 18 in use will be sealed (although not shown in FIG. 1 or 2) for example by gloves, a ventilator port and/or a lid as explained in greater detail below in relation to FIGS. 21 to 25.

[0220] FIG. 3 shows a second patient isolator 1 which comprises a curved rigid cover 2 and a base 4 to which the cover 2 seals. Similarly access ports 18 are provided in the cover 2.

[0221] FIGS. 4 to 8 show a third patient isolator 1, Except where specified, the third patient isolator 1 has the same features as the first patient isolator 1 and the corresponding features of the third patient isolator are marked with the same number followed by .

[0222] As can be seen from these figures the patient isolator may comprise ports 5 on the base. These ports 5 may comprise apertures for allowing connection mechanisms such as a line entry apparatus or a ventilator port to be connected to the patient isolator 1.

[0223] As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 8 the patient isolator 1 may have means (e.g. L-tracks) to allow the base to be connected to a stretcher under carriage.

[0224] As shown most clearly in FIG. 7, whilst the end face 10 may have flat portions for the access ports 18 on the end face, the end face may still be curved between the access ports 18.

[0225] FIG. 9 shows that the access ports 18 on the end face may be angled by an angle in a width direction relative to a plane x which extends parallel to the width and height direction of the patient isolator. may for example be about 40 degrees. As illustrated, each of the access ports 18 may be angled relative to each other in a width direction relative to a plane x which extends parallel to the width and height direction of the patient isolator.

[0226] FIG. 10 shows that the access ports 18 on the end face may each be angled by an angle in vertical direction to the plane parallel with the horizontal bottom surface of the isolator. may for example be between 70 and 75 degrees.

[0227] A first line entry apparatus 20 for lines entering the patient isolator 1 (or 1 or 1) is shown at FIGS. 11, 12 and 13.

[0228] The line entry apparatus 20 comprises a support 21 in the form of a rigid plate. The rigid plate 21 comprises a plurality of apertures 23 therethrough. The plurality of apertures 23 comprises larger sized apertures and smaller sized apertures. Associated with each aperture is a seal 25. The seal 25 is in the form of a conical elastic membrane which has small hole in it. In use, a line can pass through the hole in the seal 25 and be sealed about by the elastic membrane.

[0229] When a line does not pass through an aperture 23, the aperture may be sealed with a plug 27 (see for example FIG. 14), The plug 27 has a conical surface 29 which complements the shape of the conical seal 25. The plug 27 may also have a protuberance 31. The diameter of the protuberance 31 may be greater than the diameter of the hole in the seal 25. When the plug is located in the aperture 23 in engagement with the seal 25, the protuberance 31 can be located on the inside of the seal and act to hold the plug 27 in location.

[0230] FIG. 15 shows an alternative line entry apparatus 20. The line entry apparatus 20 comprises a first seal portion 22 (which in use may be a top seal portion) and a second seal portion 24 (which in use may be a bottom seal portion).

[0231] The seal portions 22, 24 are connected together via a hinge and are movable between an open (assembly) position and a closed (sealing) position. The open, assembly position is shown in FIG. 4.

[0232] The first seal portion 22 has an elastic seal surface 26 and the second seal portion 24 has a second elastic seal surface 28. The first and second elastic seal surfaces 26, 28 can together form a seal.

[0233] The first and second elastic seal surfaces 26, 28 are each provided by a silicone pillow. Each silicone pillow is housed within a respective housing 30, 32. The housing 30, 32 is a rigid container which provides a support. The silicone pillows each protrude from their respective housing 30, 32 such that when the housings are urged together into the closed position the silicone pillows are compressed against each other to form a seal between the silicone pillows and around any lines 34 which are lying across the silicone pillows.

[0234] The line entry apparatus 20 comprises a fastener 36 which can be used to keep the two seal portions 22, 24 in contact with each other when in the closed position.

[0235] The housings 30, 32 when in the closed position form a wedge shape. This wedge shape is designed to be smaller in height in the surface that is nearest the inside of the patient isolator 1 (or 1 or 1) in use and greater in height in the surface that is nearest the outside of the patient isolator 1 in use. This wedge shape is so that a good seal can be formed between the line entry apparatus 20 and the patient isolator 1 when the line entry apparatus 20 is inserted into the patient isolator 1 from the external environment.

[0236] Each housing 30, 32 has a plurality of pairs of recesses 38 along opposing sides (i.e. one recess 38 of the pair is on one side and the other recess 38 of the pair is on the opposing side). This is for accommodating lines 34 which extend through the line entry apparatus 20 in use.

[0237] The recesses 38 on each of the housings 30, 32 are positioned so that they line up with a corresponding recess 38 on the other of the housings 30, 32. This is so that the recesses 38 form apertures when the line entry apparatus 20 is in the closed position through which the lines 34 can extend.

[0238] FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show a ventilator port 40.

[0239] The ventilator port 40 comprises a sealing surface 42. The sealing surface 42 comprises an aperture surrounded by an elastic ring 44. This elastic ring 44 has an inner diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the ventilator component which passes through the elastic ring 44. This is to provide a reliable seal between the ventilator port 40 and the ventilator filter as shown for example in FIG. 16.

[0240] The sealing surface 42 also comprises a seal annulus 46. This is an annulus 46 which extends around the aperture and elastic ring 44 of the sealing surface 42. The seal annulus 46 has a shape which corresponds to the portion of the ventilator it will be in contact with to allow a secondary seal to be formed. In the example shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 the seal annulus 46 has a wedge shaped cross section.

[0241] The ventilator port 40 comprises a flexible conduit 48. The flexible conduit 48 is connected at one end to an access port 18 and at the other end to the sealing surface 42. This flexible conduit 48 allows the sealing surface 42 to be moved between an extended position (as shown for example in FIG. 17) and a retracted position (as shown for example in FIG. 18).

[0242] The ventilator port 40 can comprise a cap 50. As shown in FIG. 18, this cap 50 can provide protection for the sealing surface 42 and flexible conduit 48 before the ventilator port 40 is used.

[0243] The ventilator port 40 may be connected to a ventilator as shown in FIGS. 16, 19 and 20. The ventilator may comprise an endotracheal (ET) tube 52 which is in the internal environment of the patient isolator 1, a filter 54 which connects to the ET tube 52. The main body of the filter 54 is located on the external side of the sealing surface 42 and a part of it extends through and seals with the elastic aperture 44. A face of the main body of the filter 54 engages with the seal annulus 46. The filter 54 may be affixed to the sealing surface by a fastener 58. Finally, the filter 54 may be connected to a ventilator hose 56 which leads back to a ventilator.

[0244] FIGS. 21 to 25 show more details of the ports 18 and 5.

[0245] In this example, each port 18, 5 comprises a pair of locking rings 110. The locking rings 110 sandwich the edge of the cover 2 or base 4 (depending on the location of the port 18, 5) and seal thereto. The two locking rings 110 sandwich the cover 2 or base 4.

[0246] The pair of locking rings 110 are screwed together through the cover 2 or base 4 of the patient isolator 1 and seal to each other and the patient isolator 1. One or more seals, such as an O-ring, may be located between each locking ring 110 and the patient isolator 1.

[0247] Each port 18, 5 may comprise a locking ring locking mechanism that secures the two locking rings 110 to each other to prevent inadvertent unaffixing of the locking rings 110 from the patient isolator 1.

[0248] Each port 5, 18 comprises two caps 112, 114. One cap is an internal cap 112 that in use is located on the inside of the patient isolator 1 and one cap is an external cap 114 that in use is located on the outside of the patient isolator 1.

[0249] The presence of both an internal and external cap 112, 114 allows equipment to be attached to a port to be changed, removed, or added whilst keeping the internal environment isolated from the external environment.

[0250] Each cap provides a hermetic closure of the port by being screwed onto an inner or outer surface of a port 18, 5.

[0251] The internal and external caps 112, 114 each have a handgrip on both sides, so the caps can be opened from either side.

[0252] The port 18, 5 also in certain cases comprise an affixing ring 116, for affixing and sealing equipment (such as a glove 118, waste bag 120, air-lock bag 120, ventilator port 40, line entry apparatus 20) to the port 18, 5. The affixing ring 116 screws onto the external locking ring 110. Equipment, such as a glove 118, waste port 120, air-lock bag 122 etc, may be sealed onto the affixing ring 116 and then affixed and sealed onto the patient isolator 1 by means of the affixing ring being screwed and sealed onto one of the locking rings 110.

[0253] The equipment (such as glove 118, waste port 120, air-lock bag 122 etc) may be mounted around a lip/flange of the affixing ring, in a circumferential socket/recess 124 ash shown on the right-hand side of FIG. 22. When the affixing ring 116 is screwed into the sandwich-ring 110, the equipment is secured to the patient isolator 1. In this case the equipment also acts as a gasket between the affixing ring 116 and one of the locking rings 110.

[0254] Each affixing ring 116 may comprise an affixing ring locking mechanism 126. This can be used to avoid unwanted opening of the affixing ring 116 that holds the equipment. For example, as shown the affixing ring may comprise three clips 126 that have to be pushed down to allow the affixing ring 116 to be unscrewed from the patient isolator 1.

[0255] The base 4 of the patient isolator 1 has standardized mounting adapters (such as L-tracks) on the underside thereof. This allows the patient isolator 1 to be easily connected to a stretcher frame/undercarriage so that it can be wheeled and/or put into a vehicle such as an ambulance for transportation.

[0256] The patient isolator 1 may comprise carrier handles 130 at the head and foot end. The carrier handles 130 are curved structures that are curved upwards as shown in FIG. 26 in order to allow the carrier's hands around it when the patient isolator is on the ground. The carrier handles 130 extend out beyond the head end and the foot end of the patient isolator 1. As such the carrier handles 130 may be arranged to help protect the equipment, such as filters, blower and other equipment in the head and foot end of the patient isolator 1. This is because the carrier handles 130 may act as the first point of contact if the patient isolator 1 hits in to another object or the ground.