Hyperbaric vehicle and transfer under pressure (TUP) unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hyperbaric ambulance and transfer-under-pressure (TUP) unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle for emergency transport and treatment of a patient that is capable of providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment to the patient, and a mobile unit for transferring the patient from the vehicle to a medical care facility. More particularly, the present invention includes a vehicle having a driver section and a vehicle chassis having a patient section that includes a hyperbaric treatment chamber. An entrance module can be positioned in between the driver section and the patient section, the entrance module having a communication and control compartment and a pressure module. The pressure module can have at least two pressure hatches, wherein at least one of the at least two pressure hatches allows personnel to enter the pressure module from the control compartment, and at least one of the at least two pressure hatches allows personnel to enter the treatment chamber from the pressure module. The pressure module enables a user to selectively enter or exit the entrance module while simultaneously maintaining a selected elevated pressure value in said patient section, and preferably enables a user to selectively enter or exit said hyperbaric treatment chamber from the entrance module while simultaneously maintaining a selected elevated pressure value in the patient section.

Claims

1. A vehicle for providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment during transfer of a patient to a medical facility, comprising: a) a driver section and a vehicle chassis having a patient section that includes a hyperbaric treatment chamber; b) an entrance module extending from the driver section to the patient section; c) a communication and control compartment and a pressure module in said entrance module; d) wherein pressure values of said hyperbaric treatment chamber and the pressure module can be controlled by a technician positioned in the communication and control compartment; e) wherein the pressure module has at least two pressure hatches, wherein at least one of the at least two pressure hatches allows personnel to enter the pressure module from the communication and control compartment, and at least one of the at least two pressure hatches allows personnel to enter the hyperbaric treatment chamber from the pressure module; f) wherein said communication and control compartment enables a user to selectively enter or exit said entrance module while simultaneously maintaining a selected elevated pressure value in said hyperbaric treatment chamber of the patient section; and g) wherein said communication and control compartment enables a user to selectively enter or exit said hyperbaric treatment chamber from the entrance module while simultaneously maintaining a selected elevated pressure value in said patient section.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 further including a locker box holding an air receiver and an air compressor for elevating pressure in the hyperbaric treatment chamber.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein the hyperbaric treatment chamber includes one or more medical supply cabinets for storing medical supplies.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the hyperbaric treatment chamber includes at least two pressure lock entrances, wherein at least one of the at least two pressure lock entrances is the pressure hatch to the entrance module, and at least one of the at least two pressure lock entrances is a pressure lock entrance positioned to an exterior of the vehicle from said hyperbaric treatment chamber.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 further including an external locker box that contains one or more cylinders of high pressure air or gas for maintaining a selected pressure in the hyperbaric treatment chamber.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 further including an H.sub.2O fire suppression tank.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the vehicle has a side entrance that allows personnel to access the communication and control compartment.

8. The vehicle of claim 4 wherein said pressure lock entrance from the hyperbaric treatment chamber to the exterior of the vehicle is configured to mate with a pressure lock of a transfer-under-pressure (TUP) unit.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the TUP unit includes front and rear transfer locks, an external locker box, a view port, and a control panel, wherein at least one of the transfer locks is able to mate with the pressure lock of the hyperbaric treatment chamber of the vehicle, and at least one of the transfer locks is able to mate with a pressure lock of a hyperbaric treatment chamber in a medical facility, and wherein the external locker box contains at least an air receiver, an air compressor, and high pressure gas cylinders for maintaining a selected elevated pressure value for the patient during transfer from the vehicle to the medical facility.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein the TUP further includes a power unit that is capable of moving the TUP at least the distance from the vehicle to a medical facility hyperbaric treatment chamber.

11. The vehicle of claim 9 wherein the TUP further includes wheels to aid in moving the TUP from the vehicle to the medical facility.

12. A vehicle for providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment during transfer of a patient to a medical facility, comprising: a) a driver section and a vehicle chassis having a patient section that includes a hyperbaric treatment chamber; b) an entrance module positioned in between the driver section and the patient section, said entrance module including a communication and control compartment and a pressure module; c) wherein pressure values of said hyperbaric treatment chamber and the pressure module can be controlled by a technician positioned in the communication and control compartment; d) wherein the pressure module has at least two pressure hatches, wherein at least one of the at least two pressure hatches allows personnel to enter the pressure module from the communication and control compartment, and at least one of the at least two pressure hatches allows personnel to enter the hyperbaric treatment chamber from the pressure module; e) wherein the hyperbaric treatment chamber includes at least two pressure lock entrances, wherein at least one of the at least two pressure lock entrances is the pressure hatch to the entrance module, and at least one of the at least two pressure lock entrances is a pressure lock entrance to the exterior of the vehicle from said hyperbaric treatment chamber; f) wherein said pressure module enables a user to selectively enter or exit said entrance module while simultaneously maintaining a selected elevated pressure value in said patient section; and g) wherein said pressure module enables a user to selectively enter or exit said hyperbaric treatment chamber from the entrance module while simultaneously maintaining a selected elevated pressure value in said patient section.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the entrance module has one or more doors that enable medical personnel to enter and exit the hyperbaric treatment chamber without disrupting the elevated pressure value established in the hyperbaric treatment chamber.

14. The vehicle of claim 12 further including a locker box holding an air receiver and an air compressor for elevating pressure in the hyperbaric treatment chamber.

15. The vehicle of claim 12 further including an external locker box that contains one or more cylinders of high pressure air or gas for maintaining a selected pressure in the hyperbaric treatment chamber.

16. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the vehicle has a side entrance that allows personnel to access the communication and control compartment.

17. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein said pressure lock entrance from the hyperbaric treatment chamber to the exterior of the vehicle is configured to mate with a pressure lock of a transfer-under-pressure (TUP) unit.

18. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein the TUP unit includes front and rear transfer locks, an external locker box, a view port, and a control panel, wherein at least one of the transfer locks is able to mate with the pressure lock of the hyperbaric treatment chamber of the vehicle, and at least one of the transfer locks is able to mate with a pressure lock of a hyperbaric treatment chamber in a medical facility, and wherein the external locker box contains at least an air receiver, an air compressor, and high pressure gas cylinders for maintaining a selected elevated pressure value for the patient during transfer from the vehicle to the medical facility.

19. The vehicle of claim 18 wherein the TUP further includes a power unit that is capable of moving the TUP at least the distance from the vehicle to a medical facility hyperbaric treatment chamber.

20. The vehicle of claim 18 wherein the TUP further includes wheels to aid in moving the TUP from the vehicle to the medical facility.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exterior left side view of a preferred embodiment of a hyperbaric vehicle of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of a hyperbaric vehicle of the present invention showing a cut-away of a preferred embodiment of a locker box;

(5) FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a preferred embodiment of a locker box of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of a hyperbaric vehicle of the present invention showing a cut-away of a preferred embodiment of a hyperbaric treatment chamber;

(7) FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a preferred embodiment of a hyperbaric treatment chamber;

(8) FIG. 7 is an interior, overhead/top view of a preferred embodiment of a hyperbaric vehicle of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 is an exterior, right side view of a preferred embodiment of a hyperbaric vehicle of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 9 is a right side view of a preferred embodiment of a hyperbaric vehicle of the present invention showing a cut-away view of a preferred external locker box;

(11) FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a preferred embodiment of an external locker box of the present invention;

(12) FIG. 11 is an exterior, right side view of a preferred embodiment of a TUP unit of the present invention;

(13) FIG. 12 is a right side view of a preferred embodiment of a TUP unit of the present invention showing a cut-away view of a preferred embodiment of an external locker box;

(14) FIG. 13 is an exterior, left side view of a preferred embodiment of a TUP unit of the present invention;

(15) FIG. 14 is an overhead/top, interior view of a preferred embodiment of a TUP unit of the present invention;

(16) FIG. 15 is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of a TUP unit of the present invention;

(17) FIG. 16 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a TUP unit of the present invention;

(18) FIG. 17 is a back view of a preferred embodiment of a TUP unit of the present invention;

(19) FIG. 18 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

(20) FIG. 19 is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of a hyperbaric vehicle of the present invention showing a cut-away view of a preferred embodiment of a hyperbaric treatment chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(21) The apparatus of the present invention is an emergency medical vehicle 10, such as a rescue vehicle or ambulance, that can provide emergency hyperbaric oxygen treatment for patients suffering from ailments and illnesses that can be cured or severities lessened in the critical time post incident. The vehicle 10 preferably provides hyperbaric oxygen treatment in route to a health care facility 70 so that the benefits of such treatment can be provided prior to admission into the facility 70. The invention also preferably includes a transfer unit, or TUP (transfer-under-pressure) unit 50, capable of maintaining treatment pressure while transferring the patient from the emergency vehicle 10 to the medical facility 70, as shown in FIGS. 1, 18. The vehicle 10 preferably contains, or at least is adapted to include, the requisite audio sirens and lights required of emergency/rescue vehicles or ambulances pursuant to local and national legal standards.

(22) The vehicle 10 preferably includes the requisite gases as shown on the right side 15 of the vehicle 10 in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 for treatment for the patient and for sustaining of the presence of the medical care providers rendering care and support to the patient in the ambulance or vehicle 10. Gases can include high pressure air 26, high pressure N.sub.2 tank 27, H.sub.2O fire suppression tank 28, and high pressure O.sub.2 tank 29, and can be located in an external locker box 25 of the vehicle 10. External locker box 25 can be provided on either side of vehicle 10.

(23) Preferably, the vehicle 10 also includes an air receiver 13 and an air compressor 14 for maintaining treatment pressure as shown in FIGS. 3-4. Air receiver 13 and air compressor 14 can be located in a locker box 12 of vehicle 10. Preferably, the high pressure gases or H.sub.2O 26, 27, 28, 29, respectively, air receiver 13, and air compressor 14 are controlled by a technician in the communications and control center 22 of the vehicle 10 using a control panel 23 as shown in FIG. 7.

(24) FIG. 5 is a left-side 11 view of a preferred embodiment of the emergency vehicle 10 of the present invention with a cut away showing the interior of patient treatment area 20. As shown, the vehicle 10 includes a patient area 20 and a driver area/cab 65. In one or more preferred embodiments, the patient area 20 preferably includes at least an entrance/exit lock module 19, and a main hyperbaric treatment chamber 18 as shown in the enlarged patient area view in FIG. 6.

(25) In one or more preferred embodiments, entrance/exit lock module 19 can include a pressure module/chamber 40 and a non-pressurized chamber/room 41, such as a communications and control center 22 as seen in FIG. 7. In one or more preferred embodiments, entrance/exit lock module 19 can be a pressure module/chamber. In one or more preferred embodiments, entrance/exit lock module 19 can be positioned in between the driver area/cab 65 and the hyperbaric chamber 18. In one or more preferred embodiments, entrance/exit lock module 19 can extend from driver area/cab 65 to hyperbaric chamber 18. In one or more preferred embodiments, entrance/exit lock module 19 is positioned in between control center 22 and hyperbaric chamber 18. In one or more preferred embodiments, entrance/exit lock module 19 is in communication with driver area/cab 65.

(26) Pressure module/chamber 40 can be an intermediate module that can be pressurized and preferably used to allow medical personnel or others to enter/exit the hyperbaric chamber 18 without disrupting the pressure of the chamber 18 and treatment of patient(s). Pressure values in pressure module 40 can be controlled by a technician in the control center 22.

(27) In one or more preferred embodiments, entrance/exit lock module 19 can be a separate pressure chamber/module 40 and preferably positioned in front of a non-pressurized treatment area 41 as seen in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 shows patient area 20 including a separate pressure module/chamber 40 in front of a non-pressurized treatment area 41. The non-pressurized treatment area 41 can be for example a conventional ambulance interior.

(28) In one or more preferred embodiments, patient area 20 can include entrance/exit lock module 19 and a hyperbaric treatment chamber 18, wherein entrance/exit lock module 19 can be a non-pressurized module/chamber.

(29) More preferably, the patient area 20 of the vehicle 10 further includes a medical communications and hyperbaric control center 22, as shown in FIG. 7 in an overhead view of the interior of the vehicle 10 of the present invention. The vehicle 10 preferably includes all of the communications capabilities to provide real time information to the destination medical facility 70 in order to provide the medical facility's providers with medical status of the incoming patient.

(30) As shown in FIG. 7, the entrance/exit lock module 19 has a pressure chamber 40 preferably having at least two pressure hatches 21, which allow personnel to enter and exit the main hyperbaric patient treatment chamber 18, and/or the communications center 22, without disrupting the treatment pressure in the main treatment chamber 18. Preferably, personnel can enter/exit the vehicle 10 through a side entrance/exit 30 to the communications center 22 without disrupting the pressure in the main treatment area 18.

(31) In one or more embodiments, a medical provider can enter pressure module 40 preferably through pressure hatch 21 from the control center 22. Preferably, a technician in control center 22 can adjust the pressure values, e.g., increase or decrease the pressure values as needed, in pressure module 40 to equalize with the pressure values in chamber 18. Preferably, when the pressure value of module 40 and chamber 18 are equal or about equal, the medical provider can enter chamber 18 preferably via pressure hatch 21 without loss of pressure in chamber 18.

(32) In one or more embodiments, pressure module 40 can be a type of hyperbaric chamber.

(33) FIGS. 2-4 show a preferred location for an air receiver 13 and air compressor 14 in a locker box 12 (enlarged in FIG. 4) that are controlled using the control panel 23 in order to maintain the pressure in the main treatment chamber 18 and coordinate entrance and exit of personnel through the entrance lock module 19. Preferably, the vehicle 10 further includes an external locker box 25 containing high pressure air 26, high pressure N.sub.2 27, high pressure O.sub.2 29, and an H.sub.2O fire suppression tank 28 as shown in FIGS. 8-10.

(34) Preferably, the main hyperbaric treatment chamber 18 includes medical supply cabinets 16 and a patient gurney 17, including at least any supplies and monitors typically found in a standard emergency/rescue vehicle, such as a standard ambulance, such that a vehicle 10 of the present invention can be used for standard ambulatory care, both with and without hyperbaric treatment.

(35) Preferably, main hyperbaric treatment chamber 18 also includes a rear pressure lock entrance/exit 24 that allows the patient and personnel to exit vehicle 10 without using entrance/exit 30. Preferably, this rear pressure lock entrance/exit 24 is capable of mating with a front and/or rear transfer lock 51, 52 on a TUP unit 50 of the present invention allowing the patient to be transferred to medical facility 70 without disrupting the treatment pressure, as seen in FIG. 18. Preferably transfer locks 51, 52 of TUP unit 50 are also capable of mating with pressure locks 72 on standard hyperbaric treatment chambers 71 at the medical facility 70 in order to provide a seamless transfer of the patient from the location of injury or pick up by emergency vehicle 10 to medical facility 70 without loss of pressure for hyperbaric treatment.

(36) In order to maintain this pressure, the TUP unit 50 preferably includes an external locker box 53 on a side 57, 60, similar to locker box 12 and external locker box 25 of vehicle 10, where external locker box 53 contains high pressure gas cylinders 56, an air receiver 54, and an air compressor 55. These items are preferably controlled by a separate TUP control panel 59 during transfer. Preferably, a TUP unit 50 also includes a view port 58 and BIBS (Built-In Breathing System) communications console 61 on a side 57, 60 as shown in FIGS. 11-14. Preferably, a TUP unit 50 includes a patient gurney 63.

(37) More preferably, a TUP unit 50 includes wheels 64 making transfer from vehicle 10 to health care facility 70 easier. Most preferably, a TUP unit 50 also includes a power unit and electric motors 62 that facilitate a smooth transfer from vehicle 10 to health care facility 70 without extra manpower as shown in FIG. 15.

PARTS LIST

(38) The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:

(39) Parts Number Description 10 vehicle/rescue vehicle/hyperbaric vehicle/ambulance of the present invention/emergency medical vehicle/ambulance 11 left side of rescue vehicle/hyperbaric vehicle/ambulance of the present invention 12 locker box 13 air receiver 14 air compressor 15 right side of rescue vehicle/hyperbaric vehicle/ambulance of the present invention 16 medical supply cabinets 17 patient gurney 18 interior main hyperbaric treatment chamber 19 entrance/exit lock module 20 patient treatment area/patient area 21 pressure hatch 22 medical communications hyperbaric controls center 23 control panel 24 rear pressure lock entrance/exit 25 external locker box 26 high pressure air 27 high pressure N.sub.2 28 H.sub.2O fire suppression tank 29 high pressure O.sub.2 30 entrance/exit 40 pressure chamber/pressure module chamber 41 non-pressurized chamber/treatment area 50 TUP (Transfer Under Pressure) unit 51 transfer lock 52 transfer lock 53 external locker box 54 air receiver 55 air compressor 56 high pressure gas cylinders 57 left side 58 view port 59 control panel 60 right side 61 communications BIBS (Built-In Breathing System) console 62 electric motors and power unit 63 patient gurney 64 TUP wheels 65 65 driver area/cab 70 medical facility treatment chamber/health care facility 71 medical facility standing hyperbaric treatment chamber 72 transfer pressure lock

(40) All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

(41) The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.