SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING A CONTROLLED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

An air handling and filtration/treatment system (whether portable of affixed) for the mitigation and management of airborne biological contaminants (either those pre-existing or those that may become generated) that includes a suspended air in-take assembly containing a removable filter; that includes a deflector having ducting leading to a housing assembly that includes a UV sanitizer, a fan assembly and controller; and includes an outflow assembly that includes ducting leading to a position able manifold having a plurality orifices. The manifold and deflector are laterally offset from the housing assembly and vertically aligned with each other. The manifold is positioned to encircle the bioaerosol source. When the system is operated, the fan assembly suctions air through the filter positioned at the duct inlet, through the UV sanitizer, and expels the treated air through the manifold orifices which are directed towards the deflector to create an air curtain and negative pressure environment which contains the newly generated bioaerosols directing them to the filter of the in-take assembly.

Claims

1. An air handling and filtration/treatment system for use in performing dental procedures, comprising: a) a housing assembly including a motorized fan assembly, a user interface and a controller; b) an intake assembly including a removable filter, a first duct having a first end coupled to said housing assembly and a second end positioned laterally offset from said housing assembly, and a deflector positioned adjacent said second end, said first duct being in fluid communication with said fan assembly; c) an outflow assembly including a second duct having a first end coupled to said housing assembly and a second end coupled to a manifold member, said manifold member being positioned vertically below said deflector and includes a plurality of orifices that direct airflow vertically towards the deflector, said second duct being in fluid communication with said fan assembly; and, said housing assembly further including an operable mode such that when said housing assembly is in said operable mode, operation of said motorized fan assembly causes the suction of air into said first duct second end and the expulsion of air through said second duct to thereby create a controlled environment positioned between said deflector and said manifold member whereby airflow emanating from said manifold is directed towards the deflector and is suctioned into said first duct second end.

2. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said removable filter is positioned at or near the terminable end of said first duct second end.

3. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said removable filter is a HEPA filter.

4. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said deflector is substantially planar.

5. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said deflector is arcuate.

6. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said manifold member is substantially planar.

7. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of orifices are positioned adjacent the periphery of said manifold member.

8. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said manifold member takes the form of a bib.

9. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of orifices are positioned adjacent the periphery of said bib.

10. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 8, wherein said bib is inflatable.

11. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said user interface includes visual feedback lights.

12. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said user interface includes audible feedback.

13. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said user interface includes a touch screen display.

14. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 8, wherein said housing assembly includes a storage compartment.

15. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said housing assembly includes a storage compartment.

16. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said housing assembly includes a UV sanitizer.

17. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said intake assembly includes a UV sanitizer.

18. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 16, wherein said UV sanitizer includes a UVC LED array.

19. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said housing assembly includes a diffuser assembly such that when in said operable mode a portion of airflow from said fan assembly is directed to a diffuser member that reduces the air speed and discharges the air adjacent the housing assembly.

20. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said housing assembly includes a diffuser assembly such that when in said operable mode a portion of airflow from said fan assembly is directed to a diffuser member that reduces the air speed and discharges air to a manifold assembly.

21. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said airflow in said controlled environment is laminar.

22. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said airflow in said controlled environment has at least one speed of between 2 and 12 miles per hour.

23. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said intake assembly is telescoping.

24. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said intake assembly is vertically and horizontally adjustable.

25. The air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 2, wherein said removable filter is an ULPA filter.

26. A portable air handling and filtration/treatment system for use in performing dental procedures, comprising: a) a housing assembly including a motorized fan assembly, a user interface and a controller; b) an intake assembly including a removable filter, a first duct having a first end coupled to said housing assembly and a second end positioned laterally offset from said housing assembly, and a deflector positioned adjacent said second end, said first duct being in fluid communication with said fan assembly; c) an outflow assembly including a second duct having a first end coupled to said housing assembly and a second end coupled to a manifold member, said manifold member being positioned opposite said deflector and includes a plurality of orifices that direct airflow towards the deflector, said second duct being in fluid communication with said fan assembly; and, said housing assembly further including an operable mode such that when said housing assembly is in said operable mode, operation of said motorized fan assembly causes the suction of air into said first duct second end and the expulsion of air through said second duct to thereby define a controlled environment positioned between said deflector and said manifold member whereby airflow emanating from said manifold is directed towards the deflector and is suctioned into said first duct second end.

27. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said removable filter is positioned at or near the terminable end of said first duct second end.

28. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 27, wherein said removable filter is a HEPA filter.

29. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said deflector is substantially planar.

30. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said deflector is arcuate.

31. The portable air handling system and filtration/treatment according to claim 26, wherein said manifold member is substantially planar.

32. The portable air handling system and filtration/treatment according to claim 31, wherein said plurality of orifices are positioned adjacent the periphery of said manifold member.

33. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said manifold member takes the form of a bib, whether disposable or reusable.

34. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 33, wherein said plurality of orifices are positioned adjacent the periphery of said bib.

35. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 33, wherein said bib is inflatable.

36. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said user interface includes visual feedback lights.

37. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said user interface includes audible feedback.

38. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said user interface includes a touch screen display.

39. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 34, wherein said housing assembly includes a storage compartment.

40. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said housing assembly includes a storage compartment.

41. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said housing assembly includes a UV sanitizer.

42. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said intake assembly includes a UV sanitizer.

43. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 42 wherein said UV sanitizer includes a UVC LED array.

44. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said housing assembly includes a diffuser assembly such that when in said operable mode a portion of airflow from said fan assembly is directed to a diffuser member that reduces the air speed and discharges the air adjacent the housing assembly.

45. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said housing assembly includes a diffuser assembly such that when in said operable mode a portion of airflow from said fan assembly is directed to a diffuser member that reduces the air speed and discharges air to a manifold assembly.

46. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said airflow in said controlled environment is laminar.

47. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said airflow in said controlled environment has at least one speed of between 2 and 12 miles per hour.

48. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said intake assembly is telescoping.

49. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said intake assembly is vertically and horizontally adjustable.

50. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 27, wherein said removable filter is an ULPA filter.

5126. A method of monitoring bioaerosols generated from a patient comprising the steps of: providing an air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 1; positioning the manifold member appropriately about a patient; operating the air handling and filtration/treatment system such that bioaerosols generated from the patient are directed towards the filter by the airflow emanating from the orifices of the manifold member and subsequently captured within the filter; removing the filter from the air handling and filtration/treatment system; positioning a sealable barrier about the filter and or filter media; sealing said sealable barrier to create a sealed filter such that the filter and or filter media is not exposed to the ambient environment; labeling the sealed filter with information that corresponds to procedural data that may include any of the following: patient ID, date, airflow settings, procedure type, procedure duration, time of procedure, temperature or humidity alone or in combination; and sending the sealed filter to a location for captured bioaerosol analysis.

52. A method according to claim 26 wherein said removable filter is a HEPA filter.

53. A method according to claim 26 wherein said removable filter is a ULPA filter.

5429. A method according to claim 26 wherein said plurality of orifices are positioned adjacent the periphery of said manifold member.

55. A method according to claim 26 wherein said manifold member takes the form of a bib.

56. A method according to claim 30 wherein said plurality of orifices are positioned adjacent the periphery of said bib.

57. A method according to claim 30 wherein said bib is inflatable and said operating step includes inflating said bib.

58. A method according to claim 30 wherein said bib is disposable.

59. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said intake assembly includes a non-invasive diagnostic tool.

60. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 26, wherein said intake assembly includes sensors.

61. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 59, wherein said removable filter is positioned at or near the terminable end of said first duct second end.

62. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 61, wherein said removable filter is a HEPA filter.

63. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 59, wherein said deflector is substantially planar.

64. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 59, wherein said deflector is arcuate.

65. The portable air handling system and filtration/treatment according to claim 59, wherein said manifold member is substantially planar.

66. The portable air handling system and filtration/treatment according to claim 60, wherein said plurality of orifices are positioned adjacent the periphery of said manifold member.

67. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 59, wherein said manifold member takes the form of a bib, whether disposable or reusable.

68. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 67, wherein said plurality of orifices are positioned adjacent the periphery of said bib.

69. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 67, wherein said bib is inflatable.

70. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 59, wherein said user interface includes visual feedback lights.

71. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 59, wherein said user interface includes audible feedback.

72. The portable air handling and filtration/treatment system according to claim 59, wherein said user interface includes a touch screen display.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air handling system.

[0025] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the bib member of the air handling system shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged side views of the in-take assembly of the air handling system showing the telescopic extension of the boom arm.

[0027] FIG. 4 is schematic diagram of the functional modules within the housing assembly in conjunction with the ducting for the in-take assembly and out-flow assembly of the air handling system.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating method steps associated with preparing samples for pathogen analysis.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a schematic of the system's hood showing an example of how the system may be used as a real-time detection system by attaching one or more mechanical sensors to the underside of the hood that alert the immediate audience of the presence of one or more pathogens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a portable air handling and filtration/treatment system 100 for use in mitigating and otherwise managing bioaerosols generated during dental procedures. The system includes an in-take assembly 110, a housing assembly 120, and an outflow assembly 130 coupled to a bib 140. The air in-take assembly 110 includes a boom arm air duct 150 having a first end portion 152 and a second end 154 portion. The second end portion 154 of the boom air duct is connected to housing assembly 120 while the first end portion 152 is connected to an air deflector 156 and a removable filter 158. The housing assembly 120 has an upper portion 160 that extends to a spaced apart lower portion 162 and typically contains a number components or modules such as, internal ducts, a motorized fan assembly, a user interface, controller, and power supply. The second end portion 154 of the in-take assembly air duct 150 couple to the upper portion 160 of housing assembly 120 and is in fluid communication with the in-flow duct(s) that lead to the internal fan assembly. The outflow assembly 130 includes a flexible duct 170 duct having a first end 172 coupled to the housing assembly lower portion 162 that is in fluid communication with the out flow from the fan assembly and a second end 174 coupled to bib 140. Bib 140 is the portion of the air handling filtration and treatment system that most likely to be patient contacting. The operation of the system is generally accessed via the user interface 180 which provides visual & audio feedback, data management (communication, transmission and storage) and programming capabilities as a part of the housing assembly.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the bib 140. The bib 140 is generally light weight, flexible and adapted to be positioned around the head of a patient. The general shape of the bib is ovoid, however, other shapes may be suitable for use. The outer periphery or primary tube 190 of the bib is connected to second end 174 of flexible duct 170 at air flow inlet 192. Primary tube 190 includes a plurality of orifices 194 along the length of the tube such that air flow from the fan assembly through duct 170 exits from the plurality of orifices 194 positioned along the length of primary tube 190. The interior of bib 140 preferably takes the form of a sheet or membrane 196 connected to and being bordered by primary tube 190. Membrane 196 preferably is formed from non-permeable material and includes opening 198 for fitting about the head of a patient. As can be appreciated bib 190 may be formed of disposable thin film materials having appropriately positioned orifices such that when air flow enters inlet 192, primary tube 190 inflates.

[0032] When preparing to use the air handling and filtration treatment system, the bib 140 is placed on a patient and the deflector 156 of the in-take assembly is positioned vertically above and generally aligned with the bib 140 such that the plurality of orifices 194 in the bib is directed towards the deflector. To properly align the deflector with the bib, air duct 150 of the in-take assembly 110 may be telescoping and adjusted as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. First end portion 152 is telescopically positioned within second end portion 154 (the walls of each end portion overlap) such that lumen 200 of first end portion 152 is in fluid communication with the lumen 202 of second end portion 154. Duct 150 has a contracted configuration as shown in FIG. 3A having a first overlap distance 204 and an extended configuration shown in FIG. 3B having a second overlap distance 206. As can be appreciated when duct 150 is in the contracted configuration the magnitude of the first overlap distance 204 is greater than the magnitude of the second overlap distance 206 when duct 150 is in the extended configuration. The length of duct 150 in telescoping form is adjustable and to insure that manipulation of the length does not allow the introduction of foreign material the telescoping portions may include wiper seals 208 and 210. When the system is operated in its operative mode for examinations or procedures, the motorized fan assembly suctions air through the removable filter 158 towards the fan assembly and expels the filtered or treated air, in part, through the outflow assembly 130 where the plurality of orifices 194 in the bib directs that portion of the treated air back towards the deflector 156, and the remainder of the treated air is expelled elsewhere. The directed air from the bib orifices generates an air curtain creating a negative pressure environment around the head of the patient in which any bioaerosols expelled by the patient or generated during a procedure are contained within the bounds of the air curtain, diluted, and directed towards the removable filter of the in-take assembly. While a substantial portion of the out flow of treated air from the fan assembly is directed to the bib (which acts like a manifold), a portion of the treated air may be directed directly into the operatory environment, into the operatory's HVAC system, or directed to be expelled at some other terminal outlet. During its room turn operable mode, the system can direct some or all of the treated air into the local operatory environment, into the operatory's HVAC system, or directed to be expelled at some other terminal outlet.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic of the air flow of the system 100 and the functional components that may be included within housing assembly 120 to generate a controlled environment 300. The housing assembly 120 components include a controller module 310, a motorized fan assembly 320 and a power module 330. The housing assembly 120 may include other components or modules such as a display module 340, an input/output module 350 whereby the controller can wirelessly receive or send programs or machine data to or from external devices, a data storage module 360, an audio module 370, a UV sanitizer 380 and a diffuser assembly 390. The controller module 310 depicted is inclusive and may take the form of a computer system, programmable logic controller, microprocessor or combinations of the aforementioned. The controller module 310 is capable of controlling the motorized fan assembly 320 to provide air flow sufficient to create the desired air curtain and negative pressure environment to contain and diffuse any generated bioaerosols for filtration. Additionally, the controller can control the operation of the UV sanitizer 380 or the amount of air sent to the diffuser assembly 390 or bib 140 (manifold). Data on the number of auxiliary components in storage as well as the speed of the fan (and correlated air flow speed) can be wirelessly input to the controller module via the input/output module using known wireless protocols including Bluetooth and WIFI. Also located on the housing assembly are a speaker and a display as parts of the audio module 370 and display module 340. The speaker is used to provide audible feedback to the user during selection of a programmed operable mode for the controller and operation of the system. The display provides visual feedback for the fan operation as well as data relating to storage of auxiliary components and number of air room exchanges. The display is coupled to the controller module and is preferably a Thin Film Transistor liquid crystal display with touch screen capability however other types of display screens may be suitable. Together the first and second lights, speaker and display (as a part of their associated modules) form a user interface 180 that allows for the selection of a programmed operable mode for the controller, display of data during fan operation and providing feedback for any alarms. For instance, an alarm may be set to trigger when speed of the motorized fan is slower than it should be indicating a problem with the filter medium (i.e., filter is missing). When the alarm is triggered the user interface may provide feedback to the user in the form of alternating flashing of first and second lights, audible chirping through the speaker, flashing of the display or any combination thereof, informing the user to take some action.

[0034] In addition to detailing an apparatus for air handling and filtration of bioaerosols generated from a patient there is also a non-invasive method of monitoring pathogens that may be generated within a population including those who may be asymptomatic. As depicted in FIG. 5, the method includes the steps of: [0035] providing an air handling and filtration/treatment system according to the aforementioned system; [0036] positioning the manifold or BIB member appropriately about a patient; [0037] operating the air handling and filtration/treatment system such that bioaerosols generated from the patient are directed towards the filter by the airflow emanating from the orifices of the manifold or BIB member and subsequently captured within the filter; [0038] removing the filter from the air handling and filtration/treatment system; [0039] positioning a sealable barrier about the filter and or filter media (the sealable barrier may include suitable packaging materials such fluid tight rigid and or flexible containers or in the case of specialty designed filters the sealable barrier may constitute a non-permeable film that is attachable to a filter housing while covering the filter media creating a sealed filter configuration); [0040] sealing said sealable barrier to create a sealed filter such that the filter and or filter media is not exposed to the ambient environment or other contaminants; [0041] labeling the sealed filter with information that corresponds to procedural data that may include any of the following: patient ID, date, airflow settings, procedure type, procedure duration, time of procedure, temperature or humidity alone or in combination; and [0042] sending the sealed filter to a location so that the captured bioaerosols on the filter media can be analyzed to identify any potential pathogens.
The process of replacing a new filter in the air handling and filtration/treatment system with each new patient and the subsequent analysis of the filter for pathogens generates data that can be compiled to identify the general health of a population and or the spread of pathogens within a community. The collection and testing may be part of a national, state, or local health data system, or part of an integrated national, state, or local pathogen surveillance and forecasting system and act as a community-based early warning system, serving public health and biodefense.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of an air handling and filtration/treatment system 700 that includes a non-invasive diagnostic tool for real time or rapid detection and or identification of bioaerosols. The system 700 includes an intake assembly 710, a housing assembly 720, and an outflow assembly coupled to a bib 740 and may incorporate any of the aforementioned analogous components and modules of system 100, some of which are describe herein. Some of the components that may be included within housing assembly 720 to generate a controlled environment include a controller module 810, a motorized fan assembly 820 and a power module 830. The housing assembly 720 may include other components or modules such as a display module 840, an input/output module 850 whereby the controller can wirelessly receive or send programs or machine data to or from external devices, a data storage module 860, an audio module 870, a UV sanitizer 880 and a diffuser assembly 890. The controller module 810 depicted is inclusive and may take the form of a computer system, programmable logic controller, microprocessor or combinations of the aforementioned. The controller module 810 is capable of controlling the motorized fan assembly 820 to provide air flow sufficient to create the desired air curtain and negative pressure environment to contain and diffuse any generated bioaerosols for filtration. Additionally, the controller can control the operation of the UV sanitizer 880 or the amount of air sent to the diffuser assembly 890 or bib 740 (manifold). Data on the number of auxiliary components in storage as well as the speed of the fan (and correlated air flow speed) can be wirelessly input to the controller module via the input/output module using known wireless protocols including Bluetooth and WIFI. Also located on the housing assembly are a speaker and a display as parts of the audio module 870 and display module 840. Indicator lights 910 may be placed on the intake assembly to provide additional feedback to the system operator. Additionally, sensors 920 may be included in the system in various locations as needed to monitor room environmental properties including temperature, relative humidity, air sampling pH. The sensors 920 are preferably connected to the controller module 810 so that the data obtained may be initially captured. The information from the sensors may also be utilized in optimizing airflows in the controlled environment 800 based on the particular environmental conditions encountered.

[0044] A non-invasive diagnostic tool 930 may be incorporated into the intake assembly (preferably beneath the deflector or hood) in proximity to the removable filter. The diagnostic tool 930 may incorporate or utilize biosensors, chemical sensors, materials or reagents that change properties (e.g. color, shape, electrical, etc.) in the presence of pathogens, spectroscopy systems, microscopy systems or any combination of the aforementioned to aid in contaminate detection and or identification. The diagnostic tool may detect and or identify contaminants in the airflow directed towards the filter or captured on the filter. The data generated by the non-invasive diagnostic tool can be used to immediately trigger an alert (real time if necessary dependent upon the type of pathogen detected) and or be sent to the controller module to be captured along with data from other sensors and procedure data where it can be stored, processed, displayed and or transmitted to an external system. The external systems may include a centralized system for receiving data from multiple air handling and filtration treatment systems placed in various geographical locations to monitor pathogens in a community and or regional population.

[0045] There have been described and illustrated herein embodiments of an air handling and filtration/treatment system for mitigating and otherwise managing bioaerosols before, during, and after a dental procedure. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. It is specifically intended that aspects of the various embodiments can be combined with each other. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its scope as claimed.