EP0186730B1 - Method for generating a clean air stream, and apparatus for creating a clean space - Google Patents

Method for generating a clean air stream, and apparatus for creating a clean space Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0186730B1
EP0186730B1 EP85110123A EP85110123A EP0186730B1 EP 0186730 B1 EP0186730 B1 EP 0186730B1 EP 85110123 A EP85110123 A EP 85110123A EP 85110123 A EP85110123 A EP 85110123A EP 0186730 B1 EP0186730 B1 EP 0186730B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clean
space
air
stream
clean room
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EP85110123A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0186730A3 (en
EP0186730A2 (en
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Zinon Dr. Duvlis
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to AT85110123T priority Critical patent/ATE53290T1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G13/00—Operating tables; Auxiliary appliances therefor
    • A61G13/10—Parts, details or accessories
    • A61G13/108—Means providing sterile air at a surgical operation table or area
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F9/00—Use of air currents for screening, e.g. air curtains

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for clean room production by means of a clean room flow which, by supplying clean room supply air formed by disinfection and optionally humidification of supply air in a clean room generator, generates through at least one air outlet opening of this clean room generator and is oriented towards an operating field in such a way that it envelops it tangentially .
  • the invention relates to a clean room generator with at least one clean air generator for the production of germ-free and possibly humidified clean room supply air from supply air sucked into the supply air, and with a fan head connected thereto, into which the clean room supply air is introduced and from its air outlet opening (s) as Clean room flow is aligned or aligned with a clean room area such that it is tangentially enveloped by the clean room flow.
  • supply air is generally the air flow within the clean room generator, whereby clean room supply air is to be understood as the supply air which has already been sterilized, and the cleanroom stream is the envelope stream emerging from the cleanroom generator and made of sterilized air.
  • a method of the type mentioned above is e.g. described in DE-A 24 39 778, which relates to an arrangement for air conditioning and keeping the air sterile in an operating room, in particular in the area of the operating field, by displacing the room air by means of conditioned, sterile supply air.
  • the clean room generation has been limited to a restricted protection zone within the operating room, in such a way that sterile air in the immediate vicinity of the operating field with the formation of a germ-free one Air curtain is fed.
  • This air curtain should either consist of a clean room flow guided tangentially over the operation site or of a clean room flow radially acting on the operation site from an annular source surrounding it. Accordingly, the normal direction of the passage for the clean room supply air should run approximately tangentially to the surgical site or enclose the surgical site in a ring.
  • At least two streams of bacteria-free air should be directed and crossed with one another in such a way that the area to be kept clean is delimited from the crossed streams Angular range is in which eddy current formation is to be brought about, so that the clean air flows through the area to be kept clean as a vortex flow.
  • This vortex flow prevents the settling of particles, but at the risk of drying out the surgical wound.
  • the supply of air is provided with a temperature which is generally different from the ambient temperature.
  • the known selectability of the temperature of the clean room air cannot achieve a reduction in the air delivery capacity required for satisfactory germ-free keeping, and a task directed to this is not even addressed in DE-A 32 08 123.
  • the clean room flow is bundled by thermal stabilization, in that it is brought to and maintained at a temperature which is clearly, but slightly below, the ambient temperature in the clean room area.
  • This thermal stabilization clearly distinguishes the clean room flow from the ambient air surrounding it by forming a very exact boundary layer with the ambient air, which is not exceeded even by those filaments that form at the boundary with the ambient air within the clean room flow.
  • the individual flow threads are kept close together in the clean room flow, so that even at a great distance from their air outlet opening they still form an exactly formed clean room flow. This is so dense that no germs can get through it into the clean room. In this way, the flow losses can be kept small.
  • the clean room flow can therefore be generated with a relatively small amount of air, for which a moderate fan output is sufficient. It is also achieved that the clean room flow maintains its bundling behind the air outlet opening in the area of the clean room even if the latter is a considerable distance behind the air outlet opening in the direction of flow. Distances such as those specified in an operating field by the length of a human body can be covered well with a precisely bundled clean room flow. Since it is sufficient for the bundling of the clean room flow through thermal stabilization if the temperature is slightly below that of the surroundings, a very effective bundling of the clean room flow can be achieved with technically simple, inexpensive means. In addition, the heat dissipated from the supply air for the clean room flow can possibly be used for other purposes.
  • the tangential clean room flow bundled by thermal stabilization can be directed by a preferably likewise thermally stabilized secondary clean room flow.
  • This secondary clean room flow meets the tangential clean room flow at a predetermined angle and directs it in a direction suitable for the respective application. In this way it can be achieved that the tangential clean room flow in any case flows tangentially around the clean room to be shielded, so that it can be encased very close to the clean room flow without any drying out of surgical or burn wounds having to be expected.
  • the tangential clean room flow can be directed in any direction by appropriate alignment of the secondary clean room flow.
  • the secondary clean room flow can be directed vertically upward from the operating table.
  • the degree of deflection of the clean room flow depends not only on the direction but also on the strength of the secondary clean room flow.
  • a clean room generator essentially consists of a clean air generator 1 and a fan head 2, which is connected to the clean air generator 1 via at least one flexible hose 3.
  • the fan head 2 rises above an operating table 21. It can be movably connected to it. With regard to a plane spanned by the operating table 21, the fan head 2 can be fastened in a pivotable manner as well as displaceable in the direction of the operating table 21. In addition, it is conceivable to attach the fan head 2 to a holder that is independent of the operating table 21, so that it can be adjusted with respect to the surface of the operating table 21 in such a way that an operating field 20 is flowed tangentially by a clean room flow 19 flowing out of the fan head 2.
  • This operating field 20 can be provided at a selected location on a human body, which lies on the operating table 21 as a patient 22. Due to the tangential flow to the operating field 20, this is screened from the clean room flow 19 flowing out of the fan head 2 against the ambient air without germs, without the operating field 20 being included in the clean room flow 19 and thus being at risk of drying out under the influence of the air flow 19.
  • the clean air generator 1 is set up in the vicinity of the operating table 21, so that the flexible hose 3 can be chosen to be relatively short.
  • the hood of the flexible hose 3 favors its disinfection, for example in an autoclave, not shown.
  • the flexible hose 3 must be selected at least so long that its length is sufficient to be able to connect the fan head 2 to the clean air generator 1 even when the fan head 2 is on a location of the operating table 21 is required, which is relatively far from the respective location of the clean air generator 1.
  • the clean air generator 1 is mounted on wheels 35 with which it is supported on a floor 4. These wheels 35 allow the clean air generator 1 to be moved into a position favorable to the respective operating field 20.
  • the wheels 35 are fastened to a housing 36 in which a conveyor 9 is elastically mounted with its drive 10.
  • a heat exchanger 7 below the conveyor 9, below which an air inlet opening 6 opens into an air distributor 37.
  • This air distributor 37 distributes the air sucked in by the conveyor 9 through the air inlet opening 6 as supply air for the clean air generation uniformly via a heat transfer surface provided by the heat exchanger 7 for cooling the air.
  • the air inlet opening 6 is expediently provided on an upper end 5 of the clean air generator 1 opposite the wheels 35. In this way, the conveyor 9 draws a relatively clean air from its surroundings. If necessary, the air inlet opening 6 can be connected via a connecting hose 38 to a fresh air atmosphere prevailing outside an operating room.
  • the conveyor 9 presses the fresh air drawn in by it and cooled in the heat exchanger 7 in the direction of the flexible hose 3, which can be connected to an air outlet opening 11 of the housing 36 via a coupling 14.
  • This air outlet opening 11 can be provided on an upper end 13 of the housing 36 opposite the wheels 35.
  • Filter 12 is fitted into the housing 36 between the air outlet opening 11 and the conveyor 9.
  • the air conveyed by the conveyor 9 in the direction of the air outlet opening 11 passes through the filter 12 on its way to the air outlet opening 11 and is both sterilized in this and also cleaned of other contaminants and thus converted into clean air.
  • a filter 12 other devices for sterilizing the fresh air and thus for the formation of clean air can also be provided.
  • the flexible hose 3 is connected with its end facing away from the clean air generator 1 to the fan head 2 via a coupling 16. With the aid of this coupling 16, an end 15 of the flexible hose 3 facing away from the clean air generator 1 can be connected to an air inlet 17 attached to the fan head 2 for the introduction of clean air into the fan head 2.
  • This air inlet 17 can for example be attached to a rear end face 39 of the fan head 2, which delimits the fan head 2 on a side opposite a front end face 40.
  • the front end face 40 and the rear end face 39 span planes which can run plane-parallel to one another.
  • the clean room flow 19 flowing tangentially to the operating field 20 emerges from the front end face 40.
  • the air inlet 17 is provided at any other point on the fan head 2, as long as it is suitable for evenly distributing the clean air supply air flow generated by the clean air generator 1 over an air outlet opening 18 which is in the front end face 40 is arranged congenitally.
  • the air outlet opening 18 can also be divided into a plurality of small openings 41 which are arranged in the front end face 40.
  • Controllable internals 42 can be provided in the air outlet opening 18, with the aid of which the direction and strength of the clean room flow 19 can be controlled. These controllable internals 42 can be steering flaps, blinds and other internals which are suitable for directing or preventing the clean room flow 19.
  • the arched design of the air outlet opening corresponds to the shape of the fan head 2, which can be in the form of a horseshoe.
  • This horseshoe projects with its two legs 43, 44 in the direction of the operating table 21.
  • the two legs 43, 44 are connected to one another by a yoke 45.
  • the length of this yoke 45 is such that a passage 46 is spanned by it and the two legs 43, 44, which passage is wide enough to span the body of a patient 22 lying on the operating table 21.
  • the front end face 40 of the fan head 2 expediently consists of a sintered metal which has very good aseptic properties.
  • a cover 47 can protrude over the front end face 40 and protrudes over the front end face 40 in the form of a canopy.
  • This diaphragm 47 extends at an upper end of the yoke 45 opposite the operating table 21 and projects with its opposite ends 48, 49 into an upper region of the legs 43, 44 which merges into the yoke 45.
  • An air-guiding opening 50 is arranged between the cover 47 and the front end face 40 (FIG.
  • Further air guiding openings 53 can be provided along the operating table 21 according to FIGS. 2 and 3. Secondary clean room flows 54 flow out of them and serve to deflect clean room flow 19 at a location suitable for the respective operating field 20.
  • the clean room stream 19 For the purpose of bundling the clean room stream 19, it is thermally stabilized. This thermal stabilization is carried out in such a way that the clean room stream 19 is slightly cooled compared to its ambient air. Depending on the temperature of the ambient air and the necessities that result from the operation to be carried out, the air flow generated by the conveyor 9 is cooled in the heat exchanger 7 or warmed up somewhat in the bed stall. In the case of cooling, the heat exchanger 7 can be coupled to a cooling unit 8, so that a refrigerant biased in the cooling unit 8 expands in the heat exchanger 7. The cold released in the process draws the heat from the supply air flow passing through the heat exchanger 7. As a rule, cooling by a few central degrees is sufficient compared to the ambient air.
  • This assembly 55 is connected via a flexible hose 56 to the housing 36 of the clean air generator 1, in which the conveyor 9 and the filter 12 are arranged.
  • the flexible hose 56 is connected via couplings 23 to the housing 36 on the one hand and the structural unit 55 on the other hand.
  • the conveyor 9 sucks in a supply air flow through an air inlet opening 6 provided on the unit 55, through the heat exchanger 7 provided in the unit 55 and presses the supply air flow through the flexible hose 3 into the fan head
  • the clean room flow 10 leaves the latter in the direction of the operating field 20.
  • the direction of the clean room flow 19 can be influenced by the secondary clean room flow 54 (FIG. 2).
  • the supply air for this is drawn off in the area of the upper closure 18 via a secondary air hose 57 and directed in the direction of the operating table 21.
  • a further secondary air outlet 58 is provided in the area of the upper end 18 over the pleasure outlet opening 11 provided for the supply air for the clean room flow 19 and is connected to the operating table 21 via the secondary air hose 57.
  • Secondary air ducts 59 which are provided with controllable air guiding openings 53, run on the operating table 21. Depending on the opening of these air guiding openings 53, the secondary air flow 54 is directed in a direction toward the air flow 19 at a location suitable for the position of the respective operating field 20.
  • the secondary clean room stream 54 contains a conveyor 61 and is connected to the air guide openings 53 via a hose 62.
  • a secondary clean room generator 60 (FIG. 3).
  • This contains a conveyor 61 and is connected to the air guide openings 53 via a hose 62.
  • the secondary clean room stream 54 can be thermally stabilized with respect to the clean room flow 19 by means of a heat exchanger 63.
  • the secondary clean room stream 54 also serves to bundle the clean room stream 19.
  • the secondary clean room stream 54 passed through a filter 12 or 12 a also strengthens the clean room stream 19 in the region of its outer boundary and thus contributes to further shielding the operating field 20.
  • a heat exchanger surface 65 is provided in the fan head 2, which can consist, for example, of a copper tube.
  • This copper tube can be connected to a water source 65, the water of which flows around the heat transfer surface 64 on one side and flows off via a drain 66.
  • the heat absorbed by the water can be obtained in a corresponding system.
  • the heat transfer surface 64 in the form of a spiral tube in the clean room supply air flow.
  • connection between the clean air generator 1, the cooling unit 8 and the fan head 2 are each provided with couplings 23, which can be designed as double lock couplings. These double lock couplings are used to keep the inside of both the tubes 3, 57 and the clean air generator 1 free of germs when the couplings 14, 16, 23 are released.
  • These couplings 14, 16, 23 can be designed as a bayonet coupling. This can have, for example, an attachment piece 27 which is sealingly attached to the ends of the hose 3 and which can be sealingly engaged with a fitting piece 28 at its end facing away from the hose 3.
  • This adapter 28 is attached to the clean air generator 1, the cooling unit 8 or the fan head.
  • the extension 27 can be close to the fitting 28th end facing a turntable 29 radially surrounding the end piece 27, which carries a driver 30.
  • the driver 30 can be sealingly guided into the interior 31 of the extension 27 facing the air flow and projects beyond the end of the extension 27 facing the adapter 28.
  • the locking plate 32 of the adapter 28 has a pin 34, which is acted upon by the driver 30 when the clutch is closed when it is moved by the turntable 29 in the direction of the pin 34.
  • the closing plate 32 of the fitting piece 28 is moved into an open position and thereby takes the closing plate 32 of the fitting piece 28 which is mounted adjacent to it.
  • the two closing plates 32 are preferably arranged closely adjacent to one another and provided with a seal so that possible contamination of the closing plate 32 cannot get into the incoming air flow before the couplings 13, 15, 23 are attached.
  • the filter 12 can be arranged in the direction of flow from the conveyor 9 or in front of the heat exchanger 7.
  • the conveyor 9 can also be arranged in the flow direction in front of the heat exchanger 7 or behind the filter 12.
  • the clean air generator 1 can also be designed so that it emits air currents of different temperatures.
  • the clean air generator 1 is connected to separate air ducts of the fan head 2 via at least two different flexible hoses 3. These air guides (not shown) lead supply air flows of different temperatures to the air outlet openings 18.
  • the clean room flow components 19 emerge from these as parallel partial clean room flows of different temperatures and are directed tangentially to the operating field 20. In this way it is possible to keep the hands of the operating personnel at a level which they find pleasant, even if the operation takes a relatively long time.
  • the temperature required for the supply air flow is first generated in the heat exchanger 7.
  • either the heat exchanger 7 is flowed through by an appropriately tempered medium.
  • the supply air flow is generated, which is cleaned in the filter 12 in such a way that the clean room flow 19 coming from it cannot produce infections which jeopardize the success of an operation.
  • This both cleaned and thermized clean room supply air flow is passed through the hose 3 into the fan head 2 and third of this through the air outlet openings 18 as tangentially directed to the respective operating field 20, he clean room 19.
  • the fan head 2 can be brought into a position that is favorable for the respective operating field 20.
  • the thermization of the clean room flow 19 causes it to surround the operating field 20 in a bundled manner.
  • the clean room flow 19 can be directed by the controllable internals 42 in such a way that it has the correct tangential direction and the strength deemed necessary by the operating personnel in the area of the operating field.
  • the secondary clean room stream 52, 54 (FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7) can be switched on accordingly. This exits from air guide openings 50, 53 at the respectively desired point at which the clean room flow 19 is to be directed. It is conceivable to generate the supply air for the secondary clean room flow 52, 54 in the secondary air generator 60 and to heat it in relation to the clean room flow 19 in order to bundle the secondary clean room flows with respect to the clean room flow 19.
  • the bundling of the clean room stream 19 by thermal stabilization can additionally be improved by moistening it.
  • the moistening has the additional advantage that the surgical wound is prevented from drying out even if part of the surgical wound lies within the clean room flow 19 due to incorrect alignment of the air outlet openings 18.
  • This humidification can be carried out with the help of a steam component within the supply air flow.
  • the clean room supply air flow absorbs this steam component when it passes through a steam chamber 67, for example, which can be arranged in the course of the flexible hose 3.
  • This steam chamber 67 is connected to a steam generator 69 via a connecting hose 68.
  • this steam generator 69 there is a liquid to be evaporated, a liquid 70 to be evaporated, which is heated by a heat source, for example a gas heater 71.
  • the liquid 70 heated by the gas heater 71 evaporates and passes from the steam generator 69 via the connecting hose 68 into the steam chamber 67; the clean room supply air flow passing through the steam chamber 67 from the clean air generator 1 in the direction of the fan head 2 is enriched with the steam in the steam chamber 67.
  • This is aseptic since the liquid 70 is aseptic.
  • the evaporation of the liquid 70 has a sterilizing effect.
  • the steam particles are finely distributed in the supply air flow entering the fan head 2, so that they also inside the fan head 2 and do not condense when exiting the air outlet openings 18. Rather, they get into the area of the operating field 20 with the clean room flow 19 and prevent absorption of liquid from the area of the operating area 20 there existing moisture within the operating field 20 act.
  • the dilution effect occurring in the area of the operating field 20 due to the clean room flow 19 can contribute significantly to the fact that germs originally present in the area of the surgical wound are also removed by the clean room flow 19. For this reason, the clean room flow 19 is aligned so that it can remove the germs located in the area of the operating field 20.
  • the humidification of the supply air flow can also be brought about by passing it over a water bath. Finally, it is also conceivable to pass the supply air flow through a water bath. It is conceivable to set the temperature of the water bath so that the clean room stream 19 reaches the temperature below its ambient temperature necessary for its thermization.
  • the steam chamber 67 or the water bath necessary for humidifying the supply air flow can be provided at any point of air ducts through which the supply air flow is directed, depending on the structural conditions of the system. For example, it is conceivable to provide the humidifier between the fan head 2 and the clean air generator 1. However, it is also possible to arrange a steam chamber 67 designed as a humidifier or a corresponding water bath between the conveyor 9 and the air outlet opening 11. Finally, it is conceivable to provide the humidifier in the fan head 2. It can also be arranged directly in front of the fan head 2.
  • the humidifier can be designed as a solvent bath. In particular, it can be considered to use the solvent bath to create a disinfectant atmosphere within the supply air flow.
  • An aerosol atmosphere is particularly suitable for this.

Abstract

A selected part of or the entire body of a patient on an operating table can be insulated from air in the surrounding atmosphere by a stream of clean-room air which issues from a distributor head and is caused to form a relatively thin layer between the selected part and the surrounding atmosphere. Such relatively thin layer can be established and maintained by heating or cooling the stream so that its temperature deviates from that of air in the surrounding atmosphere by a few degrees centigrade. The direction of flow of a portion of or the entire stream can be changed by one or more secondary streams. The moisture content of the stream of clean-room air can be increased by causing it to flow through a steam chamber. Heating or cooling of the stream can precede or follow sterilization of atmospheric air which is to form the stream.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Reinraumerzeugung mittels eines Reinraumstromes, der durch Zufuhr von durch Entkeimung und gegebenenfalls Befeuchtung von Zuluft in einem Reinraumerzeuger gebildeter Reinraum Zuluft durch zumindest eine Luftaustrittsöffnung dieses Reinraumerzeugers erzeugt und dabei derart auf ein Operationsfeld hin ausgerichtet wird, daß er dieses tangential umhüllt.The invention relates to a method for clean room production by means of a clean room flow which, by supplying clean room supply air formed by disinfection and optionally humidification of supply air in a clean room generator, generates through at least one air outlet opening of this clean room generator and is oriented towards an operating field in such a way that it envelops it tangentially .

Ferner betrifft die Erfindung einen Reinraumerzeuger mit mindestens einem Reinlufterzeuger für die Erzeugung keimfreier und gegebenenfalls befeuchteter Reinraum-Zuluft aus in diesen eingesaugter Zuluft sowie mit einem mit diesem verbundenen Lüfterkopf, in den die Reinraum-Zuluft eingeleitet und von dessen Luftaustrittsöffnung(en) aus sie als Reinraumstrom derart auf einen Reinraumbereich hin ausgerichtet bzw. auszurichten ist, daß dieser vom Reinraumstrom tangential umhüllt ist.Furthermore, the invention relates to a clean room generator with at least one clean air generator for the production of germ-free and possibly humidified clean room supply air from supply air sucked into the supply air, and with a fan head connected thereto, into which the clean room supply air is introduced and from its air outlet opening (s) as Clean room flow is aligned or aligned with a clean room area such that it is tangentially enveloped by the clean room flow.

Die vorstehend und im Nachfolgenden verwendeten Bezeichnungen 'Zuluft", "Reinraum-Zuluft" und "Reinraumstrom" sind wie folgt zu interpretieren: als Zuluft ist generell der Luftstrom innerhalb des Reinraumerzeugers bezeichnet, wobei unter Reinraum-Zuluft die bereits entkeimte Zuluft zu verstehen ist, und als Reinraumstrom ist der aus dem Reinraumerzeuger austretende Hüllstrom aus entkeimter Luft bezeichnet.The terms 'supply air', 'clean room supply air' and 'clean room flow' used above and below are to be interpreted as follows: supply air is generally the air flow within the clean room generator, whereby clean room supply air is to be understood as the supply air which has already been sterilized, and the cleanroom stream is the envelope stream emerging from the cleanroom generator and made of sterilized air.

Ein Verfahren der vorstehend erwähnten Art ist z.B. in der DE-A 24 39 778 beschrieben, die eine Anordnung zum Klimatisieren und Sterilhalten der Luft in einem Operationsraum, insbesondere im Bereich des Operationsfeldes, durch Verdrängen der Raumluft mittels konditionierter, steriler Zuluft betrifft. Im Sinne einer Verringerung des lufttechnischen Aufwandes ist bei dem Verfahren und der Anordnung gemäß der DE-A 24 39 778 die Reinraumerzeugung räumlich beschränkt worden auf eine eingeengte Schutzzone innerhalb des Operationsraumes, in der Weise, daß Sterilluft in unmittelbarer Nähe des Operationsfeldes unter Bildung eines keimfreien Luftschleiers zugeführt wird. Dieser Luftschleier soll entweder aus einem tangential über die Operationsstelle geleiteten Reinraumstrom bestehen oder aus einem die Operationsstelle von einer sie umschließenden Ringquelle aus radial beaufschlagenden Reinraumstrom. Demgemäß soll die Normalenrichtung des Durchlasses für die Reinraum-Zuluft etwa tangential zur Operationsstelle verlaufen oder die Operationsstelle ringförmig umschließen.A method of the type mentioned above is e.g. described in DE-A 24 39 778, which relates to an arrangement for air conditioning and keeping the air sterile in an operating room, in particular in the area of the operating field, by displacing the room air by means of conditioned, sterile supply air. In the sense of a reduction in the ventilation costs in the method and the arrangement according to DE-A 24 39 778, the clean room generation has been limited to a restricted protection zone within the operating room, in such a way that sterile air in the immediate vicinity of the operating field with the formation of a germ-free one Air curtain is fed. This air curtain should either consist of a clean room flow guided tangentially over the operation site or of a clean room flow radially acting on the operation site from an annular source surrounding it. Accordingly, the normal direction of the passage for the clean room supply air should run approximately tangentially to the surgical site or enclose the surgical site in a ring.

Mit den nach den vorstehend erwähnten Verfahren arbeitenden bekannten Reinraumerzeugern kann iene befriedigende Abschirmung des Operationsfeldes nur erreicht werden, wenn je nach der Entfernung des Operationsfeldes von der Luftaustrittsöffnung mit einem sehr starken Reinraumstrom gearbeitet wird. Da zur Entkeimung der Luft, die für den Reinraumstrom benötigt wird, technische Maßnahmen getroffen werden müssen, die einen beautlichen Strömmungswiderstand zur Folge haben, muß bei den bekannten Reinraumerzeugern mit einer erheblichen Luftförder-Leistung gearbeitet werden, also unter Einsaltz leistungsstarker Ventilatoren mit erheblichem Energie-Verbrauch.With the known clean room generators working according to the above-mentioned methods, a satisfactory shielding of the operating field can only be achieved if, depending on the distance of the operating field from the air outlet opening, a very strong clean room current is used. Since technical measures must be taken to disinfect the air that is required for the clean room flow, which result in a mechanical flow resistance, the known clean room generators have to work with a considerable air delivery capacity, i.e. with the use of powerful fans with considerable energy. Consumption.

Das gilt auch für das Verfahren und die Einrichtung zur Reinraumerzeugung gemäß der DE-A 26 37 061. Gemäß den Lehren dieser Schrift sollen mindestens zwei Ströme bakterienfreier Luft so gerichtet und so miteinander gekreuzt werden, daß der reinzuhaltende Raumbereich in einem von den gekreuzten Strömen abgegrenzten Winkelbereich liegt, in welchem eine Wirbelstrombildung herbeigeführt werden soll, sodaß die Reinluft den rein zu haltenden Raumbereich als Wirbelströmung durchströmt. Durch diese Wirbelströmung wird zwar das Absetzen von Partikeln verhindert, jedoch unter Inkaufnahme der Gefahr des Austrocknens der Operationswunde.This also applies to the method and device for clean room production according to DE-A 26 37 061. According to the teachings of this document, at least two streams of bacteria-free air should be directed and crossed with one another in such a way that the area to be kept clean is delimited from the crossed streams Angular range is in which eddy current formation is to be brought about, so that the clean air flows through the area to be kept clean as a vortex flow. This vortex flow prevents the settling of particles, but at the risk of drying out the surgical wound.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es gewesen, die bekannten Verfahren der Abgrenzung des keimfrei zu haltenden Raumbereichs durch eine diesen abtrennde Hüllströmung aus keimfreier Luft so verbessern, daß der gesamte Reinraumbereich, also in der Regel das gesamte Operationsfeld, mit wesentlich ermäßigter Luftförderleistung von keimfreier Luft dicht umhüllt werden kann, ohne daß die Gefahr des Austrocknens von Operationswunden hingenommen werden muß.It was an object of the present invention to improve the known methods of delimiting the sterile area to be kept by an enveloping flow of sterile air so that the entire clean room area, that is to say generally the entire operating field, is sealed with substantially reduced air flow rate from germ-free air can be wrapped without having to accept the risk of drying out surgical wounds.

Diese Aufgabe ist gemäß der Erfindung durch die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1 bzw. 4 gelöst worden. Weitere Merkmale der Erfindung sind Gegenstand der abhängigen ansprüche.This object has been achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 4, respectively. Further features of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Bei einem in der DE-A-32 08 123 beschriebenen Verfahren und einer Vorrichtung zur Belüftung von Operationsräumen mittels eines breit gefächerten Luftströmungsbereichs aus keimfreier Luft, der sich von der Raumdecke aus divergierend nach unten erstreckt, also nicht mittels einer den Reinraumbereich abtrennenden Hüllströmung wie bei dem Verfahren und dem Reinraumerzeuger gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, ist die Zuführung von Luft mit einer zur Umgebungstemperatur generell unterschiedlichen Temperatur vorgesehen. Hierdurch soll der Aufstellbereich des Operationstisches mit Reinraum-Strömungen mehr als einer Temperatur und auch Feuchte und Luftzusammensetzung beschickt werden können, um die Belüftung den jeweiligen Gegebenheiten anpassen und über den zu belüftenden Raumbereich variieren zu können, insbesondere ein Gefälle des Luftreinheitsgrades in Abhängigkeit vom Abstand des Operationsbereiches herstellen zu können. Eine Verringerungen der für eine befriedigende Keimfreihaltung notwenigen Luftförderleistung kann durch die bekannte Selektierbarkeit der Temperatur der Reinraumluft nicht erreicht werden und eine darauf gerichtete Aufgabenstellung ist auch in der DE-A 32 08 123 gar nicht angesprochen.In a method described in DE-A-32 08 123 and a device for ventilating operating rooms by means of a wide-ranging air flow area made of germ-free air that extends divergingly downwards from the ceiling, i.e. not by means of an envelope flow separating the clean room area as in the case of the method and the clean room generator according to the present invention, the supply of air is provided with a temperature which is generally different from the ambient temperature. This should allow the set-up area of the operating table to be fed with more than one temperature and also humidity and air composition in order to adapt the ventilation to the prevailing circumstances and to be able to vary over the area to be ventilated, in particular a gradient in the degree of air purity depending on the distance of the To be able to manufacture the surgical area. The known selectability of the temperature of the clean room air cannot achieve a reduction in the air delivery capacity required for satisfactory germ-free keeping, and a task directed to this is not even addressed in DE-A 32 08 123.

In der nachfolgenden Beschreibung sind vier Ausführungsbeispiele eines Reinfaumerzeugers gemäß der Erfindung unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnungen beschrieben. Es zeigen:

  • Fig. 1: eine schematische Darstellung eines Operationsfeld-Reinraumerzeugers in Kompaktbauweise,
  • Fig. 2, und 4: schematische Darstellungen von drei jeweils anderen Ausführungsformen eines Operationsfeld-Reinraumerzeugers,
  • Fig. 5: ein Kräftediagramm für die Lenkung des tangentialen Reinraumstromes durch einen Sekundär-Reinraumstrom,
  • Fig. 6: eine Vorderansicht eines auf einem Operationstisch stehenden Lüfterkopfes,
  • Fig. 7: einen Schnitt durch den Lüfterkopf nach der Linie VII-VII in Fig. 6 und
  • Fig. 8 und 9: Seitenansichten einer Doppelverschlußkupplung, einmal in geschlossenem Zustand (Fig. 8) und ein andermal geöffnet (Fig. 9).
In the following description, four exemplary embodiments of a clean room generator according to the invention are described with reference to the drawings. Show it:
  • 1: a schematic representation of a surgical field clean room generator in a compact design,
  • 2, and 4: schematic representations of three different embodiments of an operating field clean room generator,
  • 5: a force diagram for the control of the tangential clean room flow through a secondary clean room flow,
  • 6: a front view of a fan head standing on an operating table,
  • Fig. 7: a section through the fan head along the line VII-VII in Fig. 6 and
  • 8 and 9: side views of a double lock coupling, once in the closed state (Fig. 8) and another open (Fig. 9).

Mit dem Verfahren und dem Reinraumerzeuger gemäß der Erfindung wird der Reinraumstrom durch thermische Stabilisierung gebündelt, indem er auf eine Temperatur gebracht und auf dieser gehalten wird, die im Reinraumbereich deutlich, jedoch geringfügig unterhalb der Umgebungstemperatur liegt. Durch diese thermische Stabilisierung grenzt sich der Reinraumstrom eindeutig gegenüber der ihn umgebenden Umgebundsluft ab, indem er eine sehr exakte Grenzschicht gegenüber der Umgebungsluft ausbildet, die auch von solchen Stromfäden nicht überschritten wird, die sich an der Grenze zur Umgebungsluft innerhalb des Reinraumstromes ausbilden. Die einzelnen Stromfäden werden im Reinraumstrom eng beienander gehalten, sodaß sie auch bei einer großen Entfernung von ihrer Luftaustrittsöffnung noch einen exakt ausgebildeten Reinraumstrom bilden. Dieser ist so dicht, daß keine Keime durch ihn hindurch in den Reinraum gelangen können. Auf diese Weise können die Strömungsverluste klein gehalten werden. Der Reinraumstrom kann daher mit einer relativ geringen Luftmenge erzeugt werden, für die eine mäßige Ventilatorleistung ausreicht. Weiterhin wird erreicht, daß der Reinraumstrom seine hinter der Luftaustrittsöffnung vorhandene Bündelung auch dann noch im Bereich des Reinraumes beibehält, wenn dieser in Strömungsrichtung eine beträchtliche Entfernung hinter der Luftaustrittsöffnung liegt. Entfernungen, wie sie bei einem Operationsfeld durch die Länge eines menschlichen Körpers vorgegeben sind, können auf diese Weise gut mit einem exakt gebündelten Reinraumstrom zurückgelegt werden. Da es für die Bündelung des Reinraumstromes durch thermische Stabilisierung ausreicht, wenn die Temperatur geringfügig unterhalb derjenigen der Umgebung liegt, kann mit technisch einfachen, kostengünstigen Mitteln eine sehr effektive Bündelung des Reinraumstromes bewirkt werden. Zudem kann möglicherweise die von der Zuluft für den Reinraumstrom abgeführte Wärme anderweitig genutzt werden.With the method and the clean room generator according to the invention, the clean room flow is bundled by thermal stabilization, in that it is brought to and maintained at a temperature which is clearly, but slightly below, the ambient temperature in the clean room area. This thermal stabilization clearly distinguishes the clean room flow from the ambient air surrounding it by forming a very exact boundary layer with the ambient air, which is not exceeded even by those filaments that form at the boundary with the ambient air within the clean room flow. The individual flow threads are kept close together in the clean room flow, so that even at a great distance from their air outlet opening they still form an exactly formed clean room flow. This is so dense that no germs can get through it into the clean room. In this way, the flow losses can be kept small. The clean room flow can therefore be generated with a relatively small amount of air, for which a moderate fan output is sufficient. It is also achieved that the clean room flow maintains its bundling behind the air outlet opening in the area of the clean room even if the latter is a considerable distance behind the air outlet opening in the direction of flow. Distances such as those specified in an operating field by the length of a human body can be covered well with a precisely bundled clean room flow. Since it is sufficient for the bundling of the clean room flow through thermal stabilization if the temperature is slightly below that of the surroundings, a very effective bundling of the clean room flow can be achieved with technically simple, inexpensive means. In addition, the heat dissipated from the supply air for the clean room flow can possibly be used for other purposes.

Der durch thermische Stabilisierung gebündelte tangentiale Reinraumstrom kann durch einen vorzugsweise ebenfalls thermisch stabilisierten Sekundär-Reinraumstrom gelenkt werden. Dieser Sekundär-Reinraumstrom trifft in einem vorgegebenen Winkel auf den tangentialen Reinraumstrom und lenkt diesen in eine für den jeweiligen Anwendungsfall geeignete Richtung. Auf diese Weise kann erreicht werden, daß der tangentiale Reinraumstrom auf jeden Fall den abzuschirmenden Reinraum tangential umströmt, sodaß dieser sehr nahe vom Reinraumstrom umhüllt werden kann, ohne daß mit einer Austrocknung von Operations- oder Brandwunden gerechnet werden muß. Durch eine entsprechende Ausrichtung des Sekundär-Reinraumstromes kann der tangentiale Reinraumstrom in jede beliebige Richtung gelenkt werden. Beispielsweise kann der Sekundär-Reinraumstrom, wenn der tangentiale Reinraumstrom in eine vom Operationstisch wegweisende Richtung gelenkt weerden soll, vom Operationstisch aus lotrecht nach oben gerichtet werden. Umgekehrt ist es auch möglich, den Sekundär-Reinraumstrom in lotrechter Richtung von oben auf den Operationstisch zu richten, wenn der tangentiale Reinraumstrom in Richtung auf den Operationstisch umgelenkt werden soll. Das Maß der Umlenkung des Reinraumstromes hängt außer von der Richtung auch von der Stärke des Sekundär-Reinraumstromes ab.The tangential clean room flow bundled by thermal stabilization can be directed by a preferably likewise thermally stabilized secondary clean room flow. This secondary clean room flow meets the tangential clean room flow at a predetermined angle and directs it in a direction suitable for the respective application. In this way it can be achieved that the tangential clean room flow in any case flows tangentially around the clean room to be shielded, so that it can be encased very close to the clean room flow without any drying out of surgical or burn wounds having to be expected. The tangential clean room flow can be directed in any direction by appropriate alignment of the secondary clean room flow. For example, if the tangential clean room flow is to be directed in a direction pointing away from the operating table, the secondary clean room flow can be directed vertically upward from the operating table. Conversely, it is also possible to direct the secondary clean room flow in a vertical direction from above onto the operating table if the tangential clean room flow is to be deflected towards the operating table. The degree of deflection of the clean room flow depends not only on the direction but also on the strength of the secondary clean room flow.

Ein Reinraumerzeuger besteht im wesentlichen aus einem Reinlufterzeuger 1 und einem Lüfterkopf 2, der über mindestens einen flexiblen Schlauch 3 mit dem Reinlufterzeuger 1 verbunden ist. Der Lüfterkopf 2 erhebt sich über einem Operationstisch 21. Er kann mit diesem beweglich verbunden sein. Bezüglich einer vom Operationstisch 21 aufgespannten Ebene kann der Lüfterkopf 2 sowohl verschwenkbar als auch in Richtung des Operationstisches 21 verrückbar befestigt sein. Darüber hinaus ist es denkbar, den Lüfterkopf 2 an einer vom Operationstisch 21 unabhängigen Halterung zu befestigen, so daß er bezüglich der Oberfläche des Operationstisches 21 so verstellt werden kann, daß ein Operationsfeld 20 von einem dem Lüfterkopf 2 entströmenden Reinraumstrom 19 tangential angeströmt wird. Dieses Operationsfeld 20 kann an einer ausgewählten Stelle eines menschlichen Körpers vorgesehen sein, der als Patient 22 auf dem Operationstisch 21 liegt. Durch die tangentiale Anströmung des Operationsfeldes 20 wird dieses von dem dem Lüfterkopf 2 entströmenden Reinraumstrom 19 gegenüber der Umgebungsluft keimfrei abgeschirmt ohne daß das Operationsfeld 20 in den Reinraumstrom 19 mit einbezogen und damit der Gefahr ausgesetz ist, daß es unter dem Einfluß des Luftstromes 19 austrocknet.A clean room generator essentially consists of a clean air generator 1 and a fan head 2, which is connected to the clean air generator 1 via at least one flexible hose 3. The fan head 2 rises above an operating table 21. It can be movably connected to it. With regard to a plane spanned by the operating table 21, the fan head 2 can be fastened in a pivotable manner as well as displaceable in the direction of the operating table 21. In addition, it is conceivable to attach the fan head 2 to a holder that is independent of the operating table 21, so that it can be adjusted with respect to the surface of the operating table 21 in such a way that an operating field 20 is flowed tangentially by a clean room flow 19 flowing out of the fan head 2. This operating field 20 can be provided at a selected location on a human body, which lies on the operating table 21 as a patient 22. Due to the tangential flow to the operating field 20, this is screened from the clean room flow 19 flowing out of the fan head 2 against the ambient air without germs, without the operating field 20 being included in the clean room flow 19 and thus being at risk of drying out under the influence of the air flow 19.

Der Reinlufterzeuger 1 ist in der Nähe des Operationstisches 21 aufgestellt, so daß der flexible Schlauch 3 relativ kurz gewählt werden kann. Die Kührze des flexiblen Schlauches 3 begüngstigt seine Entkeimung beispeilsweise in einem nicht dargestellten Autoklaven. Der flexible Schlauch 3 muß aber mindestens so lang gewählt werden, daß seine Länge ausreicht, um den Lüfterkopf 2 auch dann mit dem Reinlufterzeuger 1 verbinden zu können, wenn der Lüfterkopf 2 an einer Stelle des Operationsstisches 21 benötigt wird, die relativ weit vom jeweiligen Standort des Reinlufterzeugers 1 entfernt ist. Um die Flexibilität des Schlauches 3 in vollem Umfange nutzen zu können, ist der Reinlufterzeuger 1 auf Rädern 35 gelagert, mit denen er sich auf einem Boden 4 abstützt. Diese Räder 35 gestatten ein Verfahren des Reinlufterzeugers 1 in eine dem jeweiligen Operationsfeld 20 günstige Position.The clean air generator 1 is set up in the vicinity of the operating table 21, so that the flexible hose 3 can be chosen to be relatively short. The hood of the flexible hose 3 favors its disinfection, for example in an autoclave, not shown. However, the flexible hose 3 must be selected at least so long that its length is sufficient to be able to connect the fan head 2 to the clean air generator 1 even when the fan head 2 is on a location of the operating table 21 is required, which is relatively far from the respective location of the clean air generator 1. In order to be able to make full use of the flexibility of the hose 3, the clean air generator 1 is mounted on wheels 35 with which it is supported on a floor 4. These wheels 35 allow the clean air generator 1 to be moved into a position favorable to the respective operating field 20.

Die Räder 35 sind an einem Gehäuse 36 befestigt, in dem ein Förderer 9 mit seinem Antrieb 10 elastisch gelagert ist. In Richtung auf die Räder 35 befindet sich bei der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1 unterhalb des Förderers 9 ein Wärmeübertrager 7, unterhalb dessen eine Lufteinlaßöffnung 6 in einen Luftverteiler 37 mündet. Dieser Luftverteiler 37 verteilt die vom Förderer 9 durch die Lufteinlaßöffnung 6 angesaugte Luft als Zuluft für die Reinluft erzeugung gleichmäßig über eine vom Wärmeübertrager 7 zur Kühlung der Luft zur Verfügung gestellte wärmeübertragende Fläche. Die Lufteinlaßöffnung 6 ist zweckmäßigerweise an einem den Rädern 35 gegenüberliegenden oberen Ende 5 des Reinlufterzeugers 1 vorgesehen. Auf diese Weise saugt der Förderer 9 eine relativ saubere Luft aus seiner Umgebung an. Gegebenenfalls kann die Lufteinlaßöffnung 6 über einen Verbindungsschlauch 38 mit einer außerhalb eines Operationsraumes herrschenden Frischluftatmosphäre verbunden sein.The wheels 35 are fastened to a housing 36 in which a conveyor 9 is elastically mounted with its drive 10. In the direction of the wheels 35 in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 there is a heat exchanger 7 below the conveyor 9, below which an air inlet opening 6 opens into an air distributor 37. This air distributor 37 distributes the air sucked in by the conveyor 9 through the air inlet opening 6 as supply air for the clean air generation uniformly via a heat transfer surface provided by the heat exchanger 7 for cooling the air. The air inlet opening 6 is expediently provided on an upper end 5 of the clean air generator 1 opposite the wheels 35. In this way, the conveyor 9 draws a relatively clean air from its surroundings. If necessary, the air inlet opening 6 can be connected via a connecting hose 38 to a fresh air atmosphere prevailing outside an operating room.

Der Förderer 9 drückt die von ihm angesaugte und im Wärmeübertrager 7 gekühlte Frischluft in Richtung auf den flexiblen Schlauch 3, der mit einer Luftauslaßöffnung 11 des Gehäuses 36 über eine Kupplung 14 verbunden sein kann. Diese Luftauslaßöffnung 11 kann an einem den Rädern 35 gegenüberliegenden oberen Abschluß 13 des Gehäuses 36 vorgesehen sein. Zwischen der Luftauslaßöffnung 11 und dem Förderer 9 ist Filter 12 in das Gehäuse 36 eingepaßt. Die vom Förderer 9 in Richtung auf die Luftauslaßöffnung 11 geförderte Luft passiert auf ihrem Wege zur Luftauslaßöffnung 11 den Filter 12 und wird in diesem sowohl entkeimt als auch von anderen Schmutzstoffen gereinigt und damit in Reinluft umgewandelt. Statt eines Filters 12 konnen auch andere Vorrichtungen zur Entkeimung der Frischluft und somit zur Bildung von Reinluft vorgesehen sein.The conveyor 9 presses the fresh air drawn in by it and cooled in the heat exchanger 7 in the direction of the flexible hose 3, which can be connected to an air outlet opening 11 of the housing 36 via a coupling 14. This air outlet opening 11 can be provided on an upper end 13 of the housing 36 opposite the wheels 35. Filter 12 is fitted into the housing 36 between the air outlet opening 11 and the conveyor 9. The air conveyed by the conveyor 9 in the direction of the air outlet opening 11 passes through the filter 12 on its way to the air outlet opening 11 and is both sterilized in this and also cleaned of other contaminants and thus converted into clean air. Instead of a filter 12, other devices for sterilizing the fresh air and thus for the formation of clean air can also be provided.

Der flexible Schlauch 3 ist mit seinem dem Reinlufterzeuger 1 abgewandten Ende über eine Kupplung 16 mit dem Lüfterkopf 2 verbunden. Mit Hilfe dieser Kupplung 16 kann ein dem Reinlufterzeuger 1 abgewandtes Ende 15 des flexiblen Schlauches 3 mit einem am Lüfterkopf 2 befestigten Lufteinlaß 17 für die Einleitung von Reinluft in dem Lüfterkopf 2 verbunden werden. Dieser Lufteinlaß 17 kann beispielsweise an einerhinteren stirnfläche 39 des Lüfterkopfes 2 angebracht sein, die den Lüfterkopf 2 auf einer einer vorderen Stirnfläche 40 gegenüberliegenden Seite begrenzt. Die vordere Stirnfläche 40 und die hintere Stirnfläche 39 spannen Ebenen auf, die planparallel zueinander verlaufen können. Aus der vorderen Stirnfläche 40 tritt der das Operationsfeld 20 tangential anströmende Reinraumstrom 19 aus. Es ist jedock auch denkbar, daß der Lufteinlaß 17 an einer anderen beliebigen Stelle des Lüfterkopfes 2 vorgesehen ist, so lange er dazu geeignet ist, den vom Reinlufterzeuger 1 erzeugten Reinluft-Zuluftstrom gleichmäßig uber eine Luftaustrittsöffnung 18 zu verteilen, die in der vorderen Stirnfläche 40 begenförmig angeordnet ist. Die Luftaustrittsöffnung 18 kann auch in eine Vielzahl kleiner Öffnungen 41 unterteilt sein, die in der vorderen Stirnfläche 40 angeordnet sind. In der Luftaustrittsöffnung 18 können steuerbare Einbauten 42 vorgesehen sein, mit deren Hilfe der Reinraumstrom 19 hinsichtlich seiner Richtung und Stärke gesteuert werden kann. Bei diesen steuerbaren Einbauten 42 kann es sich um Lenkklappen, Jalousien und andere Einbauten handeln, die geeignet sind, den Reinraumstrom 19 zu lenken bezichungsweise zu unterbinden.The flexible hose 3 is connected with its end facing away from the clean air generator 1 to the fan head 2 via a coupling 16. With the aid of this coupling 16, an end 15 of the flexible hose 3 facing away from the clean air generator 1 can be connected to an air inlet 17 attached to the fan head 2 for the introduction of clean air into the fan head 2. This air inlet 17 can for example be attached to a rear end face 39 of the fan head 2, which delimits the fan head 2 on a side opposite a front end face 40. The front end face 40 and the rear end face 39 span planes which can run plane-parallel to one another. The clean room flow 19 flowing tangentially to the operating field 20 emerges from the front end face 40. However, it is also conceivable that the air inlet 17 is provided at any other point on the fan head 2, as long as it is suitable for evenly distributing the clean air supply air flow generated by the clean air generator 1 over an air outlet opening 18 which is in the front end face 40 is arranged congenitally. The air outlet opening 18 can also be divided into a plurality of small openings 41 which are arranged in the front end face 40. Controllable internals 42 can be provided in the air outlet opening 18, with the aid of which the direction and strength of the clean room flow 19 can be controlled. These controllable internals 42 can be steering flaps, blinds and other internals which are suitable for directing or preventing the clean room flow 19.

Der in Fig. 6 erkennbaren bogenförmigen Ausbildung der Luftaustrittsöffnung entspricht die Form des Lüfterkopfes 2, der in Form eines Hufeisens ausgebildet sein kann. Dieses Hufeisen ragt mit seinen beiden Schenkeln 43, 44 in Richtung auf den Operationstisch 21. Die beiden Schenkel 43, 44 sind durch ein Joch 45 miteinander verbunden. Dieses Joch 45 ist in seiner Länge so bemessen, daß von ihm und den beiden Schenkeln 43, 44 ein Durchlaß 46 aufgespannt wird, der weit genug ist, um den Körper eines Patienten 22 zu überspannen, der auf dem Operationstisch 21 liegt.The arched design of the air outlet opening, which can be seen in FIG. 6, corresponds to the shape of the fan head 2, which can be in the form of a horseshoe. This horseshoe projects with its two legs 43, 44 in the direction of the operating table 21. The two legs 43, 44 are connected to one another by a yoke 45. The length of this yoke 45 is such that a passage 46 is spanned by it and the two legs 43, 44, which passage is wide enough to span the body of a patient 22 lying on the operating table 21.

Die vordere Stirnfläche 40 des Lüfterkopfes 2 besteht zweckmäßigerweise aus einem Sintermetall, das sehr gute aseptische Eigenschaften aufweist. Über die vordere Stirnfläche 40 kann wie die Fig. 6 und 7 zeigen, eine Blende 47 ragen, die in Form eines Vordaches die vordere Stirnfläche 40 überkragt. Diese Blende 47 erstreckt sich an einem dem Operationstisch 21 gegenüberliegenden oberen Ende des Joches 45 und ragt mit seinen einander gegenüberliegenden Enden 48, 49 bis in einen oberen Bereich der Schenkel 43, 44, der in das Joch 45 übergeht. Zwischen der Blebde 47 und der vorderen Stirnfläche 40 ist eine Luftleitöffnung 50 angeordnet (Fig. 7), die einerseits von der vorderen Stirnfläche 40 und andererseits von einem Lenkblech 51 begrenzt wird, das sich im wesentlichen planparallel zur vorderen Stirnfläche 40 im Abstand des Querschnittes der Luftleitöffnung 50 erstreckt. Es ist auch denkbar, das Lenkblech 51 verschwenkbar an der Blende 47 zu befestigen, so daß ein aus der Luftleitöffnung 50 austretender Sekundär Reinraumstrom 52 entweder lotrecht auf den Operationstisch 21 oder schräg auf dessen Oberfläche gerichtet werden kann.The front end face 40 of the fan head 2 expediently consists of a sintered metal which has very good aseptic properties. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a cover 47 can protrude over the front end face 40 and protrudes over the front end face 40 in the form of a canopy. This diaphragm 47 extends at an upper end of the yoke 45 opposite the operating table 21 and projects with its opposite ends 48, 49 into an upper region of the legs 43, 44 which merges into the yoke 45. An air-guiding opening 50 is arranged between the cover 47 and the front end face 40 (FIG. 7), which is delimited on the one hand by the front end face 40 and on the other hand by a steering plate 51 which is essentially plane-parallel to the front end face 40 at a distance from the cross section of FIG Air guide opening 50 extends. It is also conceivable to pivotally fix the steering plate 51 to the diaphragm 47, so that a secondary clean room stream 52 emerging from the air guide opening 50 can either be directed perpendicularly onto the operating table 21 or obliquely onto its surface.

Weitere Luftleitöffnungen 53 können gemäß den Fig. 2 und 3 entlang dem Operationstisch 21 vorgesehen sein. Aus ihnen strömen jeweils Sekundär-Reinraumströme 54 aus, die der Umlenkung des Reinraumstromes 19 an einer für das jeweilige Operationsfeld 20 geeigneten Stelle dienen.Further air guiding openings 53 can be provided along the operating table 21 according to FIGS. 2 and 3. Secondary clean room flows 54 flow out of them and serve to deflect clean room flow 19 at a location suitable for the respective operating field 20.

Zum Zwecke der Bündelung des Reinraumstromes 19 wird dieser thermisch stabilisiert. Diese thermische Stabilisierug wird in der Weise vorgenommen, daß der Reinraumstrom 19 gegenüber seiner Umgebungsluftgeringfügig abgekühlt wird. Je nach der Temperatur der Umgebungsluft und Notwendigkeiten, die sich aus der jeweils durchzuführenden Operation ergeben, wird der vom Forderer 9 erzeugte Luftstrom in Wärmeübertrager 7 abgekühlt oder im Bedartstall etwas erwärmt. Im Falle der Abkühlung kann der Wärmeübertrager 7 mit einem Kühlaggregat 8 gekoppelt sein, so daß ein im Kühlaggregat 8 vorgespanntes Kältemittel im Wärmeübertrager 7 expandiert. Die dabei freiwerdende Kälte enzieht dem durch den Wärmeübertrager 7 hindurchtretenden Zuluftstrom die Wärme. Im Regelfall genügt eine Abkühlung gegenüber der Umgebungsluft um einige Zentrigrade. Es ist jedoch auch möglich, den Luftstrom um zwei bis drei Grad gegenüber der Umgebungsluft abzukühlen. Dabei ist darauf zu achten, daß die Abkühlung im Wärmeübertrager 7 so beschaffen sein muß, daß der Reinraümstrom 19 im Bereich des Operationsfeldes 20 eine sich deutlich von der Temperatur der Umgebungsluft unterscheidende Temperatur aufweist. Bei der Abkühlung der Zuluft muß insoweit die Erwärmung des Luftstromes auf seinem Weg vom Wärmeübertrager 7 bis zum Operationsfeld 20 berücksichtigt werden. Er nimmt sowohl die vom Antrieb 10 entwickelte Wärme auf als auch die im Filter 12 und vom flexiblen Schlauch 3 gespeicherte Wärme.For the purpose of bundling the clean room stream 19, it is thermally stabilized. This thermal stabilization is carried out in such a way that the clean room stream 19 is slightly cooled compared to its ambient air. Depending on the temperature of the ambient air and the necessities that result from the operation to be carried out, the air flow generated by the conveyor 9 is cooled in the heat exchanger 7 or warmed up somewhat in the bed stall. In the case of cooling, the heat exchanger 7 can be coupled to a cooling unit 8, so that a refrigerant biased in the cooling unit 8 expands in the heat exchanger 7. The cold released in the process draws the heat from the supply air flow passing through the heat exchanger 7. As a rule, cooling by a few central degrees is sufficient compared to the ambient air. However, it is also possible to cool the air flow two to three degrees from the ambient air. Care must be taken to ensure that the cooling in the heat exchanger 7 is such that the clean room stream 19 in the area of the operating field 20 has a temperature which differs significantly from the temperature of the ambient air. When cooling the supply air, the heating of the air flow on its way from the heat exchanger 7 to the operating field 20 must be taken into account. It absorbs both the heat developed by the drive 10 and the heat stored in the filter 12 and the flexible hose 3.

Aus diesem Grunde ist es denkbar, das Kühlaggregat 8 und den Wärmeübertrager 7 in einer vom Gehäuse 36 getrennten Baueinheit 55 zusammenzufassen, wie bei den Ausführungen gemäß den Fig. 2-4. Diese Baueinheit 55 ist über einen flexiblen Schlauch 56 mit dem Gehäuse 36 des Reinlufterzeugers 1 verbunden, in dem der Förderer 9 und der Filter 12 angeordnet sind. Der flexible Schlauch 56 ist über Kupplungen 23 mit dem Gehäuse 36 einerseits und der Baueinheit 55 andererseits verbunden. Der Förderer 9 saugt einen zuluftstrom durch eine an der Baueinheit 55 vorgesehene Lufteinlaßöffnung 6 an, durch den in der Baueinheiten 55 vorgesehenen Wärmeübertrager 7 hindurch und drückt den zuluftstrom durch den flexiblen Schlauch 3 in den LüfterkopfFor this reason, it is conceivable to combine the cooling unit 8 and the heat exchanger 7 in a unit 55 separate from the housing 36, as in the embodiments according to FIGS. 2-4. This assembly 55 is connected via a flexible hose 56 to the housing 36 of the clean air generator 1, in which the conveyor 9 and the filter 12 are arranged. The flexible hose 56 is connected via couplings 23 to the housing 36 on the one hand and the structural unit 55 on the other hand. The conveyor 9 sucks in a supply air flow through an air inlet opening 6 provided on the unit 55, through the heat exchanger 7 provided in the unit 55 and presses the supply air flow through the flexible hose 3 into the fan head

2. Diesen verläßt der Reinraumstrom 10 in Richtung auf das Operationsfeld 20. Dabei kann der Reinraumstrom 19 in seiner Richtung durch den Sekundär-Reinraumstrom 54 beeinflußt werden (Fig. 2). Die Zuluft für diesen wird gemäß Fig. 2 im Bereich des oberen Abschlusses 18 über einen Sekundärluftschlauch 57 abgenommen und in Richtung auf den Operationsstisch 21 gelenkt. Zu diesem Zwecke ist im Bereich des oberen Abschlusses 18 auber der für die Zuluft für den Reinraumstrom 19 vorgesehenen Lustauslaß- öffnung 11 noch ein weiterer Sekundärluftauslaß 58 vorgesehen, der über den Sekundärluftschlauch 57 mit dem Operationstisch 21 verbunden ist. Am Operationstisch 21 verlaufen Sekundarluftführungen 59, die mit steuerbaren Luftleitöffnungen 53 versehen sind. Je nach der Öffnung dieser Luftleitöffnungen 53 wird der Sekundärluftstrom 54 an einer für die Lage des jeweiligen Operationsfeldes 20 geeigneten Stelle in Richtung auf den Luftstrom 19 gelenkt.2. The clean room flow 10 leaves the latter in the direction of the operating field 20. The direction of the clean room flow 19 can be influenced by the secondary clean room flow 54 (FIG. 2). According to FIG. 2, the supply air for this is drawn off in the area of the upper closure 18 via a secondary air hose 57 and directed in the direction of the operating table 21. For this purpose, a further secondary air outlet 58 is provided in the area of the upper end 18 over the pleasure outlet opening 11 provided for the supply air for the clean room flow 19 and is connected to the operating table 21 via the secondary air hose 57. Secondary air ducts 59, which are provided with controllable air guiding openings 53, run on the operating table 21. Depending on the opening of these air guiding openings 53, the secondary air flow 54 is directed in a direction toward the air flow 19 at a location suitable for the position of the respective operating field 20.

Es ist jedoch auch möglich, den Sekundär-Reinraumstrom 54 mit Hilfe eines Sekundär-Reinraumerzeugers 60 zu erzeugen (Fig. 3). Dieser enthält seinerseits einer Förderer 61 und ist über einen Schlauch 62 mit den Luftleitöffnungen 53 verbunden. Zur Bündelung des Sekundär-Reinraumstromes 54 kann dieser mittels eins Wärmeübertragers 63 gegenüber dem Reinraumstrom 19 thermisch stabilisiert werden. Auf diese Weise dient der Sekundär-Reinraumstrom 54 zusätzlich dazu, den Reinraumstrom 19 zu bündeln. Darüber hinaus verstärkt der durch einen Filter 12 bzw. 12a geleitete Sekundär-Reinraumstrom 54 auch den Reinraumstrom 19 im Bereich seiner äußeren Begrenzung und trägt damit zur weiteren Abschirmung des Operationsfeldes 20 bei.However, it is also possible to generate the secondary clean room stream 54 with the aid of a secondary clean room generator 60 (FIG. 3). This in turn contains a conveyor 61 and is connected to the air guide openings 53 via a hose 62. To bundle the secondary clean room flow 54, it can be thermally stabilized with respect to the clean room flow 19 by means of a heat exchanger 63. In this way, the secondary clean room stream 54 also serves to bundle the clean room stream 19. In addition, the secondary clean room stream 54 passed through a filter 12 or 12 a also strengthens the clean room stream 19 in the region of its outer boundary and thus contributes to further shielding the operating field 20.

Es ist auch möglich, den Wärmeübertrager 7 lediglich von Wasser zum Zwecke der Kühlung des Reinraumstromes 19 beziehungsweise Sekundär-Reinraumstromes 54 fließen zu lassen. Eine solche Wasserkühlung kann auch in den Bereich des Lüfterkopfes 2 verlagert werden wie in Fig. 3 gezeigt ist. Zu diesem Zwecke ist im Lüfterkopf 2 eine Wärmeübertragerfläche 65 vorgesehen, die beispielsweise aus einem Kupferrohr bestehen kann. Dieses Kupferrohr kann mit einer Wasserquelle 65 verbunden sein, deren Wasser die Wärmeübertragerfläche 64 einseitig umspült und über einen Abfluß 66 abfließt. Die dabei vom Wasser aufgenommene Wärme kann in einer entsprechenden Anlage gewonnen werden. Dabei ist es möglich, die Wärmeübertragerfläche 64 in Form eines Spiralrohres im Reinraum-Zuluftstrom anzuordnen. Es ist jedoch auch denkbar, die Wärmeübertragerfläche 64 in Form eines relativ engmaschigen Gitters in der Luftaustrittsöffnung 18 anzuordnen.It is also possible to let the heat exchanger 7 flow only from water for the purpose of cooling the clean room flow 19 or secondary clean room flow 54. Such water cooling can also be shifted into the area of the fan head 2, as shown in FIG. 3. For this purpose, a heat exchanger surface 65 is provided in the fan head 2, which can consist, for example, of a copper tube. This copper tube can be connected to a water source 65, the water of which flows around the heat transfer surface 64 on one side and flows off via a drain 66. The heat absorbed by the water can be obtained in a corresponding system. It is possible to arrange the heat transfer surface 64 in the form of a spiral tube in the clean room supply air flow. However, it is also conceivable to arrange the heat transfer surface 64 in the form of a relatively close-meshed grid in the air outlet opening 18.

Darüber hinaus ist es denkbar, das Kühlaggregat 8 mit dem Wärmeübertrager 7 zwischen den Reinlufterzeuger 1 und den Lüfterkopf 2 zu schalten (Fig. 4). Dabei sind die Verbindungen zwischen dem Reinlufterzeuger 1, dem Kühlaggregat 8 und dem Lüfterkopf 2 jeweils mit Kupplungen 23 versehen, die als Doppelverschlußkupplungen ausgebildet sein können. Diese Doppelverschlußkupplungen dienen dazu, das Innere sowohl der Schläuche 3, 57 als auch des Reinlufterzeugers 1 von Keimen freizuhalten, wenn die Kupplungen 14,16, 23 gelöst sind. Diese Kupplungen 14, 16, 23 können als Bajonettverschlußkupplungen ausgebildet sein. Diese kann beispielsweise ein an den Enden des Schlauches 3 abdichtend befestigtes Ansatzstück 27 aufweisen, das an seinen dem Schlauch 3 abgewandten Ende mit einem Paßstück 28 abdichtend in Eingriff gebracht werden kann. Dieses Paßstück 28 ist an dem Reinlufterzeuger 1, dem Kühlaggregat 8 oder dem Lüfterkopf befestigt. Das Ansatzstück 27 kann nahe seinem dem Paßstück 28 zugekehrten Ende einen das Ansatzstück 27 radial umgebenden Drehkranz 29 aufweisen, der einen Mitnehmer 30 trägt. Der Mitnehmer 30 kann in den dem Luftstrom zugekehrten Innenraum 31 des Ansatzstückes 27 abdichtend geführt sein und ragt über das dem Paßstück 28 zugekehrte Ende des Ansatzstücktes 27 hinaus. Bei gelösten Kupplungen 13, 15, 23 sind das Ansatzstück 27 und das Paßstück 28 an ihren dem Schlauch 3 bezichungsweise dem Reinlufterzeuger 1, dem Kühlaggregat 8 oder dem Lüfterkopf 2 zugekehrten Seiten von Schließtellern 32 verschlossen, die jeweils um eine senkrecht zur Strömungsrichtung des Luftstromes angeordnete Drehachse 33 drehbar gelagert sind und jeweils durch eine nicht dargestellte Feder in Schließstellung gehalten werden. Der Schließteller 32 des Paßstückes 28 weist einen Zapfen 34 auf, der bei geschlossener Kupplung von dem Mitnehmer 30 beaufschlagt wird, wenn dieser durch den Drehkranz 29 in Richtung auf den Zapfen 34 bewegt wird. Durch eine derartige Drehbewegung wird der Schließteller 32 des Paßstückes 28 in eine Öffnungsstellung bewegt und nimmt dabei den ihm benachbart gelagerten Schließteller 32 des Paßstückes 28 mit. Vorzugsweise sind die beiden Schließteller 32 eng einander benachbart angeordnet und mit einer Dichtung versehen, so daß mögliche Verunreinigungen der Schließteller 32 vor dem Ansetzen der Kupplungen 13, 15, 23 nicht in den Zuzuftstrom gelangen können.In addition, it is conceivable to switch the cooling unit 8 with the heat exchanger 7 between the clean air generator 1 and the fan head 2 (FIG. 4). The connections between the clean air generator 1, the cooling unit 8 and the fan head 2 are each provided with couplings 23, which can be designed as double lock couplings. These double lock couplings are used to keep the inside of both the tubes 3, 57 and the clean air generator 1 free of germs when the couplings 14, 16, 23 are released. These couplings 14, 16, 23 can be designed as a bayonet coupling. This can have, for example, an attachment piece 27 which is sealingly attached to the ends of the hose 3 and which can be sealingly engaged with a fitting piece 28 at its end facing away from the hose 3. This adapter 28 is attached to the clean air generator 1, the cooling unit 8 or the fan head. The extension 27 can be close to the fitting 28th end facing a turntable 29 radially surrounding the end piece 27, which carries a driver 30. The driver 30 can be sealingly guided into the interior 31 of the extension 27 facing the air flow and projects beyond the end of the extension 27 facing the adapter 28. When the couplings 13, 15, 23 are released, the extension 27 and the fitting 28 are closed on their sides facing the hose 3 or the clean air generator 1, the cooling unit 8 or the fan head 2 by closing plates 32, each arranged around a perpendicular to the direction of flow of the air flow Axis of rotation 33 are rotatably mounted and are each held in the closed position by a spring, not shown. The locking plate 32 of the adapter 28 has a pin 34, which is acted upon by the driver 30 when the clutch is closed when it is moved by the turntable 29 in the direction of the pin 34. By means of such a rotary movement, the closing plate 32 of the fitting piece 28 is moved into an open position and thereby takes the closing plate 32 of the fitting piece 28 which is mounted adjacent to it. The two closing plates 32 are preferably arranged closely adjacent to one another and provided with a seal so that possible contamination of the closing plate 32 cannot get into the incoming air flow before the couplings 13, 15, 23 are attached.

Der Filter 12 kann in Strömungsrichtung von dem Förderer 9 oder vor dem Wärmeübertrager 7 angeordnet werden. Darüber hinaus kann der Förderer 9 auch in Strömungsrichtung vor dem Wärmeübertrager 7 oder hinter dem Filter 12 angeordnet sein.The filter 12 can be arranged in the direction of flow from the conveyor 9 or in front of the heat exchanger 7. In addition, the conveyor 9 can also be arranged in the flow direction in front of the heat exchanger 7 or behind the filter 12.

Der Reinlufterzeuger 1 kann auch so ausgebildet werden, daß er Luftstrome unterschiedlicher Temperatur abgibt. Über mindestens zwei verschiedene flexible Schläuche 3 ist in diesen Fällen der Reinlufterzeuger 1 mit gesonderten Luftführungen des Lüfterkopfes 2 verbunden. Diese nicht dargestellten Luftführungen führen Zuluftströme ungerschiedlicher Temperatur zu den Luftaustrittsöffnungen 18. Aus diesen treten die Reinraumströmungskomponenten 19 als parallel gerichtete Teil-Reinraumströme unterschiedlicher Temperatur aus und sind tangential an das Operationsfeld 20 gerichtet. Auf diese Weise ist es möglich, die Hände des Operationspersonals auf einem von diesem als angenehm empfundenen Niveau zu halten, selbst wenn sich die Operation über eine relativ lange Zeit erstreckt.The clean air generator 1 can also be designed so that it emits air currents of different temperatures. In these cases, the clean air generator 1 is connected to separate air ducts of the fan head 2 via at least two different flexible hoses 3. These air guides (not shown) lead supply air flows of different temperatures to the air outlet openings 18. The clean room flow components 19 emerge from these as parallel partial clean room flows of different temperatures and are directed tangentially to the operating field 20. In this way it is possible to keep the hands of the operating personnel at a level which they find pleasant, even if the operation takes a relatively long time.

Beim Betrieb des Reinraumerzeugers wird zunächst im Wärmeübertrager 7 die für den Zuluftstrom erforderlich gehaltene Temperatur erzeugt. Zu diesem Zwecke wird entweder der Wärmeübertrager 7 von einem entsprechend temperierten Medium durchströmt.When the clean room generator is operating, the temperature required for the supply air flow is first generated in the heat exchanger 7. For this purpose, either the heat exchanger 7 is flowed through by an appropriately tempered medium.

Sodann wird mit Hilfe des Förderers 9 der Zuluftstrom erzeugt, der im Filter 12 so gereinigt wird, daß der aus ihm bevorgehende Reinraumstrom 19 an eiern Operationsfeld 20 keine den Erfolg einer Operation in Frage stellenden Infektionen erzeugen kann. Dieser sowohl gereinigte als auch thermisierte Reinfraum-Zuluftstrom wird über den Schlauch 3 in den Lüfterkopf 2 geleitet unt dritt aus diesem über die Luftaustrittsöffnungen 18 als tangential an das jeweilige Operationsfeld 20 gerichtet er Reinraumstrom 19 aus. Zu diesem Zwecke kann der Lüfterkopf 2 in eine für das jeweilige Operationsfeld 20 günstige Stellung gebracht werden. Die Thermisierung des Reinraumstromes 19 bewirkt, daß dieser gebündelt das Operationsfeld 20 umgibt. Je nach dem jeweiligen Bedarf kann der Reinraumstrom 19 durch die steuerbaren Einbauten 42 so gelenkt werden, daß er im Bereich des Operationsfeldes die richtige tangentiale Richtung und die vom Operationspersonal für notwendig gehaltene Stärke aufweist.Then, with the aid of the conveyor 9, the supply air flow is generated, which is cleaned in the filter 12 in such a way that the clean room flow 19 coming from it cannot produce infections which jeopardize the success of an operation. This both cleaned and thermized clean room supply air flow is passed through the hose 3 into the fan head 2 and third of this through the air outlet openings 18 as tangentially directed to the respective operating field 20, he clean room 19. For this purpose, the fan head 2 can be brought into a position that is favorable for the respective operating field 20. The thermization of the clean room flow 19 causes it to surround the operating field 20 in a bundled manner. Depending on the particular need, the clean room flow 19 can be directed by the controllable internals 42 in such a way that it has the correct tangential direction and the strength deemed necessary by the operating personnel in the area of the operating field.

Falls der Reinraumstrom 19 während der Operation in seiner Richtung geändert werden muß, kann der Sekundär-Reinraumstrom 52, 54 (Fig. 2, 3, 5, 7) entsprechend eingeschaltet werden. Dieser tritt an der jeweils gewünschten Stelle, an der der Reinraumstrom 19 gelenkt werden soll, aus Luftleitöffnungen 50, 53 aus. Dabei ist es denkbar, die Zuluft für den Sekundar-Reinraumstrom 52, 54 im Sekundärlufterzeuger 60 zu erzeugen und sie gegenüber dem Reinraumstrom 19 zu thermisieren, um die Sekundär-Reinraumstöme gegenüber dem Reinraumstrom 19 zu bündeln.If the direction of the clean room stream 19 has to be changed during the operation, the secondary clean room stream 52, 54 (FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7) can be switched on accordingly. This exits from air guide openings 50, 53 at the respectively desired point at which the clean room flow 19 is to be directed. It is conceivable to generate the supply air for the secondary clean room flow 52, 54 in the secondary air generator 60 and to heat it in relation to the clean room flow 19 in order to bundle the secondary clean room flows with respect to the clean room flow 19.

Die Bündelung des Reinraumstromes 19 durch thermische Stabilisierung kann zusätzlich noch dadurch verbessert werden, daß dieser befeuchtet wird. Die Befeuchtung hat den zusätzlichen Vorteil, daß eine Austrocknung der Operationswunde auch dann vermieden wird, wenn aufgrund einer falschen Ausrichtung der Luftaustrittsöffnungen 18 ein Teil der Operationswunde innerhalb des Reinraumstromes 19 liegt.The bundling of the clean room stream 19 by thermal stabilization can additionally be improved by moistening it. The moistening has the additional advantage that the surgical wound is prevented from drying out even if part of the surgical wound lies within the clean room flow 19 due to incorrect alignment of the air outlet openings 18.

Diese Befeuchtung kann mit Hilfe eines innerhalb des Zuluftstromes vorhandenen Dampfanteils erfolgen. Diesen Dampfanteil nimmt der Reinraum-Zuluftstrom auf, wenn er beispielsweise eine Dampfkammer 67 passiert, die im Verlaufe des flexiblen Schlauches 3 angeordnet sein kann. Diese Dampfkammer 67 ist über einen Verbindungsschlauch 68 mit einem Dampferzeuger 69 verbunden. In diesem Dampferzeuger 69 befindet sich eine zu verdampfende Flüssigeh eine zu verdampfende Flüssigkeit 70, die von einer Wärmequelle, beispielsweise einer Gasheizung 71 beheizt ist.This humidification can be carried out with the help of a steam component within the supply air flow. The clean room supply air flow absorbs this steam component when it passes through a steam chamber 67, for example, which can be arranged in the course of the flexible hose 3. This steam chamber 67 is connected to a steam generator 69 via a connecting hose 68. In this steam generator 69 there is a liquid to be evaporated, a liquid 70 to be evaporated, which is heated by a heat source, for example a gas heater 71.

Die von der Gasheizung 71 aufgeheizte Flüssigkeit 70 verdamft und gelangt aus dem Dampferzeuger 69 über den Verbindungsschlauch 68 in die Dampfkammer 67; der durch die Dampfkammer 67 vom Reinlufterzeuger 1 in Richtung auf den Lüfterkopf 2 hindurchtretende Reinraum-Zuluftstrom reichert sich mit dem in der Dampfkammer 67 befindlichen Dampf an. Dieser ist keimfrei, da die Flüssigkeit 70 keimfrei ist. Außerdem wirkt die Verdampfung der Flüssigkeit 70 sterilisierend.The liquid 70 heated by the gas heater 71 evaporates and passes from the steam generator 69 via the connecting hose 68 into the steam chamber 67; the clean room supply air flow passing through the steam chamber 67 from the clean air generator 1 in the direction of the fan head 2 is enriched with the steam in the steam chamber 67. This is aseptic since the liquid 70 is aseptic. In addition, the evaporation of the liquid 70 has a sterilizing effect.

Die Dampfteilchen sind in dem in den Lüfterkopf 2 eintretenden Zuluftstrom fein verteilt, so daß sie auch innerhalb des Lüfterkopfes 2 und beim Austritt aus den Luftaustrittsöffnungen 18 nicht kondensieren. Sie gelangen vielmehr mit dem Reinraumstrom 19 in den Bereich des Operationsfeldes 20 und verhindern dort eine Aufnahme von Flüssigkeit aus dem Bereich des Operationsfeldes 20. Obgleich der Reinraumstrom 19 tangential an das Operationsfeld 20 herangeführt wird, würde die Trockenheit des Reinraumstromes 19 wie eine Senke auf die innerhalb des Operationsfeldes 20 vorhandene Feuchtigkeit wirken. Je feuchter der Reinraumstrom 19 ist, um so weniger kann er Feuchtigkeit aus dem Operationsfeld 20 aufnehmen. Dessen Austrocknung wird damit verhindert. Insbesondere bei Wunden von Verbrennungspatienten muß großer Wert darauf gelegt werden, daß die zu behandelnden Wunden im Bereich des Operationsfelds 20 nicht zu stark austrocknen.The steam particles are finely distributed in the supply air flow entering the fan head 2, so that they also inside the fan head 2 and do not condense when exiting the air outlet openings 18. Rather, they get into the area of the operating field 20 with the clean room flow 19 and prevent absorption of liquid from the area of the operating area 20 there existing moisture within the operating field 20 act. The wetter the clean room stream 19, the less it can absorb moisture from the operating field 20. This prevents it from drying out. Particularly in the case of wounds from burn patients, great importance must be placed on the wounds to be treated not drying out too much in the area of the operating field 20.

Anderseits kann der aufgrund des Reinraumstromes 19 im Bereich des Operationsfeldes 20 auftretende Verdünnungseffekt wesentlich dazu beitragen, daß ursprünglich im Bereich der Operationswunde vorhandere Keime vom Reinraumstrom 19 mit abgetragen werden. Aus diesem Grunde wird der Reinraumstrom 19 so ausgerichtet, daß er im bereich des Operationsfeldes 20 die dort befindlichen Keime abtragen kann.On the other hand, the dilution effect occurring in the area of the operating field 20 due to the clean room flow 19 can contribute significantly to the fact that germs originally present in the area of the surgical wound are also removed by the clean room flow 19. For this reason, the clean room flow 19 is aligned so that it can remove the germs located in the area of the operating field 20.

Die Befeuchtung des Zuluftstromes kann auch dadurch herbeigeführt werden, daß dieser über ein Wasserbad geleitet wird. Schließlich ist es auch denkbar, den Zuluftstrom durch ein Wasserbad hindurchzuleiten. Dabei ist es denkbar, die Temperatur des Wasserbades so einzustellen, daß der Reinraumstrom 19 die für seine Thermisierung notwendige Temperatur unterhalb der Umgebungsluft erreicht.The humidification of the supply air flow can also be brought about by passing it over a water bath. Finally, it is also conceivable to pass the supply air flow through a water bath. It is conceivable to set the temperature of the water bath so that the clean room stream 19 reaches the temperature below its ambient temperature necessary for its thermization.

Die Dampfkammer 67 bzw. das zur Befeuchtung des Zuluftstromes notwendige Wasserbad können je nach den konstruktiven Gegebeneheiten der Anlage an einer beliebigen Stelle von Luftführungen vorgesehen sein, durch die der Zuluftstrom geleitet wird. So ist es beispielsweise denkbar, den Befeuchter zwischen dem Lüfterkopf 2 und dem Reinlufterzeuger 1 vorzusehen. Es ist aber auch möglich, eine als Befeuchter ausgebildete Dampfkammer 67 bzw. ein entsprechendes Wasserbad zwischen dem Förderer 9 und der Luftauslaßöffnung 11 anzuordnen. Schließlich ist es denkbar, den Befeuchter im Lüfterkopf 2 vorzusehen. Er kann auch unmittelbar vor dem Lüfterkopf 2 angeordnet werden.The steam chamber 67 or the water bath necessary for humidifying the supply air flow can be provided at any point of air ducts through which the supply air flow is directed, depending on the structural conditions of the system. For example, it is conceivable to provide the humidifier between the fan head 2 and the clean air generator 1. However, it is also possible to arrange a steam chamber 67 designed as a humidifier or a corresponding water bath between the conveyor 9 and the air outlet opening 11. Finally, it is conceivable to provide the humidifier in the fan head 2. It can also be arranged directly in front of the fan head 2.

Der Befeucherter kann als Lösungsmittelbad ausgebildet sein. Insbesondere kann daran gedacht werden, mit Hilfe des Lösungsmittelbades eine desinfizierende Atmosphäre innerhalb des Zuluftstromes zu erzeugen. Dazu eignet sich in besonderer Weise eine Aerosol-Atmosphäre.The humidifier can be designed as a solvent bath. In particular, it can be considered to use the solvent bath to create a disinfectant atmosphere within the supply air flow. An aerosol atmosphere is particularly suitable for this.

Claims (15)

1. A method of creating a clean space by means of a clean-space stream (19) generated by supplying clean-space inflowing air through at least one air outlet aperture (18) of a clean-space generator (1, 2) in which the said clean-space inflowing air is formed by sterilization and, if required, humidification of inflowing air, the said clean-space stream being directed on to an operating area in such manner as to tangentially enclose the same, characterised in that the clean-space stream (19) is concentrated by thermal stabilization, the inflowing air being brought to and kept at a temperature at which the temperature of the clean-space stream (1) is distinctly, but slightly, below the temperature of the ambient air in the clean-space area, the said inflowing air being brought to and kept at said temperature in the clean-space generator before or after sterilization.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the clean-space stream (19) is additionally concentrated by a secondary clean-space stream (52, 54) which is directed at the clean-space stream (19) and which is also thermally stabilized and humidified if requird (Figs. 2, 3 and 7).
3. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the secondary clean-space stream (52, 54) is guided perpendicularly to the clean-space stream (19) in the region of the air outlet aperture(s) (18, 53).
4. A clean-space comprising a clean air generator (1, 61) for generating sterile and, if required, humidified clean-space inflowing air from inflowing air sucked into the same, and comprising a distributor head (2) connected thereto, the clean-space inflowing air being introduced into said distributor head (2) and being so directed or directable as a clean-space stream (19) from the air outlet aperture(s) (18) thereof on to a clean-space zone that said zone is tangentially enclosed by the clean-space stream (19), characterised by a thermalization device which is disposed in the inflowing air stream and which brings the same to and keeps it at a temperature at which the temperature of the clean-space stream (19, 52, 54) generated with it is distinctly, but slightly, below the temperature of the ambient air in the clean-space zone, such temperature being produced by a heat-exchanger (7, 64) swept by said inflowing air stream.
5. A clean-space generator according to claim 4, characterised in that water is provided as the heat vehicle for the heat exchanger (7, 63, 64).
6. A clean-space generator according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that a sterilizing filter (12) and an inflowing air conveyor (9) which is situated upstream or downstream of the heat exchanger (7, 63, 64) in the inflowing air stream are provided in the clean-air generator (1, 60).
7. A clean-space generator according to at least one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the heat exchanger is constructed in the form of a coil (64), through the tubes of which the heat vehicle flows, and which is disposed in a zone of an air outlet aperture (18) through which the clean-space inflowing air stream flows (Fig. 3).
8. A clean-space generator according to at least one of claims 4 to 7, characterised by at least two clean-air generators (1, 60) generating thermally stabilized inflowing air streams at different temperatures, each such generator being connected by a separate clean-space inflowing air conduit (3, 62), preferably a flexible hose, to a separate air guide (25, 26) of the distributor head (2), each of which leads to separate air outlet apertures (18, 50, 53), on the one hand for forming the tangential clean-space stream (19) and on the other hand to form at least one secondary clean-space stream (54) (Fig. 3).
9. A clean-space generator according to at least one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that a humidifier in the form of a vapour chamber (67) is provided in the inflowing air stream, with a disinfectant atmosphere generated by evaporation of a sterile liquid in a vapour generator.
10. A clean-space generator according to at least one of claims 4 to 9, characterised in that the air outlet aperture (18) for the tangential clean-space stream (19) has neighbouring air guide apertures (50, 53) for at least one secondary clean-space stream.
11. A clean-space generator according to claim 10, characterised in that control means for regulating the intensity and/or direction of the secondary clean-space stream are disposed in the air guide apertures (50, 53).
12. A clean-space generator according to at least one of claims 4 to 11, characterised in that the distributor head (2) is U-shaped with two straight free arms (43, 44) to support it on an operating table (21), said arms being connected via a yoke (45) at their ends remote from the support ends, the air exit aperture(s) (18) extending both in the zone of the arms (43, 44) and in the zone of the yoke (45).
13. A clean-space generator according to at least one of claims 4 to 12, characterised in that the distributor head (2) is pivotable.
14. A clean-space generator according to at least one of claims 4 to 13, characterised in that the air outlet aperture (18) of the distributor head (2) is divided up into a plurality of separate small apertures (41), each of which has a cross-section which is controllable relatively to the others.
15. A clean-space generator according to at least one of claims 4 to 14, characterised in that the end face of the distributor head (2) having the air outlet apertures (18, 41) consists of sintered metal at least in the zone of the air outlet aperture(s).
EP85110123A 1984-08-16 1985-08-13 Method for generating a clean air stream, and apparatus for creating a clean space Expired - Lifetime EP0186730B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT85110123T ATE53290T1 (en) 1984-08-16 1985-08-13 METHOD OF ADJUSTING A CLEANROOM STREAM AND CLEANROOM GENERATORS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3430089 1984-08-16
DE3430089A DE3430089C2 (en) 1984-08-16 1984-08-16 Process for delimiting a sterile area to be kept, in particular an operating field and device for carrying out the process

Publications (3)

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EP0186730A2 EP0186730A2 (en) 1986-07-09
EP0186730A3 EP0186730A3 (en) 1987-09-30
EP0186730B1 true EP0186730B1 (en) 1990-06-06

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ID=6243154

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EP85110123A Expired - Lifetime EP0186730B1 (en) 1984-08-16 1985-08-13 Method for generating a clean air stream, and apparatus for creating a clean space

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US (1) US4742764A (en)
EP (1) EP0186730B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS6189433A (en)
AT (1) ATE53290T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3430089C2 (en)
DK (1) DK370885A (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK370885D0 (en) 1985-08-15
EP0186730A3 (en) 1987-09-30
DE3430089C2 (en) 1997-05-22
EP0186730A2 (en) 1986-07-09
JPS6189433A (en) 1986-05-07
US4742764A (en) 1988-05-10
ATE53290T1 (en) 1990-06-15
DK370885A (en) 1986-02-17
DE3430089A1 (en) 1986-02-27

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