Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
  • A61H33/06—Artificial hot-air or cold-air baths; Steam or gas baths or douches, e.g. sauna or Finnish baths
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
  • A61H33/06—Artificial hot-air or cold-air baths; Steam or gas baths or douches, e.g. sauna or Finnish baths
  • A61H33/063—Heaters specifically designed therefor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
  • A61H33/06—Artificial hot-air or cold-air baths; Steam or gas baths or douches, e.g. sauna or Finnish baths
  • A61H2033/061—Artificial hot-air baths
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
  • A61H33/06—Artificial hot-air or cold-air baths; Steam or gas baths or douches, e.g. sauna or Finnish baths
  • A61H2033/062—Artificial cold-air baths
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H35/00—Baths for specific parts of the body
  • A61H2035/004—Baths for specific parts of the body for the whole body except the head

Definitions

• This invention relates to environmental control apparatus and, more particularly but not exclusively, to individual environmental units.
• ironmental control apparatus comprising a receptacle formed to receive a single human or other animal body and environmental control means to control the environment surrounding said body.
• the receptacle may be provided with a seat to enable a human to be seated in said receptacle.
• the receptacle may, alternati ely, be so formed to receive a human body lying down or may be so formed to receive said body standing up.
• the environmental control means may comprise means capable of heating and/or cooling the inside of the receptacle.
• the environmental control means may be a heat pump adapted selectively to heat or cool the inside of the receptacle, as desired.
• the control means may comprise a heater to heat the inside of the receptacle.
• the environmental control means may be in the form of refri ⁇ geration means to cool the inside of the receptacle.
• the environmental control means may alternatively comprise air supply means to supply air to the receptacle via air supply conduits having outlets directed inwardly of the apparatus, the conduits being so directed that they can blow air onto or around said human or animal body.
• the environmental control means may, in another embodiment, be in the form of liquid supply means connected to liquid supply conduits to spray the human or animal body with a liquid, for example water to clean said body.
• the liquid supply means preferably comprises a pump for pumping the liquid through the conduits.
• the liquid supply means may further include a vessel to hold liquid for the pumping means to pump.
• the pumping means may conveniently be connected to the mains supply of water.
• the environmental control means is interchangeable with other environmental control means.
• the receptacle may define an aperture into which a selected one of the environmental control means can be fitted.
• the receptacle may comprise a base and a shell mounted thereon.
• a seat may be arranged on said base.
• the seat comprises a seating portion which may be movable into and out of the shell.
• the shell may include at least one closure member adapted to be closed when the apparatus is occupied.
• the apparatus is preferably mobile and may be provided with wheels or castors to enable the apparatus to be moved from one place to another.
• the outlets of the liquid supply conduits may be arranged to spray substantially the whole of the body with said liquid.
• the outlets may be defined in the shell of the receptacle. In the embodiments where the receptacle is provided with a seat the conduits are so arranged that said outlets are provided in the seat.
• Valve means may be provided in the conduits, which valve means may be selectively operable to determine the outlets through which said liquid is sprayed.
• the receptacle may be elongate in configuration to receive a human body in a lying position.
• the apparatus may further include rails extending from a region outside the receptacle to a region inside said receptacle.
• Carrying means may be provided on said rails, and said carrying means may be movable therealo ⁇ g from a position outside said receptacle to a position inside said receptacle.
• the carrying means may comprise a stretcher capable of carrying a body in a lying position.
• the receptacle may be provided with a movable cover. In the case of apparatus adapted to receive a body in a sitting position, the cover may be hingedly attached to said shell. In the case of apparatus adapted to receive a body in a lying position, the cover may be slidably mounted on the shell.
• the stretcher may comprise an elongate flexible material arranged around a plurality of rollers to - -
• the rollers may be operated so as to move the material around said rollers.
• the body thereon can be turned to ensure that any liquid sprayed into the receptacle substantially covers the body.
• a body enclosing structure comprising first and second opposed flexible members defining a space therebetween, and a fluid material held between said flexible members, said fluid material having a heat capacity sufficient to heat or cool the body to be enclosed.
• the heat capacity of the fluid material may be higher than the heat capacity of the body to be enclosed.
• the body enclosing structure is capable of tightly enclosing a human or animal body and may be in the form of a blanket or article of clothing.
• a portable shell fitted with an openable or removable section, the whole being of sufficient size to contain a person, a seat and interchangeable mechanisms for producing the desired environmental effects.
• the preferred embodiment of this invention can be used to alleviate the problems of excessive or reduced body temperature and lack of bodily cleanliness.
• Fig ⁇ . 1a-1c show respectively environmental control apparatus in plan, sectional side and front views omitting the environmental control means
• Figs. 2a-2c show similar views to Figs. 1a-1c but housing a thermal control mechanism
• Figs. 3a-3c show views similar to Figs. 1a-1c but housing a cleansing mechanism
• Fig. . shows the movement of a seat in the environmental apparatus
• Fig. 5 shows the en ironmental apparatus fitted with an antechamber
• FIG. 6 shows a modification of the environmental apparatus
• Fig. 7 shows a patient being loaded into the environmental apparatus shown in Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 shows a patient in the environmental apparatus shown in Fig. 6 with a transparent top in an open position
• Fig. 9 shows a patient in the environmental apparatus shown in Fig. 6 with the transparent top in a closed position ;
• Fig. 10 shows a patient recei ing medical treatment while in the environmental apparatus shown in Fig . 6 ;
• Fig. 11 shows a further modification of an environmental apparatus that has been fitted for the proper handling of the recently deceased
• Fig. 12 shows the operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11 ;
• Fig. 13 shows further operation of the apparatus shown in Fig . 11 ;
• Fig. 14 shows a gel or liquid filled blanket and a gel or liquid filled sleeve
• Fig. 15 shows a refrigeration unit for use with the blanket shown in Fig. 14;
• Fig. 16 shows the blanket shown in Fig. 14 wrapped around the refrigeration unit and a suggested location in the back of an emergency vehicle.
• FIG. 1 to 5 there is shown environmental control apparatus 10 comprising a receptacle 10a having a shell 11, mounted on a base 11a.
• the shell 11 is fitted with a movable, or removable, front cover 12.
• an aperture 13 In the rear of the shell 11 is defined an aperture 13 for reasons which will be explained below.
• the shell 11 can be mounted on wheels or castors
• the shell 11 can be mounted on a suitable support for movement by a load carrying apparatus or vehicle.
• An environmental control unit 15, for example a refrigeration unit or a heating unit, can be housed in the shell 11 by manoeuvring the unit 15 and the seat 16 into the shell 11 until the unit
• the environmental control unit could be any other suitable means for controlling the environment in the receptacle. It will also be appreciated that where the environmental control unit is a refrigeration unit, the refrigeration unit can be reconfigured to act as a heat pump.
• the seat 16 is fitted with controls 17 and the shell 11 can be surmounted by a dome 18 formed of either a flexible or rigid material to protect the head of the user from the outside environment. If the user is severely physically incapacitated the controls 17 can be incorporated in, or attached to, the headrest 19 such that the apparatus 10 can be controlled by head movement. If the user is completely incapacitated the controls 17 can be positioned such that they can only be operated from outside of the apparatus 10 by a third party .
• the refrigeration unit 15 in the cooling mode, can be connected up in one of two ways dependant on the available supply of electrical power.
• the coolant output from the refrigeration unit 15 can be fed through cooling pipes in the seat 16.
• the seat 16 would be of generally hollow form and can have a liquid or gel filled solid outer shell.
• a low powered refrigeration unit could thus chill or freeze the air, liquid or gel contained within the seat 16 over a relatively long period of time in readiness for its use over a shorter period of time.
• the cooling output from the refrigeration unit 15 can be operated in the manner of a normal air-conditioning unit.
• the seat 16 is formed of a structurally supported open weave material that permits the free circulation of cooled air around the apparatus 10, seat 16 and the user .
• the refrigeration unit 15 can be re-configured to operate as a heat pump or the refrigeration unit 15 can be removed and replaced by a suitable heat generator and pump mechanism or circulatory air heater. Heating of the receptacle 11a would then be undertaken in one of two modes, again dependant on the availability of electrical power, and operating in a similar manner in both cases as previously described for the operations in the cooling mode. This means that the inside of the shell 11 would be heated rather than cooled.
• the seat 16 may also have attachment means for a single use disposable hygienic liner which can be fitted prior to use and then removed and disposed of subsequent to use.
• the form of this liner would not impair the functions and benefits obtained by the user from the environmental unit during use but would provide the user with a clean bodily contact area from the seat 16 to the headrest 19.
• the seat 16 comprises a seat back 22, a seat base 26 having rear legs 23 and arms 29 extending from the seat back 22.
• the environmental control eans could be in the form of a cleansing unit 20 fitted into the shell 11 at the aperture 13.
• the cleansing unit 20 comprises a pump unit 20a and the tank 21.
• the seat back 22 can be attached onto the pump unit 20 by mechanical means.
• the mechanical means that attach the seat back 22 to the pump unit 20a may also act as fluid conduits and permit the flow of liquid from the tank 21 to the seat back 22 via the pump 20a.
• the fluid conduits permitting liquid flow may be separately attached features from the mechanical means of attachment of the seat back 22 to the pump unit 20a.
• the seat back 22 incorporates nozzles 25 through which the liquid can be pumped.
• the seat base 26 is attached to the pump unit 20 via at least two flexible pipes 27 which are in turn attached to the rear legs 23 of the seat base 26.
• the seat base 26 (see Fig. 4) is designed to move easily both into and out of the shell 11 such that a physically disabled user can transfer more easily onto the seat base 26 when it is out of the shell 11.
• the rear legs 23 of the seat base 26 are hollow and are perforated with openings to allow egress of the liquid pumped by the pump unit 20 from the tank 21.
• the surface of the seat base 26 is provided with nozzles 28, again allowing liquid egress.
• Openings 24 can also be provided in the receptacle 11a to permit the egress of liquid pumped by the pump
• the arms 29 attached to the seat back 22 are also fluid conduits connected to the pump unit 20 and perforated with nozzles 30.
• the positioning of the control options is the same as that described previously for the en ironmental unit operating in cooling mode and will again be dependent on the physical incapacity of the user.
• the nozzles 25, 28 and 30 need not be of similar design to each other dependant on their effec i eness of operation in use under the varying load conditions they will experience during use and therefore different pressure requirements necessary to achieve satisfactory liquid egress .
• the nozzles 25, 28 and 30 are designed such that only those nozzles in direct contact with the user permit the egress of liquid.
• the seat base 26 can be moved backwards and forwards within the shell 11 to accommodate users of varying height .
• the nozzles 25, 28 and 30 are concentrated in those areas of the seat base 26, the seat back 22 and the arms 29 that are in contact with those parts of the user that are most prone to pressure sores.
• the openings in the rear legs 23 of the seat base 26 aim the flow of liquid at the anal and genital regions of the user.
• the openings 24 are provided in front pipes attached to the shell 11 aim the flow of liquid at the front and sides of the arms, legs and torso of the user.
• the tank 21 contains liquid kept at a predeter ⁇ mined temperature by means of an immersion heater.
• the pump unit 20a therefore is fitted with both a pump and a valve, or valves.
• the openings and nozzles 25, 28 and 30 within the seat base 26, seat back 22 and arms 29 are divided up into two, or more, groups and each group of orifices is controlled by a separate valve, or valve setting within a single valve, either within, or connected to, the pump unit 20a.
• the pump unit 20a functions continuously and then the valve, or valves, operate sequentially from either a timed or pressure sensing control device. This pulses the flow of liquid through each group of orifices sequentially.
• the pulsing action of the liquid aids in the cleansing of the user and also massages the cutaneous and sub-cutaneous tissues thus minimising the formation of pressure sores on the user by stimulating the flow of blood in the aforementioned tissues.
• the sequential operation of the valve, or valves also prevents the hydrodynamic pressure lifting the whole of the body of the user at any one time during use.
• the running speed of the pump unit 20a may be varied such that the pressure profile of each pulse suits the weight, skin condition and other factors affecting the user's safety and comfort.
• the tank 21 is divided into at least two compartments.
• One compartment is pre-loaded with water to which a wetting agent, e.g. shampoo has either been added in solution or is added during use by a dosing system from a dispenser.
• Another compartment is also pre-loaded with water and such agents as may be considered to be therapeutic to the user, e.g. oils, salts and skin medications. Again these therapeutic agents may either be held in solution or added by means of a dosing system from a dispenser during use.
• a representative cleaning cycle may consist of a series of pulses of wetting agent and water from the first compartment followed by a series of pulses of water and therapeutic agent from the other compartment. This could be repeated until a desired state of cleanliness for the user was attained.
• the pump unit 20a can also be fitted with a warm air blower.
• the blower would operate sending warm air through the fluid conduits, orifices and separate independent openings as deemed necessary to dry both the user and the fluid conduits thus inhibiting microbial growth in the residual wetness found within the cleansing system as a whole subsequent to the cleansing cycle.
• the tank 21 would also be fitted with a suitable catchment tray and means of drainage for the waste water and added agents and may also have access for internal cleaning or descaling as considered necessary.
• the tank 21 can also be fitted with a suitable filtration unit such that the water and added agents that have been used in a cleansing cycle can be re-circulated via the filtration unit if required.
• the seat base 26 and the seat back 22 may also be fitted with suitable attachment means for a single use hygienic liner of an open mesh form that would cover the seating components but still permit the cleansing actions to take place.
• This liner could be attached prior to use and then disposed of subsequent to use as described previously.
• the environmental unit can be fitted with an antechamber 31 in which the user may disrobe and then dress in relative privacy.
• FIG. 6 an horizontal modification 110 of the en ironmental unit.
• the unit comprises a pair of horizontal rails 32 on which is positioned a stretcher 37.
• the stretcher can be slid in and out of a receptacle 110a through a movable flap 34 in a top cover 35 which can slide up and down over a fixed cover 36.
• a cooling or heating unit 33 To the end of the fixed cover 36 is affixed a cooling or heating unit 33.
• Fig. 7 there is shown a patient on a stretcher 37 loaded onto the rails 32.
• Fig. 8 there is shown a patient on a stretcher 37 that has been slid into the unit.
• the top cover 35 is in an open position for initial treatment of the patient .
• Fig. 9 there is shown the patient in the unit with the top cover in a closed position. The patient can see out and the condition of the patient can be monitored visually from the outside.
• Fig. 10 there is shown the top cover slid into the open position and the patient receiving medical treatment.
• treatment for hypo or hyperthermia involves the use of water. This not only removes the dignits of the patient but it also makes medical processes such as defib ⁇ llation dangerous for the staff involved .
• Fig. 11 a further modification of the horizontal environmental unit for the handling of corpses.
• the unit comprises a fixed cover 36 into which the stretcher 37 can be slid.
• the stretcher comprises a long roll of flexible material over two long rollers 38.
• the unit is fitted with a modified base 39 which is fitted with a drain 40.
• spray heads 41 and 42 Along the inside of the unit are fitted spray heads 41 and 42.
• the rollers 38 then roll as shown in Fig. 12 until a sling or hammock is formed.
• water and/or wetting agent are sprayed through the spray heads 41 and the rollers are turned as shown in Fig. 13.
• the body is rotated and thoroughly cleaned. If there is no room locally in a mortuary draw for the body the refrigeration unit 33 can switched on to keep the body chilled until it is ready for burial.
• Figs. 14 to 16 a further modification of the environmental unit that consists of a liquid or gel filled blanket 43 that fulfils the same function as the seat 16 as shown in Fig. 2.
• the liquid or gel blanket 43 and the liquid or gel sleeves 44 are wrapped around the refrigeration or heating system 45 shown in Fig. 15.
• the refrigeration unit can be configured so that it will work either as a heat pump or as a refrigerator. When the emergency crew are told what sort of incident they are going to they can switch it into the approDriate mode.
• Fig. 16 shows the blanket wrapped around the refrigeration unit 46 and located in an emergency vehicle .

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)
• Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
• Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=26305579

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

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Family Cites Families (5)

• 1995
  • 1995-09-06 WO PCT/GB1995/002116 patent/WO1996007389A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1995-09-06 EP EP95930660A patent/EP0794754A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1995-09-06 AU AU33969/95A patent/AU3396995A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1995-09-06 CA CA 2199385 patent/CA2199385A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1995-09-06 JP JP8509314A patent/JPH10507656A/ja active Pending

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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