GB1581200A

GB1581200A - Isolation enclosure apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB1581200A
Application number: GB25416/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Vickers Ltd
Current assignee: Vickers Ltd
Priority date: 1978-05-31
Filing date: 1978-05-31
Publication date: 1980-12-10

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ISOLATION ENCLOSURE APPARATUS (71) We, VICKERS LIMITED, a British Company, of P.O. Box 177, Vickers House, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London, SW1P 4RA, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to isolation enclosure apparatus for providing an environment isolated from the ambient environment.

Such apparatus are generally known as isolators, and find use inter alia in human and veterinary medicine, for example for investigation, observation or surgery. Isolators may be used, for example, to protect a hypersensitive patient from micro-organisms in the general environment (in which case the isolator is maintained at a pressure slightly higher than ambient atmospheric pressure) or in the treatment of a patient suffering from a highly infectious disease (in which case the isolator is maintained at a pressure slightly lower than ambient atmospheric pressure).

Isolators may also be used for purposes other than those directly associated with medical treatment. For example, they may be used for handling materials which must be maintained under strictly controlled conditions.

An isolator commonly consists of a flexible, transparent enclosure or envelope which may conveniently be formed of a synthetic polymeric material. The isolator may be provided with means for handling objects within the isolator without breaking the barrier between the environment within the isolator and that without the isolator.

Isolators of a variety of types are already known, and some of these are described, for example, in British Patent Specifications Nos. 1,436,104; 1,443,414; 1,451,191; and 1,491,440.

A problem arises when isolators are used for long continuous periods in that the operators develop arm fatigue.

This situation does not arise with conventional laboratory cabinets which are constructed with solid sides and arm ports since with such apparatus the forearms or elbows of the operators are supported by the lip of the arm port.

According to the present invention, there is provided an isolation enclosure apparatus for providing an environment isolated from the ambient environment, the enclosure apparatus comprising a flexible film envelope supported by a rigid framework, and the envelope including at least one flexible sleeve having a closed end at one end thereof and at its other end being attached to a wall of the flexible film envelope around a port in said envelope, wherein a support is provided which rests directly or indirectly on a base board forming part of, or supporting, said rigid framework, which support terminates in an arm rest located in the vicinity of said sleeve.

The arm rest and support can be located within the flexible film envelope or exterior thereto. Generally, there will be a plurality, e.g. four pairs, of flexible sleeves provided in opposed walls of the flexible film envelope, each sleeve preferably terminating in a glove.

In such a case, an individual arm rest can be provided for each sleeve, or a continuous member supported at suitable intervals can constitute the arm rest for each of the sleeves.

The arm rest and its support must be of sufficient stability to prevent an operator overturning it in use. Adequate stability can be provided, if the arm rest is exterior to the flexible film envelope, by rigidly securing the arm rest and support to the base board. If the arm rest is within the flexible film envelope, it will generally be necessary to provide the arm rest and support with a base member.

Where there are a plurality of arm rests located within the flexible film envelope, these can be interconnected to provide the necessary stability or they may be attached to a tray which rests on the lower interior base section of the flexible film envelope. Such a tray may have a peripheral lip which would serve to protect the base of the film envelope from, for example, spilt liquids.

The arm rest and its support can conveniently be constructed from stainless steel; such a material is easy to clean and/or to disinfect. In general, the height of the support will be such that it is slightly above the lowermost part of the port to which the sleeve is connected. The height of the support and the location of the sleeve are both related to the position of an operator's arm.

As well as having a plurality of sleeves on opposed sides of the flexible film envelope, it is possible to have a plurality of such sleeves together with their associated arm supports, on one side only of the flexible film envelope.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of one embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken along the line A-A; and Figure 3 is a similar cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a flexible film envelope 1 is supported by means of a rigid framework 2 upon a base board 3. The envelope contains four pairs of gloved sleeves 4 located on opposed walls as shown.

By using these gloves, an operator can service any apparatus or operate on an animal contained within the envelope. Arm supports are provided by means of horizontal members 5 attached to vertical pillars 6.

Adequate mechanical stability is provided by joining opposite sets of pillars with horizontal members 7 which rest on the base of the envelope 4 directly above base board 3.

Instead of the horizontal members 7 as illustrated, a one-piece base member or tray could be employed to which both sets of arm rests are secured. The horizontal arm rest members 5, vertical pillars 6 and base members 7 are all formed from stainless steel.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the arm rests and their supports are external to the envelope and project slightly into the sleeves 4. Each pillar is directly attached to the base board 3; alternatively, opposed supports and arm rests may be interconnected by a horizontal member sandwiched between the base board 3 and the lowermost part of the envelope 4.

The envelope 4 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is trapezoidal. Its sides slope at an angle of about 15C to the vertical. This arrangement causes minimum interference with the operator's view and reduces the tendency for perspiration or condensation to collect on the side wall of the envelope. The arm rests and supports shown in the drawings can, however, be used in isolators with vertical or substantially vertical envelope sides.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An isolation enclosure apparatus for providing an environment isolated from the ambient environment, the enclosure apparatus comprising a flexible film envelope supported by a rigid framework, and the envelope including at least one flexible sleeve having a closed end at one end thereof and at its other end being attached to a wall of the flexible film envelope around a port in said envelope, wherein a support is provided which rests directly or indirectly on a base board forming part of, or supporting, said rigid framework, which support terminates in an arm rest located in the vicinity of said sleeve.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arm rest and support are located within the flexible film envelope.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arm rest and support are located exterior to the flexible film envelope.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein there is a plurality of flexible sleeves provided in the flexible film envelope.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a continuous member supported at intervals constitutes the arm rest for each of the sleeves.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least some of the supports for the arm rest(s) are interconnected.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, when appendant to claim 2, wherein each of the supports for the arm rest(s) is secured to a tray.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each sleeve terminates in a glove.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each arm rest is formed from stainless steel.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flexible film envelope is trapezoidal.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sides of the flexible film envelope are inclined at an angle of about 15 to the vertical.

12. An isolation enclosure apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. necessary stability or they may be attached to a tray which rests on the lower interior base section of the flexible film envelope. Such a tray may have a peripheral lip which would serve to protect the base of the film envelope from, for example, spilt liquids. The arm rest and its support can conveniently be constructed from stainless steel; such a material is easy to clean and/or to disinfect. In general, the height of the support will be such that it is slightly above the lowermost part of the port to which the sleeve is connected. The height of the support and the location of the sleeve are both related to the position of an operator's arm. As well as having a plurality of sleeves on opposed sides of the flexible film envelope, it is possible to have a plurality of such sleeves together with their associated arm supports, on one side only of the flexible film envelope. For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of one embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 taken along the line A-A; and Figure 3 is a similar cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. Referring to the drawings, a flexible film envelope 1 is supported by means of a rigid framework 2 upon a base board 3. The envelope contains four pairs of gloved sleeves 4 located on opposed walls as shown. By using these gloves, an operator can service any apparatus or operate on an animal contained within the envelope. Arm supports are provided by means of horizontal members 5 attached to vertical pillars 6. Adequate mechanical stability is provided by joining opposite sets of pillars with horizontal members 7 which rest on the base of the envelope 4 directly above base board 3. Instead of the horizontal members 7 as illustrated, a one-piece base member or tray could be employed to which both sets of arm rests are secured. The horizontal arm rest members 5, vertical pillars 6 and base members 7 are all formed from stainless steel. In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the arm rests and their supports are external to the envelope and project slightly into the sleeves 4. Each pillar is directly attached to the base board 3; alternatively, opposed supports and arm rests may be interconnected by a horizontal member sandwiched between the base board 3 and the lowermost part of the envelope 4. The envelope 4 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is trapezoidal. Its sides slope at an angle of about 15C to the vertical. This arrangement causes minimum interference with the operator's view and reduces the tendency for perspiration or condensation to collect on the side wall of the envelope. The arm rests and supports shown in the drawings can, however, be used in isolators with vertical or substantially vertical envelope sides. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An isolation enclosure apparatus for providing an environment isolated from the ambient environment, the enclosure apparatus comprising a flexible film envelope supported by a rigid framework, and the envelope including at least one flexible sleeve having a closed end at one end thereof and at its other end being attached to a wall of the flexible film envelope around a port in said envelope, wherein a support is provided which rests directly or indirectly on a base board forming part of, or supporting, said rigid framework, which support terminates in an arm rest located in the vicinity of said sleeve.