IL154539A - Conveyor and method of decontaminating disabled casualties by the same - Google Patents

Description

154539/2 154539 ρ-Γΐ | 453475 tit ywea jnvia A conveyor and method of decontaminating disabled casualties by the same KRAINER, Malka C. 147452 - 1 - ; 154539/2 A CONVEYOR AND METHOD OF DECONTAMINATING UNABLE CASUALTIES BY THE SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a conveyer decontamination assembly useful for decontaminating casualties attacked by either biological or chemical warfare or hazards. More specifically, the present invention relates to a continuous and highly automated conveyer assembly comprising an array of subsequentive posts adapted for giving comprehensive decontamination to unable casualties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Decontamination is generally defined as the reduction or removal of radiological biological or chemical agents, as well as any chemical hazards, so they are no longer toxic. The decontamination is usually divided to physical treatment and to detoxification, whereat those hazards are neutralized chemically. In most cases, skin is the main attacked organ, yet eyes and wounds are also to be infected. Decontamination may be classified into three subcategories: (i) personal decontamination, especially, regarding to the decontamination steps taken within the first few minutes after the exposure; (ii) casualty decontamination, and (iii) personnel decontamination. Col. Charles G. Hurst, M.D. of the Medical Corps. U.S. Army stated in the article "Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare" (p. 352) that the decontamination of chemical casualties in an enormous task. The process requires dedication of both large numbers of personnel and large amounts of time. Even with appropriate planning and training, decontamination of casualties demands a significant contribution of resources. As radiological, biological and chemical warfare are weapons of mass destruction providing for a mass of unable casualties (lying patents) and able casualties (walking patient), no emergency organization or army could treat today said mass in an appropriate time. An efficient, simple, cost-effective, automatic decontaminating module, adapted for reduction or removal of such hazards from a mass of unable casualties by minimal manpower does not yet exist, despite the notable need. 01474527Y7-03 - 2 - 154539/2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is thus one object of the present invention to provide a multi-stage or multi-post decontamination conveyor useful for decontaminating a mass of casualties attacked by radiological, biological or chemical warfare and other hazards before given them a comprehensive medical treatment. Said effective conveyor is characterized by the following posts: a powdering post; a washing post and as delivery post.

Physical absorbing of said warfare or hazards is provided in the powdering post, for a predetermined period. Then, liquids are effectively provided to cleanse the external surface of the casualties in a washing post. Lastly, the decontaminated casualties are amassed until a comprehensive medical care is provided in the delivery post. Said multi-station decontamination conveyor may be additionally comprised of an accumulating post; whereat contaminated casualties are amassed. Said conveyor may be characterized by an elongated line wherein casualties are amassed either in the accumulating post or the powdering post, then washed and delivered to a medical care in a FIFO mechanism. Said line may comprise a plurality of parallel lines. The conveyor is preferably adapted to conveying a line of stretchers, each stretcher carrying one casualty, and said stretchers being arranged either laterally or longitudinally. The posts are preferably interconnected by means of a carousel-like joint, manifold-like joint or by means of a rotatable joint. At least one post is preferably placed in a suitable tentlike or shed-like construction, wherein the construction is selected from stationary, collapsible or mobile structures.

The aforementioned conveyor is particularly adapted to decontaminate a mass of unable and able casualties. The unable casualties lying on the conveyor, the able casualties walking on their own from post to post in the manner they are powdered and washed independently.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a swift method of a rapid, yet highly effective decontamination, wherein casualties are treated by means of the conveyor assembly as defined above. Said method enables to reduce or remove most of the hazards and comprises the following steps: (i) powdering the casualties by means of powdering agents; (ii) washing the powdered casualties by means of washing agents; and (iii) delivering said decontaminated casualties to a medical care. Preferably, said method comprising an initial step of amassing the casualties before powdering them. 01474527Y7-03 - 3 - 154539/2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, several embodiments will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically presents a top view of one embodiment of the decontamination assembly as defined in the present invention; Fig. 2 schematically presents a top view of another embodiment of the aforementioned assembly; Fig. 3 schematically presents a top view of another embodiment of the aforementioned assembly; and Fig. 4 schematically presents a side view of the roller assembly actuating the conveyor as defined in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description is provided, along all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide a multi-station decontaminating conveyor assembly.

Said assembly is especially useful for decontaminating a mass of casualties attacked by radiological, biological or chemical warfare and other hazards before given them a comprehensive medical treatment. The assembly is characterized by a sequence of several decontamination procedures (hereto defined in the term 'posts'). Three posts are hereto described: (a) powdering post - whereat physical absorbing of said warfare or hazards is provided for a predetermined period of time; (b) a washing post - whereat liquids are effectively provided to cleanse the external surface of the casualties; and (c) a delivery post - whereat the decontaminated casualties are amassed until the comprehensive medical care is provided.

The aforementioned terms radiological, biological and chemical warfare and other hazards shall be denoted in the present invention in the collective term 'contaminating agents'. Those contaminating agents are selected, yet not limited to radiological warfare such as fallout, radioactive materials of any type or kind. 01474527Y7-03 - 4 - 154539/2 Biological warfare is selected, yet not limited to viruses (such as small pox, influenza vectors, etc), bacteria (such as Anthrax), fungi, yeast, biological substances, toxins (such as Ricin and Clostridium Botulinum toxin), proteins and fermentation products of any type or kind. Chemical warfare is selected, yet not limited to any organophospherous or nerve agents (such as Vx, GB etc), mustard gases (such as HN, HD etc), oximes, tear gases, etc. Chemical hazards are selected, yet not limited to any toxic composition of gas, liquid, solid phase or any mixtures thereof. Such hazards are selected, yet not limited to any amine containing compositions such as Ammonia, Halogens (such as Bromine or Chloride) or Cyanide gases; solvents, acids, or any oxygen containing liquids etc; soot, metallic dusts, or any toxic solid particles.

It is well in the scope of the present invention wherein the decontamination conveyor comprises both a 'walking line' and a 'lying line'. The term walking line is referring to a sequence of decontamination steps, adapted to treat casualties that can walk from post to post; while the term 'lying line' in one of the sequences defined below, is especially referring to the treatment sequence adapted to decontaminate unable casualties, that are been transferred by means of the conveyor from post to post.

Reference is made now to Fig. 1, schematically presenting a top view of one embodiment of the present invention. This conveyor assembly is comprised of a powdering post (PA), a washing post (PB) and a delivery post (Pc). The length of the present assembly is about 28 m and the width is about 2 m. It is acknowledged in that dimensions are to be of a wide range, and are a function of the architecture of the assembly, such as the existence of kinks in the line; the use of a plurality of parallel lines, usually in order to increase the capacity of the contamination. The dimensions of the assembly are also affected by other factors, such as the coexistence of other lines, such as a 'walking line' as shall defined below; the free space given to locate the assembly in the field etc.

Thus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a single elongated line is provided. Casualties are amassed in the powdering post (PA) in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) mechanism. Here, a parallel powdering post is described, characterized by a relatively high accumulating capacity. An unable casualty is evacuated and placed onto the first stretcher of the line (1A). Then, the casualty is subject to an effective powdering process. 01474527Y7-03 - 5 - 154539/2 It is in the scope of the present invention wherein the powdering step comprising at least one of the operations related with known physical decontamination processes. Usually, said physical decontamination process comprises powdering of the casualty with an effective measure of Bentonite powder, also known in the term 'fuller earth' powder. Many available commercial powders are currently used. Some of them comprise one or more of the following ingredients: (I) a filler portion (e.g., particles comprising talk, Magnesia, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Hydroxide, Silica powders, Sodium Chloride salt, metal salts, alkali and earth alkali salts for example); (II) an active portion, such as basic amines, oxidizing substances, Hypochlorites etc; and (III) an indicator adapted to indicate the presence of predetermined hazardous material. For convenience, all aforementioned materials and their mixtures shall be denoted in the present invention in the term 'physical decontamination powder'.

It is in the scope of the present invention wherein the casualties are powdered by means of said physical decontamination powder for a predetermined period of time. It is known in the literature that for physical decontamination of unable casualties, attacked by chemical warfare, about two minutes is effective period of time to absorb the residues of the warfare by fuller earth powder.

Transport along the powdering conveyor (A), as well as in other portions of the decontamination assembly is provided either manually or automatically. It is thus well in the scope of the present invention wherein the conveyor is operated manually. In a manual conveyor, stretchers of any type or size, and/or any other analogous apparatuses adapted to carry unable casualties in a decontaminating line (hereto defined in the term 'stretchers') are being transported along the conveyor by hand, wherein mechanical gear is proving for a secure movement of the stretchers in a predetermined course and velocity. In an automatic conveyor, stretchers are being transported along the line by means of pneumatic, hydraulic and/or mechanical motors and gears.

It is hence an improvement of the present invention to provide an automatic conveyor of minimal manpower, specifically adapted to allow effective decontamination of unable casualties attacked by non-conventional warfare or by other hazards, before comprehensive medical care is provided.

A carousel-like connector (1 J) is interconnecting the aforementioned powdering post (PA) with a washing post (PB). A casualty located in stretcher II is transformed to connector I J, either manually or automatically, then the connector (1J) is rotated to 01474527V7-03 - 6 - 154539/2 about 90°, so said stretcher is to be easily interconnected into the washing line B. According to the said embodiment, four casualties, laying in stretchers IK to IN are being effectively washed in the line B.

It is in the scope of the present invention wherein the term 'washing' and/or 'wash' is generally referring to any effective means to cleanse and/or to decontaminate the outer surface of the casualties by liquids and/or by vapors and/or certain gasses (i.e., 'washing agents').

The above mentioned washing agents are selected from a wide range of materials and compositions selected, yet not limited to liquids and gasses. Water may provide an excellent decontaminating agent, as it may be used as cold water, water at ambient temperature, hot water, and vapors of water as wet or dried steams, ozone enriched vapors etc. Water solutions, and preferably soaps, detergents, surface-active agents may be in use in a verity of concentrations (e.g., sodium dodecil sulfate 0.5 to 5.0% water solution at 35 to 40°C).

Alternatively or additionally, emulsions and water-immiscible solvents may be used, as many types of chemical warfare and hazards are characterized by noticeable hydrophobicity. For example, Kerosene was found to be an effective cleansing solvent for both Vx and Serine (GB) verve agents. Moreover, both waterborne solutions and solvate solutions comprising active decontaminating agents are to be used according to the present invention. Thus for example, solutions comprising hypochlorites (preferably Sodium Hypochlorite solution or Calcium Hypochlorite suspension) are to be in use in effective amount, such as in the range of about 4% to 10%. Water suspensions comprising about 4% of commercially-available super tropical bleach (STB), comprising Calcium Hypochlorite, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Hydroxide and Calcium Oxide mixture was found to be effective in the decontamination of germs and various chemical warfare agents. It is acknowledged that many water-immiscible solutions were also suggested for noticeable effectiveness in the decontamination of both biological and chemical warfare agents. In few cases, thus, a diluted solvent solution of the aggressive and commercial available amine-based decontamination solution II (DS2) may be in use; especially in cleansing boots and other external parts, not being in communication with the casualty to be treated. 01474527Y7-03 - 7 - 154539/4 Reference is still made to Fig. 1 , showing the washing post Ρβ. Said elongated line comprising a plurality of splinters, sprayers, aerosolers and/or foggers of any type or size (i.e. 'sprays'), adapted to effectively rinse a measured volume of the aforementioned washing agent over the casualty laying on stretchers IK to IN. According to one embodiment of the present invention, said rinse is provided generally from elevated sprayers downward to the conveyor. It is ' nevertheless according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein'at least in portion of the said line B, washing agents are rinsed from the top, the sides and/or the bottom of the stretcher.

, Still according another embodiment, solvents and/or water solutions of active decontamination agents are to be rinsed in the first portion of line B, wherein water and/or detergents are rinsed in the subsequent portion of said line B. Similarly, in case that the portion of the contaminating agents is of elevated solubility in cold water and other ingredients of said agents are better solvated in hot solutions, cold liquids are in use in one portion of the line, while relatively hot liquids are to be rinsed in the other portion.

Whereat line B is preferably of a FIFO mechanism, unable casualties are lying on the stretchers defined above and automatically transported alone the line. As those casualties sometimes requires medical escorts along the line, accompanied personal stuff walks on a predetermined pavement-like root located at the side of the heads of the lying casualties, without being wetted by the said washing agents rinsed from the said sprayers.

The time interval form the beginning of the wash (see position IK) until the end of the wash (position IN) varies from few seconds to several minutes, and is greatly dependant of the condition of the casualties, the type and capacity of the washing agents etc.

Line B is located according to one embodiment of the present invention in a collapsible and/or mobile construction. The length of said construction is primary depend on the number of the stretchers in the line. As demonstrated schematically in Fig. 1 , line B comprises four stretchers following each other by their longitudinal axis, the minimal length of the washing post PB is thus about 12 m. Nevertheless, wherein the stretchers are stacked by their narrow dimension (See for example line lA), for four 01474527\23-01 - 8 - 154539/2 stretchers, a length of about 4 m is required. The width of line B is about 2 m, not including the pavement-like root for the medical stuff.

Whereat the unable casualty is effectively washed and cleansed by means of the said washing agents, and further whereat said casualty is now located in position IN, it is time to transfer the casualty to a comprehensive medical care, such as the treatment provided in the interior of hospitals. In delivery post Pc, those powdered and washed casualties are amassed. Reference is hence made now to Fig. 1 , showing a manifold-like connector (3). Stretcher 10 caries the casualty treated just before the casualty lying in stretcher IN, while stretcher IP contains the casualty treated just before the one lying in stretcher 10. Stretcher 1Q located in the transmission post comprises the casualty to be now deliver into the hospital. The dimension of the delivery post Pc as described in Fig. 1 is about 6x6 m.

Reference is made now to Fig. 2, presenting a schematic top view of another embodiment of the decontamination conveyor according to the present invention. Basically, this conveyor is similar to the one presented in figure 1, with one main difference, as it is characterized in line A. Here, a carousel-like connector (21) is presented. Said loading apparatus is especially useful for a quick load of unable casualty on the conveyor line, namely of stretcher 2A. A casualty loaded on stretcher 2A is transported to the location of stretcher 2B1. Rotating the carousel to about 180° allows loading the subsequent casualty in location of stretcher 2B2 and vis versa. Post PA comprises two parallel lines, whereat 8 casualties are powdered as defined above. Such an arrangement is especially useful in cases whereat washing takes time off powdering. Here, a prolonged physical contamination procedure is applied, while other decontamination steps are quit similar. The dimension of post PA, comprising 8 casualties is about 13x2 m.

It is further acknowledged that posts PA and PB are interconnected by means of a rotateable joint 7F. Still referring to Fig. 2, which is showing that a casualty lying in stretcher 2E1 is collected by stretcher 2F, and then to stretcher 2G, while for the purpose of collecting the casualty lying on stretcher 2E2, stretcher 2F should be rotated about 1 m to the right side, then rotate back about 0.5 to left, thus delivering the casualty to the location denoted as 2G. 01474527Y7-03 - 9 - 154539/2 Reference is made now to figure 3, presenting a top view of a decontamination conveyor of a third embodiment of the present invention. Here, the powdering post is arranged as a carousel-like connector (31), comprising a plurality of stretchers, here 8 such stretchers. An unable casualty is loaded by a means of loading assembly D. Said assembly D comprises a carousel-like connector (32) and a loading platform (33) interconnecting the carousel-like connector (32) with the powdering post (31).

It is acknowledged in this manner that the radial velocity of the carousel-like powdering post (31) is a function of the powdering time, e.g., the time period whereat the hazards are been absorbed by the powdering agents. This period is ranges from few seconds to several minutes.

The dimensions of the carousel-like powdering post (31) are about 7x7 m for an assembly comprising eight stretchers. The dimensions of the carousel-like connector (32) and the platform (33) are about 2x5 m.

The term 'stretcher' and the term 'conveyor' are referring in this invention to any means adapted to transport unable casualties from post to post along the decontamination pathway defined above. The two terms are to be incorporated into one carrying apparatus whereat the aforementioned conveyor comprises a plurality of stretchers-like built-in units. Those units are of general length of 1.8 to 2.2. m, and preferably 2m. The general width of those built-in units is in the range of about 0.6 to 1.2 m, preferably 1 m. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the conveyor is highly porosive net made of polymeric and/or metal materials. The stretchers, as defined above, are preferably made of a similar highly porosive net, made of polymeric and/or metal materials, wherein metal infrastructure, especially in the outside frame of the stretcher is made of metal, such as aluminum alloy or hollow stainless steel rods.

Reference is made now to figure 4, presenting a schematic side view of the conveyor as defined in any of the above mentioned embodiments of the invention. The conveyor hereto presented is rolled on by means of a roller assembly. Said assembly is comprised of rollers (41 A and 4 IB), upper tight net (42 A) and lower net (42B), tension rollers (46 for example). This roller assembly is enforced to a metallic frame (43). The 01474527Y7-03 - 10 - 154539/2 roller assembly is of any desired length, wherein two or more such assemblies are to be in a desired sequence. Hence, roller 4 IB of one assembly is located adjacent to roller 44 of a second assembly, in the manner that net 42A and 45 are to form an approximated one moving conveyor. 01474527Y7-03

Claims (13)

- 11 - 154539/4 CLAIMS:

1. A multi-stages decontaminating conveyor adapted for decontaminating a mass of casualties attacked by radiological, biological or chemical warfare and other hazards before given them a comprehensive medical treatment; said conveyor is characterized by the following stages or posts: a. a powdering post; whereat physical absorbing of said warfare or hazards is provided for a predetermined period of time; b. a washing post; whereat liquids are effectively provided to cleanse the external surface of the casualties; c. a delivery post; whereat the decontaminated casualties are amassed until a comprehensive medical care is provided.

2. The conveyor according to claim 1, additionally comprising an accumulating post; whereat contaminated casualties are amassed.

3. The conveyor according to claims 1 or 2; characterized by an elongated line wherein casualties are amassed either in the accumulating post or the powdering post, then washed and delivered to a medical care in a FIFO mechanism.

4. The conveyor according to claim 3; comprising a plurality of parallel lines.

5. The conveyor according to claim 3, adapted to conveying a line of stretchers, each stretcher carries one casualty, said stretchers are arranged either laterally or longitudinally.

6. The conveyor according to claim 1 ; wherein the posts are interconnected by means of a carousel-like joint.

7. The conveyor according to claim 1; wherein the posts are interconnected by means of a manifold-like joint.

8. The conveyor according to claim 1 ; wherein the posts are interconnected by means of a rotateable joint.

9. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein at least one post is placed in a suitable tent-like or shed-like construction.

10. : The conveyor according to claim 9, wherein said construction is either collapsible or mobile structure. 01474527U 3-01 - 12 - 154539/4

11. The conveyor according to claim 1, adapted to decontaminate a mass of unable and able casualties; said unable are lying on a conveyor and said able casualties are walking from post to post in the manner they are powdered and washed independently.

12. A method of decontaminating casualties by means of the conveyor as defined in claim 1 or in any of its preceding claims; comprising a. powdering the casualties by a means of powdering agents; b. washing the powdered casualties by a means of washing agents; and c. delivering said decontaminate casualties to a medical care.

13. The method according to claim 1 1 , additionally comprising an initial step of amassing the casualties before powdering them. For the Applicants, 01474527U 3-01