MXPA00005583A - Isolation bag - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention is an isolation bag (14) for isolating a casualty from a contaminated environment. The bag (14) is preferably fabricated from a transparent, biochemically resistive material that is specifically designed, and configured to be utilized in combination with a self-contained transportable life support system. The isolation bag (14) is further provided with a plurality of tubular passages (46, 48) which are designed to be filled with air provided by the transportable life support system to thus cause the isolation bag to expand, and form a semi-rigid structure. A multiplicity of apertures (56) are formed upon the tubular passages (46, 48) in such a manner that enables refreshed air to pass therethrough which washes over the patient in a head-to-toe direction such that rapid removal of toxic, and infectious residues are facilitated.

Description

INSULATION BAG Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to medical devices used to isolate and treat intensive care patients, outside of a medical facility and more particularly, to a self-contained transportable isolation bag, used in the resuscitation, stabilization and transportation of medical patients. , which additionally facilitates the removal of toxic residues from it.

Background of the Invention Typically, when a person is wounded and becomes injured within a contaminated environment, such as in a chemical warfare confrontation, the injured person is placed inside a garbage bag or any other type of cover to be transported to a medical installation. Ideally, the cover is manufactured from a material that inhibits or prevents the transfer to the injured of contaminants from the environment.

REF .: 120678 In many cases, it is imperative that the injured person receive medical treatment immediately. However, with the aim of administering the treatment, the injured person must first be isolated and transported inside a cover within which, the medical personnel can work on the injured or additional means must be provided to allow access to the injured, without introduce contaminants to the cover that contains the injured. In this regard, it is desirable to isolate the patient from the environment, when it contains substances that may be harmful to the medical patient. For example, if the patient has suffered a severe loss of blood or is experiencing difficulty in breathing, then it is desirable to prevent the patient from breathing dust, engine exhaust, smoke, etc. It is also desirable to isolate the medical patient from the environment, when bacteriological, chemical and / or radiological hazards are present, as may occur during conditions within the battlefield. In addition, it may be advantageous for said isolated environment to be caused to facilitate the removal of said toxic and infectious residues, which may be present in the clothing and / or skin of said isolated medical patient in order to allow the patient to be additionally stabilized during transit to an appropriate medical facility. Ideally, the isolated medical patient may be contained within an environment that is provided with air that is constantly being recycled, decontaminated and renewed, so that the toxic and infectious waste is quickly removed from the isolated medical patient. Unfortunately, prior art apparatuses that are currently available for the treatment of a wounded in the field, are not generally effective in providing an environment conducive to the administration of a medical treatment and thus, may cause the treatment to be delayed until The injured person is transported to an appropriate medical facility, which is often not immediately accessible. Said apparatuses of the preceding art are generally deficient in providing an environment where the wounded person is protected from contaminants, leaving aside that they facilitate the removal of contaminants that are already present in the skin and / or the clothing of the wounded. Therefore, there is a need within the art for an isolation system and in particular, an isolation bag within which, the medical patient is placed on the battlefield and within which, the medical patient remains until You can have access to an appropriate medical facility. It is further desirable to provide an isolation system having an isolation bag where it can protect a patient who is contained within it from a contaminated external environment, in such a way that the conditions of said patient do not worsen through the entry of toxic substances, resulting from a chemical attack and / or biological, as well as other discomforts and extreme weather conditions caused by rain, wind, dust, heat, cold, humidity and dryness. There is still the need for an isolation bag as part of an isolation system that is capable of distributing a constant supply of air to the patient contained within it, where said air is recycled, decontaminated and constantly renewed and which is also , able to provide said air in such a way, that the toxic and infectious residues present on the patient can be removed, filtered and decontaminated quickly. There is additionally a need for an isolation bag that, as part of an isolation system for medical patients, is specifically designed and configured to occupy a small space and that can be easily transported when collapsed, but can be easily and quickly expanded. to be used.

Brief Compendium of the Invention The present invention addresses and specifically addresses the deficiencies associated with the foregoing art, mentioned above. More particularly, the present invention comprises an isolation bag for use with a transportable stretcher having a self-contained survival system, integrated therein, to protect a wounded or medical patient from a contaminated external environment. The bag of insulation is additionally able to provide a constant supply of recycled, decontaminated and renewed air, which facilitates the removal of toxic and infectious waste, present on the patient that is contained within it. According to a preferred embodiment, the bag comprises a cover that can be placed around a wounded or medical patient, when the latter assumes a recumbent position, face up on the stretcher with which the isolation bag is used. The isolation bag comprises the combination of a first lower bag portion and a second upper bag portion that are designed and configured to coincide with each other and form an air pressure chamber within which a patient can be placed. The assembly to said chamber is through a long opening with a closure, formed around the peripheral edges of the first and second bag portions, which is specifically configured to form a spill-proof seal when it is closed. Formed around the upper bag portion, there is a series of tubular gas passages, designed and configured to receive pressurized gas from an external source, such that when the gas passages are filled with a pressurized gas, the upper portion of the bag assumes a parallel, semi-rigid tubular structure. Formed on the inside of said tubular passages, there is a plurality of openings oriented to provide a constant stream of air towards the patient contained therein. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of openings is formed on the tubular structures of the cover, such that the air is provided, i.e. washed on the patient in a head-to-toe direction, in such a manner as to facilitate quickly removing toxic and infectious waste. To facilitate the passage of air through the chamber in this manner, an exhaust or outlet valve is formed on one end of the bag, designed to draw the air distributed within the bag, in a near to distant direction. The insulation bag is preferably made of materials resistant to chemical and / or biochemical substances, which are additionally capable of protecting a patient contained inside the bag, from discomfort and extreme climatic conditions caused by rain, wind, dust, heat, cold , humidity and dryness. The isolation bag is additionally preferably made of a transparent material which allows the patient contained therein to be seen by the medical personnel, as well as to minimize the claustrophobic experiences of the patient. To facilitate medical treatment, the isolation bag is preferably provided with means for accessing the patient, preferably in the form of a flexible, hand-held type portal, mounted on the isolation bag and strategically placed to perform the patient's access Ideally, said portal system is designed to be independent for right or left handed persons and designed to maximize the manual handling capabilities of the provider and the dexterity of finger functioning. Said bag of insulation is additionally configured, preferably to assume a small, compact space when it is collapsed, in such a way that it can be easily stored and transported, but that can be used immediately when necessary, to form a cover around a patient. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an isolation bag to protect a patient from a toxic or infectious environment that additionally to the patient against discomfort and extreme weather conditions, caused by rain, wind, dust, heat, cold, humidity and dryness. Another object of the present invention is to provide an isolation bag, as part of an isolation system to protect a patient from a toxic or infectious environment, which is capable of interfacing with the equipment of a survival system. conventional conveying and more particularly, the air supply and ventilation components thereof, such that the air supplied to the bag is distributed and washed around the person contained within it. Another object of the present invention is to provide an isolation bag as part of an isolation system, to protect a patient from a toxic or infectious environment, which facilitates the rapid removal of toxic and infectious waste, present on the person contained. inside it. Another object of the present invention is to provide an isolation bag as part of an isolation system, to protect a patient from a toxic or infectious environment, wherein said bag is capable of assuming a small and compact space when it is collapsed, in such a way that it can be easily stored and transported, but can be quickly and easily used during its use. Another object of the present invention is to provide an isolation bag as part of an isolation system, to protect a patient from a toxic or infectious environment, which allows a patient contained therein to be seen by medical personnel. and allows said medical personnel to have quick and easy access to the patient's body, when it is contained and enclosed within it.

Still, another objective of the present invention is to provide an isolation bag as part of an isolation system, to protect a patient from a toxic or infectious environment, wherein said bag is of a simple construction and can be used easily and quickly Brief Description of the Drawings These, as well as other features of the present invention, will be more apparent from the following description and the following drawings. It should be understood that the changes in the specific structure shown and described can be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from the essence of the invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an insulation bag constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in a prepackaged, collapsed configuration, in combination with a prior art stretcher having a self-contained survival system and transportable, contained within it; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a patient assuming a recumbent position on the stretcher, with the isolation bag of the present invention being employed around it; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the patient of Fig. 2, fully contained within the isolation bag of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of the patient, the isolation bag and the survival system of Fig. 3, where it is additionally shown to a ventilation system, which is shown being coupled to the isolation bag; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the insulation bag of the present invention, indicating the flow of air distributed within the interior portion thereof, as it is distributed by the tubular gas passages formed above it; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the tubular gas passage formed on the insulation bag of the present invention, illustrating a plurality of openings through which the direction of the flow of gas is shown. air.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modality The description set forth below in connection with the accompanying drawings is intended to be a description of the currently preferred embodiment of the invention and is not intended to represent the only way in which the present invention can be constructed or used. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention, in connection with the illustrated embodiment. It should be understood, however, that the same functions or equivalent functions can be performed by means of different modalities that are also intended to be encompassed within the essence and field of the invention. Despite being discussed and illustrated here as having particular application in battlefield situations, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the isolation bag of the present invention can be used in several different civil applications, such as evacuation in emergency rescues or doctors, especially where the emission or production of toxic gases or polluting particles around and where people are in proximity to the area of emergency or catastrophe, require immediate detoxification and treatment. As such, the terms patient doctor, patient and injured, as used herein, are defined to include patients and / or victims of any accident and / or medical condition that results in having the need for emergency medical care. Referring now to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1, there is shown a self-contained system of environmental protection and, of insulation 10 comprised by the combination of a stretcher 12 and an isolation bag 14, connectable to each other, for the transport of a patient from a field or the scene of an accident, to a hospital. As is typical, the stretcher 12 is configured to have a proximal end 12a and a distal end 12b and an upper platform surface 12c on which, a medical patient can be placed, usually in an upright recumbent position. The stretcher 12 can take the form of any system well known in the art, which is provided with the devices to monitor and respond to the condition of the patient placed on top of it, and will typically include devices for monitoring blood pressure, temperature , oxygenation of the blood and latency of the heart. An example of such stretchers includes those self-contained transportable survival systems, discovered in copending US Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 667,693, the teachings of which are. expressly incorporated here for your reference. Said stretchers 12 are of an additional advantage, in that they can fit inside and be transported by a great variety of land transport vehicles and military transport airplanes, such as the helicopter Bla ckha wk UH-60, the Huey UH-1 helicopter, the HMMWV, the C-130 wing aircraft and / or the C141 fixed wing aircraft. Said configuration is further compatible with standard NA? O stretcher assemblies, in such a way that the transportable survival system 10 of the present invention, can be hauled simply aboard said military evacuation vehicles, in the same manner as a stretcher. NATO standard that has a wounded on the battlefield arranged above it and thus, can be transported. To facilitate the transport of said stretcher 12, it is typically provided with retention members 34, which extend from the proximal end to the distal end thereof. Although not shown, ventilation systems designed to take in surrounding air, extract contaminated particles and gas from the air by means of filtration, and force the resulting purified air into the interior are typically incorporated within these couches 12. cover formed around the patient. The filtered air is typically mixed with recycled air from inside the mobile unit or stretcher 12. As may be necessary, the air mixture is heated or used at a predetermined temperature and is then distributed within the mobile unit and subsequently removed and filtered, in such a way that any remaining particle or gas is extracted. Said ventilation systems are typically controlled through a control circuit 22 coupled thereto, which is designed to regulate the operation of the ventilator, as well as other medical devices. A heater (not shown) is additionally preferably disposed within the couch 12 and in electrical communication with the control circuit 22, to provide heat to the interior portion or to the platform surface 12c of the couch 12, in such a way as to maintain the inner portion above a predetermined minimum temperature. Similarly, a cooler is preferably disposed within the stretcher 12 and in electrical communication with the control circuit 22, to cool an inner portion of the stretcher 12, so as to keep the inner portion below a predetermined maximum temperature.

Mounted on the table 12, there is an isolation bag 14 constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The insulation bag 14 is preferably designed and configured to assume a first packaged and collapsed configuration, as shown, and can be attached to the table 12 through a strip 16. The insulation bag 14 is made of those materials resistant to a chemical attack and / or biological, call, toxic gases or lethal bacteria used in the battlefield, or an unintentional emission of toxic substances. The insulation bag 14 is additionally made of those materials already well known in the art that can withstand extreme weather and nuisance caused by rain, wind, dust, heat, cold, humidity and dryness. It will further be appreciated that said isolation bag 14 will preferably be made of transparent materials, such that when in use, the patient 36 contained therein, illustrated in FIGS. Figs. 3 and 4, can be observed visually by the medical staff Additionally, by providing a transparent isolation bag 14, the patient 36 contained therein is less likely to experience an event of claustrophobia, since said individual will be able to see your surroundings, referring now to Fig. 2, it is shown to the isolation bag 14 when used on a wounded 36, the latter assuming a position lying on its back, on the platform surface 12c of the stretcher 12. As illustrated, the isolation bag 14 is comprised of two parts , call, a lower bag portion 14b and an upper bag portion 14a. Both bag portions 14a, 14b are extended from the proximal end 12a of the stretcher 12 and in the direction indicated by the letter A. As will be appreciated, with the aim that the wounded 36 assume said position within the isolation bag 14 , it will first be necessary to extend the lower bag portion 14b on the platform surface 12c with the upper bag portion 14a then being extended on the patient 36, towards the far end of the table, to form a dome on the patient 36. With the objective that the upper and lower bag portions 14a, 14b form an air pressure seal with respect to each other, respective sets of teeth 18, 38 are formed around the respective peripheral edges thereof, which cooperate to form a lock Spill-proof type closure.

In this regard, the isolation bag 14 is provided with a slidable snap 20 which, when advanced in the direction indicated by the letter B around the patient, causes the respective teeth 18, 38 to coincide with each other and form the seal under pressure. of air 44, shown in Fig. 3. The isolation bag 14 is additionally provided with exhaust pipes 40, 42 which are designed to interconnect with the exhaust valves 30, 32 formed at the distal end 12b of the stretcher 12 , which will be discussed more fully below. The isolation bag 14 is additionally provided with a bevel 52, shown in Fig. 4, to which a nozzle 28 can be fixed to interconnect to the air inlet valves 24,26 within it. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the air inlet valves 24, 26 are coupled with the control circuit 22 to thereby allow the latter to direct the flow of air passing through and into the bag. of insulation 14, discussed more fully below. Referring now to FIG. 3, the insulation bag 14 and more particularly, the upper bag portion 14a thereof, is shown in an inflated state. In this regard, the peripheral peripheral edge 46 and the frames 48 extend therefrom, are formed as tubular gas passages formed by flexible inner tubes fluidly connected to each other, which are confined within the material of the upper bag portion 14a . Said material may be formed of a flexible plastic material which may be either heat sealed or edged around the tubular portions 46, 48, and is preferably formed of a material that is impervious to any contaminants that are expected to be found. in the environment in which the isolation bag 14 is used. In an alternative embodiment, the tubular gas passages 46, 48 are integrally formed to the upper bag portion 14. As illustrated in Fig. 5, air is provided from the inlet valves 24, 26 and is caused to pass through through the tubular passages 46, 48 through a duct, which preferably forms the shape of a bevel connection 52. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the gas passages 46, 48 are coupled to the bevel 52 of such that the air passing through the inlet valves 24, 26 and through the bevel connection 52, causes said passages to inflate to form a semi-rigid structure defining a chamber or capsules 50, which isolates to the medical patient 36. Medical grade air, ie, air enriched with oxygen or oxygen, is provided through the ventilator (not shown) to the inlet valves 24,26 and finally to patient 36. Said. air enriched .with oxy The oxygen or oxygen can be provided to the ventilator, either through an on-board oxygen generator system, pressurized oxygen cylinders, or through an external source to it. As discussed, there is additionally and preferably contained within the stretcher 12 an environmental control system which, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, is comprised of a fan to carry air to the top of the stretcher, a filter to filter the same chemical, biological and radiological contaminants. There is in addition, preferably, an air temperature controller that tunes the air to a desired temperature, as it is passed through the fan, through the air distribution pipes 24, 26, through the passages 46, 48 and on the patient 36. The air is finally, distributed radially downward, around the chamber 50, defined by the inlet isolation bag 14, as indicated by the letter C. As shown in greater detail in Fig. 6, the path of air 54 that is passed around the horizontal peripheral tubular passage 46, upwards through the arched frame passage 48 and eventually flows through openings 56 formed thereon. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, said inward radial airflow around the chamber 50 causes the patient contained therein to be vigorously washed with said renewed air. Once the air has been washed around the patient 36, it is removed through the exhaust pipes 40, 42 formed at the distal end of the upper bag portion 14a. Said tubes are connected to the exhaust valves 30, 32 formed at the distal end 12b of the stretcher 12, which are coupled with a suction force and thus direct air from the proximal end of the isolation bag 14 towards the end Distant therefrom, shown as the direction D in FIG. 5. By directing the forced air into the chamber 50 to be brought from the proximal end to the distal end, it is thereby caused to wash on the patient in a direction of flow from head to toe. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the air that washes the contaminated patient in this manner, advantageously provides a rapid removal of toxic and infectious waste in clothing and skin, which, once removed from the chamber 50 which the exhaust valves 30, 32 are filtered and decontaminated through the air recycling system, contained within the stretcher 12 (not shown). Moreover, by washing the patient in air in this manner, the inert air pockets are eliminated, thus facilitating uniform heating, cooling and humidity control. With respect to the operation of the insulation bag 14 of the present invention to the degree of no longer being evident, said operation comprises the steps of removing the insulation bag 14 from its collapsed condition, being packaged and attached to the bezel of the bag 52 to the fan nozzle 28, the latter being formed as part of a ventilation system contained within the table 12. The lower bag portion 14b is then hung on the platform surface 12c of the table 12, so that the patient is then placed on top of it. As will be recognized, with regard to additional medical devices, tubes, wiring and the like that are to be employed, they are passed into the opening of the isolation bag and connected to the patient placed on top of it.

Hereinafter, the retaining device 20 is slid around the peripheral axes of the upper and lower bag portions, to form an air pressure seal. The exhaust pipes 40, 42 are interconnected with the exhaust valves 30, 32 formed on the stretcher. The environmental and decontamination systems contained within the stretcher 12 are then activated with the air passing from the ventilator contained within the stretcher 12, through the passages 24, 26 and bevel 52 and finally inside the isolation bag 14. The air thus flows over the patient in the head-to-toe shape discussed above and will be removed through the exhaust pipes 40, 42. By being in such an isolated state, the patient can be transported through means and, upon reaching an appropriate medical facility, can be treated as needed. At this point, the ventilation system does not need to be turned off and the seal seal open in order to have access to the patient. Although not shown, the isolation bag 14 of the present invention may be additionally provided with patient access means, which may comprise a flexible hand-wound type portal, which is formed on the patient's bag. regret 14 and placed strategically to perform patient access. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, said portal system is preferably designed to be used independently by right-handed / left-handed persons and designed to maximize the manipulation capabilities of the caregiver's hands and the dexterity of finger functioning. After use of the isolation bag 14, it can be discarded or, alternatively decontaminated, sterilized and packaged again for reuse. Although the invention has been described herein with a specific reference to the currently preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various additions, modifications, deletions and alterations to said preferred embodiment may be made, without departing from the essence and the field of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all additions, modifications, deletions and alterations reasonably visible, be included within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims. It is noted that, with regard to this date, the best method known by the requested, to carry out the present invention, is that which is clear from the present, discovering the invention. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (15)

2. A system for isolating a medical patient from a contaminated environment and facilitating the removal of contaminants from the patient, characterized in that it comprises: a) a flexible body capsule which is formed of a material substantially impervious to vapor fumes having an interior compartment; b) a sealing apparatus formed on the body capsule for opening and closing said body capsule and respectively exposing or isolating the inner compartment from the contaminated environment; c) a source of pressurized air free of contaminants; d) a duct formed on the body capsule for coupling with the source of air pressurization free of contaminants; Y e) a passage formed on the body capsule fluidly connected to the duct, said passage having at least one opening with the front facing down, formed on it, in such a way that the passage is supplied with the pressurized air, the air evoked to pass through at least one opening and into the interior compartment of the body capsule; f) an exhaust valve formed on the inner compartment of the body capsule, the exhaust valve being formed on the inside of the body capsule in such a way that the exhaust valve causes the air to be distributed in the inner chamber from at least one opening, for selectively washing the medical patient and forcing contaminants adhering to the patient to be quickly removed from the patient and exiting from the interior compartment to the exhaust valve.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the body capsule is comprised of first and second bag portions, interconnectable with each other, cooperating to form an interior compartment and a sealing apparatus comprising a clasp for retaining the first and second portions with each other.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the passage to receive the pressurized air comprises a plurality of passages of the tubular, fluidly connected to each other, in such a way that when the plurality of tubular passages are supplied with pressurized air, the body capsule assumes an expanded position to form a semi-rigid structure.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the passage has a plurality of apertures with the inward facing, formed thereon, the plurality of openings being designed and configured to distribute and deliver air to the inner compartment of the body capsule .
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus is designed and configured to assume a first collapsed configuration to facilitate transport and storage thereof and a second expanded configuration for when it is used.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the body capsule has such a size and is adapted to assume a first collapsed position and a second expanded position, when the capsule is used to provide access to the medical patient.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the body capsule has a window formed of a transparent material.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the body capsule has a window formed on top of it, to allow a visual examination of the interior compartment from an external environment.
10. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the body capsule is formed to have proximal and distant ends, such that when the medical patient is contained within the inner compartment thereof, the head of the medical patient is oriented towards proximal end and the legs and feet of the medical patient are oriented towards the far end, the exhaust valve being formed on the distal end of the body capsule such that when the pressurized air is distributed to the interior compartment, the air is expelled towards the distal end of the body capsule. A system for isolating a wounded person from a contaminated environment and for facilitating the removal of toxic and infectious waste therefrom, characterized in that it comprises: a) a flexible body capsule that is formed of a material substantially impervious to steam fumes having a inner compartment and having proximal and distant ends that have the size and adapt to accommodate the patient's entire body; b) a sealing apparatus formed on the body capsule for opening and closing said body capsule and respectively exposing or insulating the inner compartment of the contaminated environment; c) a source of pressurized air free of contaminants; d) a duct formed on the body capsule for coupling with the source of pressurization of air free of contaminants; e) a passage formed on the body capsule fluidly connected to the duct, said passage having at least one opening with the front facing down, formed on it, in such a way that the passage is supplied with the pressurized air, the air evoked to pass through at least one opening and into the interior compartment of the body capsule; f) an exhaust valve formed on the interior compartment of the body capsule, the exhaust valve being selectively positioned, such that when the air is distributed to the interior compartment, air is caused to be removed from it, the air being caused to withdraw from the interior compartment in such a way that the air flow is directed on the injured person and the infectious and toxic residues present on it are removed and thrown through the exhaust valve.
11. The apparatus according to claim 0, characterized in that the passage comprises a plurality of tubular gas passages connected fluidly to each other, such that when the tubular gas passages are supplied with pressurized air, the inner chamber assumes an expanded configuration to form a semi-rigid structure. .
12. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the plurality of openings are formed spaced around the tubular passages, such that when the pressurized air is distributed within the interior compartment, the air is caused to distribute distributedly around the patient medical content within it.
13. 13. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the apparatus is designed and configured to assume a first collapsed configuration to facilitate transportation and storage thereof, and a second expanded configuration for when in use.
14. 14. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the apparatus is designed to be disposable after the use thereof.
15. 15. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 10, characterized in that the apparatus is designed to be decontaminated and capable of being re-packaged for use again after use thereof.