WO2022043674A1

WO2022043674A1 - Multi-compartment structure and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2022043674A1
Application number: PCT/GB2021/052194
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Adams
Original assignee: Clinicabin Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-26
Filing date: 2021-08-24
Publication date: 2022-03-03
Also published as: GB202013315D0; EP4203884A1

Abstract

A multi-compartment structure is provided including a first compartment and at least a second compartment. Independent closure means are provided for each of the first and at least second compartments to allow independent user access to said compartments in use. At least one window is provided between the first and at least second compartments within the structure to allow viewing of at least part of one of the first and second compartments from at least part of the other of the first and second compartments. At least one of said first and at least second compartments has air and/or fluid extraction and replacement means and/or filtering means provided in and/or associated therewith to allow all, or substantially all, of the air and/or fluid within said at least one compartment to be extracted and replaced and/or filter over a pre- determined period of time.

Description

Multi-Compartment Structure and Method of Use Thereof

This invention relates to a multi-compartment structure and method of use and/ or assembly thereof.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a multi-compartment structure in the form of a cabin to allow spirometry/ lung function testing to be undertaken during the COVID-19 Pandemic, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the structure of the present invention can take a variety of different forms and can be used to allow any type of testing or for use in any application, irrespective of whether social distancing is required or not as a result of a virus pandemic.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has brought many challenges to the world in which we live, not least enforcing significant strain on healthcare systems around the world. Many healthcare systems have stopped routine healthcare testing of conditions unrelated to COVID-19 so as to reduce the risk and exposure of the virus to patients, many of whom are considered to be elderly, “vulnerable” and/or who are “shielding”. The problem with this is that many other health problems and diseases unrelated to COVID-19 are being left unchecked. This is storing up potentially major healthcare issues in the future and may result in an increase in patient fatalities or irreversible health changes in patients as a result of unchecked or unmonitored health conditions.

An example of healthcare testing that has been forced to stop due to the COVID- 19 Pandemic is diagnostic testing for respiratory conditions and diseases, such as Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This is because the technique used to confirm and monitor such conditions uses spirometry lung function testing, which is considered to be an “aerosol generating procedure” (AGP). Since AGPs are thought to increase the risk of virus particles being made airborne, this is thought to increase the risk of patients and clinicians contracting COVID-19. In order to perform any AGP procedure, there are regulations that the clinician has to comply with, such as for example wearing full Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), that the clinical testing room has to be left for 2-3 hours between patients to allow air changes to have fully taken place and for any airborne virus to have settled onto surfaces, and for the room to be fully cleaned before another patient can be tested. This results in a significant increase in costs associated with undertaking any AGPs and a significant reduction in the number of patients that can be safely tested in any time period, thereby resulting in significant backlogs in patient testing and, in some cases, ceasing of the testing altogether. This ultimately is likely to compromise patient’s health and could result in an increase in patient fatalities.

Furthermore, primary care facilities (General Practitioner(GP) surgeries) in the UK are responsible for approximately 90% of the testing and diagnosis of Asthma and COPD patients. Such facilities generally do not have access to full PPE or to the finances available for the frequency of post testing cleaning required following an AGP. As such, many patients are being left undiagnosed and without treatment. As an example, there are currency around 1.2 million people in the UK who have a diagnosis of COPD and there are an additional 2 million patients who are likely to have this condition but who have not yet been diagnosed. In addition, 160,000 people are diagnosed with Asthma every year in the UK. There is therefore an urgent desire for healthcare systems worldwide to develop a system that allows patient testing, and particular patient testing involving AGPs, to be carried out safely in both a cost efficient and time efficient manner.

In some cases, healthcare systems have tried to provide spirometry testing by conducting the test in a patient’s car in a car park of the medical facility. However, the patient is often not seated in a correct position for undertaking the testing which is likely to impair the test and/or the results generated by the test. Furthermore, there is no control of the environmental conditions within a user’s vehicle, which may also lead to impairment of the test and/ or results generated by the test. This can lead to inaccurate patient diagnosis of health conditions. Furthermore, if there is any medical emergency associated with the patient during this testing procedure, the patient cannot be quickly and easily accessed to allow them to receive emergency medical care. Furthermore, the clinician needs to stand outside of the user’s car to explain to the patient how to perform the test and to monitor the test. This is uncomfortable for the clinician and is impractical in adverse weather conditions.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a multi- compartment structure that overcomes the abovementioned problem.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using and/ or assembling a multi-compartment structure that overcomes the abovementioned problem.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide an AGP safe testing structure.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using and/ or assembling an AGP safe testing structure.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a multicompartment structure, said structure including a first compartment and at least a second compartment; independent closure means being provided for each of the first and at least second compartments to allow independent user access to said compartments in use; at least one window provided between the first and at least second compartments within the structure to allow viewing of at least part of one of the first and second compartments from at least part of the other of the first and second compartments; and wherein at least one of said first and at least second compartments has air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or filtering means provided in and/ or associated therewith to allow all, or substantially all, of the air and/ or fluid within said at least one compartment to be extracted and replaced and/ or filtered over a pre-determined period of time.

Thus, the multi- compartment structure of the present invention is arranged such that a clinician can independently access and work in the at least first compartment in use, and a patient can independently access and be located in the at least second compartment in use. The window provided between the compartments within the structure allows a clinician to at least visually demonstrate and/or monitor a procedure being carried out by or on the patient without being present in the compartment occupied by the patient. The air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or filtering means allows all or substantially all of the air and/ or fluid within at least the compartment being occupied by the patient to be replaced and/ or filtered in a short pre-determined period of time to ensure that any air borne contaminants, viruses, particles and/ or the like that may be present in the patient occupied compartment (and particularly that may have been generated as a result of a patient test that has been carried out) to be removed so that a different patient can access the compartment in a relatively short pre-determined time period thereafter. Furthermore, it removes the requirement for a clinician to wear full PPE when located in one of the compartments.

The multi-compartment structure of the present invention therefore provides a solution to allow AGP testing and procedures, such as for example spirometry lung function testing, to take place safely in both a cost efficient and time efficient manner. Waiting times between consecutive patients can be significantly reduced.

Reference to a multi-compartment structure herein preferably can be or relate to any cabin, building, shelter, portable cabin, caravan, trailer, vehicle and/ or the like.

Reference to compartment herein preferably can be or relate to any room, cupboard, area, locality, pre-defined and substantially enclosed locality and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the multi-compartment structure is mobile, portable, substantially mobile, substantially portable and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the multi-compartment structure is fixed or substantially fixed in position once assembled and/ or located on a site in use. In one embodiment the structure is pre -assembled and transported to an intended site or locality of use.

In one embodiment the structure is assembled and constructed on an intended site or locality of use.

In one embodiment the multi-compartment structure is provided partly or wholly within another larger structure, construction, building, shelter, portacabin, caravan, trailer, vehicle and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the multi-compartment structure is a stand alone structure independent or substantially independent of any other structure, construction, building, shelter, portacabin, caravan, trailer, vehicle and/ or the like.

In one embodiment movement means are provided on or associated with the multicompartment structure to allow the structure to be moved across a surface in use. For example, the movement means could include one or more wheels, drums, rollers and/ or the like that allows the structure to be moved across a road or ground surface in use.

Preferably the closure means are provided for closing an opening in each of the first and at least second compartments.

Preferably the closure means are movable between a closed position, wherein user access through the opening is prevented or substantially prevented, and an open position, wherein user access through the opening is possible.

In one example, the closure means includes a door, window and/ or the like.

In one embodiment closure means or further closure means are provided directly or indirectly between the first and at least second compartments within the structure to allow selective user access between the at least first and second compartments in use. This allows, for example, clinicians located in one compartment to access a patient located in the other compartment in the event of a medical emergency. Preferably the closure means or further closure means provided directly or indirectly between the compartments is arranged to allow one way access only from the at least first compartment to the at least second compartment but prevents, or substantially prevents, access from the second compartment to the first compartment for example. This ensures that the clinician can access the patient but the patient cannot access the clinician, for example.

Preferably partition means or one or more partition walls are provided in the structure to define the first and at least second compartments.

Preferably the partition means , one or more partition walls, the viewing window and/ or the closure means provide a continuous or substantially continuous surface between the first and at least second compartments in normal use (i.e. when the closure means are closed and the viewing window is closed).

Preferably the viewing window is defined in the partition means or one or more partition walls.

Preferably the viewing window does not disrupt the continuity of the partition means or one or more partition walls (i.e. it does not create a hole in the same).

Preferably the first and at least second compartments are sealed or substantially sealed from each other by sealing means.

Preferably sealing means are provided on and/ or associated with the closure means, the partition means or walls, one or more walls of the structure and/ or one or more walls of the compartment defining the opening such that when the closure means are in a closed position, air and/ or fluid is prevented or substantially prevented from passing through the closure means, the walls, the partition means, between the compartments and/ or from the compartments in use. This prevents airborne contaminants that may be present in one of the compartments from escaping from the compartment into the locality of the structure or to a different compartment in use. In one embodiment communication means are provided in the first and/ or at least second compartments to allow communication or data communication between the compartments and/ or between an external location and one or more of the compartments, and/ or to allow users in either the first and/ or second compartments to communicate with each other in use of the structure. This, for example, can allow the clinician and/ or patient to talk to each other during a procedure or testing, allows data to be transmitted between the compartments and/ or the like.

Preferably the communication means can include any or any combination of data, audio, visual and/ or kinaesthetic communication means for communicating one or more data signals, audio signals, visual signals, kinaesthetic signals and/ or the like in use.

Preferably the audio communication means includes any or any combination of audio transmission means for allowing audio data and/ or signals to be transmitted in use, audio receiving means for allowing audio data and/ or signals to be received in use, audio transceiver means for allowing audio data and/ or signals to be transmitted and/ or received in use, a microphone, a speaker, an intercom system and/ or the like.

Preferably the visual communication means can include one or more light signals, visual data, display means, a display monitor and/ or the like. For example, test data can be communicated between the first and at least second compartments in use.

Preferably the air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or filtering means allows all or substantially all the air to be replaced in at least one of the compartments in a pre-determined period of time in the range of less than or equal to about 1 hour, preferably less than or equal to about 45 minutes, further preferably less than or equal to about 30 minutes, further preferably less than or equal to about 15 minutes, yet further preferably less than or equal to about 10 minutes, yet further preferably less than or equal to about 5 minutes, yet further preferably less than or equal to about 1 minute. Thus, in one example, the air and/ or fluid within at least one of the compartments can be replaced substantially in its entirety about once every minute. This means that consecutive users or patients can use a compartment of the structure in a significantly reduced time period, such as for example, after 6 minutes, compared to a few hours required to be left between patients conventionally during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Preferably the air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means is any means or device that allows existing air and/ or fluid within at least one of the compartments to be removed and new air and/ or fluid to be replaced or reintroduced within the at least one compartment.

Preferably the air and/ or fluid filtering means is any means or device that allows existing air and/ or fluid within at least one of the compartments to be filtered and the filtered air to be re-circulated back into the compartment.

In one embodiment the at least first and/ or second compartments includes any or any combination of an electrical supply, mains electrical supply, one or more electrical sockets, water supply, one or more light sources, gas supply (such as for example, oxygen, natural gas and/ or the like), furniture, one or more sinks, taps, drainage, wash facilities, medical apparatus, spirometry equipment, air circulation means, such as a fan, fire extinguishers, toilet facilities and/ or the like.

In one embodiment one or more windows and/ or ceiling windows are provided in the first and/ or second compartments, between said compartment and an exterior of said compartment or structure. For example, these one or more windows can allow natural light to enter the one or more compartments in use.

Preferably at least one of the compartments of the structure is used to carry out one or more AGP tests and/ or procedures. Preferably at least one of the compartments of the structure is used to carry out one or more spirometry/lung function tests and/ or procedures, such as for example to allow the diagnosis and/ or testing of COPD, Asthma or other lung diseases.

Preferably the structure can be made from any or any combination of materials, such as for example, wood, metal, concrete, brick, stone, waterproof material, thermal insulating material, audio insulating material, fire resistant material, roof tiles and/ or the like.

In one embodiment, the structure includes frame means to allow one or more construction panels and/ or walls to be attached to or relative to the frame means in use. This can be used to create the one or more compartments or a partition wall between the compartments.

In one embodiment, the frame means includes one or more frame members, such as for example, a metal or steel frame comprising a plurality of frame members.

In one embodiment one or more construction panels, are attached , joined and/ or associated with the frame means. For example, the construction panels can be made from wood, plywood, plasterboard, board material and/ or the like that are attached to the frame means to form one or more walls of the structure.

Preferably thermal insulation means are provided on and/ or associated with the structure, frame means and/ or construction panels to thermally insulate the structure in use.

Preferably the thermal insulation means includes any or any combination of thermal cladding panels, mineral wool, fibre wool and/ or the like.

Preferably the one or more walls of the structure are formed form one or more panels, sheet material, laminated material, pre-fabricated construction panels and/ or the like.

Preferably the at least first and/ or second compartments are sealed or substantially sealed via sealing means from each other and/ or with respect to the exterior of the structure. This prevents airborne aerosols, contaminants and/or the like from passing into and/ or out of one or more of the compartments in use.

Preferably the sealing means includes any or any combination of rubber strips or seals, gaskets, O-rings and/ or the like.

Preferably the window between the at least first and second compartments is transparent or substantially transparent to allow a user to view through the window in at least one direction.

Preferably one or more of the windows in the structure are made from or include safety glass, Perspex, glass and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or air and/ or fluid filtering means in one compartment is independent of the air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or air and/ or fluid filtering means in another compartment of the structure. This prevents cross-contamination of the air and/ or fluid in the compartments.

In one embodiment the closure means on the first and/ or second compartments and/ or the closure means between the first and/ or second compartments is provided with a door entry system to allow authorised and/ or controlled selective entry into the same. This may be necessary for security reasons or for clinician control of patient access to a compartment for example. The door entry system could optionally include any or any combination of a key fob, key pad, remote controlled access, swipe card and/ or the like.

In one embodiment disinfectant and/ or decontaminant means are provided in and/or associated with the first and/or at least second compartments to allow decontamination and/ or disinfecting of the one or more compartments after use. For example, the disinfectant or decontamination means can include ultra-violet (UV) means, one or more ultraviolet (UV-C) lights, disinfectant spraying means, decontaminant or disinfectant surface coating that neutralises or Eradicates contaminants and/ or the like.

Preferably the disinfectant or decontaminant means can decontaminate and/or disinfect the first and/ or second compartments without a user being present in the compartment.

In one embodiment the multi-compartment structure is of a modular design to allow one or more compartments to be added onto and/ or removed from the structure as required. The orientation of the compartments relative to each other can also be adjusted as required. This allows the structure of the present invention to be arranged so as to fit a particular space available or to fit into a particular locality.

Preferably attachment means are provided to allow attachment of one or more modular units together to form the modular structure.

Preferably the attachment means includes any or any combination of welding, adhesive, one or more clips, screws, nuts and bolts, nails, inter-engaging members and/ or the like.

In one embodiment lifting means are provided on and/or associated with the structure to allow the structure to be lifted and/ or moved in use. For example, the structure could be transported on a vehicle to a locality in which the structure is to be located in use and lifted from the vehicle onto the location site.

Preferably the lifting means includes one or more hooks, apertures, cradle members and/ or the like.

In one embodiment air conditioning and/or heating means are provided in or associated with one or more of the compartments to allow temperature control of the compartment and/ or the air and/ or fluid in one or more of the compartments in use.

Preferably control means or a control unit is provided on or associated with the structure, the air conditioning means, heating means, lighting means, decontaminant and/ or disinfecting means, the air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or the filtering means in use. The control means or unit allow user control of one or more parameters or conditions of the compartments and/ or structure in use.

For example, the speed of air and/ or fluid replacement and/ or filtering can be adjusted by a user via the control means in use.

Preferably micro-processing means or unit are provided on and/ or associated with the control means or control unit, the communication means, are provided in one or more of the compartments and/or the like. For example a computer can be provided in one or more of the compartments.

It will be appreciated that the present application has many applications, such as for example, in healthcare testing, monitoring and/ or procedures, dentistry, educational purposes and/ or the like.

In one embodiment the structure is in the form of a healthcare testing cabin, and further preferably a spirometry/lung function testing cabin.

In one embodiment one or more ramps and/or stairs are provided on and/or associated with the closure means of the at least first and/ or second compartments to improve the ease of access to the structure. This allows the compartments to have disabled or wheelchair access for example. The one or more ramps and/ or stairs can be an integral part of the structure or can be attached, detachably attached or associated with the same in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a multi-compartment structure, said structure including at least a first compartment and at least a second compartment; independent closure means being provided for each of the at least first and second compartments to allow independent user access to and closure of said compartments in use; at least one window provided between the at least first and second compartments to allow viewing of at least part of one of the first and second compartments from at least part of the other of the first and second compartments; and wherein said method includes the step of extracting and replacing and/ or filtering all or substantially all of the air and/ or fluid within at least one of said compartments over a pre-determined period of time.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a multi-compartment structure, said method including the steps of defining or assembling at least a first compartment and at least a second compartments within a structure; providing independent closure means for each of the at least first and second compartments to allow independent user access to and closure of said compartments in use; providing at least one window between the at least first and second compartments to allow viewing of at least part of one of the first and second compartments from at least part of the other of the first and second compartments; and providing at least one of said at least first and second compartments with air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or filtering means in or associated therewith to allow all, or substantially all, of the air or fluid within said at least one compartment to be extracted and replaced and/ or filtered over a pre-determined period of time.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided an AGP testing structure.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using and/ or assembling an AGP testing structure.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Figure 1 is a simplified view of a multi-compartment structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a simplified plan view of a multi-compartment structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the figures, there is illustrated examples of a multi-compartment structure according to an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a cabin 2 used for undertaking spirometry testing for the purposes of diagnosing and testing for Asthma and COPD. Although the following description refers to use of the cabin for carrying out one particular healthcare testing and diagnosis procedure, it will be appreciated that the present invention could be used for any health care testing or procedure, for dentistry, educational purposes and/or many other applications of use.

In one embodiment the cabin is divided into a first compartment 4 for the use by a clinician, and a second compartment 6 for use by a patient.

Each compartment 4, 6 has its own independent closure means in the form of an access door 8, 10 respectively to allow user access to the compartments from the exterior of the structure. This allows the clinician to access the first compartment 4 independently of the patient accessing the second compartment 6. A handle 12 can be provided on each door 8, 10 to allow the doors to be moved between an open condition, in which an opening into the compartment is open and a person can move into and out of the compartment, and a closed condition, wherein the compartment opening is closed and a person is prevented from moving into and out of the compartment. A door entry system could be provided on or associated with either compartment door 8, 10 to allow authorised and/ or controlled access to one or both of the compartments.

A ramp 14 can be located adjacent one or both of the compartment access doors 8, 10 if required to allow disabled access to one or both of the compartments. Alternatively, or in addition, stairs 16 can be located adjacent one or more both of the compartment access doors 8, 10 to allow user access to one or both of the compartments. In figure 1, the cabin 2 is shown as being portable and on wheels 18 to allow movement of the cabin 2 in use. However, cabin 2 could be transported by another vehicle and/ or could be fixed in place in a required locality.

An internal partition wall 20 is provided in cabin 2 to define the first and second compartments 4, 6 and to separate the two compartments 4, 6 from each other. In one example, the compartments can be sealed or substantially sealed from each other.

A transparent window 22 is provided in internal partition wall 20 between the first and second compartments so that the clinician and patient in the compartments can see each other through the window. This allows a clinician to coach a patient through the spirometry testing that is to be performed by the patient. It also allows the clinician to monitor the patient during testing and to check the test is being carried out correctly. It also allows the patient’s health to be closely monitored by the clinician during the testing procedure.

An intercom system 24 is provided in each compartment 4, 6 to allow the clinician and patient to communicate with each other during the testing procedure.

Closure means in the form of an access door 26 can be provided between the first and second compartments 4, 6 within the structure to allow direct access between the compartments. However, this access door 26 is generally shut at all times and furthermore is preferably only accessible from the clinicians side in the event of a medical emergency relating to the patient located in the second compartment. As such, a handle 28 is only provided on the side of the first compartment in these illustrations. The access door can be made two way if required.

The first and second compartments 4, 6 are hermatically or fluid/air sealed or substantially sealed from each other to prevent contaminants, air borne particles and/ or the like from passing from one compartment to the other. An air extraction, filtering and replacement unit 30 is associated with the second patient compartment 6 to allow the air within compartment 6 to be replaced regularly over pre-determined time periods, which in one example is every minute. The total replacement of air over a very short period of time in the second compartment 6 allows consecutive patients to be seen in quick succession. In one example, consecutive patients can be seen every 6 minutes. This is a significant reduction in the time that has to be left between patients using conventional arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An air extraction, filtering and replacement unit 30 could also be provided or associated with the first clinician compartment 4 if required, but this may not be as important as that of the patient compartment.

An air conditioning unit (not shown) and/ or heating system may also be provided or associated with the first and/ or second compartment to control the air temperature in the compartment(s) in use.

Further decontamination or disinfectant means can be provided in or associated with either compartment 4, 6 in order to speed up the decontamination or cleaning time between patients. For example, UV-C lights could be provided in the second compartment 6 to allow decontamination of the same between patients. This can be done automatically and without anyone being present in the compartment having to manually clean.

Windows could be provided in either of the compartments and/ or between the compartments and the exterior of the cabin 2.

Furniture could be provided in either compartment, such as for example, a desk 32, and chair 34 provided in the clinician’s compartment 4, and a bed, table 36 and chair 38 provided in the patient’s compartment 6.

Other components can be provided in the compartments 4, 6 as required, such as for example, other furniture, spirometry testing apparatus, micro-processing units, lighting, heating, electrical supply, electrical sockets, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, control units one or more sensors and/ or the like.

In the illustrated example in figure 2, the second compartment 6 is larger than the first compartment 4 to allow wheelchair access in the second compartment 6. However, the compartments could be the same size or either compartment could be of any suitable shape, size and/ or design in use.

It will be appreciated that the cabin 2 can be modular in construction, such that modular units containing one or more compartments, or a part of a compartment can be joined together to form the cabin 2 in a required size, shape and/ or design.

The cabin 2 can be formed from any suitable material required to provide a rigid and strong structure, that is optionally weatherproof. For example, the cabin can be formed from a frame to which one or more construction panels are attached or joined in use. The one or more construction panels can be provided with thermal insulation means, waterproofing means, fire retardant means and/ or the like.

Claims

1. A multi-compartment structure, said structure including a first compartment and at least a second compartment; independent closure means being provided for each of the first and at least second compartments to allow independent user access to said compartments in use; at least one window provided between the first and at least second compartments within the structure to allow viewing of at least part of one of the first and second compartments from at least part of the other of the first and second compartments; and wherein at least one of said first and at least second compartments has air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or filtering means provided in and/or associated therewith to allow all, or substantially all, of the air and/ or fluid within said at least one compartment to be extracted and replaced and/ or filter over a pre-determined period of time.

2. The multi-compartment structure according to claim 1, wherein the multicompartment structure is mobile, portable, substantially mobile or substantially portable.

3. The multi-compartment structure according to claim 1, wherein the multicompartment structure is fixed or substantially fixed in position once assembled and/ or located on a site in use.

4. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the multi-compartment structure is provided partly or wholly within another larger structure, construction, building, shelter, portacabin, caravan, trailer and/ or vehicle.

5. The multi-compartment structure according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the multi-compartment structure is provided as a stand alone structure independent or substantially independent of any other structure construction, building, shelter, portacabin, caravan, trailer and/ or vehicle. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein movement means are provided on or associated with the multi-compartment structure to allow the structure to be moved across a surface in use. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein partition means or one or more partition walls are provided in the structure to define the first and at least second compartments. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein closure means are provided direcdy or indirectly between the first and at least second compartments within the structure to allow selective user access between the first and at least second compartments in use. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein sealing means are provided on and/ or associated with the closure means, the partition means or one or more partition walls and/ or one or more walls of the compartments. The multi-compartment structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least one window includes or is formed from a transparent or substantially transparent material. The multi-compartment structure according to claim 8, wherein the closure means provided between the first and at least second compartments is arranged to allow one way access from the first compartment to the at least second compartment but prevents, or substantially prevents access from the at least second compartment to the first compartment. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein communication means are provided in the first and/or at least second compartments to allow communication or data communication between the compartments and/ or between an external location and one or more of the compartments in use. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the communication means include data, visual, audio and/or kinaesthetic communication means. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or filtering means allows all or substantially all the air to be replaced in at least one of the compartments in a pre-determined period of time in the range of less than or equal to about an hour; less than or equal to about 45 minutes; less than or equal to about 30 minutes; less than or equal to about 15 minutes; less than or equal to about 10 minutes; less than or equal to about 5 minutes; less than or equal to about 1 minute. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and/ or at least second compartments include any or any combination of an electrical supply, mains electrical supply, water supply, gas supply, one or more electrical sockets, sinks, taps, furniture, drainage, wash facilities, medical apparatus, spirometry equipment, air circulation means, one or more fire extinguishers, air conditioning means, heating means, micro-processing means or toilet facilities. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more windows and/ or ceiling windows are provided in the first and/ or 21 at least second compartments between said compartment and an exterior of said compartment. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the compartments is an Aerosol Generating Process (AGP) test compartment. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein thermal insulation means are provided on and/ or associated with the structure, frame means and/or construction panels or walls to thermally insulate the same in use. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or air and/ or fluid filtering means in one compartment is independent of the air and/ or fluid and replacement means and/ or air and/ or fluid filtering means in another compartment of the structure. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein disinfectant and/ or decontaminant means are provided in and/ or associated with the first and/or at least second compartments to allow disinfection and/ or decontamination of one or more of the compartments in use. The multi-compartment structure according to claim 20, wherein the disinfectant and/ or decontamination means include ultra-violet means, one or more ultraviolet lights, disinfectant spraying means and/ or decontaminant or disinfectant surface coating. 22 The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein lifting means are provided on and/ or associated with the structure to allow the structure to be lifted and/ or moved in use. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein control means or a control unit is provided on and/ or associated with the structure, the air conditioning means, the heating means, the lighting means, the decontaminant and/ or disinfection means, the air and/ or fluid extraction and replacement means and/ or the filtering means. The multi-compartment structure according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more ramps and/ or stairs are provided on and/ or associated with the closure means of the first and/ or at least second compartments to improve user access to the structure in use. A method of using a multi-compartment structure, said structure including a first compartment and at least a second compartment; independent closure means being provided for each of the first and at least second compartments to allow independent user access to said compartments in use; at least one window provided between the first and at least second compartments within the structure to allow viewing of at least part of one of the first and second compartments from at least part of the other of the first and second compartments; and wherein said method includes the step of extracting and replacing and/ or filtering all or substantially all of the air and/ or fluid within at least one of said compartments over a pre-determined period of time.