SELF-CLEANING MOBILE MODULAR ISOLATION UNIT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to isolation units. More particularly, it relates to a self-cleaning mobile modular isolation unit. It also relates to an assembly of mobile hospital room systems comprising a plurality of self- cleaning modular mobile isolation units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disease outbreaks in hospitals, airports, railroad stations or any other public area, as well as future potential bacteriological attacks have created the need for isolation units that could be easily set up anywhere, which would require extra isolation unit capacity or in remote areas that do not have such facilities.

Several prior art systems have been developed to address such needs.

US 6,405,491 (GALLANT) describes a modular patient room including modular wall panels and plumbing units that are connective to each other to form a patient room. Such patient room requires substantial assembly during installation of the room in/or near the hospital.

US 6,966,937 (YACHI) describes a patient isolation unit including a foldable frame body and exhaust means for discharging air from the enclosed unit. However, such unit does not provide any means for cleaning the interior of the isolation unit after usage by a patient.

US 6,869, 458 (IUIMA) describes a bioclean room unit, which comprises a frame body and side portions with curtains that can be opened and closed

on the side of the frame body. An air cleaning and purifying system is attached to the cleaning room. The room also is equipped with openings that allow insertion of medical consoles when the frame body is brought into abutment against other structures having the medical consoles. However, the unit does not provide any interior cleaning means for disinfection of the room after its usage.

US 2005/0193643 by PETTUS discloses a modular isolation unit that can be transported to a location for different uses. The unit can be used, for example, for medical or surgical procedures or as an isolation area. The units can have different shapes and be linked together to form groupings of more complex units. The units may be installed in cargo containers for transport including trucks or trains. The inside of the unit is designed to resist to dangerous biological materials.

US 5,706,846 by SUTTON also discloses a modular isolation unit that may be transported by a truck. The interior of the unit comprises showers, waiting rooms and access doors. Connecting means are provided to sealably connect one unit to another and in order to avoid contamination.

US 5,775,753 and US 6,039,377 by EBERSPACHER disclose an emergency mobile unit for a hospital that can be transported by truck from one location to another and which includes a number of hospital beds.

US 6,179,358 and EP 0 940 292 by HIRAYAMA et al. disclose a mobile hospital system that can be rapidly installed on location. The different units can be transported by truck, train, helicopter or boat and offer different hospital-related services. The different units can be arranged together in different configurations according to the requirements of the situation. Each unit is linked to another through a sealed conduit.

US 5,256,105 by AUSTIN discloses the use of a modular clean room that does not contain any sharp-edged seams on its interior which allows better cleaning and reduces the accumulation or development of bacteria.

Other systems known by the Applicant are described in US 7,174,678 (Gallant), US 7,134,444 B2 (Mintie et al.), US 6,623,351 B2 (Brown), US 6,554,013 B2 (Brown), US 6,390,110 B1 (Brown), US 6,162,1 18 (Arts et al.), US 6,082,799 (Marek), US 5,537,784 (Baldwin), US 5,314,377 (Pelosi, III), US 5,279,632 (Decket et al.), US 5,152,814 (Nelson), US 5,074,894 (Nelson), US 4,883,512 (Griffis), US 4,850,268 (Saito et al.), US 4,667,580 (Wetzel), US 4,506,595 (Roberts et al.), US 4,409,889 (Burleson), US 4,267,769 (Davis et al.), US 4,202,676 (Pelosi, Jr et al.), US 3,294,480 (Potapenko), US 3,345,996 (Sadove et al.), EP 0 619 108 A1 (Alon et al), FR 2 633 963 (Leroy), and US 2006/0107635 A1 (Homan et al.).

Consequently, there is still a need for an efficient pandemic outbreak prevention system unit that allows, as soon as a virus outbreak begins, isolation of affected patients in order to protect health professionals and the outside population. Also, there is a need for a system that is self-cleaning.

Given that it is very difficult to predict where viral outbreaks will occur, it is also important that such isolation units have a great mobility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses at least one of the above-mentioned needs.

The present invention provides a self-cleaning modular mobile isolation unit comprising:

-an external housing,

-a main room within the external housing having an inner structure, the main room sized to accept at least a bed and comprising

-a sealable door on a sidewall of the main room to give access to the main room from the external housing, and

-a first set of washing liquid dispensing nozzles arranged on the inner structure of the main room for dispersing liquids throughout the main room,

-a washing liquid supply system for delivering liquids to the liquid dispensing nozzles, and

-a first washing liquid removal system for removing dispersed liquids throughout the main room, wherein the external housing comprises connections for connecting to a further external housing of a further self-cleaning mobile modular isolation unit

Moreover, the present invention also provides a truck or shipping container containing a plurality of the self-cleaning modular mobile isolation units described above

The present invention also provides an assembly of mobile hospital room systems comprising a plurality of self-cleaning modular mobile isolation units as described above and adapted to be connected to an existing hospital on site The plurality of self-cleaning modular mobile isolation units are sized to fit within a plurality of transportation containers

More particularly, the present invention offers a concept based on the assembly of one or several organized groups of individual isolation units These isolation units can be of different sizes compared to those described in the attached figures while nevertheless offering the advantages as described below

Firstly, the units are made of cleaπable materials and are easily disinfected. The shapes of inner structures within the module are such that bacteria or viruses can always be reached given that no sharp corners are present within the structure of the unit. Moreover, the units are self- cleaning and comprise sprinkling systems for cleaning and that allow disinfection of the units without the help of cleaning personnel. Disinfecting liquids are sprinkled on all interior surfaces of the unit in a similar manner as is accomplished in dishwashers. Furthermore, the rinsing cycle and the recuperation of any soiled liquids are done through a closed system for liquid recuperation. Given that viruses can also travel through the air, the units comprise systems that keep any contaminated air from escaping from the unit to the exterior environment without having gone through filtration. Preferably, a negative pressure environment is created within the unit.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the units allow protection of surrounding populations by adequately providing to hospitals isolation units that can be integrated to the hospital outside structure walls or that can be placed in proximity of hospitals to add isolation unit capacity. The mobile units are designed in order to allow rapid deployment of the units towards problem areas. Several units can be assembled in different configurations one adjacent to the other in only a few hours and therefore can rapidly create a mobile hospital that is functional and attached or not to a more permanent structure. The units of the present invention can provide a closed environment in a multitude of situations.

Furthermore, another advantage of the present invention is that the mobile isolation units can be transported through various ground transport means. Preferably, the units can be placed within a conventional 53 foot truck container in an assembly that not only provides the above-described isolation units but also communal areas including air locks to access those

areas, and means for providing autonomy to the container, including generators and tanks

The different individual components of the isolation units already exist Therefore, assembly of a prototype hospital comprising such units can be easily developed Given that, preferably, one of the main materials used in the construction of the units should be plastic and urethane or recycled polyethylene, the overall cost of the units is also reasonable

A non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments of the invention will now be given with reference to the appended drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a top cross-sectional view of an isolation unit according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the unit shown in Figure 1

Figure 3 is a top cross-sectional view of a top portion of the unit shown in Figure 1

Figure 4 is another side cross-sectional view of the room shown in Figure 1

Figures 5A and 5B are top and side views of a standard truck container containing either several mobile isolation units according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention called the "pandemic outburst protection/prevention (or POP) unit" or a separated air system (or SAS) unit

Figures 6A and 6B are cross-sectional top and side views of a truck container containing several mobile isolation units according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention called the "pandemic outburst protection/prevention (or POP) block unit".

Figures 7A and 7B cross-sectional top and side views of a truck container containing the "separated air system (or SAS)".

Figures 8A to 8E are top cross-sectional views and a perspective view respectively of different configurations of truck containers containing several isolation units according to the present invention and SAS containers attached to a building.

Figure 9 is a perspective partially cut view of a truck container containing several mobile isolation units according to a another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a self-cleaning modular mobile isolation unit 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

More particularly, as shown in Figure 1 , the self-cleaning modular mobile isolation unit 10 comprises an external housing 12. The isolation unit 10 also comprises a main room 14 within the external housing 12 having an inner structure 16. The main room 14 is sized to accept at least a bed 18. The main room 14 comprises a sealable door 20 on a sidewall 22 of the main room 14 to give access to the main room 14 from the external housing 12. The main room 14 also comprises a first set of washing liquid

dispensing nozzles 24 arranged on the inner structure 16 of the main room 14 for dispersing liquids throughout the main room 14. The main room 14 also comprises a washing liquid supply system 25 for delivering liquids to the liquid dispensing nozzles 24 and a first washing liquid removal system 27 for removing dispersed liquids throughout the main room 14. The external housing 12 comprises connecting means 40 to which a further external housing 12' of a further self-cleaning mobile modular isolation unit 10 'can be connected.

Preferably, the main room further comprises at least one room fixture 42 within the main room, which is free from seams.

Preferably, the isolation unit 10 also comprises a washroom 26 within the external housing 12 connected to the main room 14. The washroom 26 comprises a toilet 28, a hand washing system 30, a shower 32 and a second set of washing liquid dispensing nozzles 34 arranged within the washroom 26 for cleaning the washroom 26 and being connected to the washing liquid supply system. The washroom also comprises a second washing liquid removal system 31 for removing dispersed liquids throughout the washroom 26.

Finally, the isolation unit 10 also preferably comprises a utility room 36 within the external housing 12 connected through air ducts, wiring and plumbing to the main room 14 and washroom 26. The utility room 36 comprises an electrical subsystem, an air purification system for purifying the air in the main room 14 and the washroom 26, a clean water reservoir for providing clean water to the washroom 26, a soiled materials reservoir for receiving soiled materials from the washroom 26 and main room 14, a washing liquids reservoir for providing washing liquids to the first and second sets of washing liquid dispensing nozzles 24, 34.

As shown in figure 1 , each isolation unit preferably comprises various essential facilities for a patient room including lavatory services with a sink 30, shower 32 and toilet 28 as well as a rest area with a bed 18 and simple work desk 42. The lavatory area of the washroom 26 can be separated from the rest area of the main room 14 with a door 44 and the main door 20 giving access to the unit 10 comprises air type seals that ensure isolation of the unit 10.

As shown in figure 2, the units 10 according to the present invention are preferably equipped also with a space 50 above the unit 10 in the ceiling 52 that allows passage of any hardware associated with the cleaning- disinfecting devices for the rooms as well as any ventilation systems that are required for servicing the rooms.

As shown in figures 3 and 4, preferably the walls 54, floor 58 and ceiling 52 of the unit are thermally insulated with materials 10 that allow contraction and expansion thereof due to intensive heat during a disinfection cycle of the unit. Additionally, as mentioned previously, each unit also comprises a utility room 36 containing all systems associated with environmental control of the isolation unit, including plumbing, electricity and reservoirs for drinking water, soiled water and any sterilization solutions or cleaning liquids.

Preferably, in one application of the present invention, as shown in Figures 5A-5B and 6A-6B, a number of units 10 can be installed in a truck container 62 or alternately in a shipping container. The truck container 62 comprises block elements 64 and connection ports 66 that allow stacking of several truck containers 62 one on top of the other. Moreover, the truck container comprises removable suspension units and wheels 68 attached to the truck container 62. Furthermore, the truck container comprises removable support stands 70 to support the truck container 62 at the front

and back thereof if the wheels are removed from the trucks. The support stands 70 are adjustable in length and may comprise omni-directional wheels. The truck container 62 containing units 10 of the present invention is designated a pandemic outburst prevention (or POP) block unit 63.

As shown in Figures 6A-6B, a POP block unit 63 comprising three isolation units 10 is shown. Two of the units 10 preferably comprise a door 82 and a window 84, as well as a utility room within the unit containing all of the environmental control and cleaning systems. The middle unit 86 can be optionally used as a surveillance post for the two other units. Another preferred embodiment of the POP block unit is shown in Figure 9.

To link different POP block units 63, a second type of truck container called a separated air system (SAS) container 71 is used. The SAS container 71 provides a closed environment. As better shown in Figures 7A-7B, at one end of the SAS container 71 , there is also provided a movable roof 72 and space 74 for an elevator-type system that can be used when several truck SAS containers are stacked one on top of the other. Furthermore, each SAS container 71 comprises a door 76 that can be used to access the elevator-type system. The SAS container 71 also comprises a number of door openings 80 that would be in alignment with the corresponding door openings of an adjacent POP block unit 63 if the SAS container 71 and POP block unit 63 are placed one beside the other.

Preferably, both the POP block units and the SAS containers are closed units that can be sealed together and can be isolated from the external environment.

Consequently, as shown in Figures 8A to 8E, the present invention also provides an assembly of mobile hospital room systems 100 comprising a plurality of self-cleaning modular mobile isolation units 10 as described

above and adapted to be connected to an existing hospital on site 102 The plurality of self-cleaning modular mobile isolation units 10 are sized to fit within a plurality of transportation containers

Preferably, as shown in Figure 8A, 8B or 8D comprising at least one airtight sealed connection containment unit 71 (equivalent to the SAS unit mentioned above) linking at least two sealable doors of the plurality of self- cleaning modular mobile isolation units

Figures 8A to 8E illustrate different configurations of placement of the POP block units 63 and SAS containers 71 for different applications In figure 4A, two POP block units 63 each containing three isolation units are placed one beside the other with SAS container 71 between the two Between the SAS container 71 and the POP block units 63, there are preferably movable sealing mechanisms to ensure proper containment of the atmosphere within and between SAS container 71 and the POP block units 63 The SAS container 71 is attached to the entryway 89 of a building 90 and therefore an extra wing to the building 90 is therefore created As shown in figure 4B, more complex configurations of SAS containers 71 and the POP block units 63 can be used to build more elaborate systems of isolation units If desired, as mentioned previously, the SAS containers 71 and the POP block units 63 can be stacked one on top of the other as shown in Figure 8E and therefore offer a multi-level system in which the SAS containers 71 are equipped with elevator-type systems to allow travel between the different floors that have been provided In such a configuration, the system preferably comprises an air-tight sealed removable elevator unit linking at least two sealable doors of the plurality of self-cleaning modular mobile isolation units Preferably, the air-tight sealed removable elevator unit is removably installable by a truck system

As shown in Figure 8C, a POP block module 63 may also be connected to a building 90. As mentioned previously, the middle unit 86 can be optionally used as a surveillance post for the two other units. The POP block module 63 can then be designated as a multifunction unit.

Figure 8D illustrates a configuration resembling the one shown in Figure 8B but to which a multifunction unit 94 is added to one of the SAS containers. As can be seen, several other possible configurations can be chosen depending on the context and the requirements for the use of the present invention.

Efficient uses of the present isolation units include the use of several units to provide isolation facilities in major airports. When installed in a location, the units must be deployable within a certain territory in sufficient numbers such that within 24 hours the units are installed and fully functional.

Preferably, when using a group of assembled units, at least one of the units of the group must be kept free such that, when a certain unit is being cleaned during a disinfection cycle, at all times there is a adjacent free unit in which the patient waiting for a room can wait.

One spin-off of the present invention applies to situations where sterile conditions are not required for health concerns, assemblies of these types of isolation units can be considered also as temporary lodging facilities or temporary on-location construction units on construction sites. Evidently, all the systems related to sterilization of the room and to maintenance of air quality are not required for such applications. Furthermore, the units can also be used to provide a deployable hotel in various areas.

Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be pointed out that any

modifications to these preferred embodiments within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present invention.