Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
W096/07389 ~ PCTIGB95/02116
Environmental Control Apparatus
This invention relates to environmental control
apparatus and, more particularly but not exclusively, to
individual environmental units.
People frequently become stressed by the
environment in which they live. When they become
stressed they attempt to alleviate the symptoms causing
the stress. If they are too hot they move somewhere
cooler, if they are too cold they move somewhere warmer
and if they are dirty they clean themselves. Normally
the solutions to these environmental stresses are housed
inside buildings taking the form of air-conditionlng,
fireplaces and bathrooms.
However there are certain circumstances such as
massed gatherings, sporting events and medical
situations where buildings housing these utilities are
either inadequate or non-existent, but where electrical
power is available.
According to one aspect of this invention there is
provided environmental control apparatus comprising a
receptacle formed to receive a single human or other
animal body and environmental control means to control
the environment surrounding said body.
W096/07389 ~ 9 PCT/GB95/02116
The receptacle may be provided with a seat to
enable a human to be seated in said receptacle. The
receptacle may, alternatively, be so formed to receive a
human body lying down or may be so formed to receive
said body standing up.
The environmental control means may comprise means
capable of heating andJor cooling the inside of the
receptacle. The environmental control means may be a
heat pump adapted selectively to heat or cool the inside
of the receptacle, as desired. In another embodiment,
the control means may comprise a heater to heat the
inside of the receptacle. In a further embodiment the
environmental control means may be in the form of refri-
geration means to cool the inside of the receptacle.
The environmental control means may alternatively
comprise air supply means to supply air to the
receptacle via air supply conduits having outlets
directed inwardly of the apparatus, the conduits being
so directed that they can blow air onto or around said
human or animal body.
The environmental control means may, in another
embodiment, be in the form of liquid supply means
connected to liquid supply conduits to spray the human
or animal body with a liquid, for example water to clean
W096/07389 ~ 2 ~ ~ 9 3 8 ~ PCT/GB95/02116
said body. The liquid supply means preferably comprises
a pump for pumping the liquid through the conduits. The
liquid supply means may further include a vessel to hold
li-quid for the pumping means to pump. Alternatively,
the pumping means may conveniently be connected to the
mains supply of water.
In a preferred embodiment, the environmental
control means is interchangeable with other
environmental control means. The receptacle may define
an aperture into which a selected one of the
environmental control means can be fitted.
The receptacle may comprise a base and a shell
mounted thereon. A seat may be arranged on said base.
In one embodiment, the seat comprises a seating portion
which may be movable into and out of the shell. The
shell may include at least one closure member adapted to
be closed when the apparatus is occupied.
The apparatus is preferably mobile and may be
provided with wheels or castors to enable the apparatus
to be moved from one place to another.
The outlets of the liquid supply conduits may be
arranged to spray substantially the whole of the body
with said liquid. The outlets may be defined in the
W096t07389 ~ 3 8 ~ PCT/GB95/02116
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shell of the receptacle. In the embodiments where the
receptacle is provided with a seat the conduits are so
arranged that said outlets are provided in the seat.
Valve means may be provided in the conduits, which
valve means may be selectively operable to determine the
outlets through which said liquid is sprayed.
In another embodiment, the receptacle may be
elongate in configuration to receive a human body in a
lying position. The apparatus may further include
rails extending from a region outside the receptacle to
a region inside said receptacle. Carrying means may be
provided on said rails, and said carrying means may be
movable therealong from a position outside said
receptacle to a position inside said receptacle. The
carrying means may comprise a stretcher capable of
carrying a body in a lying position. The receptacle may
be provided with a movable cover. In the case of
apparatus adapted to receive a body in a sitting
position, the cover may be hingedly attached to said
shell. In the case of apparatus adapted to receive a
body in a lylng position, the cover may be slidably
mounted on the shell.
The stretcher may comprise an elongate flexible
material arranged around a plurality of rollers to
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provide a support for the body. The rollers may be
operated so as to move the material around said rollers.
Thus, the body thereon can be turned to ensure that any
liquid sprayed into the receptacle substantially covers
the body.
According to another aspect of this invention
there is provided a body enclosing structure comprising
first and second opposed flexible members defining a
space therebetween, and a fluid materlal held between
said flexible members, said fluid material having a heat
capacity sufficient to heat or cool the body to be
enclosed. The heat capacity of the fluid material may
be higher than the heat capacity of the body to be
enclosed. Thus, in the case of a body requiring to be
cooled the enclosing structure can be cooled prior to
enclosing said body whereby heat is transferred from
sald body to the structure to cool said body and, in the
case of a body requiring to be heated, the structure can
be heated prior to enclosing said body whereby heat is
transferred from said structure to said body to heat
said body.
Preferably, the body enclosing structure is
capable of tightly enclosing a human or animal body and
may be in the form of a blanket or article of clothing.
W096/07389 S PCT/GB95/02116
According to another aspect of the present
invention there is provided a portable shell fitted with
an openable or removable section, the whole being of
sufficient size to contain a person, a seat and
interchangeable mechanisms for producing the desired
environmental effects.
The preferred embodiment of this invention can be
used to alleviate the problems of excessive or reduced
body temperature and lack of bodily cleanliness.
Specific embodiments of thè invention will now be
described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figs. 1a-1c show respectively environmental
control apparatus in plan, sectional side and front
views omitting the environmental control means;
Figs. 2a-2c show similar views to Figs. 1a-1c but
housing a thermal control mechanism;
Figs. 3a-3c show views similar to Figs. 1a-1c but
housing a cleansing mechanism;
Fig. 4 shows the movement of a seat in the
environmental apparatus;
Fig. 5 shows the environmental apparatus fitted
with an antechamber;
Fig. 6 shows a modification of the environmental
apparatus;
W096/07389 ~ 8 g PCT/GB95/02116
Fig. 7 shows a patient being loaded into the
environmental apparatus shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 shows a patient in the environmental
' apparatus shown in Fig. 6 with a transparent top in an
open position;
Fig. 9 shows a patient in the environmental
apparatus shown in Fig. 6 with the transparent top in a
closed position;
Fig. 10 shows a patient receiving medical
treatment whilE in the environmental apparatus shown in
Fig. 6;
Fig. 11 shows a further modification of an
environmental apparatus that has been fitted for the
proper handling of the recently deceased;
Fig. 12 shows the opEration of the apparatus shown
in Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 shows further operation of the apparatus
shown in Fig. 11;
Fig. 14 shows a gel or liquid filled blanket and a
gel or liquid filled sleeve;
Fig. 15 shows a refrigeration unit for use with
the blanket shown in Fig. 14; and
Fig. 16 shows the blanket shown in Fig. 14 wrapped
around the refrigeration unit and a suggested location
in the back of an emergency vehicle.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, there is shown
W096/07389 ~ g PCT/GB95/02116
environmental control apparatus 10 comprising a
receptacle 1Oa having a shell 11, mounted on a base 11a.
The shell 11 is fitted with a movable, or removable,
front cover 12. In the rear of the shell 11 is dEfined
an aperture 13 for reasons which will be explained
below. The shell 11 can be mounted on wheels or castors
14 for ease of manoeuvrability. In a situation where
many units are required the shell 11 can be mounted on a
suitable support for movement by a load carrying
apparatus or vehicle.
Referring to Fig. 2. An environmental control
unit 15, for example a refrigeration unit or a heating
unit, can be housed in the shell 11 by manoeuvring the
unit 15 and the seat 16 into the shell 11 until the unit
15 attains its correct position in the aperture 13. It
will be appreciated that the environmental control unit
could be any other suitable means for controlling the
environment in the receptacle. It will also be
appreciated that where the environmental control unit is
a refrigeration unit, the refrigeration unit can be
reconfigured to act as a heat pump.
The seat 16 is fitted with controls 17 and the
shell 11 can be surmounted by a dome 1~ formed of either
a flexiblE or rigid material to protect the head of the
user from the outside environment. If the user is
W096/07389 ~ 3 ~ 5 PCI~/GB95/02116
g
severely physically incapacitated the controls 17 can be
incorporated in, or attached to, the headrest 19 such
that the apparatus 1û can be controlled by head
movement. If the user is completely incapacitated the
controls 17 can be positioned such that they can only be
operated from outside of the apparatus 10 by a third
party.
In the case where the unit 15 is a refrigeration
unit, ln the cooling mode, the refrigeration unit 15 can
be connected up in one of two ways dependant on the
available supply of electrical power.
If electrical power is limited, the coolant output
from the refrigeration unit 15 can be fed through
cooling pipes in the seat 16. In this instance the seat
16 would be of generally hollow form and can have a
llquid or gel filled solid outer shell. A low powered
refrigeration unit could thus chill or freeze the air,
liquid or gel contained within the seat 16 over a
relatively long period of time in readiness for its use
over a shorter period of time.
If electrical power is not limited the cooling
output from the refrigeration unit 15 can be operated in
the manner of a normal air-conditioning unit. In this
instance the seat 16 is formed of a structurally
3 ~ ~
W096/07389 PCT/GB95/02116
_ 10 -
supported open weave material that permits the free
circulation of cooled air around the apparatus 10, seat
16 and the user.
In order to heat the inside of the receptacle 11a,
the refrigeration unit 15 can be re-configured to
operate as a heat pump or the refrigeration unit 15 can
be removed and replaced by a suitable heat generator and
pump mechanism or circulatory air heater. Heating of
the receptacle 11a would then be undertaken in one of
two modes, again dependant on the availability of
electrical power, and operating in a similar manner in
both cases as previously described for the operations in
the cooling mode. This means that the inside of the
shell 11 would be heated rather than cooled.
In situations where a number of apparatus 10 are
required together, their shells 11 can be fitted with
individual seats 16, controls 17, domes 18 and headrests
19 but the individual refrigeration or heating units 15
can be replaced by one central unit of a larger capacity
outputting heat or cold to the individual apparatus 10
via connective ducting of a manifold form.
The seat 16 may also have attachment means for a
single use disposable hygienic liner which can be fitted
prior to use and then removed and disposed of subsequent
W096/07389 ~ 9 ~ 8 9 PCT/GB9S/02116
to use. The form of this liner would not impair the
functions and benefits obtainEd by the user from the
environmental unit during use but would provide the user
, .
with a clean bodily contact area from the seat 16 to the
headrest 19.
The seat 16 comprises a seat back 22, a seat base
26 having rear legs 23 and arms 29 extending from the
seat back 22.
Referring to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the environmental
control means could be in the form of a cleansing unit
2û fitted into the shell 11 at the aperture 13. The
cleansing unit 20 comprises a pump unit 20a and the tank
21. The seat back 22 can be attached onto the pump unit
2û by mechanical means. The mechanical means that
attach the seat back 22 to the pump unit 20a may also
act as fluid conduits and permit the flow of liquid from
the tank 21 to the seat back 22 via the pump 20a.
Alternatively the fluid conduits permitting liquid flow
may be separately attached features from the mechanical
means of attachment of the seat back 22 to the pump unit
20a.
The seat back 22 incorporates nozzles 25 through
which the liquid can be pumped. The seat base 26 is
attached to the pump unit 20 via at least two flexible
W096/07389 ~ 2 t 9 9 ~ 8 g PCTIGB95/02116
pipes 27 which are in turn attached to the rear legs 23
of the seat base 26.
The seat base 26 (see Fig. 4) is designed to move
easily both into and out of the shell 11 such that a
physically disabled user can transfer more easily onto
the seat base 26 when it is out of the shell 11.
The rear legs 23 of the seat base 26 are hollow
and are perforated with openings to allow egress of the
liquid pumped by the pump unit 20 from the tank 21. The
surface of the seat base 26 is provided with nozzles 28,
again allowing liquid egress.
Openings 24 can also be provided in the receptacle
11a to permit the egress of liquid pumped by the pump
unit 20.
The arms 29 attached to the seat back 22 are also
fluid conduits connected to the pump unit 2û and.
perforated with nozzles 30.
The positioning of the control options is the same
as that described previously for the environmental unit
operating in cooling mode and will again be dependent on
the physical incapacity of the user.
W096/07389 ~ 3 ~ ~ PCT/GBg5lb2ll6
_ 13 -
The nozzles 25, 28 and 30 need not be of similar
design to each other dependant on their effectiveness of
operation in use under the varying load conditions they
will experience during use and therefore different
pressure requirements necessary to achieve satisfactory
liquid egress.
The nozzles 25, 28 and 30 are designed such that
only those nozzles in direct contact with the user
pErmit the egress of liquid.
The seat base 26 can be moved backwards and
forwards within the shell 11 to accommodate users of
varying hEight.
The nozzles 25, 2~ and 30 are concentratEd in
those areas of the seat base 26, the seat back 22 and
the arms 29 that are in contact with those parts of the
user that are most prone to pressure sores.
The openings in the rear legs 23 of the seat base
26 aim the flow of liquid at the anal and genital
regions of the user.
The openings 24 are provided in front pipes
attached to the shell 11 aim the flow of liquid at the
front and sides of the arms, legs and torso of the user.
W096/07389 ~ 2 ~ 9 9 3 8 5 PCT/GB9S/02116
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The tank 21 contains liquid kept at a predeter-
mined temperature by means of an immersion heater.
If all of the nozzles 25, 28 and 30 egressed
pumped liquid simultaneously then the body of the user
would be lifted off the seat base 26 and the seat back
22 by hydrodynamic pressure to the detriment of the
safety and comfort of the user. The pump unit 20a
therefore is fitted with both a pump and a valve, or
valves. The openings and nozzles 25, 28 and 30 within
the seat base 26, seat back 22 and arms 29 are divided
up into two, or more, groups and each group of orifices
is controlled by a separate valve, or valve setting
within a single valve, either within, or connected to,
the pump unit 20a. In operation the pump unit 20a
functions continuously and then the valve, or valves,
operate sequentially from either a timed or pressure
sensing control device. This pulses the flow of liquid
through each group of orifices sequentially.
The pulsing action of the liquid aids in the
cleansing of the user and also massages the cutaneous
and sub-cutaneous tissues thus minimising the formation
of pressure sores on the user by stimulating the flow of
blood in the aforementioned tissues. The sequential
operation of the valve, or valves, also prevents the
hydrodynamic pressure lifting the whole of the body of
W096/07389 ~ 2 ~ PCTtGB95/02116
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the user at any one time during use.
During the operational sequence the running speed
of the pump unit 20a may be varied such that the
pressure profile of each pulse suits the weight, skin
condition and other factors affecting the user's safety
and comfort.
The tank 21 is divided into at least two
compartments. One compartment is pre-loaded with water
to which a wetting agent. e.g. shampoo has either been
added in solution or is added during use by a dosing
system from a dispenser. Another compartment is also
pre-loaded with water and such agents as may be
considered to be therapeutic to the user, e.g. oils,
salts and skin medications. Again these therapeutic
agents may either be held in solution or added by means
of a dosing system from a dispenser during use.
A rEpresentative cleaning cycle may consist of a
series of pulses of wetting agent and water from the
first compartment followed by a series of pulses of
water and therapeutic agent from the other compartment.
This could be repeated until a desired state of
cleanliness for the user was attained.
If any of the agents to be added to the water are
W096/07389 ~ 2 1 ~ ~ 3 8 5 PCT/GB95/02116
_ 16 -
costly or are known to promote microbial growth in an
environment such as that encountered in the tank 21
their addition by a dispenser mechanism would be more
desirable. This could be achieved by the use of a
subsidiary pump on the high pressure side of the main
pump unit 20a.
The pump unit 20a can also be fitted with a warm
air blower. When the cleansing cycle is complete the
blower would operate sending warm air through the fluid
conduits, orifices and separate independent openings as
deemed necessary to dry both the user and the fluid
conduits thus inhibiting microbial growth in the
residual wetness found within the cleansing system as a
whole subsequent to the cleansing cycle.
The tank 21 would also be fitted with a suitable
catchment tray and means of drainage for the waste water
and added agents and may also have access for internal
cleaning or descaling as considered necessary.
The tank 21 can also be fitted with a suitable
filtration unit such that the water and added agents
that have been used in a cleansing cycle can be
re-circulated via the filtration unit if required.
The seat base 26 and the seat back 22 may also be
W096/07389 ~ 9 9 ~ ~ 5 PCT/GB95/02116
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fitted with suitable attachment means for a single use
hygienic liner of an open mesh form that would cover the
seating components but still permit the cleansing
actions to take place. This liner could be attached
prior to use and then disposed of subsequent to use as
described previously.
Referring to Fig. 5. In a situation where user
dignity is a factor the environmental unit can be fitted
with an antechamber 31 in which the user may disrobe and
then dress in relative privacy.
If an individual is suffering from acute
hyperthermia or hypothermia they may not be able to
maintain a sitting position. Accordingly there is shown
in Fig. 6 an horizontal modification 110 of the
environmental unit.
The unit comprises a pair of horizontal rails 32
on which is positioned a stretcher 37. The stretcher
can be slid in and out of a receptacle 110a through a
movable flap 34 in a top cover 35 which can slide up and
down over a fixed cover 36. Normally the top cover is
transparent. To the end of the fixed cover 36 is
affixed a cooling or heating unit 33.
In Fig. 7 there is shown a patient on a stretcher
W096/07389 ~ PCTIGB95/02116
_ 18 -
37 loaded onto the rails 32.
In Fig. 8 there is shown a patient on a stretchEr
37 that has been slid into the unit. The top cover 35
is in an open position for initial treatment of the
patient.
In Fig. 9 there is shown the patient in the unit
with the top cover in a closed position. The patient
can see out and the condition of the patient can be
monitored visually from the outside.
In Fig. 10 there is shown the top cover slid into
the open position and the patient receiving medical
treatment. Normally, treatment for hypo or hyperthermia
involves the use of water. This not only removes the
dignity of the patient but it also makes medical
processes such as defibrillation dangerous for the staff
involved.
In a disaster the local facilities for handling
the dead are frequently overloaded.
Accordingly there is shown in Fig. 11 a further
modification of the horizontal environmental unit for
the handling of corpses.
WOg6/07389 ~ P~l/v~S~'~2116
_ 19 -
The unit comprises a fixed cover 36 into which the
stretcher 37 can be slid. The stretcher comprises a
long roll of flexible material over two long rollers 38.
The unit is fitt~d with a modified base 39 which is
fitted with a drain 40.
Along the inside of the unit are fitted spray
heads 41 and 42. In operation the body is placed on the
stretcher as shown in Fig. 11. The rollers 38 then roll
as shown in Fig. 12 until a sling or hammock is formEd.
Then watEr and/or wEtting agent are sprayEd through the
spray heads 41 and the rollers are turned as shown in
Fig. 13. Thus the body is rotated and thoroughly
cleaned. If therE is no room locally in a mortuary draw
for the body the refrigeration unit 33 can switched on
to keep thE body chilled until it is ready for burial.
When emergency services respond to a fire the
condition of burned victims deteriorates rapidly before
they reach hospital due to there being no proper method
of rapidly cooling damaged areas of skin. Also people
suffering from a high fever need some way of being
rapidly cooled. Also hyperthermia victims need to be
warmed rapidly. Accordingly there is shown in Figs. 14
to 16 a further modification of the environmEntal unit
that consists of a liquid or gel filled blanket 43 that
fulfils the same function as the seat 16 as shown in
W096/07389 ~ 3 8 ~ PCT/GB95/02116
- 20 -
Fig. 2. The liquid or gel blanket 43 and the liquid or
gel sleeves 44 are wrapped around the refrigeration or
heating system 45 shown in Fig. 15. The refrigeration
unit can be configured so that it will work either as a
heat pump or as a refrigerator. When the emergency crew
are told what sort of incident they are going to they
can switch it into the appropriate mode.
Fig. 16 shows the blanket wrapped around the
refrigeration unit 46 and located in an emergency
vehicle.
Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification
to draw attention to those features of the invention
believed to be of particular importance it should be
understood that the Applicant claims protection in
respect of any patentable feature or combination of
features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the
drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been
placed thereon.
