Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A convertible modular portable ICU unit for providing medical care comprising of a volumetric insulated structure with prefabricated module configured to be transported in land, water or air, including three compartments connected to each other and placed adjacent to one another, wherein
the first (front) compartment entry door, sanitization system along with diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment storage, and communication systems, and an air preparation system for the second compartment;
the second compartment, located one end of first compartment is configured to provide sanitation facilities and human waste disposals.
the third compartment located, adjacent to 2nd compartment, is made with the

possibility of placing devices to ensure autonomous operation of diagnostic, medical equipment, as well as life support systems including air-condition and filtration unit, power supply and back-up unit and gas storage and supply unit.

2. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said Entry Door is of the specification 1,500mm wide and 2,000mm height with split door leaves, view panels, door closer, fitted with automatic air barrier system to maintain a negative pressure inside.

3. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 1; wherein the insulated compartments, are made out of 60mm thick Instabuild RPUF panels, Class O certified Building material, Wall& Ceiling with Conduit and structure embedment for cabling / auxiliary piping / support for all the monitoring systems, CCTV cameras and the Wall & roof is fitted with water proof joinery to enable to position it in open weather.

4. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floor of the said ICU unit is made of RPUF insulated panel with Marine plywood embedment, finished with 2mm thick Anti-bacterial PVC flooring.
5. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the equipment’s of the said ICU unit includes fastening places for their fastening and the said equipment’s are connected to a plurality of sensors disposed at the patient locations in the first compartment through one or more holes with the possibility of their complete isolation.

6. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is always a real time interaction of diagnostic equipment located in the first compartment with said sensors located .

7. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said 2ndcompartment includes facility of excretion / disposal of human waste products, flushing and excreted fluid or wound from bathroom through an external pipeline led through one or more sealed openings.

8. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said first compartment also contains a computer system with a complex of video surveillance system of patients with audio communication and further including a complex of support for the adoption of diagnostic and therapeutic decisions and the ability to remotely transmit visual and telemetric information.

9. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 1, one such module is designed to accommodate 5 patients, at a time with compact facility for remote health monitoring.

10. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said ICU unit further includes 30W LED lighting with recess mount type light fittings including one circuit with normal power and another sets with UPS power supply.
11. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said ICU unit further includes Compact Air conditioning system [AHU], complete with centralised Cooling, air filtration, purification [UV], fresh air mixing and exhausting using a plurality of ventilators.

12. The convertible modular portable ICU unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the said air filtration is carried with HEPA filter of Grade: H14 and Micro Glass

, Description:CONVERTIBLE MODULAR PORTABLE ICU UNIT

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention discloses a convertible modular portable ICU unit. More particularly the present invention relates to water and land transportable ICU units for the emergency patient care which is retrofit inside a prefabricate container module.

BACKGROUND ART

An intensive care unit (ICU) or critical care unit (CCU) is a special department of a hospital or health care facility that helps the patients at a stage of severe illness which may be life threatening. Such stage needs a constant, close and intensive monitoring and support with the help of specialist doctors and specially trained nurses. Special equipment and medication is required to achieve this. Common conditions that are treated within ICU/CCUs include trauma, multiple organ failure and sepsis.

Traditionally, in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of any hospital, the specialist doctor visits and suggest the medicines to be administered to the patient.

Modular intensive care units within the meaning of the invention are also designated and explained as Critical Care Units (CCU), for which it refers, for example, to documents US 6,352,504 B1 and US 2013/0304142 A1.

Modular CCUs are used to flexibly produce an individual supply for a patient by providing the base unit in the form of a docking station, which assumes control and power supply of all coupled modules, with the necessary functions such as monitoring of vital parameters, defibrillator, respirator and the like, where the corresponding functional modules that provide the desired functions are fixed to the module extension plugs of the base unit or exchanged between different base modules. In addition, the basic module also handles data visualization, data processing and archiving and transmission to central data stations, such as the CIS in the hospital. In addition, in case of defect of an individual functional module such a modular device can be easily restored by replacement.
After such initially preconfigured CCUs were merely suitable for stationary use, since they had correspondingly large space requirements and no functional flexibility, more intensive modular intensive care units have recently been proposed, which are also due to their compact dimensions and also to a mobile power supply consisting of batteries, even for external stationary use, for example, in salvage service. This has the particular advantage that a patient who has already been connected to the intensive care modular unit by the rescue service does not have to reconnect to the corresponding therapy devices upon arrival at a clinic and upon entering the unit of intensive care, but the already connected modular intensive care unit also accompanies the patient to the intensive care unit and is incorporated there into the stationary operation. Thus, depending on the application, devices are not exchanged, but merely the corresponding functional modules required for the respective patient are connected and used.

Also, in the prior art, equipment for maintaining controlled environmental conditions has generally been of bulk and complexity that it has heretofore been impossible to provide a close control of environment in temporary or portable structures, particularly the type used in combat or disaster areas.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a specialized emergency vehicle, which can accommodate 5 patients roughly the size of a large container, is designed to contain all of the emergency and trauma equipment of a ICU unit, but is also designed to contain a shock and vibration isolated along with temperature resistant structure.

The objective of the invention is the development of a multifunctional medical intensive care unit that provides treatment functions, ensuring the evacuation of a patient or injured by any means of transport, in any weather (high or low temperature) and other aggressive conditions (chemical, radiation, toxic state) of the external environment, which allows delivering a patient or a victim to a medical emergency treatment of one or more people with stand-alone protected screen with comfortable conditions artificially created environments in conditions of continuous and of adequate resuscitation care.
The technical result of the invention is the ability to provide qualified medical care to an injured, sick or other person requiring such assistance, through the implementation of treatment measures, continuous automated and remote monitoring of the patient's condition, while conducting treatment measures and preparing for the provision of versatile medical care in isolation from environmental conditions, as during the movement of the above person and any vehicle in the protected part of the module, and during the manual transportation of part of the module with the injured or sick.

The technical result is achieved through a convertible modular portable ICU unit for providing medical care comprising of a volumetric insulated structure with prefabricate container module configured to be transported in land, water or air, including three compartments within for different functions , wherein the first (front) compartment entry door, sanitization system along with diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment provisions and communication systems of various patient health monitoring equipment to a common monitoring station.. The first compartment is configured to isolate the patient from the external environment and is equipped with autonomous life support and means of connecting the systems of the first compartment to the patient; Second compartment is meant for sanitation and disposal of human waste/extracts during the treatment and the third compartment , is made with the possibility of placing devices to ensure autonomous operation of diagnostic, medical equipment, as well as life support systems including air-condition and filtration unit, power supply and back-up unit and gas storage and supply unit.

The first compartment is configured to accommodate telecommunication facilities associated with the connection means a computer information processing system connected to diagnostic, medical equipment and a life support system, equipped with software that implements data analysis from diagnostic equipment and makes decisions on medical actions and life support actions. As telecommunication means, a computer system can be used with a program for telecommunications with a video surveillance system for the patient and audio communication with him, an information processing system, diagnostic and therapeutic decision support, made with the possibility of remote transmission of visual and telemetric information

As diagnostic equipment, one or several devices from the above includes patient monitoring system, ventilator control station etc.
As life support systems, one or several devices from the above ICU include Oxygen supply, compressed medical air and suction system.

As means of connecting life support systems, diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment with means of connecting to a patient, wires, catheters and hoses were used, including hoses for removing the flushing and excreted fluid or wound, human vital products.

As devices for ensuring the uninterrupted autonomous operation of the systems of the first and third compartments, and also for the room lighting one or more rechargeable batteries are used as power backup support.

The first compartment may additionally be equipped with a lock chamber for the removal of used materials, including dressings.

The second and third compartments are separated by a sealed partition, in which one or more holes are located with the possibility of hermetically placing means for connecting life support systems, diagnostic and medical equipment with means for connecting to the patient. The second and third compartments can also be separated by a sealed partition, in which one or more holes are located with the possibility of hermetic placement of means for connecting power for lighting and water flow controls etc.

The first compartment can be equipped 5 sets of spinal shield with devices for fixing the patient on it in a horizontal position or in a position with a raised head or foot end; means of placement and fastening of isolated manipulators - gloves made of durable, sealed elastic material for medical and diagnostic procedures and care procedures, medical instruments, dressings and care products, a container for storing used materials, Patient monitoring equipment, ventilator, CCTV system, microphone and speakers for audio communication and one or more lamps.

The third compartment is made with the possibility of placing life support systems, including equipment for pumping, filtering, heating, cooling the introduced air with the possibility of transferring it sequentially to the first compartment, an oxygen generation system, one or more gas cylinders, including oxygen and Compressed air. The Contaminated air, extracted from first compartment are been treated separately, one circuit for air exchange and second circuit for re-circulation. Both these circuits are filtered in multi level , with the help of Pre, fine and High Efficiency
Particulate Air filters , for 99.99 % efficiency in particle filtration. In addition to above there are UV treatment sections for treating of air to inactivate airborne pathogens and microorganisms like mold, bacteria and viruses, both for exhaust out and re- circulation to first compartment.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compartments are combined in a single housing made in the form of a hollow parallelepiped with straight or curved side walls, The housing is made of metal, plastic composite, or made in the form of a rigid frame covered with impervious to gas or liquid fabric or synthetic material.

The portable stand-alone module can be additionally equipped with a removable external protective cover for re-location, disposable or reusable use, as well as devices for carrying or transporting it.

An important benefit of the invention is an improved patient survival rate due to the reduction in the diagnostic time required after the patient arrives at the ICU centre. This invention allows critical patient data to be delivered to the relevantly trained physicians faster and more efficiently especially in life-threatening situations.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exterior view of the convertible modular portable ICU

unit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an internal bed arrangement view of the ICU unit shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view with internal layout of the ICU module shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional elevation view of the ICU unit shown in FIG 3, in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 – Illustrates the Main Entry door with automatic air barrier system shown in

FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 – Illustrates the structural support frame work for ICU module shown in FIG.

1, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7(a) and (b) illustrates a right side view and left side view of the ICU unit shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates the floor of the ICU unit shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates the common bath room of the ICU unit shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10(a) and (b) illustrates an UV based supply air purifier and UV based exhaust air purifier of the ICU unit shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11(a) and (b) illustrates an inlet and exhaust air ventilators of the ICU unit shown in FIG. 1 and 3, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12(a) and (b) illustrates a compact AC unit and the oxygen gas supply unit of the ICU unit shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13(a) and (b) Illustrates the compact Bed head unit with features, in accordance with the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Below is a more detailed description of the claimed invention, which does not limit the scope of the claimed claims, but only demonstrates the possibility of carrying out the invention with the achievement of the claimed technical result. The present invention may be subjected to various changes and modifications understood by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the description. For example, the nomenclature of the used diagnostic and medical equipment, the robotic complex and communication systems, devices for ensuring the autonomous operation of the listed equipment, etc. can be changed.

In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic scenario, this has re-shaped our world and disrupted industries across the globe. Our health support system came under
extreme strains due to limitations in infrastructure and huge spurt in requirement of medical support to these patients. This requirement forced us to think differently and come out with a quick solution of expandable modular intensive-care unit (ICU) which can be quickly attached to an existing hospital system.

The present disclosure is a part of health care supporting drive made us to conceptualize, design and build a most compact, modular and portable Intensive Care Unit (ICU) .This units are fully furnished with all essential utilities and can be easily transported. Each such module can be integrated to create an ICU Complex attached to an existing Health care unit. Each module can accommodate 5 patients and incorporated with all necessary ventilation, air filtration, purification and air conditioning, medical gas, electricity, water, air change, communication, technology and sanitation infrastructure systems. Each patient shall be monitored with the help of a remote monitoring system from a common nursing / control station attached this Complex. This will help supporting staff to observe patient’s health condition and parameters etc. CCTV camera installed in each bed cabin enables the supporting staff to observe each patient distantly

The possibility of implementing the invention in various embodiments is clearly shown in the drawings. In particular, FIG. 1 shows the exterior support of the container including axial support with respect to the base for an easy transportation. The overall size of the said ICU unit is - 12200 x 3500 x 2750mm height. External body made out of 60mm thick RPUF insulated Instrabuild panel.

In the disclosed ICU unit and as shown in FIG. 2, 3 and 4, the relative position of the first, second and third compartments of the claimed ICU unit is discussed: 1-first (front) compartment; 2-second [ wash room] compartment; 3-the third [Eqpt. Room] compartment. In this case, the first compartment is configured to accommodate entry door with pressurised air barrier for to help in maintaining negative internal pressure, sanitization system along with diagnostic and therapeutic medical equipment connectivity and communication systems. The second compartment, located at an end of the module, is made strictly isolated from the external environment, with the possibility of disposing the human waste /excretions, through a hermetically sealed disposal piping connectivity, to an existing system. The third compartment , located
besides the 2nd compartment is with hermetically sealed partition walls with sealed

openings, with the possibility of placing devices to ensure autonomous operation of
diagnostic, medical equipment, as well as life support systems including air-condition and filtration unit, power supply and back-up unit and gas storage and supply unit, . All three compartments are equipped with means for connecting individual elements of the above equipment located in different compartments and the ability to connect them to a patient for medical manipulations.

In FIG. 2, 3 and 4 shows a boundary wall between the first and second compartments. It serves as a supporting surface for the placement of diagnostic and medical equipment of the communication systems mounted on its both horizontal surfaces. In FIG. 3 shows a variant of the arrangement of devices on the partitions with ventilator openings for air flow. The air supply/distribution duct is placed on the top corner of the 1st compartment, with multiple supply air grills for uniform air flow in side.

The Main Entry Door, FIG. 5 is of the specification 1500mm wide and 2000mm height with split door leaves, View panels and door closer. Entry door is fitted with automatic air barrier system to maintain a negative pressure inside.

The disclosed specially designed MS structural frame work , FIG.6 for support to the module and for portability- Base frame , lifting frame work etc. are made of Structural steel, Yst 210 material tubular members, ISMC and ISA as per IS standard 4923.

The insulated compartments, made out of 60mm thick Instabuild RPUF panels, Class O certified Building material, in accordance with British Standard 476 – part 6
& 7. Wall & Ceiling with Conduit and structure embedment for cabling / auxiliary piping / support for all the monitoring systems, CCTV cameras etc. Wall & roof of this Module is with water proof joinery to enable to position it in open weather, without any extra protection.

The floor of this Container module as shown in FIG. 6, is made of RPUF insulated panel with Marine plywood embedment, finished with 2mm thick Anti-bacterial PVC flooring, FIG. 8.

In order to visualise the safety, comfort and supporting requirements of healthcare staff/volunteers and provided with state-of-the art tools and conditions essential to treat patients and prevent them from getting infected. Each 5 bed ICU module is a compact design in a12 meter module. As the number of Covid-19 infections spread
increases and in preparation for the anticipated peak of infection, there will be a greatest demand for ICU beds.

In an example the disclosed 5 Bed ICU module can be built within two weeks’ time, dropped off where needed and then linked to a hospital or healthcare facility. This will enable healthcare facilities to expand their ICUs by adding as much such modules as needed. Each module complies with all the national requirements for water, sanitation, insulation, fire safety and air management as used in medical operations. It also complies fully to international isolation ward and ICU standards.

The first compartment contains diagnostic equipment (monitors), patient monitoring system, ventilator control station etc. for monitoring blood pressure, pulse parameters, electrocardiography, electroencephalography, electronic auscultation and mechanical palpation, external respiration, capnography, oxygen saturation. The specified equipment is connected to the sensors of the patient located in the compartment through one or more holes with the possibility of their complete isolation. There is always a real time interaction of diagnostic equipment located , remotely with the sensors located in the first compartment.

In the third compartment, medical equipment can also be located including Oxygen supply, compressed medical air and suction system artificial lung ventilation (IVL) system, automated drug administration system, controls for an automatic system for the implementation of indirect heart massage and counter pulsation, a set of medicines, securing places for it. The specified equipment is connected by pipelines (catheter (catheters) for administering drugs, a hose (s)) for administering the respiratory mixture (from the mechanical ventilation apparatus) to a patient in the second compartment through one or more openings with the possibility of their complete isolation.

Further in the first compartment in the excretion of human waste products, flushing and excreted fluid can be disposed through the drainage provision, given in 2nd compartment FIG. 9.through an external pipeline led through one or more sealed openings with the possibility of their complete isolation.

A computer system in the framework of the present invention is understood to mean any device or group of interconnected or adjacent devices, one or more of which, acting in accordance with the program, carries out automated processing of data (including medical) coming from adjacent systems (including life support systems ),
operator (medical worker), remote consultants. A computer system monitors the operation of related systems, manages them, constantly records (logs) the status of related systems, interacts with remote resources (including workstations and databases). Technically, a computer system is a personal computer (which includes a monitor, motherboard, processor, RAM, hard disk, keyboard, speakers, power supply, ports, video and sound cards, and other elements), installed program modules, a camera microphone.

The specified equipment is connected by cables with sensors located in the first compartment, or by pipelines for air exchange through one or more holes with the possibility of their complete isolation. For the specified equipment and pipelines, appropriate fixing devices are provided in the module case.

As per the Design Parameters, each module will have a Bath room (Fig 9), walls, Ceiling & floor are made of Instabuild RPUF panel internally finished with medical compatible GRP sheeting and Ceramic tiling for floor. Bath room is furnished with Wash basin, EWC with flush tank sensor controlled, water tapes and health faucet as shown in FIG.9 etc. along with 270 litre. water storage OH tank. LED Room lighting is made available inside the room. RPUF Insulated entry door of 650 x
1800mm height with air tight gasketing system is provided at the entry point.

The room is provided with ICU friendly 30W LED lighting, recess mount type light fittings including one circuit with normal power and another sets with UPS power supply.

Specially designed Compact Air conditioning system [AHU], FIG.12 complete with centralised Cooling, air filtration, purification [UV] as shown in FIG. 10 , fresh air mixing and exhausting using a plurality of ventilators a s shown in FIG. 11. Air filtration is done with the help of HEPA filter of Grade: H14, Media: Micro Glass Fiber Media with Efficiency: 99.999% Down to 0.3µ and Pre & inter Filter, Grade: G2, Filter media: HDPE, Average arrestance: 65-80% as per EN779 Standard. Speed controlled type air blower of 100mm WC static pressure for varying air need. Suitable capacity ducting with supply air grills for uniform air distribution, across the room.

As per Industry standard the air flow is designed through HEPA filter for to ensure high quality / healthy air inside of chamber with suitable Qty air intake and exhaust system.
A Ready to use Medical air, Oxygen and Vacuum line with connector ports is made available for each bed and a storage system and supply system is shown in FIG.13. The supply system is finished with 2 sets of Connection manifold and header connectivity at either end of the room. These manifolds can be either connected to a gas Cylinder block or to a centralised line

In an Bed head unit, FIG.13 will have 5 sets of main power and UPS powered electrical points , power sockets and controls, Nurse calling bell switches, Ethernet port & Telephone points cabled for connectivity etc. Ethernet ports for remote connectivity of Patient monitoring system and ventilators to a centralised monitoring room. Further 5 function ICU beds with privacy curtain arrangement also provided to accommodate 5 patients at a time, FIG. 2. Passage area is suitably designed to have a smooth movement of patients, either on wheel chair or on stretcher/ bed and the approximate weight of fully furnished module is around 5,000 kg.

This ICU module is equipped with video surveillance system, microphones and speakers for audio communication. All the equipment’s in first and Third compartment are designed for medical and diagnostic procedures and care procedures and are fastened on ground and / or the walls of the container module. In the 3rd compartment, fasteners are equipped with a rectifier, one or several high- capacity battery bank sufficient for autonomous operation of the module for up to 1 hour, electric cables for connecting to equipment located in all three compartments of the module.

In FIG.10-12 shows an embodiment of placing the listed equipment in the third compartment. In the third compartment, one or more containers for storing and disinfecting the flushing and excreted fluid or wound, human vital products can be located on the fastening places. Liquids come from the first compartment through an external pipeline introduced into the third compartment through one or more sealed openings with the possibility of their complete isolation. In addition, one or more sealed openings are located in the third compartment with the possibility of their complete isolation for insertion into the third compartment and removal of the electric cable and oxygen gas / coolant gas pipelines from the third compartment to the first compartment.

As discussed above the Partitions of the compartments can have the character of a vertical plane, and have a constant tight connection with vertical side walls and
hermetically connect to a compartment. The FIG. 3 and 4 shows an embodiment of a separate arrangement of the first compartment, side walls of the first compartment. The FIG. 3 shows an arrangement with a single partition complex between the first and second compartment and the side walls of the second compartment, with a single form of wall partitions between the second and third compartment and the side walls of the second compartment.

To create the tightness of the joints, special fasteners and sealants are used. The partitions can be made of various materials (metal, plastic, composite), or a rigid frame covered with a fabric or synthetic material impermeable to gas or liquid. It may include a removable external protective cover, disposable or reusable.

INVENTIVE STEP

Constructional layout of the 5 Bed ICU modules is as below.

• Prefabricated module of 5 bed, Shifted to location by trailer

• Multiple containers at location create a common facility. Easy to deploy

• Easy to clean and maintain.

• Airtight, no moisture ingression makes it easy to isolate each room.

• Prewired, one point water in and sewage out connection. Plug and play units.

• BDU beds, O2/compressed air/Suction ports with equipment hold, AC, filtered air, necessary sockets and ports, Camera to monitor the patient.

• Insulated, hence no heat ingression, hence ease to make it air conditioned or ventilated.

• Can be redeployed as Primary Health Centres at Villages or converted Calamity area houses.

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.