US 5,964,065 A · Advanced surgical suite for trauma casualties (AZTEC)

Abstract

Advanced vehicle-transportable field emergency medical systems comprising surgical suites deployable from core modules, each expanding to form an enclosed surgical or treatment room with perimeter tenting spaces, supplies and equipment. Two system versions are disclosed, each containing operating rooms, post operative beds, and a twenty plus bed triage capacity with unidirectional patient flow. The first surgical procedure can begin within one hour of delivery with a twenty patient cycle for twenty four hours. The surgical/treatment modules may also be deployed independently. Both system versions are transportable in a single C130 transport aircraft. Version AZ1 has smaller modules deployable by utility helicopter that include two operating suites, two post operative units, and also supply/communications and power units. Version AZ2 includes two modules each forming a combined surgical/post-operative unit, and also supply/communications and power units. Each lightweight core module deploys to form a room of over twice its original volume, exclusive of attached tented triage/post-op spaces. A combination of hinging side panels, floor plates, and telescoping space frames and cabinets create a sturdy self-locking core structure. An air filtration/conditioning system and passageway airlocks maintain positive pressure in the operating/post-op rooms for contamination prevention. The deployed system layout provides efficient patient movement and avoids cross-contamination. Lightweight tenting is supported from the deployed modules, e.g. by pylons/spars, panels and curved battens, creating an enclosed, compound surface which withstands weather loads. Telescoping, airlocked supply cabinets are accessible from the inside and outside of the operating room, to preserve positive pressure.

An advanced expandable/collapsible transportable field activity support suite, comprising in operative combination:

a) a core assembly including an extensible chassis having a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side;
b) a plurality of first telescoping cantilever beams housed within said chassis directed to telescope horizontally outward from said first end of said chassis at a plurality of intervals along said first end of said chassis;
c) a plurality of second telescoping cantilever beams housed within said chassis directed to telescope horizontally outward from said second end of said chassis at a plurality of intervals along said second end of said chassis;
d) a first spaceframe fixedly mounted to, and extending upwards from, the outward ends of each of said first telescoping beams;
e) a second spaceframe fixedly mounted to, and extending upwards from, the outward ends of each of said second telescoping beams;
f) a first foldable pair of vertically oriented sidepanels connected to each other and to each of said spaceframes by vertical hinges such that said first pair of sidepanels are folded inwardly along said hinge when said telescoping beams are housed within said chassis, and such that said first pair of sidepanels are unfolded towards a co-planar orientation with respect to each other when said telescoping beams are extended from within said chassis, said unfolded sidepanels being generally contiguous with said first side of said chassis;
g) a second foldable pair of vertically oriented sidepanels connected to each other and to each of said spaceframes by vertical hinges such that said second pair of sidepanels are folded inwardly along said hinge when said telescoping beams are housed within said chassis, and such that said second pair of sidepanels are unfolded towards a co-planar orientation with respect to each other when said telescoping beams are extended from within said chassis, said unfolded sidepanels being generally contiguous with said second side of said chassis;
h) a deployable folded tent roof mountable upon said spaceframes and storable in association with said core assembly;
i) expansion mechanism for extending said telescoping beams from said chassis until said pairs of side panels are unfolded to said co-planar orientation;
j) a plurality of members which maintain said roof in a deployed condition to enclose the volume created upon extension of said telescoping beams outward from said chassis;
k) at least one of said first and second spaceframes includes:
i) space for occupancy upon suite deployment;
and
ii) at least one cabinet assembly for housing material selected from equipment, supplies and consumables;
and
l) said cabinet assembly includes mounting members to move said cabinet between a first stowed position within the interior of said spaceframe and a second accessibly deployed position substantially outside the interior of said spaceframe, so that said cabinet does not substantially intrude into said occupancy space.

13 more elements

Facts

Application

08/995,962Filed 22 Dec 1997

Granted

12 Oct 1999

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

E04B 1/3442
With hinged parts: folding out from a core cell
E04B 1/345
With hinged parts: structures deriving their rigidity from concertina folds
E04H 3/08
Buildings or groups of buildings for public or similar purposes; Institutions, e.g. infirmaries or prisons: hospitals, infirmaries, or the like;…
A61G 3/001
Ambulance aspects of vehicles; Vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances,…

Advanced surgical suite for trauma casualties (AZTEC)

Life of this patent

Advanced surgical suite for trauma casualties (AZTEC)

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20