Ventilator Headboard Apparatus
A ventilator headboard apparatus is a modular air handling and filtration device used to recirculate and filter a volume of air. A chassis supports at least one mounting panel, a supply plenum, and a cover plate to manage the atmosphere at the head of a patient's bed, i.e., at the headboard. A plenum space is formed between the supply plenum and the cover plate, across the mounting panel. A pressurized conduit is connected between the supply plenum and an air handling unit, arranging the air handling unit in fluid communication with the plenum space directly, and the atmosphere around a patient's head by extension. With operating energy supplied by a power supply, the air handling unit is used to operably intake or exhaust air across the cover plate according to user configurations and situational requirements.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 63/082,203 filed on Sep. 23, 2020.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to a filtration and air handling device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for providing filtered air to localized areas, such as those surrounding hospital patients.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA filtering device that provides air to areas surrounding hospital patients is in demand. Filtered air environments are needed in many situations. Hospitals filter air in operating rooms, patient recovery areas, and patient rooms to reduce the chances of infection. Likewise, in schools, homes, workplaces, and even public places, air filtration can help protect people from dust, harmful particles, and germs.
Air filters can be used to circulate a room's air, drawn into a filter or filtering system and then discharged back into the room. However, most such systems are designed so that only a small amount of the air in the room is passed through the filter, and most such systems are installed in a room or structured in such a way that contaminated air exhaled by the patient or people surrounding the patient may remain in the room for some time before it is filtered. In addition, such systems are not designed to instantly capture contaminated air exhaled by the patient or by people in surrounding areas.
Many people are suffering from a new highly contagious coronavirus called COVID-19. On Mar. 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
COVID-19 is a serious respiratory disease that can cause coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. It spreads primarily through liquid droplets emitted from the nose and mouth when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales.
Conventional devices or systems are not effective in preventing the spread of airborne pathogens from contaminated air exhaled by the patient, so that there is a need to develop a device to solve these problems.
The present invention is intended to address problems associated with and/or otherwise improve on conventional devices through an innovative ventilation device that is designed to offer a convenient and effective means of preventing the spread of airborne pathogens from contaminated air exhaled by the patient while incorporating other problem-solving features.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced or utilized without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention. References herein to “the preferred embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, or “alternative embodiments” should be considered to be illustrating aspects of the present invention that may potentially vary in some instances, and should not be considered to be limiting to the scope of the present invention as a whole.
In reference to
As shown in
The chassis 10 refers to any casement or supporting framework for the functional components of the present invention to be positioned adjacent to the head of a patient. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the chassis 10 constitutes a structural element supporting the supply plenum 33, the cover plate 35, the pressurized conduit 19, the air handling assembly 27, and the power supply 17. The chassis 10 enables an instance of the present invention to be deployed as a modular attachment or modification to existing beds or gurneys, without permanently bonding the chassis 10 to any external structure. In another embodiment, the chassis 10 constitutes a headboard of a conventional bedframe as shown in
In reference to
In at least one embodiment of the present invention the at least one mounting panel 37 is directly engaged to the chassis 10; the cover plate 35 and the supply plenum 33 are connected to the chassis 10 through the at least one mounting panel 37 by proxy. This configuration enables the supply plenum 33 and the cover plate 35 to be standardized in construction, whereas the construction of the at least one mounting panel 37 may be altered to correspond to various extant furniture or external support structures. More specifically, the at least one mounting panel 37 is constructed to mount universally to any external structures to employ said external structures as the chassis 10 in an embodiment of present invention.
The plenum space 21 is delineated between the supply plenum 33 and the cover plate 35, traversing the at least one mounting panel 37. The plenum space 21 ideally defines a contoured void space configured to direct air passing through the cover plate 35, either expelling or vacuuming air therethrough as indicated in
The air handling assembly 27 broadly refers to any source of pressure, or pressure generating device, that is configured to move volumes of air when supplied with electrical power from the power supply 17. The air handling assembly 27 ideally constitutes a means of filtering or treating the volumes of air traversing the cover plate 35. In one instance, the air handling assembly 27 is configured to positively pressurize the plenum space 21 via the pressurized conduit 19. Accordingly, this will expel volumes of air out of the cover plate 35 to constantly refresh and recirculate clean air around a patient's head. In reverse, the air handling assembly 27 is configured to negatively pressurize the plenum space 21 via the pressurized conduit 19. This will draw air from around the patient's head back through the cover plate 35, minimizing the spread of airborne pathogens from the patient into the surrounding area.
As illustrated in
As shown in
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention further comprises a deployable enclosure 42. The deployable enclosure 42 constitutes an air tent suitable for use in oxygen therapy treatments, or in cases where a highly infectious patient must be sequestered inside a room to prevent pathogenic spread. In reference to
It is further considered that the geometry of the supply plenum 33 and the at least one mounting panel 37 may not produce optimal airflow throughout the plenum space 21, resulting in uneven airflow through the cover plate 35. This uneven airflow may cause excess noise, lower recirculation rates, and otherwise prevent the patient from fully enjoying the benefits of the present invention. Accordingly, the plenum space 21 further comprises an internal cavity 22 and at least one diffuser element 23. In reference to
In another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one diffuser element 23 is a volume of diffusing material 24. The volume of diffusing material 24 ideally constitutes a collection of piled or shredded material placed within the internal cavity 22 in high-airflow regions within the internal cavity 22. Ideally, the overall air pressure within the internal cavity 22 is normalized by disrupting directional airflow across the internal cavity 22, thereby producing even air pressure through the cover plate 35.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one diffuser element 23 is a plurality of baffle inserts 25 as shown in
In an instance wherein the chassis 10 supplants a standard headboard, as shown in
As outlined previously, the present invention aims to filter any volume of air traversing through the air handling unit to reduce the prevalence and spread of airborne contaminants. While the above-described instances of the present invention broadly encompass various forms of passive filtration, it is further suggested that the present invention may utilize active sterilization measures to eliminate biological hazards. More specifically, the present invention further comprises a plurality of emitters 47 configured to emit ultraviolet radiation in at least one embodiment. In reference to
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A ventilator headboard apparatus comprising:
- a chassis;
- at least one mounting panel;
- a supply plenum;
- a cover plate;
- a plenum space;
- a pressurized conduit;
- an air handling assembly;
- a power supply;
- the chassis extending between a fore end and a rear end;
- the at least one mounting panel, the air handling assembly, and the power supply being mounted to the chassis between the fore end and the rear end;
- the supply plenum being mounted to the at least one mounting panel adjacent to the rear end of the chassis;
- the cover plate being mounted to the at least one mounting panel adjacent to the fore end of the chassis;
- the plenum space being delineated between the supply plenum and the cover plate, traversing the at least one mounting panel;
- the pressurized conduit being connected between the air handling assembly and the supply plenum, wherein the air handling assembly is in fluid communication with the plenum space through the pressurized conduit; and
- the power supply being electrically connected to the air handling assembly.
2. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- the air handling assembly further comprising a casing, an external port, an impeller, and a filter element;
- the casing being mounted adjacent to the rear end of the chassis;
- the impeller being positioned into the casing;
- the ventilation port being externally mounted to the casing;
- the pressurized conduit being connected to the casing, opposite the ventilation port across the impeller; and
- the filter element being mounted to the casing between the impeller and the pressurized conduit, wherein the ventilation port is in fluid communication with the pressurized conduit through the filter element.
3. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- the at least one mounting panel further comprising an intermediate plate, a plurality of fastener apertures, and a perimetric seal;
- the plurality of fastener apertures traversing the intermediate plate between the fore end and the rear end of the chassis; and
- the perimetric seal being perimetrically mounted to the intermediate plate between the intermediate plate and the supply plenum.
4. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- a deployable enclosure comprising at least one pivoting base, an overhead support, and a canopy;
- the at least one pivoting base being mounted to the supply plenum;
- the overhead support being adjustably mounted to the at least one pivoting base adjacent to the rear end of the chassis;
- the overhead support being configured to extend from the rear end towards the fore end of the chassis; and
- the canopy being mounted to the deployable support, wherein the cover plate is substantially enclosed by the canopy.
5. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- the plenum space further comprising an internal cavity and at least one diffuser element; and
- the at least one diffuser element being mounted into the internal cavity adjacent to the at least one mounting panel, wherein the at least one diffuser element is configured to moderate airflow within the plenum space.
6. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one diffuser element is a volume of diffusing material.
7. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one diffuser element is a plurality of baffle inserts.
8. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- the chassis further comprising a structural panel, a plurality of lift actuators, and a plurality of base plates;
- the plurality of lift actuators being mounted to the structural panel;
- each of the plurality of base plates being mounted to each of the plurality of lift actuators, opposite the structural panel; and
- the plurality of lift actuators being configured to moderate an offset between the structural panel and the plurality of base plates, wherein the offset defines the elevation of the structural panel above the plurality of base plates.
9. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
- a plurality of emitters being configured to emit ultraviolet radiation;
- the plurality of emitter being internally mounted to the supply plenum;
- the plurality of emitters being electrically connected to the power supply; and
- the plurality of emitters being configured to produce ultraviolet radiation to sterilize the plenum space.
10. The ventilator headboard apparatus comprising:
- a chassis;
- at least one mounting panel;
- a supply plenum;
- a cover plate;
- a plenum space;
- a pressurized conduit;
- an air handling assembly;
- a power supply;
- the chassis extending between a fore end and a rear end;
- the at least one mounting panel, the air handling assembly, and the power supply being mounted to the chassis between the fore end and the rear end;
- the supply plenum being mounted to the at least one mounting panel adjacent to the rear end of the chassis;
- the cover plate being mounted to the at least one mounting panel adjacent to the fore end of the chassis;
- the plenum space being delineated between the supply plenum and the cover plate, traversing the at least one mounting panel;
- the pressurized conduit being connected between the air handling assembly and the supply plenum, wherein the air handling assembly is in fluid communication with the plenum space through the pressurized conduit;
- the power supply being electrically connected to the air handling assembly;
- a deployable enclosure comprising at least one pivoting base, an overhead support, and a canopy;
- the at least one pivoting base being mounted to the supply plenum;
- the overhead support being adjustably mounted to the at least one pivoting base adjacent to the rear end of the chassis;
- the overhead support being configured to extend from the rear end towards the fore end of the chassis;
- the canopy being mounted to the deployable support, wherein the cover plate is substantially enclosed by the canopy;
- the plenum space further comprising an internal cavity and at least one diffuser element; and
- the at least one diffuser element being mounted into the internal cavity adjacent to the at least one mounting panel, wherein the at least one diffuser element is configured to moderate airflow within the plenum space.
11. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprising:
- the air handling assembly further comprising a casing, an external port, an impeller, and a filter element;
- the casing being mounted adjacent to the rear end of the chassis;
- the impeller being positioned into the casing;
- the ventilation port being externally mounted to the casing;
- the pressurized conduit being connected to the casing, opposite the ventilation port across the impeller;
- the filter element being mounted to the casing between the impeller and the pressurized conduit, wherein the ventilation port is in fluid communication with the pressurized conduit through the filter element;
12. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprising:
- the at least one mounting panel further comprising an intermediate plate, a plurality of fastener apertures, and a perimetric seal;
- the plurality of fastener apertures traversing the intermediate plate between the fore end and the rear end of the chassis; and
- the perimetric seal being perimetrically mounted to the intermediate plate between the intermediate plate and the supply plenum.
13. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one diffuser element is a volume of diffusing material.
14. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one diffuser element is a plurality of baffle inserts.
15. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprising:
- the chassis further comprising a structural panel, a plurality of lift actuators, and a plurality of base plates;
- the plurality of lift actuators being mounted to the structural panel;
- each of the plurality of base plates being mounted to each of the plurality of lift actuators, opposite the structural panel; and
- the plurality of lift actuators being configured to moderate an offset between the structural panel and the plurality of base plates, wherein the offset defines the elevation of the structural panel above the plurality of base plates.
16. The ventilator headboard apparatus as claimed in claim 10 comprising:
- a plurality of emitters being configured to emit ultraviolet radiation;
- the plurality of emitter being internally mounted to the supply plenum;
- the plurality of emitters being electrically connected to the power supply; and
- the plurality of emitters being configured to produce ultraviolet radiation to sterilize the plenum space.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 23, 2021
Publication Date: Mar 24, 2022
Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Pearson (Olympia, WA)
Application Number: 17/483,794