Mobile isolation glove box with disposable enclosure for investigations

A mobile, disposable isolation glove box comprising: an enclosure comprising a base and a plurality of inclined walls converging to an apex, at least one of the walls being at least in part transparent; at least one glove formed in at least one of the inclined walls, the at least one glove extending into the interior of the enclosure; and a sealable opening formed in the enclosure for permitting a specimen to be placed inside the enclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to safety enclosures in general, and more particularly to isolation glove boxes for use in handling pathogenic or contaminable substances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that, in order to handle highly pathogenic substances, all work must generally be conducted within safety enclosures so as to confine the pathogenic substances to a sealed area, thereby ensuring the safety of the handlers.

Such safety enclosures commonly comprise isolation glove boxes. Isolation glove boxes generally comprise an enclosure formed out of an impermeable membrane and configured to permit pathogenic substances to be introduced into, and/or removed from, the enclosure. Gloves are formed in a side wall of the enclosure to permit the user to safely manipulate objects contained within the enclosure.

Isolation glove boxes must generally be decontaminated after each use. This is generally done using complex decontamination systems which add significantly to the size, complexity and cost of the isolation glove boxes. Furthermore, such decontamination is generally time-consuming, thus imposing substantial delays between successive uses of a given isolation glove box.

Thus it will be appreciated that isolation glove boxes are typically large, complex and expensive, and generally require time-consuming decontamination between successive uses. Furthermore, such isolation glove boxes must generally be used by qualified personnel. In essence, isolation glove boxes are generally used by specialists working in research or analytical laboratories in the course of conducting substantial and costly investigations.

However, in some circumstances it may only be necessary to carry out a single, relatively simple and inexpensive investigation. In this situation, the use of a traditional isolation glove box can be quite inefficient, requiring the availability of an expensive isolation glove box for the investigation itself, and thereafter tying up that same isolation glove box for a substantial period of time while its contents are purged and its interior decontaminated. Thus, it would be advantageous to have a relatively simple, inexpensive and disposable isolation glove box available for use in simple and inexpensive investigations.

Furthermore, in many situations it would be advantageous to have a lightweight, mobile isolation glove box which can be used initially at a site in the field, and thereafter be transported, in a sealed condition, to a laboratory for completion of the investigation. For example, disease control specialists might wish to collect a sample at a field site, conduct a limited (but safe) initial investigation at the field site, and then transport the sample in a sealed condition to a laboratory for further investigation. By way of further example, where suspicious packages (e.g., possible anthrax packages) are detected by postal authorities or private courier services, it can be desirable to initially examine the suspicious package in the field, within the safety of an isolation glove box, and then, where appropriate, safely transport the suspicious package to a laboratory for further investigation. And by way of still further example, police investigators might wish to initially examine potential evidence at a crime scene, without fear of contaminating the evidence, and then transport that evidence, in an isolated state, to a laboratory for further analysis. Thus it would be advantageous to have available a lightweight, mobile isolation glove box which can be used initially at a site in the field, and thereafter be transported, in a sealed condition, to a laboratory for completion of the investigation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple, inexpensive and disposable isolation glove box which can be used in simple and inexpensive investigations and thereafter disposed of.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an isolation glove box which is lightweight and mobile, and that is capable being deployed at a field site for initial investigation of a specimen, and then, where necessary, safely transported to another location in a sealed condition for completion of the investigation.

These and other objects are addressed by the present invention, which comprises the provision and use of a novel mobile, disposable isolation glove box.

In one form of the present invention, there is provided a mobile, disposable isolation glove box comprising: an enclosure comprising a base and a plurality of inclined walls converging to an apex, at least one of the walls being at least in part transparent; at least one glove formed in at least one of the inclined walls, the at least one glove extending into the interior of the enclosure; and a sealable opening formed in the enclosure for permitting a specimen to be placed inside the enclosure.

In another form of the present invention, there is provided a mobile, disposable isolation glove box assembly comprising: a mobile, disposable isolation glove box comprising: an enclosure comprising a base and a plurality of inclined walls converging to an apex, at least one of the walls being at least in part transparent; at least one glove formed in at least one of the inclined walls, the at least one glove extending into the interior of the enclosure; and a sealable opening formed in the enclosure for permitting a specimen to be placed inside the enclosure; and a support for supporting the isolation glove box on a worksurface, the support comprising at least one upstanding element extending above the height of the apex and including apparatus for connection to the apex, whereby to support the enclosure in an upright position.

In another form of the present invention, there is provided a method for conducting an investigation of a potentially pathogenic or contaminable specimen, wherein the specimen is located at a first location, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mobile, disposable isolation glove box comprising: an enclosure comprising a base and a plurality of inclined walls converging to an apex, at least one of the walls being at least in part transparent; at least one glove formed in at least one of the inclined walls, the at least one glove extending into the interior of the enclosure; and a sealable opening formed in the enclosure for permitting a specimen to be placed inside the enclosure; placing the specimen inside the enclosure and closing the sealable opening; conducting a preliminary examination using the isolation glove box at the first location; transporting the isolation glove box, with the specimen sealed therein, to a second location; and conducting a follow-up examination using the isolation glove box at the second location.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Looking first atFIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a novel mobile, disposable isolation glove box5formed in accordance with the present invention. Isolation glove box5comprises a generally pyramidal enclosure10formed by a flat base15and a plurality of inclined walls20converging toward one another at their upper ends. Preferably enclosure10comprises a base15having four sides (e.g., rectangular or square) and four inclined walls20intersecting at an apex25.

Base15and inclined walls20together form a pathogen-impervious enclosure. Base15and inclined walls20are formed from a suitable transparent, flexible material (e.g., polyvinlychloride, or “PCV”) whereby, when fastened together, they form a transparent enclosure which is both (i) self-standing (FIG.2), and (ii) capable of being folded flat (FIG. 3) if desired, e.g., for storage and/or shipping purposes. Preferably base15and inclined walls20are fastened together by welding or glueing, e.g., as shown at30so as to form the pyramidal enclosure10. Preferably base15and inclined walls20are attached so as to leave wings35outside the enclosure. Wings35have an eyelet40formed therein at the apex25of the enclosure10. Eyelet40may be used to attach enclosure10to a support (see below), preferably with the help of a resilient hook arrangement (see below).

Isolation glove box5comprises two or more gloves45extending inwardly from one of its inclined walls, thereby allowing for the safe handling of objects located inside enclosure10. Gloves45may be fused or glued to their associated inclined wall20at the perimeter of holes50formed in that wall.

One or more sealable openings55are formed in enclosure10. Sealable openings55may be formed on any of the edges35or sides20of the pyramidal enclosure10. Each of the sealable openings55is provided with an airtight opening and closing mechanism60, thus allowing for the introduction of specimens into the interior of enclosure10and the subsequent airtight sealing of the enclosure. By way of example, airtight opening and closing mechanism60may comprise a so-called “zip lock” seal such as that shown in FIG.4.

Isolation glove box5preferably has a mat65within its interior, atop base15, in order to protect the soft PVC of base15from damage when working on a specimen with sharp tools within the enclosure (e.g., such as when opening a suspicious package placed inside isolation glove box5). In one preferred form of the invention, mat65is made of soft, very thick PVC. If desired, mat65may have an additional sheet of PVC placed on its top, whereby it will be sandwiched between two PVC sheets (i.e., the base sheet15and the additional sheet). Preferably mat65is opaque and provides a good contrast for objects placed inside enclosure10.

By making isolation glove box5sufficiently inexpensive, and by forming it out of appropriate materials, the isolation glove box (with or without its contents) may be quickly and easily disposed of (e.g., by incineration or other appropriate technique) at the conclusion of an investigation.

As noted above, in one preferred form of the invention, inclined walls20have a configuration and sufficient inherent rigidity that enclosure10, once erected, will stay erected. Preferably, however, isolation glove box5is used in conjunction with a support to (i) help keep enclosure10erect, and (ii) prevent the isolation glove box from sliding about a worksurface during use.

Accordingly, and looking now atFIGS. 5-8, in one preferred form of the invention, a support100is provided. Support100generally comprises a rigid base105and an upstanding arm110which is releasably attached (e.g., with screws115) to base105. Base105preferably has a pair of releasable runners120which can be used to releasably secure isolation glove box5to base105. Releasable runners120are preferably releasably connected to base105by screws125. A wrist support127may also be secured to base105if desired.

Upstanding arm110has, at its upper end, a hook130. Preferably an elastic element135(e.g., a spring or a rubber strip) is interposed between upstanding arm110and hook130, whereby to allow some stretching of the sides of enclosure10during use.

Isolation glove box5may be used as follows.

When an investigation is to be conducted (e.g., a relatively simple and inexpensive investigation in a laboratory, or a preliminary examination in the field, etc.), support100is set up (if it is not already set up) and isolation glove box5is erected and attached to the support. More particularly, (i) support100is set up by attaching upstanding arm110to rigid base105, (ii) isolation glove box5is erected from its folded condition (FIG. 3) to its erect position (FIG. 2) by pulling its apex25upward relative to its base15, (iii) base15of enclosure10is secured to rigid base105of support100by capturing base wings35beneath runners120, and (iv) apex25of enclosure10is attached to hook130by lifting the apex upward and slipping eyelet40onto hook130.

Next, the specimen is placed inside isolation glove box5, i.e., by opening sealable opening55if it is not already open, placing the specimen (and anything else needed for the investigation, such as tools, etc.) inside the enclosure, and then closing sealable opening55.

At this point the specimen may be investigated, safely in the case of potentially pathogenic substances and/or without contamination in the case of contaminable substances, using gloves45.

After the intended investigation, isolation glove box5(with or without specimen) may then be disposed of or, if desired, it may be transported (with specimen) to another location for further investigation.

Where isolation glove box5is to be disposed of, the isolation glove box is dismounted from support100and transported, e.g., without opening, to an appropriate disposal facility, e.g., an incinerator. In this respect it will be appreciated that by the proper selection of inexpensive and disposable construction materials, the entire isolation glove box may be disposed of as a unit, without requiring the release of the specimen contained in the isolation glove box.

Where isolation glove box5is to be transported to another location for further investigation (e.g., in the case of a suspicious mail package which may contain anthrax), the isolation glove box is dismounted from support100so that the suspicious contents may be transported, without danger, within the sealed enclosure to a specialized laboratory for a more thorough analysis. To this end, a carrying handle67(FIG. 9) may be inserted in top eyelet40so as to facilitate transport, including the possible suspension of the enclosure10inside a vehicle during transport.

A spare isolation glove box5(FIG.2), previously folded (FIG.3), may then be installed on a support100(FIG. 5) when needed for subsequent investigations.

It should be appreciated that the generally pyramidal shape of enclosure10is highly advantageous, inasmuch as the apex of the pyramid allows for a single point of attachment (e.g., for support100and/or handle67), thereby eliminating any need for a complex structure in order to provide support for the enclosure during use and/or transport.

In one preferred form of the invention, isolation glove box5includes a port assembly200(FIGS. 1,2and5) formed in one of the inclined walls20of enclosure10. Port assembly200permits air to be evacuated from the interior of isolation glove box in a controlled fashion, e.g., for sampling, for biological culturing, etc. In this respect it will be appreciated that such air will carry with it some or all of the specimen placed inside enclosure10, whereby to easily obtain the same. If desired, a tube205may be attached to the interior of port200to allow convenient suction pickup of specimen material.

In one preferred form of the invention, and looking now atFIGS. 10 and 11, port assembly200comprises a body207for attachment about the periphery of an opening70in an inclined wall20of enclosure10. Body207may be secured to inclined wall20in a variety of ways, e.g., through the use of a locking ring210and screw threads215. Port assembly200also comprises a fitting220that can be removably attached to body207, e.g., with screw threads225. Fitting220may be provided with a ribbed nipple230for connection to a hose linked to a vacuum pump, in order to withdraw air (and hence specimen material) from the interior of the enclosure. A cap (not shown) may be secured over nipple230. A biological microporous filtration membrane235is releasably captured between body207and fitting220.

On account of this construction, once the specimen has been placed inside enclosure10and, if necessary, isolation glove box5transported to an analysis facility, a vacuum line is connected to nipple230of fitting220and air is removed from the interior of enclosure10. If desired, prior to or during this evacuation, the specimen may be stirred up or otherwise manipulated with the help of the integrated gloves45. This operation, done entirely under negative pressure, is without danger for the user and the environment, and the user can perform it without the use of complex or heavy equipment. At this stage, the filtration membrane235can be safely removed from port assembly200and then analyzed, e.g., sampled and/or used to spark a growth that will then be ready for microscopic analysis. If the analysis is positive, the enclosure and its contents can then be safely delivered to another site if appropriate, e.g., to police investigation units in the case of an anthrax-bearing package.

It is also possible to provide a port assembly200which omits membrane235. In this case, body205and fitting220may be formed with a singular construction, and the filtration membrane235may be provided anywhere between port assembly200and the vacuum source.

Port assembly200(and/or additional ports) can also be used to introduce gas into the enclosure10. By way of example, port assembly200(or other ports) may be used to introduce an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen) into enclosure10so as to create an inert atmosphere within the enclosure. This may be easily accomplished by, for example, first attaching a vacuum pump to the port assembly so as to remove the air from within the enclosure, and then introducing an inert gas within the enclosure. In this respect it should be appreciated that removal of the air from within enclosure10will typically cause the enclosure to collapse flat, and introduction of the inert gas into the enclosure will cause the enclosure to regain its shape.

In one preferred form of the invention, the invention may be used to investigate suspicious (e.g., potentially anthrax-bearing) mail. In this form of the invention, there are four distinct phases of the use. At each stage, the user can benefit from specific features built into the invention so as to facilitate their work.

First is the opening of the suspicious mail. There, the invention's simple and flexible design enables a first user to set up the isolation glove box and use it quickly and easily with little or no training, unlike a traditional glove box or complex biosafety cabinet.

Second is the transport of the suspicious mail. Once the first user discovers a suspicious substance inside the mail, the proper authorities or second user transports the detachable flexible enclosure, using the built-in eyelet, to a laboratory for analysis.

Third is the analysis of the specimen found inside the contents of the mail. The third user, a trained lab technician, connects the enclosure up to a vacuum pump with the help of the built-in port so as to extract the powders and concentrate them on a filter membrane for proper and accurate analysis.

Fourth is the inspection of the evidence for criminal investigation purposes. Once the analytical lab has performed its testing on the powder, the enclosure and its preserved, untainted contents can be picked up by its fourth user, e.g., an FBI crime lab, who can test the envelope or package for fingerprints or handwriting analysis in order to learn the identity of its sender.

During each of the phases, all users along the way have been protected and the integrity of the evidence inside the enclosure has been preserved, undamaged and untainted.

It should, of course, be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Thus, for example, in the preferred embodiments enclosure10is in the form of a pyramid comprising a base15having four sides (e.g., rectangular or square) and four inclined walls20intersecting at an apex25(FIGS.1and2). However, isolation glove box5may also have a three-sided base15and three inclined walls20(FIG.11), or it may have a five-sided base15and five inclined walls20, etc.; and/or isolation glove box5could be formed so that its inclined walls20terminate short of intersecting, e.g., each inclined wall20could have a trapezoidal shape (FIG.13), with a top25A extending between the upper ends of inclined walls20; and/or isolation glove box5could have one inclined wall20(i.e., the “front” wall), with the remainder of the walls being substantially vertical (FIG.14).

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiments, support100comprises a single upstanding arm110which interposes an elastic element135between the arm and hook130. However, if desired, upstanding arm110could also be formed so as to have some elasticity, i.e., so that elastic element135could be assisted by, or even entirely replaced by, the elasticity of the upstanding arm110if desired.

Furthermore, if desired, the single upstanding arm110may be replaced by two or more hoop arms110A (FIG.15).

These and other changes of their type are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.