Patent ID: 12220361

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing the illustrative, non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Several embodiments are described for illustrative purposes, it being understood that the description and claims are not limited to the illustrated embodiments and other embodiments not specifically shown in the drawings may also be within the scope of this disclosure.

FIGS.1(a)-(d), 4 show the mobile medical care system100of the disclosure. The medical care system100is shown implemented in a vehicle, and more particularly a truck having a trailer. Accordingly, the mobile medical care system100has a cab110with wheels in front and a medical care compartment200with wheels at the rear. By being mobile, the medical care compartment200can be moved from location to location to conduct testing, analysis and/or to administer medical care to patients. Thus, the system100can be driven to a site, set up quickly to administer tests and medical care, and then moved to a different location. However, the medical care system100need not be mobile and, for example, the medical care compartment200can be at a fixed location. The medical care system100can utilize any suitable mobile device. In addition, the medical care system100can be utilized to administer any medical care, such as for example, advice, tests, exams, analysis, treatment, therapy, and/or medication to patients

As illustrated, the medical care compartment200has a fixed front panel202, fixed rear panel204, fixed right side (passenger side) panel206, and fixed left side (driver side) panel208. In the embodiment ofFIGS.1(a)-(d), the medical care compartment200also has a front billboard222at the front of the compartment200that swings open forward, a rear billboard224that swings forward open from the rear of the compartment200, and a side panel226that swings open and upward to form a cover or awning that can display information (text or logos), such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,269,273, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. It is noted, however, that the medical care system100need not have a front billboard, rear billboard and/or side panel that opens and closes.

FIGS.2(a)-(d),3(a)-(b)show the medical care system100in an open configuration. The front billboard swings forward over the cab110and has a locking mechanism to lock the front billboard in each of the opened and closed positions. The rear billboard swings outward from the rear panel of the medical care compartment200and has a locking mechanism such as a swing arm or support rod/pole, that locks the rear billboard in the opened and closed positions. The moving side panel is formed in the right-side fixed panel and moves upward and has a locking mechanism that locks the moving side panel in the opened and closed positions.

FIGS.3(a),4show the medical care compartment200in greater detail. Here, the medical care compartment has a clinician room210, a patient room250, and a storage room270. The clinician room210has a rectangular or cuboid shape with four walls, ceiling and floor, and is for a clinician that administers the medical care, such a nurse, physician or other medical professional or administrator. The patient room250has a rectangular or cuboid shape with four walls, ceiling and floor, and is for the patient that receives the medical care The storage room270has a rectangular or cuboid shape and has four side walls, ceiling and floor, and is for supplies. Each room210,250,270is completely separate from each other.

A first dividing wall, referred to here as the storage dividing wall212, separates the storage room270from the clinician room210and the patient room250. An internal door is provided at the storage dividing wall212between the clinician room210and the storage room270to allow the clinician to enter and exit the clinician room210. An external door272is located at the left side of the compartment200to permit the clinician to enter and exit the compartment200. Alternatively, an external door can be placed at the clinician room so that the clinician can enter and exit the vehicle without having to go through the storage room, and/or the internal door need not be provided at the storage dividing wall212between the clinician room210and the storage room270.

A second dividing wall, referred to here as the clinician dividing wall214, separates the clinician room210and the patient room250and extends the full length of the patient room250and the clinician room210, from the storage room270to the rear panel wall of the compartment200, and from the floor of the compartment200to the ceiling of the compartment200.

In one embodiment, the front panel202, rear panel204, right panel206and left panel208of the compartment200define an interior space that includes the medical care compartment200, the patient room250, and the storage room270. The first and second dividing walls212,214are interior walls located within the interior space of the compartment200. Accordingly, the left panel208of the compartment200forms the left side of the clinician room210and the left side of the storage room270. The rear panel204of the compartment200forms the rear side of the clinician room210and the rear side of the patient room250. And, the front panel202of the compartment200forms the front side of the storage room270. The storage dividing wall212forms the front side of the clinician room210and the front side of the patient room250. Thus, the clinician dividing wall214is set back away from the right panel206of the vehicle, and the storage dividing wall212is set back away from the front panel202of the compartment200.

A medical care apparatus300is provided at the clinician dividing wall214. The medical care apparatus300can include a glass partition302that forms a portion of the dividing wall214. That is, the dividing wall214has an opening that receives the glass partition302. The glass partition302enables the clinician in the clinician room210and the patient in the patient room250to visually see each other. A microphone and speaker can be positioned on each side of the glass partition302or dividing wall214so that the clinician in the clinician room210and the patient in the patient room250can speak to and hear each other.

The medical care apparatus300also includes a patient interaction device304, here shown as a glove box having a port entry fitted with medical gloves. The clinician in the clinician room210can insert his/her hands into the medical gloves304. The gloves304extend into the patient room250so that the clinician can touch and interact with the patient located in the patient room250. Thus, the clinician is completely separate from the patient, so that no viruses, diseases, conditions or illnesses can be transferred between the clinician and the patient. That is, there is no gaseous, liquid or solid communication between the clinician room210and the patient room250, so that the clinician and patient cannot transfer, for example, viruses by air, liquid or touch, such as the COVID-19 virus.

As best shown inFIGS.4,5(a),5(b), the medical care apparatus300also includes a medical storage unit310located in the patient room250. The medical storage unit310can contain all supplies needed by the clinician to render medical care to the patient. For example, the storage unit310can have thermometers or thermometer covers and other testing devices to enable the clinician to measure or test the patient's temperature. Other medical supplies can include, for example, alcohol to clean medical equipment or sterilize the patient, needles, medication, masks, and the like.

One or more lids or covers312are positioned on the medical storage unit310. That is, the medical storage unit310is a closed box with a top surface and an interior space. One or more openings are located in the top surface and the lids312attached by a hinge or the like to the top surface. The lids312can be pivoted about the hinge to be opened and closed to permit the clinician to gain access to the medical supplies inside the interior space of the storage unit310. The hinge can be positioned at the side of the lid312furthest from the clinician room210and the glass partition302. so that the lid312opens upward and outward with respect to the clinician room210and the glass partition302. In another embodiment, the lid312can open by slidably connecting the lid312to the top surface of the medical storage unit310.

A handle314is positioned on the side of the storage unit310closest to the clinician room210and the glass partition302, for ease of access by the clinician. Accordingly, the clinician can grab the handle314and manually pivot the lid312open and closed about the hinge. A bar or hydraulic arm can be provided to keep the lid312in the opened position without inadvertently closing, so that the clinician can release the handle while accessing the interior space of the medical storage unit310without the lid312inadvertently closing. Thus, the clinician can open the lid312by operation of the handle314. Once the lid312is in the opened position, the clinician can release the handle314and insert or remove supplies from the interior space of the storage unit310. As shown, the medical storage until310can have two separate containers, each having its own lid312, such as a supply container and a waste container. The supply container can be for supplies and the waste container can be for waste, such as for example used needles, plastic packaging, and testing supplies. Thus, the clinician can retrieve supplies from the supply container, test the patient, then dispose of the used equipment in the waste container.

A locking mechanism, such as an electronic lock with a keypad or controlled by an electronic key, can also be placed on the lid312to enable the clinician to lock the lid312to prevent access by the patient. In another embodiment, the lid can be remotely controlled by the clinician to open and close automatically, such as by a remote controller operating a lid motor.

Referring toFIGS.5(c)-5(e), one or more rear access doors306can optionally be provided in the clinician dividing wall214and/or at the rear of the medical storage unit310below the glass partition302. That is, the dividing wall214and/or medical storage unit310can have an opening and an access door306received in the opening. The door306can be opened and closed by the clinician in the clinician room210to access the interior space of the medical storage unit310. In that manner, the clinician can replace medical supplies that are kept in the supply container of the medical storage unit310. For example, the clinician can retrieve supplies from the storage room270and place them in the medical storage unit310. The clinician can also remove waste and garbage from waste container of the medical storage unit310. The clinician can wear disposable gloves when accessing the medical storage unit310, whether from the clinician room210or by going around the vehicle to the patient room250.

As best shown inFIG.5(b), the glass partition302can optionally be angled slightly into the patient room250at the top so that the top of the glass partition302extends further into the patient room250than the bottom of the glass partition302. This enables the clinician to better interact with the patient.

As best illustrated inFIG.4, the storage room270is elongated and extends transversely at the front of the compartment200and extends the entire width of the compartment200. The clinician room210and the patient room250are configured behind and orthogonally with respect to the storage room270. The clinician room210is elongated and extends longitudinally along the left side of the compartment200(when viewed from the front of the vehicle at the cab110), from the storage room270to the rear of the compartment200. The patient room250is elongated and extends longitudinally along the right side of the compartment200, from the storage room270to the rear of the compartment200. The clinician room210is larger than the patient room250, such that the dividing wall214is closer to the right-side wall of the compartment200than the left side wall of the compartment200.

However, the clinician room210, patient room250and storage room270can be configured in any suitable manner and can have any suitable size and/or shape. In addition, the storage room270need not be provided. And storage compartments can be located below the floor of the clinician room210and/or patient room250(FIG.3(b)). In one embodiment of the disclosure, the dividing walls212,214need not be provided, such that there is no storage room270or patient room250, and the medical apparatus300is formed in the right panel206of the compartment200.

In operation, the mobile care system100is driven to a desired location. The front billboard is moved to the opened position alongside the cab110. The rear billboard is moved to the opened position to be substantially coplanar with the right-side panel and the front billboard. The side panel is raised to the opened position and the front section raised to display that mobile care is being administered. A lower panel is lowered to the opened position to form a floor and legs are put in place to support the floor. Staircases are also placed to allow patients to climb the stairs to the floor. The patient can then enter the patient room250and medical care can be rendered by the clinician in the clinician room210with the clinician and patient being isolated from transferring any diseases, viruses, or illnesses. The clinician further enters through the rear door272so that the clinician does not come into contact with the patient during ingress and egress to/from the medical care compartment200. The patient can then leave and the next patient can approach the glass partition. At the end of the day, the panels can be closed and the mobile care system can leave the location.

Turning toFIGS.6-9, additional embodiments of the disclosure are shown having two clinician rooms410a,410band two patient rooms450a,450b. The layout is similar toFIGS.1-5, except that an added dividing wall413with a door is located between the first clinician room410aand the second clinician room410b, an added medical care apparatus300is provided in the clinician dividing wall, and a patient dividing wall416is provided between the first patient area and the second patient area.

Accordingly, each medical care apparatus300a,300bincludes a set of gloves304, so that more than one set of gloves304are provided in the glass partition302, and each set can be separated from each other by a partition wall416to define a first patient room450aand a second patient room450b; and/or an internal partition wall413to define a first clinician room410a,410b. The partition walls413,416extends transversely and perpendicular to the dividing walls414a,414band the longitudinal axis of the compartment400.

In addition, each medical care apparatus300a,300bhas a glass partition302in the respective dividing walls414a,414b. And each glass partition302can be separated by a partition wall416to define a first patient area450aand a second patient area450bthat extends transversely and perpendicular to the clinician dividing wall414. The partition wall416can extend from the ceiling to the floor and from the clinician dividing wall414to the right-side panel206of the compartment to essentially form separate patient rooms450a,450b.

Accordingly, the first clinician room410ais defined by the left side panel208, rear panel204a first clinician dividing wall414aand a first interior dividing wall413. The second clinician room410bis defined by the left side panel208, first interior dividing wall413, second clinician dividing wall414b, and the storage dividing wall412. The first patient open room or area450ais defined by the first clinician dividing wall414a, rear panel204, and the patient dividing wall416. And, the second patient open room or area450bis defined by the second clinician dividing wall414b, storage dividing wall412, and the patient dividing wall416.

As best illustrated inFIGS.2(a),6(a),6(b), an elevated platform218,418is provided at the right side of the vehicle. The platform218,418can be pivotally connected (such as by a hinge) to the right panel206of the compartment200,400, and can be moved between a stored vertical position and a horizontal operating position. In the stored position, the platform is raised to the vertical position and the side panel226is lowered to the vertical position over top of the platform218,418. In another embodiment, the platform can be removably connected to the compartment200,400, such as by locking clasps or the like. A first set of stairs is provided at the front side of the platform218,418, and a second set of stairs is provided at the rear side of the platform218,418. Railings can be provided at the right side of the platform218,418to prevent a patient from inadvertently falling from the platform218,418. In other embodiments, only one set of stairs can be provided, or the stairs can be provided at the right side of the platform and railings at the front and rear sides of the platform218,418.

InFIGS.6(a),6(b), the first set of stairs at the rear of the platform418leads to the first patient area450a, and the second set of stairs at the front of the platform418leads to the second patient area450b. The dividing wall416extends all the way from the clinician dividing wall414A,414B to the railing, so that the patients do not come into contact with each other. if the stairs are located at the right side of the platform418(instead of the front and rear of the platform), the dividing wall416can extend down between the stairs.

The patient areas450a,450bcan have an open right side so that patients can walk up the stairs into the respective patient area450a,450band approach the respective medical care apparatus300a,300bwithout coming into contact with one another and without risk of exposure to or spread of an illness or disease, such as COVID.

It is further noted thatFIGS.6(a),6(b)show that the medical care apparatus300a,300bboth have the same patient interaction device304(i.e., the glass partition and gloves).FIGS.7(a),7(b)show another embodiment, where the first medical care apparatus300aassociated with the first clinician room410aand first patient area450a, has a first patient interaction device304a; and the second medical care apparatus300bassociated with the second clinician room410aand second patient area450b, has a second patient interaction device304b. Here, the first patient interaction device304acan be the glass partition with gloves and the second patient interaction device304bcan be a window that raises and lowers, such as a double-hung window.

A table315can also be provided at the patient area450a,450b, instead of a medical storage unit310, that raises and lowers. A pass-through device can also be provided in the dividing wall or the glass partition302that allows products to be passed from the patient in the patient area to/from the clinician in the clinician room, such a testing devices, medicine, or the like. The pass-through device can prevent or reduce the transfer of any airborne illness or disease. A microphone and speaker can also be provided at each side of the dividing wall or partition302to allow the patient in the patient area to speak with the clinician m the clinician room. In yet another embodiment, the glass partition302can be removably attached to the medical care apparatus300. Thus, glass partitions can be removed and exchanged. For example, one glass partition might have gloves and another glass partition might have a double-hung window so that the user can insert the glass partition that is bested suited to the particular medical application being made.

In other embodiments, more partitions413,416can be provided to define more than clinician rooms and/or patient rooms can be provided, separated by internal dividing walls. In another embodiment, the movable right-side panel need not be provided, and instead external access doors can be provided in the right-side panel206of the compartment200,400. The patient can open the door to gain access to the patient room250,450, and where there are multiple patient rooms, each patient room250,450can have its own external access door. In one embodiment, a generator and heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is provided so that the clinician room210,410and/or patient room250,450can be temperature controlled, such as by heating and/or air conditioning. Ventilation for the clinician room210,410and/or patient room250,450can be configured to provide a positive pressure inside those rooms, so that any airborne viruses or the like are expelled out of the room.

FIGS.8(a),8(b)show another feature of the disclosure, where one or more windows are provided in the ceiling of the compartment200,400. The ceiling windows allow sunlight to enter the compartment200,400. For example, one or more ceiling windows can be aligned with each of the patient rooms or areas and each of the clinician rooms, and the storage room.

FIGS.9(a),9(b)show yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, more than one medical care apparatus is positioned at, located in, or associated with each of the clinician rooms and/or patient areas. As shown, a first and second medical care apparatus300a,300bare positioned at the first patient area or first clinician room, and a third and fourth medical care apparatus300c,300dare positioned at, located in, or associated with the second patient area or second clinician room. The first and fourth apparatuses300a,300deach have a double-hung window with a half-dome pass-through and a table that raises and lowers. The second and third apparatuses300b,300ceach have gloves.

FIGS.9(a),9(b)further illustrates messaging on the front billboard222, rear billboard224and the raised side panel226. The platform can be supported by legs that are in the vertical operating position and can be removable or can fold under the platform218when the platform218is placed in the storage position. The stairs can be removably attached to the platform218or folded onto the platform218for storage as well.

As will be apparent, numerous variations of the compartment200,400can be provided, for instance having a dividing wall413to create first and second clinician rooms, but no patient dividing wall416so that there is only a single patient area; a dividing wall416to create first and second patient areas, but no dividing wall413so that there is only a single clinician room; a patient dividing wall416that only extend partially outward from the clinician dividing wall414(seeFIG.9) so that patients can move on the platform418between the first patient area450ato the second patient area450b; a first and second medical care apparatus300, both with gloves, both with sliding windows, or one with gloves and one with a sliding window, and one or more of which can be located in or associated with each patient area.

It is noted that the disclosure describes the clinician room and patient room being arranged longitudinally, such that the clinician room is at the left side of the compartment200,400and the patient room or area is at the right side of the compartment200,400. It will be apparent that the rooms can be arranged in any suitable manner, for example transversely with one or more clinician rooms at the front or rear of the compartment200,400and one or more patient rooms at the rear or front, respectively, of the compartment200,400opposite the clinician room. Still further, for any of the above embodiments, the stairs and platform can be provided at the rear of the compartment instead of the right or left side,

It is further noted that the drawings may illustrate and the description and claims may use several geometric or relational terms, such as planar, elongated, orthogonal, transverse, and longitudinally. In addition, the description and claims use several directional or positioning terms and the like, such as top, bottom, left, tight, inner, outer, side, front, and rear. Those terms are merely for convenience to facilitate the description based on the embodiments shown in the figures, and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Thus, it should be recognized that the disclosure can be described in other ways without those geometric, relational, directional or positioning terms. In addition, the geometric or relational terms may not be exact. For instance, walls or surfaces may not be exactly flat, perpendicular or parallel to one another but still be considered to be substantially perpendicular or parallel because of, for example, roughness of surfaces, tolerances allowed in manufacturing, etc. And, other suitable geometries and relationships can be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The foregoing description and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure, which may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not intended to be limited by the embodiment herein described. Numerous applications of the disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure.