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(11) | EP 3 885 658 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | OPERATING THEATRE CEILING DIFFUSER |
| (57) A diffuser (1) for mounting on the ceiling (2) comprising a structure (3) which defines
at least one first return duct (5A), for air (AI) taken from a controlled environment,
and a treatment compartment (7) communicating, through at least one absolute filter
(8), with the controlled environment, the said structure (3) comprising at least a
first blower (6A) which draws air from the first return duct (5A) and conveys it,
through the treatment compartment (7) and the absolute filter (8), into the controlled
environment; the structure (3) comprises a frame (10) and a counterframe (11), the
frame (10) being supported by actuators (12) configured to move the frame (10) from
a first position, in which the frame (10) is away from the counterframe (11) for a
procedure to replace the at least one absolute filter (8), to a second position, in
which the frame (10) is near the counterframe (11), the frame (10) comprising at least
one seat (S) housing the said at least one absolute filter (8).
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] An operating theatre, or other rooms in which particular air treatment must be ensured, features constructions applied to the ceiling which are designed to appropriately filter and circulate the air within the internal environment and, possibly, supplement it with 'fresh' air taken from an external environment.
[0003] At the moment, the commonly known types of diffusers are made in an essentially 'artisanal' manner.
[0004] Therefore, ordinary maintenance - which involves, for example, regular replacement of the filters - is laborious.
[0005] Furthermore, the commonly known constructions are not modular and are designed and built according to different ventilation and circulation needs. Each diffuser is therefore essentially custom designed and built for a particular need.
[0006] Furthermore, but not finally, the operating theatre environment can be subject to extreme conditions, within which parts of the diffuser may be soiled by spurts of biological material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a diffuser which is improved compared with the prior art.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a diffuser which will make ordinary maintenance, i.e. filter replacement, simpler, faster, and more effective than with commonly known diffusers.
[0010] This and other objects are achieved by means of a diffuser produced according to the claims appended hereto.
[0011] Advantageously, the diffuser according to the invention is modular and easily adaptable to various installation requirements.
[0012] A further advantage of the invention is that it makes cleaning operations simpler and faster.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0013] Further features and advantages of the innovation will become clearer in the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device, illustrated - by way of a non-limiting example - in the drawings annexed hereto, in which:
Figure 1 is a simplified top-down plan view of a diffuser according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a partial plan view of a variant of the diffuser in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a simplified section view along the line III-III in Figure 1, taken of the diffuser in an operational configuration;
Figure 4 is the section view in Figure 3, taken of the diffuser in a maintenance configuration;
Figure 4A is an enlarged view of the part circled in Figure 4;
Figure 5 is a simplified section view along the line V-V in Figure 1, taken of the diffuser in an operational configuration;
Figure 5A is an enlarged view of the part circled in Figure 5; and
Figure 6 is the section view in Figure 5, in a maintenance configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] With reference to the figures stated, reference number 1 is used to denote, as a whole, an operating room or sterile room ceiling diffuser.
[0015] The operating theatre or sterile room diffuser 1 comprises a structure 3 configured to be fastened (integrated into) to a ceiling 2 (Fig. 4) in a controlled environment, such as a sterile room, an operating theatre, dental surgery rooms, ISO 7/5/4 operating theatres, clean rooms, veterinary operating theatres, intensive and sub-intensive care rooms, testing laboratories etc.
[0016] The structure 3 defines at least a first intake duct 5A for air AI taken from inside the controlled environment (taken directly, therefore, from the operating theatre, for example) and a treatment compartment 7 which communicates, through at least one absolute filter 8, with the environment controlled.
[0017] In this text, the term 'absolute filter' means an HEPA filter, for example of the type with a peripheral frame made of extruded aluminium section bars and a filter media made of high-quality and moisture-resistant pleated fibreglass paper.
[0018] The structure 3 comprises at least a first blower 6A, which draws air from the first return duct 5A and conveys it through the treatment compartment 7 and the absolute filter 8, to an outlet 9 leading into the controlled environment.
[0019] According to the invention, the structure 3 comprises a frame 10 and a counterframe 11; the frame 10 is supported by actuators 12 configured to move the frame 10 from a first position, in which the frame 10 is away from the counterframe 11 for a procedure to replace the at least one absolute filter 8, to a second position, in which the frame 10 is near the counterframe 11.
[0020] The frame 10 features at least one seat S, configured to house at least one absolute filter 8.
[0021] Advantageously when the frame 10 is close to the counterframe 11, it sandwiches at least one absolute filter 8 between the frame 10 and the counterframe 11.
[0022] The actuators 12 which support the frame 10 may be of the electromechanical kind with a gear motor coupled to a worm screw.
[0023] One example of an actuator 12 that may be used is the TiMOTION TA series with a compact linear design with advantageously low noise levels, a 600 mm stroke, and a load of approximately 3500N (push/ pull). The actuator may feature a control system that controls up to four actuators at the same time.
[0024] In order to limit or prevent air leaks, and therefore ensure effective air filtration by the absolute filters 8, sealing elements 30 may be provided between the at least one absolute filter 8 and the frame 10 and/ or the counterframe 11.
[0025] In the configuration illustrated in Figure 4A, the air-tightness elements are essentially seals applied to a non-filtering surface of the absolute filter 8.
[0026] Alternatively, or preferably, the seals 30 may be applied directly to the frame 10 and/or to the counterframe 11, so as to render the absolute filters air-tight. This way, the pressurised air present in the compartment 7 cannot flow into the controlled environment except through the filtering surface of the absolute filters.
[0027] Figure 1 shows that the frame 10 may be formed of two or more independent parts 10A, 10B, each of the two parts being supported by at least two actuators 12, preferably four.
[0028] Each part of the frame can preferably support eight absolute filters 8, arranged in two groups of four, making a total of sixteen absolute filters.
[0030] In any case, the number of absolute filters can vary in size and quantity depending on the diffuser.
[0031] Advantageously, the frame 10 comprises an independent housing for each absolute filter 8. In other words, the frame comprises as many independent seats S as there are absolute filters 8 supported by the frame. The seats S may have a perimeter shape corresponding to the perimeter shape of the said absolute filters 8.
[0032] This way, it is very easy to correctly position the absolute filters 8 during the replacement or installation thereof, with the frame 10 lowered. One simply has to place the filter which is the same as the filter in the said seat 8 in the seat S.
[0033] Advantageously, each seat S may be associated with an indicator showing the type (i.e. size) of absolute filter which can be housed. This greatly simplifies the positioning of the absolute filters 8.
[0034] According to a possible configuration, the treatment compartment 7 includes at least one inlet 4 for external air AE to the controlled environment, and/or through which the external air AE is supplied under pressure to the treatment compartment 7.
[0035] For example, the external air AE may be taken from a centralised air conditioning system in the building where the controlled environment is located.
[0036] As can be seen in Figure 1, the structure 3 may have an essentially quadrilateral form, preferably being square.
[0037] Advantageously, the structure may have any polygonal shape, but also a 'curved', circular, or elliptical shape.
[0038] In the example in Figure 1, the structure 3 can define four return ducts 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, each one being coupled to a respective blower 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D; the blowers 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D can convey the air drawn from the relative intake duct into the treatment compartment 7.
[0039] Obviously, each impeller may be coupled, at the inlet thereof, with a filter 15 and optionally with a prefilter 16.
[0040] Suitable filters may be CMV F7 and G4 types (for controlled mechanical ventilation). The air filter for CMV may be produced with a large filtering surface which his compatible with ISO 16890 controlled mechanical ventilation systems in efficiency class EN 779.
[0041] In a different configuration of the diffuser, for example the one partially shown in Figure 2, a second blower 6B may be provided which draws from the first return duct 5A and conveys the air AI to the treatment compartment 7.
[0042] This configuration demonstrates the effective flexibility of the system, which is essentially modular and can be adapted to different needs.
[0044] Obviously, while maintaining the configuration of the structure shown in Figure 1, some dividers must be featured, which can be positioned so as to cut off the unused return ducts.
[0045] One preferred configuration of the invention features the frame 10 supporting at least one sheet 13, on a face opposite where the at least one absolute filter 8 is positioned.
[0046] The sheet may advantageously be fastened to the frame 10 by means of a magnetic coupling, but preferably by means of a plurality of magnets (for example six per sheet 13) which support it in a stable manner.
[0047] For example, the frame 10 may be made of ferromagnetic material and the magnets may be coupled with a frame 13A (for example, made of plastic) which supports the sheets 13 around the perimeter thereof (see Figure 5A).
[0048] Alternatively, the frame 13A for the sheets 13 may feature ferromagnetic parts and the magnets 14B may be coupled with the frame 10.
[0049] During use, the sheets 13 protect at least the filtering part of the absolute filters 8 against spurts of biological material which could soil them.
[0050] Washing or replacing the sheets 13 is particularly quick, due to both the magnetic fastening system and the fact that by lowering the frame 10 they are immediately and easily accessible, without even needing a ladder.
[0051] Advantageously, the frame 10 can support at least one lighting device 14, preferably arranged on the perimeter of the said frame 10.
[0052] The lighting device 14 may be a LED type and, also in this case, maintenance thereof is very quick and is performed, again, by lowering the frame 10 as shown in the left-hand side of Figure 4.
[0053] Figure 4 shows a possible external configuration of the return duct(s) 5A, which can communicate with the controlled environment through at least one return grid 18.
[0054] The intake grid can preferably be tilted by an angle α of between 15° and 45° degrees, preferably 30°, with respect to a horizontal plane A. This is intended to optimise the fluid dynamics of the intake air flow AI, while also reducing the noise level thereof.
[0055] As can be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 3, the structure may comprise a tube 40 which runs from the structure 3 downwards (Figure 3).
[0056] The tube 40 may be used for anchoring, for example, a surgical lamp. The housing is contained inside the diffuser's mixing chamber and is anchored independently to the floor; it is not, therefore, in communication with the "clean" part 7, as it is separated with a special casing.
[0057] The presence of the casing housing the tube 40 and the arrangement of filters all around it offers the advantage of a greater filtering surface.
1. Operating theatre or sterile room ceiling diffuser (1) comprising a structure (3)
which defines at least a first intake duct (5A) of air (AI) taken from a controlled
environment and a treatment compartment (7) communicating through at least one absolute
filter (8) with the controlled environment, the structure (3) comprising at least
a first blower (6A) which draws air from the first intake duct (5A) and carries it
through the treatment compartment (7) and the absolute filter (8) in the controlled
environment, characterized in that the structure (3) comprises a frame (10) and a counterframe (11), the frame (10)
being supported by actuators (12) configured to move the frame (10) from a first position
in which the frame (10) is distant from the counterframe (11) for a replacement of
the at least one absolute filter (8) and a second position in which the frame (10)
is close to the counterframe (11), the frame (10) comprising at least one seat (S)
to house said at least one absolute filter (8).
2. Operating theatre or sterile room ceiling diffuser (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the at least one absolute filter (8) is sandwiched between the frame (10) and the
counterframe (11) when the frame (10) is close to the counterframe (11).
3. Operating theatre or sterile room ceiling diffuser (1) according to claim 1, wherein
sealing elements are provided between the at least one absolute filter (8) and the
frame (10) and/or the counterframe (11).
4. Operating theatre ceiling diffuser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the treatment
compartment (7) comprises at least one inlet (4) of external air (AE) from the controlled
environment, and/or in which the external air (AE) is supplied in pressure to the
treatment compartment (7).
5. Operating theatre or sterile room ceiling diffuser (1) according to claim 1, wherein
a second blower is provided which draws air (AI) from the first intake duct (5A) and
conveys the air (AI) to the treatment compartment.
6. Operating theatre or sterile room ceiling diffuser (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the frame (10) supports, on a face opposite to that where the at least one absolute
filter (8) is positioned, at least one sheet (13) secured to the frame (10) by at
least one magnet (14A).
7. Operating theatre or sterile room ceiling diffuser (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the frame (10) supports at least one lighting device (14), preferably arranged on
the perimeter of the frame (10).
8. Operating theatre or sterile room ceiling diffuser (1) according to claim 1, wherein
between the intake duct (5) and an inlet of the blower (6) there is a filter (15)
and optionally a pre-filter (16).
9. Operating theatre or sterile room ceiling diffuser (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the at least one intake duct (5A) communicates with the environment controlled by
at least one return grid (18), the return grid being preferably inclined by an angle
(α) comprised between 15 and 45 degrees, preferably 30 degrees with respect to a horizontal
plane (A).
10. Operating theatre or sterile room ceiling diffuser (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the structure (3) has a substantially quadrilateral shape, preferably square, and
defines four intake ducts (5A, 5B, 5C, 5D) each associated with its own blower (6A,
6B, 6C, 6D), the blowers (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D) conveying the air drawn by the intake ducts
into the treatment compartment (7), each blower being possibly associated, at the
intake, with a filter (15) and optionally to a pre-filter (16).
11. Operating theatre or sterile room ceiling diffuser (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the frame (10) is formed by at least two independent parts (10A, 10B), each of the
two parts being supported by at least two actuators (12), preferably four, each part
of the frame preferably supporting eight absolute filters arranged in two groups of
four.