A VENTILATION SYSTEM FOR A HOSPITAL ROOM OF A HEALTH FACILITY

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a ventilation system (1) for an inpatient room (2) of a healthcare facility. The system (1) comprises a suction unit (5) comprising a casing (51) and an operating machine (52) housed in said casing (51) to suck air from a chamber (2A) of the inpatient room (2); said casing (51) defines a first supply section (511) to which a first supply duct (71) for supplying sucked air is connected. The system further comprises a suction duct (60) that makes the environment inside said chamber (2A) communicating with a suction section (521) of said operating machine (52), wherein said suction duct (60) comprises at least one inlet section (61) through which sucked air can enter said suction duct (60) further to the activation of said operating machine (52). The system according to the invention is characterized in that said casing (51) defines a second supply section (512) to which a second supply duct (72) is connected, wherein the first supply duct (71) comprises at least one first diffusion section (711) to diffuse a first fraction of the sucked air flow rate into an adjacent room (200) outside said chamber (2A). Said second supply duct (72) comprises a second diffusion section (721) to diffuse a second fraction of said sucked air flow rate into said chamber (2A). The system (1) is provided with first valve means (91) and second valve means (92) to adjust the value of the first fraction and the second fraction of said air flow rate sucked through said operating machine (52).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention falls within the field of manufacture of ventilation systems for inpatient rooms of healthcare facilities (hospitals, nursing homes and/or the like). In particular, the present invention relates to a ventilation system allowing the chamber of the inpatient room to be depressurized, in order to isolate the same from the external environment and confine any pathogen therein. The ventilation system according to the invention also allows air to be filtered and recirculated in the inpatient chamber.

PRIOR ART

[0002] Within healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, the need to keep patients affected by infectious disease isolated is known. The recent Sars-Cov-2 pandemic has amplified the need to contain the transmission of infections as much as possible, in order to minimize the number of infected people among healthcare staff.

[0003] The measure typically adopted to contain a pathogen in a chamber of an inpatient room, and in general to keep sick people quarantined, involves depressurizing the chamber itself, i.e., keeping it at "negative" pressure. By this term is meant a pressure lower than the pressure of the environment outside the chamber, i.e., lower than the pressure of the rooms and/or environments adjacent to the inpatient room.

[0004] For this purpose, an air suction system is typically provided for the inpatient room to keep the chamber depressurized. At the same time, a service room having two doors is created between the inpatient chamber and the environment outside the inpatient chamber. Through a first door, the healthcare staff enter the service room from the external environment, keeping a second door separating the service room from the inpatient chamber closed. After closing the first door, the passing staff can access the inpatient chamber through the second door. The pressure in the transfer room is in any case positive, so that opening the second door causes a sudden air movement towards the inpatient chamber (at negative pressure), which helps to keep pathogens in the chamber itself.

[0005] Clearly, the construction of a service room is not very advantageous in terms of required space and therefore cannot be used to isolate inpatient chambers of existing rooms. In fact, adding a service room would reduce the available space in the corridors, i.e., the useful space for the staff to move around, and would generally make their activities more difficult.

[0006] It is also known that in inpatient chambers, as in most public buildings, a periodic air renewal is required, typically achieved through a ventilation system of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) type. This system involves an operating machine, typically installed on the roof of the building, and a network of pipelines designed to make it communicating with the building's rooms (chambers of the inpatient rooms and corridors) to suck foul air (also called return air) and simultaneously bring in renewal air taken from the outside environment. The return air is expelled into the outside environment. In many cases, the return air sucked from the corridors is recirculated together with renewal air in order to balance the temperature and in any case improve the energy efficiency of the operating machine.

[0007] It has been observed that the adoption of such a ventilation system, beside not depressurizing the inpatient chamber, can be hazardous as to the isolation/containment of pathogens circulating with the return air in usually long, branched, suction pipelines. Because of such length, and of the distance from the operating machine, air masses are sucked at a rate that may not be sufficient to safely transport pathogens. This is therefore a risk factor in terms of circulation and/or spreading of infectious agents.

SUMMARY

[0008] The main task of the present invention is to provide a ventilation system which allow the above-mentioned drawbacks to be overcome or at least mitigated. Within this task, a first object of the present invention is to provide a ventilation system for an inpatient room of a healthcare facility that allows a negative pressure to be established within the chamber of the inpatient room, in order to contain pathogens within said chamber. Another object is to provide a ventilation system that allows continuous and effective air recirculation within the chamber of the inpatient room. Another object of the present invention is to provide a ventilation system that allows, along with the above-mentioned air recirculation, a high air filtration. A further object of the present invention is to provide a ventilation system that can be easily installed without taking away useful space for the movement of healthcare staff. Not least object is to provide a ventilation system that is reliable and can be easily manufactured at competitive costs.

[0009] These and other objects which will become more apparent in the remainder of the present description are achieved by a ventilation system for an inpatient room, wherein such a system comprises the features set forth in the attached independent claim 1. Preferred features of the ventilation system form the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] In particular, the ventilation system according to the invention comprises:

• a suction unit comprising a casing and an operating machine housed in said casing, wherein said operating machine comprises a suction section to suck air from the environment inside a chamber of the inpatient room, wherein said casing comprises a first supply section to which a first supply duct is connected to supply air sucked through the operating machine;
• a suction duct that makes the environment inside said chamber communicating with said suction section of said operating machine, wherein the suction duct comprises at least one inlet section through which an air flow rate sucked from said chamber enters said suction duct further to the activation of the operating machine

[0011] The ventilation system according to the invention is characterized in that the casing comprises a second supply section to which a second supply duct is connected to supply air sucked through the operating machine is connected. According to the invention, the first supply duct comprises at least one first diffusion section to diffuse a first fraction of said sucked air flow rate into an adjacent room outside the chamber of the inpatient room, whereas the second supply duct comprises at least one second diffusion section to diffuse a second fraction of said sucked air flow rate into the chamber of the impatient room. The system further comprises first valve means and second valve means to adjust the value of the first fraction and of the second fraction of said sucked air flow rate.

[0012] Preferably, the first valve means and the second valve means are configured to adjust the air flow section in the corresponding supply duct, wherein at least the first valve means and/or the second valve means adjust the corresponding flow section between zero and a first predetermined value.

[0013] Preferably, said system comprises at least one first filter and at least one second filter respectively for filtering the first fraction and the second fraction of said sucked air flow rate, wherein said first filter is preferably located at the first diffusion section and/or said second filter is preferably located at the second diffusion section.

[0014] Preferably, the first filter and/or the second filter belong to filtration class H14 as defined by ISO16890.

[0015] According to a possible embodiment, the ventilation system further comprises filtration means at the at least one inlet section of said suction duct.

[0016] According to a possible embodiment, the ventilation system comprises a control unit that controls the first valve means and the second valve means to adjust the value of the sucked air flow rate, and of the first fraction and the second fraction of the sucked air flow rate.

[0017] Preferably, according to a first operating mode, said control unit controls said suction unit and said valve means so that said first fraction and said second fraction of the sucked air flow rate take on predetermined values other than zero. According to a second operating mode, said control unit controls said suction unit and said valve means so that the value of the second fraction of said sucked air flow rate is zero. Moreover, according to a third operating mode, said control unit controls said suction unit and said valve means so that the value of said first fraction of said sucked air flow rate is zero.

[0018] Preferably, the system comprises at least one sensor means to detect an open/closed condition of a main door of the inpatient room, wherein the sensor means is electrically connected to said control unit. When the sensor means provides a signal indicating a closed condition of the main door, said control unit controls the suction unit and the valve means according to said first operating mode. When instead the sensor means provides a second signal indicating an open condition of the main door, the control unit controls the suction unit and the valve means according to said second operating mode.

[0019] Preferably, the system comprises an interface module communicating with the control unit to allow an operator to activate/deactivate the control unit and/or to select one of said operating modes and/or to set the values of said first flow rate and/or said second flow rate of said sucked air flow rate.

[0020] The present invention also relates to an inpatient room for the hospitalization of at least one patient, wherein said inpatient room comprises a chamber and a service room communicating with the chamber through an inner door, wherein the chamber comprises a main door that makes it communicating with an external, adjacent room. The inpatient room is characterized by comprising a ventilation system as described above and according to claims 1 to 9.

[0021] According to a possible embodiment, the suction unit is housed in a compartment within or adjacent to said service room and/or the suction duct is installed on the inner side of a wall of the inpatient room so that said at least one inlet section of the suction duct is located in a position close to a bed.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a healthcare facility comprising an inpatient room as described above (and according to claims 10 to 12) and a further room adjacent to said inpatient room, wherein the first supply duct and the second supply duct of said system are installed on a ceiling or wall respectively of said further adjacent room and/or of said inpatient room, so that the first diffusion section and the second diffusion section are located mutually close to and mutually opposite to the main door of the chamber of the inpatient room.

LIST OF THE FIGURES

[0023] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred, although not exclusive, embodiments of the ventilation system, hereinafter illustrated for indicating and non-limiting purposes, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a view of a first embodiment of a ventilation system according to the invention applied to an inpatient room of a healthcare facility;
• Figure 2 is a vertical section view of the inpatient room in Figure 1.

[0024] The same reference numerals and letters in the figures identify the same elements or components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] With reference to the figures, the present invention thus relates to a system 1 for controlled ventilation of an inpatient room 2 of a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, a first aid center, a clinic, a nursing home, or any other facility for treatment and/or rehabilitation of persons who are ill and/or require treatments.

[0026] Within the framework of the present invention, by the expression "inpatient room 2" it is meant the whole comprising an inpatient chamber 2A (or simply chamber 2A) and a service room 2B adjacent to the chamber 2A. The chamber 2A comprises one or more inpatient stations, thereby meaning the whole comprising the bed, bedside table, closet, table, chair, call system and whatever else is necessary for the reception and stay of the patient.

[0027] In Figure 1 an inpatient room 2 is shown, whose chamber 2A comprises two inpatient stations, in particular two beds L1, L2 for as many patients. However, the chamber 2A could comprise only one bed or more than two beds. Access to the chamber 2A is provided through a main door P1, which in a closed condition isolates the chamber 2A from an outer room 200, also part of the same healthcare facility. The outer room 200 can be a waiting room, a corridor, or another space. According to the regulations, the chamber 2A must be communicating, through an inner door P2, with a service room 2B (hereafter also referred to as "bathroom 2B") in which toilet facilities are installed. The chamber 2A is further provided with an opening (e.g., a grating through the inner door P2) that makes it communicating with service room 2B, so that the air pressure is the same in the two environments (2A, 2B).

[0028] The system 1 according to the invention comprises a suction unit 5 to suck air from the chamber 2A. The suction unit 5 comprises a casing 51 in which at least one, preferably exactly one, operating machine 52 is housed. Even more preferably, such an operating machine 52 is an electrically actuated centrifugal aspirator.

[0029] In any case, the operating machine 52 is used to suck an air flow rate from the chamber 2A. Hereinafter, the air flow rate sucked by the operating machine 52 is also referred to as "return air flow rate".

[0030] As clearly apparent from Figure 2, according to a preferred installation, the casing 51 is arranged in a compartment 400 defined below the ceiling 401 of the bathroom 2B, for example by providing a false ceiling 402. This solution does not take away useful space for the movement of healthcare staff and/or the patient in the bathroom 2B and/or the chamber 2A.

[0031] The system 1 comprises at least one suction duct 60 that makes a suction section 521 of the operating machine 52 communicating with the chamber 2A. Preferably, a silencer 99 is located at the suction section 521 so as to reduce the noise possibly caused by the functioning of the operating machine 52.

[0032] The suction duct 60 comprises one or more inlet sections 61 through which the return air enters the duct further to the activation of the operating machine 52. According to a preferred embodiment, a first filtration element 61A, for example in the form of a grid, is provided at each inlet section 61. Preferably, the filtration element belongs to a filtration class selected from a group consisting of filtration classes G3, G4, M5, M6, F7, F8, and F9, wherein such classes are defined by EN779-ISO16890.

[0033] As apparent from Figure 1, the suction duct 60 can be advantageously installed directly on walls of the chamber 2A, thus without the need for extensive interventions on the chamber itself, i.e., without the need to demolish walls or build new ones. Preferably, the suction duct 60 is configured and installed so that each inlet section 61 is located above one of the beds L1, L2 arranged in the chamber 2A. In practice, suction of return air is preferably carried out at a position close to the patients, i.e., where pathogens and generally the greatest number of particles to be filtered are concentrated.

[0034] According to a possible embodiment, in the case where the inlet duct 60 is provided with multiple inlet sections 61, a modulating gate 63 configured to adjust the inlet air flow rate (i.e., the sucked air flow rate) is provided for each of said inlet sections. In particular, the use of modulating gates 63 allows the air flow rates through different inlet sections to be equalized, making them equal to each other regardless of the length and geometry of the inlet duct, i.e., regardless of the geometry of the chamber 2A.

[0035] The casing 51 of the suction unit 5 comprises a first supply section 511 connected to a first supply duct 71 and a second supply section 512 connected to a second supply duct 72. The first supply duct 71 comprises a first diffusion section 711 to diffuse a first fraction of said sucked air flow rate, whereas the second comprises a second diffusion section 721 to diffuse a second fraction of said sucked air.

[0036] More specifically, through the first diffusion section 711, the first fraction of said return air flow rate can be diffused outside the chamber 2A (i.e., into the outer room 200 separated from the chamber 2A by the main door P1), in order to maintain the chamber 2A at a negative pressure condition. On the other hand, through the second diffusion section 721, the second fraction of said return air flow rate can be diffused into the chamber 2A, in order to provide an advantageous air recirculation in the chamber itself.

[0037] Hereinafter, air diffused through the first diffusion section 711 will also be indicated by the expression "expulsion air" and, accordingly, the first fraction of said return air flow rate will also be indicated by the expression "expulsion air flow rate." Instead, air diffused into chamber 2A through the second diffusion section 721 will also be indicated by the expression "recirculation air", and, accordingly, the second fraction of said return air flow rate will also be indicated by the expression "recirculation air flow rate".

[0038] The system 1 according to the invention comprises first valve means 91 and second valve means 92 respectively for modulating (i.e., for adjusting) the value of the expulsion air flow rate and of the recirculation air flow rate (i.e., for varying the value of the two fractions of the air flow rate sucked by the operating machine 52). For this purpose, the first valve means 91 and the second valve means 92 are preferably installed at the beginning of the corresponding supply duct 71, 72, i.e., at the corresponding supply section 511, 512 of the casing 51 of the suction unit 5.

[0039] Thus, the valve means 91, 92 allow the value of the expulsion air flow rate to be modulated (i.e., adjusted) with respect to the recirculation air flow rate. Therefore, through the valve means 91, 92, the expulsion air flow rate can increase, decrease, or be the same as the recirculation air flow rate, wherein, however, the sum of such flow rates (expulsion and recirculation) always corresponds to the air flow rate sucked into the casing 51 by means of the operating machine 52. In others words, the return air flow rate sucked by the operating machine 52 is split at the supply (due to the two supply sections 511, 521 of the casing 51) into the expulsion air flow rate and/or the recirculation air flow rate, wherein the value of such flow rates (expulsion and recirculation) is set through the corresponding valve means 91, 92.

[0040] The first valve means 91 and the second valve means 92 allow the value of the corresponding air flow rate (expulsion or recirculation) to be varied within a range of predetermined values. For this purpose, the valve means 91, 92 are configured so as to vary the (expulsion or recirculation) air flow section in the corresponding supply duct 71, 72.

[0041] Preferably, the second valve means 92 are configured to vary the flow section between zero (corresponding to a fully closed condition of the second supply duct 72) and a first predetermined value. In other words, the second valve means 92 allow an operating condition to be achieved in which the recirculation flow rate is zero.

[0042] Preferably, the first valve means 91 are configured correspondingly to the second valve means 92. Therefore, the first valve means 91 are configured to vary the flow section in the first supply duct 71 between a maximum value and zero. In other words, in a possible operating configuration, the first valve means close the first supply duct 71.

[0043] The system 1 can advantageously operate according different operating modes.

[0044] According to a first possible operating mode, the return air flow rate sucked through the operating machine 52 is divided into the expulsion air flow rate and the recirculation air flow rate, which therefore have non-zero values. In this operating mode, by expelling the first fraction of the sucked air flow rate into the outer room 200 outside chamber 2A, the system 1 brings about the negative pressure condition inside the chamber itself. At the same time, the diffusion of the second fraction of the sucked air flow rate (i.e., the recirculation airflow rate), through the second supply duct 72, allows air renewal in chamber 2A and thus better conditions for the patient.

[0045] According to a second operating mode, the entire return air flow rate sucked by the operating machine 52 is totally expelled through the first supply duct 71. Essentially, in this second operating mode the recirculation air flow rate is zero (second supply duct 72 closed), and the value of the expulsion air flow rate corresponds to the value of the air flow rate sucked by the operating machine 52 and coming from the chamber 2A. This second operating mode ensures that negative pressure is maintained in the chamber 2A even in the event that the main door P1 is open and thus in the most hazardous condition as to pathogen containment.

[0046] According to a third operating mode, the return air flow rate sucked by the operating machine 52 is fully diffused (fed back) into the chamber 2A, without any expulsion to the outside. Essentially, the expulsion air flow rate is zero (first supply air duct 71 closed), and the value of the recirculation air flow rate corresponds to the value of the air flow rate sucked from the chamber 2A through the operating machine 52.

[0047] The first and second operating modes are carried out when the chamber 2A hosts infectious patients and therefore there is a need to contain pathogens/infectious agents therein. The third operating mode, on the other hand, is carried out when this need ceases and the negative pressure condition in chamber 2A is no longer required.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system 1 comprises at least one first filtration element 81 (or first filter 81) located along the first supply duct 71 to intercept and filter the expulsion air passing therethrough, intended for the outer room 200. Preferably, the first filter 81 is located at the first diffusion section 711.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, system 1 also comprises a second filtration element 82 (or second filter 82) located along the second supply duct 72 to intercept and filter the recirculation air flow intended to be returned to chamber 2A. Preferably, the second filter 82 is located at the second diffusion section 721.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the two filters 81, 82 provided in the supply ducts 71, 72 belong to the filtration class H14 as defined by ISO16890. This solution ensures very high filtration of both expulsion air and recirculation air. In particular, the filtration of the recirculation air further improves the air condition inside chamber 2A and thus the comfort of the patient(s). At the same time, using H14 filters, which have the highest filtration capacity, advantageously improves the air quality in the room 200, adjacent to room 2A, where the air is expelled.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, the valve means 91, 92 comprise one or more movable elements that, further to their displacement, vary the (expulsion or recirculation) air flow section in the corresponding supply duct 71, 72. The valve means 91, 92 further comprise at least one, preferably electrically operated, actuator element 91A, 92A, which causes the controlled displacement of said movable element(s).

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the system 1 comprises a control unit (ECU) that controls the valve halves 91, 92. More precisely, the control unit ECU is electrically connected to a first actuator 91A of the first valve means 91 and to a second actuator 92A of the second valve means 92. Preferably, the same control unit ECU is also electrically connected to the operating machine 52 to activate or deactivate the same.

[0053] Still according to a preferred embodiment, the system 1 comprises a sensor means S1 configured to detect the open or closed condition of the main door P1 of the chamber 2A. The sensor means S1 (e.g., a position sensor) is electrically connected to the control unit ECU. The latter controls the valve means 91, 92 (in particular, the actuators 91A, 92A) based on the condition of the main door P1 detected by the sensor means S1.

[0054] When the sensor S1 provides a signal indicating a closed condition of the main door P1, the control unit ECU controls the operating machine 52 and the valve means 91, 92 so that the ventilation system 1 as a whole operates according to the first operating mode (or normal operating mode) described above, i.e., in such a way that a predetermined air flow rate is sucked from the chamber 2A and is split, at the supply side, into an expulsion air flow rate and a recirculation air flow rate according to predetermined ratios (e.g., 60% expulsion air and 40% recirculation air). Therefore, in the normal operating mode, the system 1 maintains the chamber 2A at negative pressure (by means of the air diffused through the first supply duct 71) and, at the same time, carries out air recirculation in the chamber 2A (by means of the air diffused through the second supply duct 72).

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, when the sensor S 1 provides a first signal indicating an open condition of the main door P1, the control unit ECU intervenes so that the ventilation system 1 as a whole operates according to the second operating mode (or safety operating mode) described above. More specifically, the control unit ECU intervenes so as to fully close the second duct 72 and to maximize the flow section for the expulsion air in the first duct 71. As already mentioned above, in the "safety" operating mode, the whole of the return air sucked through the suction unit 5 (in particular through the operating machine 52) is diffused into the outer room 200 outside the chamber 2A, through the first diffusion section 711. This operating mode allows the negative pressure condition to be maintained even while the door P1 is open. In this way, pathogens are confined in chamber 2A.

[0056] Preferably, when the sensor means S1 detects the open condition of the main door P1, simultaneously with the intervention on the valve means 91, 92 mentioned above the ECU controls the operating machine 52 to increase the rotation speed thereof and thus to increase the flow rate of the air sucked from chamber 2A. In this way, by increasing the sucked air flow rate, the value of the negative pressure inside chamber 2A is increased (up to even -14 Pa).

[0057] When sensor S 1 provides a second signal, subsequent to said first signal, indicating a closed condition of the door P1, the control unit ECU controls the first valve means 91 and the second valve means 92 so as to restore the normal operating mode. Therefore, further to closing the main door P1, the control unit ECU restores the air recirculation function for chamber 2A. As mentioned above, this function is interrupted whenever the main door P1 is opened.

[0058] According to a possible embodiment, the ventilation system 1 comprises a user interface module 300 communicating with said control unit ECU to allow an operator (or healthcare staff member) to activate/deactivate the system and, more generally, to control it. In practice, the module 300 allows the operator to activate, deactivate and set the operating conditions of the control unit ECU and thus of the suction unit 5 and/or the valve means 91, 92 in charge of varying the flow rate in the respective supply ducts 71, 72. For this purpose, the module 300 can be electrically connected to the control unit or, alternatively, can be communicating therewith through WiFi^™, Bluetooth^™, Zigbee^™ communication protocols, LAN (Local Area Network) protocols, or the like.

[0059] By means of module 300 the operator can set the operating parameters related to the normal operating mode, in particular the rotation speed of the operating machine 52, the expulsion air flow rate, and the recirculation air flow rate, wherein such flow rates can be defined as complementary fractions of the return air flow rate sucked from chamber 2A through the operating machine 52. Module 300 also allows the operator to vary the operating parameters of the safety operating mode, in particular the rotation speed of the operating machine 52. Module 300 also allows the operator to set the operating parameters of the third operating mode described above (air recirculation only) (rotation speed of the operating machine 52).

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, the system 1 also comprises a signaling device 450, communicating with the control unit ECU, to signal the negative pressure or positive pressure operating condition of system 1. The signaling device 450 can be installed outside the patient room 2A, above, or to a side of, the main door P1, or at another easily visible location.

[0061] In a possible embodiment thereof, the signaling device 450 may comprise a plurality of pilot lamps, each for signaling a corresponding operation condition.

[0062] The lighting of a red pilot lamp, for example, may indicate that the system 1 is operating according to the first or second operating mode (i.e., to keep a negative pressure within the chamber 2A).

[0063] The lighting of a green pilot lamp may instead indicate that the ventilation system 1 carries out only air recirculation in chamber 2A, i.e., it is operating as a conventional ventilation system (positive pressure in chamber 2A). The lighting of a further pilot lamp may instead indicate an anomalous condition in the operation of system 1 (e.g., malfunctioning of the valve means 91, 92 or the operating machine 52).

[0064] In a possible embodiment, system 1 may also comprise a monitoring camera 500 located inside the room 2A for monitoring the behavior of the healthcare staff as to the closing and opening of the main door P1. It has been observed that the use of a camera leads the healthcare staff to pay more attention, thus reducing the opening frequency and duration of the main door P1.

[0065] The operation of system 1 schematically shown in the figures is hereinafter described. The system 1 is activated by a healthcare staff member by means of the interface module 300. In particular, the operator selects the operating condition required of the system 1. If there is a need to contain pathogens within the chamber 2A (i.e., if an infectious patient is present), the negative pressure operating condition is be selected, which involves implementing the first operating mode and the second operating mode described above.

[0066] In this case, when activated, the control unit ECU controls the suction unit 5 and the valve means 91, 92 based on the signal provided by the sensor means S 1, i.e., according to the condition (open or closed) of the main door P1.

[0067] If the main door P1 is closed, the ECU activates system 1 according to the normal operating mode mentioned above, i.e., so as to expel a first expulsion air flow rate outside the chamber 2A and to simultaneously recirculate a second recirculation air flow rate into the same chamber 2A. When the sensor means S1 detects an open condition of the main door P1, according to the safety operating mode the ECU controls the suction unit 5 so as to increase the air flow rate sucked from chamber 2A and simultaneously acts on the valve means 91, 92 so as to wholly expel the sucked air flow rate for maintaining the negative pressure condition in the chamber 2A. Further to a closing of the main door P1, the ECU brings the system 1 back to the normal operating condition, so as to restore both allowed functions (depressurization and air recirculation).

[0068] If there is no need to contain pathogens within the chamber 2A, by means of the interface device 300, the operator can select the positive pressure operating condition, i.e., the operating condition in which the third operating mode is carried out. In this case, the ECU acts on the valve means 91, 92 to close the first duct 71 (thus setting the value of the expulsion air flow rate to zero) so that the return air flow rate sucked through the operating machine 52 is wholly recirculated into the chamber 2A.

[0069] The ventilation system according to the present invention allows the task and objects set above to be fully accomplished. In particular, the system is extremely simple and effective, on the one hand, in containing the risks for healthcare staff and the public in the healthcare facility, and, on the other hand, in improving the environmental conditions for the hospitalized patient, through air recirculation and filtration. The ventilation system 1 is also very flexible and adaptable due to the valve means 91, 92 that allow modulating the supply (expulsion and recirculation) flow rates based on the different operating conditions. The ventilation system 1 can also be used to merely recirculate air in the chamber 2A when there is no need to isolate patients hospitalized therein.

Claims

1. Ventilation system (1) for an inpatient room (2) of a healthcare facility, wherein said system (1) comprises:

- a suction unit (5) comprising a casing (51) and an operating machine (52) housed in said casing (51), wherein said operating machine (52) comprises a suction section (521) to suck air from a chamber (2A) of said inpatient room (2), wherein said casing (51) comprises a first supply section (511) to which a first supply duct (71) is connected;

- a suction duct (60) that makes the environment inside said chamber (2A) communicating with said suction section (521) of said operating machine (52), wherein said suction duct (60) comprises at least one inlet section (61) through which an air flow rate sucked from said chamber (2A) enters said suction duct (60) further to the activation of said operating machine (52),

characterized in that said casing (51) comprises a second supply section (512) to which a second supply duct (72) is connected, wherein said first supply duct (71) comprises at least one first diffusion section (711) to diffuse a first fraction of said sucked air flow rate into an adjacent room (200) outside said chamber (2A), said second supply duct (72) comprising at least one second diffusion section (721) to diffuse a second fraction of said sucked air flow rate into said chamber (2A), wherein said system (1) further comprises first valve means (91) and second valve means (92) to adjust the value of said first fraction and of said second fraction of said sucked air flow rate, respectively.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first valve means (91) and said second valve means (92) are configured to adjust the air flow section in the corresponding supply duct (71, 72), wherein said first valve means (91) and/or said second valve means (92) vary said flow section between zero and a first predetermined value.

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said system (1) comprises at least one first filter (81) and at least one second filter (82) respectively for filtering said first fraction and said second fraction of said sucked air flow rate, wherein said first filter (81) is preferably located at said first diffusion section (711) and/or said second filter (82) is preferably located at said second diffusion section (721).

4. System (1) according to claim 3, wherein said first filter (81) and/or said second filter (82) belong to filtration class H14 as defined by ISO16890.

5. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said system (1) comprises filtration means (61A) at said at least one inlet section (61) of said suction duct (60).

6. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said system (1) comprises a control unit (ECU) that controls said suction unit (5), said first valve means (91), and said second valve means (92) so as to adjust the value of said sucked air flow rate, said first fraction of said sucked air flow rate, and said second fraction of said sucked air flow rate, respectively.

7. System (1) according to claim 6, wherein:

- according to a first operating mode, said control unit controls said suction unit (5) and said valve means (91, 92) so that said first fraction and said second fraction of said sucked air flow rate take on predetermined values other than zero; and wherein

- according to a second operating mode, said control unit controls said suction unit (5) and said valve means (91, 92) so that the value of said second fraction of said sucked air flow rate is zero; and wherein

- according to a third operating mode, said control unit controls said suction unit (5) and said valve means (91, 92) so that the value of said first fraction of said sucked air flow rate is zero.

8. System (1) according to claim 7, wherein said system (1) comprises at least one sensor means (S1) to detect an open/closed condition of a main door (P1) of the inpatient room (2), said sensor means (S1) being electrically connected to said control unit (ECU), wherein:

- when said sensor means (S 1) provides a signal indicating a closed condition of said main door (P1), said control unit (ECU) controls said suction unit (5) and said valve means (91, 92) according to said first operating mode; and wherein

- when said sensor means (S1) provides a signal indicating an open condition of said main door (P1), said control unit (ECU) controls said suction unit (5) and said valve means (91, 92) according to said second operating mode.

9. System (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said system (1) comprises an interface module (300) communicating with said control unit (ECU) to allow an operator to activate/deactivate said control unit (ECU) and/or to select one of said operating modes and/or to set said predetermined values of said first fraction and said second fraction of said sucked air flow rate.

10. Inpatient room (2) for the hospitalization of at least one patient, wherein said inpatient room (2) comprises a chamber (2A) and a service room (2B) communicating with said chamber (2A) through an inner door (P2), wherein said chamber (2A) comprises a main door (P1) that makes it communicating with an external, adjacent room (200), characterized by comprising a ventilation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Inpatient room (2) according to claim 10, wherein said suction unit (5) is housed in a compartment within or adjacent to said service room (2B).

12. Inpatient room (2) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said suction duct (60) is installed on the inner side of a wall of said inpatient room (2) so that said at least one inlet section (61) is located in a position above a bed (L1, L2).

13. Healthcare facility comprising an inpatient room (2) according to any one of claims 10 to 12 and a further room (200) adjacent to said inpatient room (2), wherein said first duct (71) and said second duct (72) of said system (1) are respectively installed on a ceiling or wall respectively of said further room (200) and said inpatient room (2), so that said first diffusion section (711) and said second diffusion section (721) are located close to and on opposite sides relative to said main door (P1) of said chamber (2A) of said inpatient room (2).

Drawing