Aircraft medical unit

• US 20030057323A1
• Filed: 09/25/2002
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marvin Keogh
• Original Assignee: Marvin Keogh
• Inventors: Keogh, Marvin
• Granted Patent: US 6,691,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/118.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2220/10 Aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/00 Ambulance aspects of vehicles; Vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances, e.g. for facilitating access of, or for loading, wheelchairs
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00 Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0604 including a bed, e.g. cocoon type passenger seat modules
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0092 Arrangements for mounting stretchers in aircraft cabins

Abstract

An aircraft medical unit comprises a front panel configured to fit in an aircraft cabin so as to form a divider inside the cabin and a spaced rear panel of substantially the same shape as that of the front panel. A side panel is constructed between the front and rear panels, and the front, rear and side panels defines a chamber. An access opening is formed in the front panel. A stretcher frame is provided and is movable between a folded and stowed position in the chamber and an unfolded and extended position to the outside of the chamber. The aircraft medical unit further includes at least one item of medical equipment used in the treatment of a patient.

Claims

1. An aircraft medical unit comprising:

a front panel configured to fit in an aircraft cabin so as to form a divider inside the cabin;

a rear panel of substantially the same shape as that of the front panel and spaced therefrom;

a side panel between the front and rear panels, the front, rear and side panels defining a chamber;

an access opening in the front panel; and

a stretcher frame, movable between a folded and stowed position in the chamber and an unfolded and extended position to the outside of the chamber.

2. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the front panel is configured so as to fit in the aircraft cabin between rows of seats, the front, rear and side panels following the contour of the shape of at least a portion of the aircraft cabin.

3. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one item of medical equipment used in the treatment of a patient.

4. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the equipment is a monitor.

5. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the equipment is a camera.

6. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the equipment is a refrigerator.

7. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the equipment is an incubator.

8. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the equipment is a defibrillator.

9. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the equipment is a respirator.

10. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the equipment is an oxygen supply.

11. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the equipment is an autoclave.

12. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the access opening can be opened and closed by doors.

13. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 12 wherein the doors comprise a pair of slidable shutters which run in tracks formed within the chamber of the medical unit.

15. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an access door in the rear panel for providing access to the chamber for installation and maintenance.

16. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stretcher frame comprises a head end portion, a foot end portion and a foot end support leg, wherein the head end portion and foot end portions, and the foot end support leg are pivotally connected to each other so as to fold for stowage within the chamber, the head end portion and foot end portion unfolding in the extended position to form a substantially rectangular stretcher frame, and the foot end support leg being attached to the foot end portion and unfoldable with respect thereto, the head end portion being securely fastened to a clamp within the chamber when in the extended position, and the foot end support leg being unfolded to fasten to the aircraft cabin when in the extended position.

17. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a mattress frame and an associated mattress connectable to the stretcher frame.

18. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a belt extending between the stretcher frame at its one end, and fastenable to the cabin at its other end, to provide further stability to the stretcher frame when in the unfolded and extended position.

19. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising adjustable lighting for positioning over the stretcher.

20. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a power unit.

21. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a power converter for converting aircraft power into a power source usable by the medical equipment.

22. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising communication equipment to enable personnel at the medical unit to communicate within the aircraft and with land-based sources.

23. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stretcher frame is spring-mounted within the chamber to facilitate movement thereof between the folded and the stowed position on the one hand, and the unfolded and extended position on the other.

24. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 3 further comprising at least one clamping member for attaching an item of medical equipment to the stretcher frame at a desired location.

25. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising attachment members for securing the medical unit to tracks constructed in the cabin of the aircraft.

26. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an oxygen supply connector for connecting the medical unit to the oxygen supply within an aircraft.

27. An aircraft medical unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising communication system connector for connecting to the communication system within the aircraft.

14. An aircraft medical unit further comprising a plurality of cupboards, each cupboard accommodating selected medical equipment or machinery.