Portable and collapsible chem./bio. isolators

Abstract

A portable and collapsible isolator is taught for containing radioactive, chemical or biological agents. The isolator is comprised of a collapsible frame, movable between a collapsed transport position and an open operational position, and a flexible and collapsible envelope in the form of an airtight bag attached to the frame to define a cavity. The envelope remains airtight in both the collapsed and open positions. One or more sealable openings are formed in the envelope for insertion and removal of the radioactive, chemical and biological agents into and out of the cavity. The isolator may optionally include at least one glove extending from one or more of said sealable openings into the cavity, for handling said radioactive, chemical and biological agents inside the cavity.

1 . A portable and collapsible isolator for containing radioactive, chemical or biological agents, comprising:
 a) a collapsible frame, movable between a collapsed transport position and an open operational position;   b) a flexible and collapsible envelope in the form of an airtight bag attached to the frame to define a cavity, wherein said envelope remains airtight in both collapsed and open positions;   c) one or more sealable openings formed in the envelope for insertion and removal of the radioactive, chemical or biological agents into and out of the cavity, and   d) optionally one or more gloves extending from one or more of said sealable openings into the cavity, for handling said radioactive, chemical or biological agents inside the cavity.   
   
   
       2 . The portable and collapsible isolator according to  claim 1  further comprising an inlet and an outlet air filtration system attached to and sealed to the envelope to filter air entering and leaving the isolator. 
   
   
       3 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the inlet and outlet air filtration system comprises at least one High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. 
   
   
       4 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 2  wherein the inlet air filtration system further comprises a check valve to prevent backflow. 
   
   
       5 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 2  wherein the outlet air filtration system further comprises a carbon filter to absorb chemical vapors. 
   
   
       6 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 3  wherein the HEPA filters have a minimum efficiency of 99.99% on particles of 0.3 μm size or greater. 
   
   
       7 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 2  wherein the inlet and outlet air filtration system further comprises a variable speed blower motor operated in a negative pressure mode to provide a negative pressure inside the cavity. 
   
   
       8 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 7  wherein the filtration systems are operated to create a negative pressure of at least −0.2 inches of water gauge (−0.05 kPa). 
   
   
       9 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 1  wherein the glove or gloves each have two-piece cone shape sleeves. 
   
   
       10 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 1  wherein the frame of the isolator comprises telescopic frame members that are collapsible for transportation. 
   
   
       11 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 1  wherein the envelope is made of a clear material that is resistant to attack by radioactive, chemical or biological agents. 
   
   
       12 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 1  wherein the envelope is made of an opaque material fitted with clear windows. 
   
   
       13 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 1  wherein the envelope material is weldable to itself to ensure air tightness. 
   
   
       14 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 1  wherein the envelope material is a multi-layer, clear, laminate barrier material. 
   
   
       15 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 14  wherein the envelope material is a lamination of nylon, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), and polyethylene (PE), or a lamination of polyester, nylon, EVOH and PE. 
   
   
       16 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 1  wherein the envelope is disposable. 
   
   
       17 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 1  further comprising auxiliary systems, wherein the auxiliary systems include a monitoring system comprising one or more sensors to detect and optionally warn of low or high air pressure in the chamber, or low battery. 
   
   
       18 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 1  further comprising a base structure connected to one or more surfaces of the envelope or the frame, the base structure being movable between a collapsed, transportable position and an open, operational position. 
   
   
       19 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 18  wherein the base structure forms a first lockable carrying case for the collapsible isolator. 
   
   
       20 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 19 , wherein the first lockable carrying case is preferably made of a rigid, lightweight material. 
   
   
       21 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 20  wherein a bottom surface of the carrying case is flat and outfitted with no-slip pads to ensure stability of the isolator when placed on a level surface. 
   
   
       22 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 21  further comprising foldable, telescopic legs extending from the bottom surface of the carrying case to allow the isolator to be self-standing and optionally self-leveling. 
   
   
       23 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 19  wherein the inlet and outlet air filtration systems and the auxiliary systems are contained in a second lockable carrying case. 
   
   
       24 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 18  wherein the base structure comprises a base frame of four telescopic legs that are extendable for operation or collapsible for transportation. 
   
   
       25 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 24  wherein the telescopic legs comprise hydraulic cylinders for collapsibility. 
   
   
       26 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 25  wherein the base structure is fitted with casters to allow the portable isolator to be rolled from place to place. 
   
   
       27 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 26  wherein the castors are fitted with a pivotable plate so that the isolator rests on the pivotable plate and maintains stable contact with the ground during use. 
   
   
       28 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 27  further comprising a table top, connecting the isolator to the base structure. 
   
   
       29 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 28  wherein the table top is made of stainless steel supporting a plastic plate. 
   
   
       30 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 1  wherein the frame is made of lightweight tubing material optionally fitted with removable end connections. 
   
   
       31 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 30  wherein the frame comprises two side portions that are pivotable joined to the table top so that the frame can pivot inwards and collapse onto the table top for transportation. 
   
   
       32 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 31  wherein the frame comprises transverse members detachably connecting the two side portions. 
   
   
       33 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 32  wherein the auxiliary systems and the inlet and outlet filtration systems are housed in the base structure during operation. 
   
   
       34 . The portable and collapsible isolator of  claim 33  wherein the isolator, base structure, auxiliary systems and inlet and outlet filtration systems are all covered by a protective cover, for transportation. 
   
   
       35 . A portable and collapsible isolator for containing radioactive, chemical or biological agents, comprising:
 a) a collapsible frame, movable between a collapsed transport position and an open operational position;   b) a flexible and collapsible envelope in the form of an airtight bag attached to the frame to define a cavity, wherein said envelope remains airtight in both collapsed and open positions;   c) one or more sealable openings formed in the envelope for insertion and removal of the radioactive, chemical or biological agents into and out of the cavity,   d) optionally one or more gloves extending from one or more of said sealable openings into the cavity, for handling said radioactive, chemical or biological agents inside the cavity; and   e) a base structure in the form of a first lockable carrying case connected to one or more surfaces of the envelope or the frame, said base structure being movable between a collapsed, transportable position and an open, operational position.   
   
   
       36 . A portable and collapsible isolator for containing radioactive, chemical and biological agents, comprising:
 a. a top structure comprising:
 i. a collapsible frame, movable between a collapsed transport position and an open operational position; 
 ii. a flexible and collapsible envelope in the form of an airtight bag attached to the frame to define a cavity, wherein said envelope remains airtight in both collapsed and open positions; 
 iii. one or more sealable openings formed in the envelope for insertion and removal of the radioactive, chemical or biological agents into and out of the cavity, 
 iv. optionally one or more gloves extending from one or more of said sealable openings into the cavity, for handling said radioactive, chemical or biological agents inside the cavity; 
   b. a table top, upon which the top structure rests; and   
     c. a base structure upon which the table top rests, said base structure comprising a base frame of four telescopic legs that are extendable for operation or collapsible for transportation.