Portable Infrared Heating Field Tent

Abstract

Systems for providing a transportable human heating system include a portable infrared (IR) field tent configured to provide IR heat therapy to a patient in the field. The tent includes a free-standing enclosure having a support structure providing sides and a base. The base defines an open bottom of the enclosure. A flexible surface supported by the support structure forms at least one side wall of the enclosure. At least one side wall of the enclosure includes an openable panel that provides access through the side wall into an interior of the enclosure. The tent includes an IR heating panel secured to an inner surface of the enclosure for heating a patient within the enclosure. A human heating system can optionally include a patient support apparatus, such as a stretcher. An IR field tent can be configured to attach to the apparatus, thus enclosing a patient upon the apparatus.

1 . A portable infrared (IR) heating field tent, comprising:
 a free-standing enclosure comprising
 a support structure providing sides and a base of the enclosure, the base defining an open bottom of the enclosure, and 
 a flexible surface supported by the support structure forming at least one side wall of the enclosure, the at least one side wall comprising an openable panel providing access through the side wall into an interior of the enclosure; and 
   at least one IR heating panel secured to an inner surface of the enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply system for providing electrical power to the at least one IR heating panel. 
     
     
         3 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 2 , wherein the power supply system comprises a portable battery pack system and a DC to AC converter. 
     
     
         4 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 2 , wherein the power supply system comprises an alternating current power source. 
     
     
         5 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 2 , wherein the power supply system comprises a connector configured to removably connect to an alternating current power source supplied by an external field vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 1 , wherein the at least one IR heating panel is configured to generate low levels of electromagnetic radiation and wherein the tent is configured to reduce radiation emitted from the tent and to reduce radiation emitted into the tent. 
     
     
         7 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 6 , further comprising ultraviolet lighting for reducing bacteria in the air within the tent. 
     
     
         8 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 1 , wherein the tent is configured to reduce electric field emissions from the at least one IR heating panel generating electric fields. 
     
     
         9 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 1 , further comprising at least one attachment member disposed on the free-standing enclosure for attaching the enclosure to a bottom surface. 
     
     
         10 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 9 , wherein the at least one attachment members is disposed on the support structure. 
     
     
         11 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of sides, and at least one IR heating panel secured proximate to each one of the plurality of sides. 
     
     
         12 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 1 , wherein the flexible surface comprises a non-flammable, water resistive material. 
     
     
         13 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure can be folded into a smaller package for transport without removing the IR heating panels from the interior of the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The portable IR heating field tent of claim  claim 13 , further comprising a rapid deployment mechanism for causing the tent to rapidly transition from a folded transport state to a deployed state. 
     
     
         15 . A transportable human heating system comprising:
 a free-standing enclosure comprising:
 a support structure providing sides and a base of the enclosure, the base defining an open bottom of the enclosure, and 
 a flexible surface supported by the support structure; 
   at least one infrared (IR) heating panel secured to an inner surface of the enclosure;   a patient support apparatus;   at least one attachment mechanism disposed on a lower edge of the free-standing enclosure for attaching the enclosure to the patient support apparatus; and   a power supply system for providing electrical power to the at least one IR heating panel.   
     
     
         16 . The transportable human heating system of claim  claim 15 , wherein the patient support apparatus comprises a gurney or a stretcher. 
     
     
         17 . The transportable human heating system of claim  claim 15 , wherein the power supply system comprises a field vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . A method for providing heat to a patient in the field comprising:
 providing a transportable human heating system, the system comprising:
 a support structure providing sides and a base and supporting a flexible surface, the base of the support structure defining an open bottom; and 
 at least one infrared (IR) heating panel secured to an inner surface of the tent; 
   disposing the transportable human heating system over the patient, enclosing the patient therein; and   supplying electrical power to the at least one IR heating panel to direct IR energy from the at least one IR heating panel toward the patient.   
     
     
         19 . The method of claim  claim 18 , wherein the tent comprises at least one attachment mechanism disposed on its lower surface, and the method further comprises attaching the tent to a patient support mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The method of claim  claim 19 , further comprising transporting the patient on the patient support mechanism while supplying electrical power to the at least one IR heating panel.