Ceiling Diffuser System with a Common Plenum Array of Laminar Airflow Diffusers and a Grid Support Structure

Abstract

A first embodiment of a ceiling diffuser system includes a grid support structure with members releasably connected to each other, a common plenum diffuser array supported by the grid support structure, and at least one equipment support module mechanically and releasably connected to and supported by the grid support structure. A second embodiment of the ceiling diffuser system includes an upper grid support structure, a common plenum diffuser array supported by the upper grid support structure, a lower grid support structure, support struts supported by the lower grid support structure, and rails supported by the support struts.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a ceiling diffuser system with a common plenum array of laminar airflow diffusers and a grid support structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, hospital operating rooms are typically designed with laminar airflow produced by an array of laminar airflow diffusers positioned directly over the patient table. The laminar airflow diffusers create a column of clean air that washes over the patient, displaces any contaminants down and away toward the floor, and eventually out through return grilles located low on the walls.

Many types of medical equipment found in operating rooms are ceiling mounted, and there is typically a desire to have that medical equipment located near the patient table. In order to conserve ceiling interstitial space and reduce ductwork, many operating rooms make use of a common plenum array of laminar airflow diffusers (hereinafter “common plenum diffuser array”), rather than multiple individually ducted laminar airflow diffusers. A common plenum diffuser array shares air across multiple laminar airflow diffusers while requiring a fraction of the duct inlets. With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIG. 2A shows individually ducted laminar airflow diffusers, and FIG. 2B shows a common plenum diffuser array. The simplicity of the common plenum diffuser array as compared to the complexity of the individually ducted laminar airflow diffusers is apparent.

Medical equipment (such as light booms, medical gas columns, anesthesia columns, imaging equipment, etc.) requires structural support due to the high weight and movement loads associated with this type of equipment. The term “medical equipment” will be used in reference to the above identified devices.

Coordination of ceiling mounted equipment, including medical equipment and associated structural support, lighting, air distribution equipment, as well as additional building services is one of the main challenges faced in the design and construction of hospital operating rooms. How equipment is positioned in the ceiling will be referred to as the “ceiling layout”. Support struts (such as Unistrut or similar steel rails) are used to support the rolling loads of medical imaging equipment and supporting infrastructure. The term “support strut” will be used in reference to the above.

Additionally, medical equipment is continually advancing, and building an operating room that can be modified to accommodate new and improved medical equipment is typically impractical due to the complex ceiling layouts. Equipment options that prioritize modularity and future flexibility are highly advantageous to simplify ceiling layout and associated coordination and make future changes possible to accommodate the latest medical equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to address the issues identified above, the present invention is a ceiling diffuser system that includes a grid support structure with members releasably connected to each other, a common plenum diffuser array supported by the grid support structure, and in a first embodiment at least one equipment support module mechanically and releasably connected to and supported by the grid support structure.

In a second embodiment, a ceiling diffuser system includes an upper support grid structure connected by vertical members to a lower grid support structure. The upper support grid structure supports the common plenum diffuser array. The lower support grid structure supports integrated support struts, which in turn support rails that allow for the rolling loads of medical imaging equipment and supporting infrastructure.

By mechanically and releasably fastening components of the grid support structure together, the grid support structure can be rapidly reconfigured throughout the design and manufacturing processes. Further, the mechanical and releasable fastening of the components of the grid support structure allows for future flexibility. After installation, the grid support structure can be changed to accommodate ceiling layout changes including new locations for medical equipment or changes to the size or position of the common plenum diffuser array. The ability to re-configure the grid support structure and location of equipment support modules allows the end user to re-configure their space to accommodate new medical equipment or to suit user preferences while minimizing the amount of on-site re-work required and therefore minimizing downtime of the operating room.

The equipment support modules are mechanically and releasably fastened to the grid support structure. Consequently, the equipment support modules can be removed from one location and mechanically and releasably fastened to alternate locations on the grid support structure. Such mechanical and releasable construction is unique to the industry and facilitates the flexibility described above.

The grid support structure is located exterior to and on top of the common plenum diffuser array to provide maximum flexibility. External mounting of the grid support structure is unique in the industry and offers the opportunity to make changes to the common plenum diffuser array or the grid support structure with minimal changes to the other components. Existing grid support structures make use of a welded internal grid support structure that requires significant on-site rework including griding, welding, re-painting, etc. for modification to the equipment layout.

Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a laminar diffuser array for an operating room in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2A is perspective view of individually ducted laminar airflow diffusers for a ceiling diffuser system in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a common plenum diffuser array in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a ceiling diffuser system including a common plenum diffuser array, a grid support structure, and equipment support modules in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment of the ceiling diffuser system including the common plenum diffuser array, the grid support structure, and the equipment support modules in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a top exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the ceiling diffuser system including the common plenum diffuser array, the grid support structure, and the equipment support modules in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a bottom exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the ceiling diffuser system including the common plenum diffuser array, the grid support structure, and the equipment support modules in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of the grid support structure and the equipment support modules for the ceiling diffuser system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the grid support structure and the equipment support modules for the ceiling diffuser system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of the equipment support module releasably attached to the grid support structure and an attached equipment support plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a front perspective view of the equipment support module and an attached equipment support plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6C is a front perspective view of an alternative equipment support module and an attached alternative equipment support plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of the equipment support plate for attachment to the equipment support module of the ceiling diffuser system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a top perspective view of another equipment support plate for attachment to the equipment support module of the ceiling diffuser system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation schematic view of the equipment support module with an equipment support plate and an attached equipment support arm in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation schematic view of the equipment support module with various medical equipment attached thereto in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a ceiling diffuser system including a common plenum diffuser array, a grid support structure, support struts, and rails in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the second embodiment of the ceiling diffuser system including the common plenum diffuser array, the grid support structure, support struts, and rails in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the second embodiment of the grid support structure including support struts and rails for supporting medical equipment in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 3A-8 show a first embodiment of a ceiling diffuser system 24 comprising a grid support structure 28, a common plenum diffuser array 40, and equipment support modules 50. With reference to FIG. 2B, the common plenum diffuser array 40 comprises a common diffuser plenum 42 connected to individual laminar air diffusers 48. The common diffuser plenum 42 receives supply air from common air supply duct 44.

The grid support structure 28 supports both the common plenum diffuser array 40 (with or without integrated lighting) and the equipment support modules 50 to which medical equipment 64 (FIG. 8) typically found in hospital operating rooms is attached. The light weight mechanically fastened aluminum grid support structure 28 is located externally and above the common plenum diffuser array 40 to provide flexibility during the initial design process, during manufacturing, and throughout the lifecycle of the ceiling diffuser system 24.

Aluminum profiles form the grid support structure 28. The profiles are mechanically fastened to the top of the common plenum diffuser array 40. The grid support structure 28 is created by a combination of longitudinal beams 30 and cross members 32 that are mechanically and releasably joined together. Angled cross members 34 stiffen the overall support grid structure 28 and provide additional support for the medical equipment 64 attached to the equipment support modules 50. All connections 53 within the grid support structure 28 including connections 53 among longitudinal beams 30, cross members 32, and angled cross members 34 use bolts and nuts as fasteners thereby providing releasable connections. Further, all connections 53 between the grid structure 28 and the common plenum diffuser array 40, and all connections 53 between the grid structure 28 and the equipment support modules 50 use bolts and nuts as fasteners thereby providing releasable connections.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6A-6C, the equipment support modules 50 consist of high strength steel (HSS) tube and angle profiles. The equipment support modules 50 include module extension beams 52, module cross beams 54, and vertical members 56. The module extension beams 52, the module cross beams 54, and vertical members 56 of the equipment support modules 50 are welded to each other. Further, the module extension beams 52 of the equipment support modules 50 are mechanically and releasably connected to and supported by either the longitudinal beams 30 or the cross members 32 of the grid support structure 28. Such connections 53 are typically made using nuts and bolts.

In order to accommodate medical equipment 64, the vertical members 56 of the equipment support module 50 are bolted to standard equipment support plates 58 (FIGS. 7A and 7B) generally supplied by the manufacture of the medical equipment 64. FIGS. 7A and 7B show two versions of support plate 58. Each support plate 58 has connection tabs 59 with holes around its perimeter for connection to the vertical members 56 of the equipment support module 50. The support plates 58 are the interface between the equipment support modules 50 and the corresponding medical equipment 64. The equipment support modules 50 can be mounted in any location on the grid support structure 28, either internal to or surrounded by the common plenum diffuser array 40 or mounted along the perimeter and adjacent to the common plenum diffuser array 40.

The equipment support modules 50 are effectively stand-alone modules designed to support the maximum loads for all common medical equipment manufacturers. The modular nature of the equipment support modules 50 and the use of mechanical fastening connections 53 to the grid support structure 28, mean that the equipment support module's position within the grid support structure 28 can be relocated at any point in the design process, or after installation to accommodate new technology or user preferences. During installation, threaded rods 36 are fastened to the grid support structure 28 at points required to carry the full load of the common plenum diffuser array 40 and the medical equipment 64.

FIGS. 8 and 9 schematically show medical equipment layout utilizing the equipment support modules 50. As previously described, the equipment support plate 58 is attached to the vertical members 56 of the equipment support module 50 by means of connection tabs 59. As shown in FIGS. 8, the equipment support plate 58 supports a spindle 60 that extends downward from the equipment support plate 58. A medical equipment support arm 62 is rotatably supported on the spindle. The medical support arm 62 then supports a piece of medical equipment. As further shown in FIGS. 9, the spindle 60 may be capable of supporting multiple medical equipment support arms 62, each with a different piece of medical equipment 64 attached thereto, such as a light 66, a monitor 68, and an imaging device 70.

FIGS. 10-12 disclose a second embodiment of a ceiling diffuser system 124. The ceiling diffuser system 124 comprises an upper grid support structure 128, a common plenum diffuser array 140, a lower grid support structure 150, support struts 184, and rails 186.

As previously described in connection with common plenum diffuser array 40, the common plenum diffuser array 140 includes individual airflow diffusers 148 and common diffuser plenum 142.

The upper grid support structure 128 supports both the common plenum diffuser array 140 (with or without integrated lighting) and the lower grid support structure 150 by means of vertical members 156. The lower grid support structure 150 in turn supports the support struts 184 and the rails 186, to which medical equipment 64 (FIG. 8) typically found in hospital operating rooms is attached. The light weight mechanically fastened aluminum upper grid support structure 128 is located externally and above the common plenum diffuser array 140 to provide flexibility during the initial design process, during manufacturing, and throughout the lifecycle of the ceiling diffuser system 124.

The upper grid support structure 128 is mechanically fastened to the top of the common plenum diffuser array 140. The upper grid support structure 128 comprises a combination of longitudinal beams 130 and cross members 132 that are mechanically and releasably joined together. All connections 153 within the grid support structure 128, including connections between the longitudinal beams 130 and the cross members 132 use bolts and nuts as fasteners thereby providing releasable connections 153. Further, all connections 153 between the grid structure 128 and the common plenum diffuser array 140 use bolts and nuts as fasteners thereby providing releasable connection 153. Similarly, the connections 153 of the lower grid support structure 150 are made with nuts and bolts to achieve release ability and reconfiguration.

The upper grid support structure 128 consists of high strength steel (HSS) tube and angle profiles. The upper grid support structure 128 includes upper extension beams 152, lower extension beams 182 and upper cross beams 154. The lower grid support structure 150 includes lower cross beams 178 and lower extension beams 182. Vertical members 156 connect the upper grid support structure 128 to the lower grid support structure 150. The upper extension beams 152, the lower extension beams 182, the upper cross beams 154, the lower cross beams 178, and the vertical members 156 are mechanically and releasably connected to each other at connection points 153, typically by nuts and bolts. Further, the upper extension beams 152, are mechanically and releasably connected to and supported by the upper grid support structure 128. Again, the connections 153 typically utilize nuts and bolts for a releasable connection 153. Likewise, the lower extension beams 182 are connected to the lower grid support structure 150 by nuts and bolts.

In order to support medical equipment, the second embodiment of the ceiling diffuser system 124 has a longitudinally extending rails 186 for slidably carrying medical equipment. The rails 186 are connected to the lower grid support structure 150 by means of support struts 184. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the support struts 184 are connected to the lower extension beams 182 and in turn, the rails 186 are connected to the support struts 184. Medical equipment is then slidably supported by the rails 186.

While this invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ceiling diffuser system comprising: a. a grid support structure with members releasably connected to form the grid support structure;b. an array of laminar airflow diffusers supported by the grid support structure; andc. an equipment support module releasably connected to and supported by the grid support structure.

2. The ceiling diffuser system of claim 1, wherein the array of laminar airflow diffusers is located below the grid support structure, and the equipment support module is located outboard of the grid support structure.

3. The ceiling diffuser system of claim 1, wherein the array of laminar airflow diffusers is located below the grid support structure, and the equipment support module is surrounded by the array of laminar airflow diffusers.

4. The ceiling diffuser system of claim 1, wherein the array of laminar airflow diffusers is connected to a common air supply plenum.

5. A ceiling diffuser system comprising: a. an upper grid support structure with members releasably connected to form the upper grid support structure;b. a lower grid support structure with members releasably connected to form the lower grid support structure wherein the lower grid support structure is supported by the upper grid support structure by vertical members;c. an array of laminar airflow diffusers supported by the upper grid support structure;d. at least one support strut connected to the lower grid support structure; ande. equipment support rails connected to and supported by the at least one support strut.

6. The ceiling diffuser of claim 1, wherein the array of laminar airflow diffusers is located below and supported by the upper grid support structure.

7. The ceiling diffuser of claim 1, wherein the array of laminar airflow diffusers is connected to a common air supply plenum.