WO2024241038A1

WO2024241038A1 - Portable medical facility

Info

Publication number: WO2024241038A1
Application number: PCT/GB2024/051292
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Bradley; Nicholas WHELAN
Original assignee: FORCE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: FORCE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 2023-05-19
Filing date: 2024-05-17
Publication date: 2024-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-19
Also published as: GB2630149A; GB202307570D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable medical facility comprising; a free-standing rigid housing comprising a plurality of walls defining an outer perimeter of the housing; at least one door located in a wall of the plurality of walls; and at least one limb configured to extend from a wall of the plurality of walls, wherein the at least one limb comprises a fully extended configuration wherein a maximum portion of the at least one limb is located outside the outer perimeter of the housing, and a stowed configuration wherein a maximum portion of the at least one limb is located within the outer perimeter of the housing.

Description

PORTABLE MEDICAL FACILITY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable medical facility.

Background to the Invention

It is known to deploy temporary medical facilities in areas where access to medical care is needed. Such medical facilities often comprise a tent or a plurality of modulated tents.

However, it can be challenging to provide medical support in remote locations and in areas of conflict due to isolation from power and water supplies and/or extreme environmental conditions. Additionally, it can be challenging to administer medical care to patients on board moving vehicles, such as marine, air and land vehicles.

When providing medical support, the time taken to begin treating the patient can be crucial to the welfare and survival of the patient. Presently, medical facilities can be cumbersome to set-up and become operational, and therefore do not permit immediate medical care to be administered. Further, often a large number of different components are required to deploy the medical facility.

Additionally, known medical facilities, in particular tents, are often be poorly suited to the environment and weather conditions in which they are deployed.

Objects and aspects of the present claimed invention seek to alleviate at least these problems with the prior art.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable medical facility comprising; a free-standing rigid housing comprising a plurality of walls defining an outer perimeter of the housing; at least one door located in a wall of the plurality of walls; and at least one limb configured to extend from a wall of the plurality of walls, wherein the at least one limb comprises a fully extended configuration wherein a maximum portion of the at least one limb is located outside the outer perimeter of the housing, and a stowed configuration wherein a maximum portion of the at least one limb is located within the outer perimeter of the housing.

In this way, there is provided a rapidly deployable, freestanding medical facility in which medical equipment can be stored and medical and other patient care can be administrated. For example, the portable medical facility can be employed as a portable operating theatre or other response unit for administering medical care.

By providing a rigid, freestanding housing and at least one limb, the medical facility is better suited to withstanding harsh conditions, such as weather and environmental conditions. The medical facility is therefore suited to a wide variety of climates, such as extreme heat, extreme cold, locations prone to storms, desert locations and locations close to bodies of water. Additionally, the rigid nature of the housing provides protection in hostile environments, such as locations of conflict or warfare. Such a medical facility is particularly well-suited for use by military and other armed services personnel, thereby providing a portable medical facility that can be deployed near areas of conflict. Additionally, such a medical facility is particularly well-suited for use by governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian and disaster relief and support organisations to administer medical care in these areas.

Additionally, as the medical facility is rigid and free-standing, it can be deployed on vehicles, including moving vehicles, such as a maritime vessel at sea, in the load bay of a suitable cargo or military transport aircraft, or on the back of a suitable moving land vehicle.

Further, the medical facility is well-suited to deployment in areas where outbreaks occur, such as an outbreak of a disease, and is therefore advantageous during a medical epidemic or pandemic. Further, the medical facility can be deployed to provide dental and other healthcare. The medical facility can also be deployed to issue veterinary care to pets or other working or wild animals. The medical facility comprises a fully extended configuration wherein the medical facility is deployed, in use, and a stowed configuration to improve ease of transporting the medical facility to the location of deployment. The floorplan of the medical can be varied to suit the location of deployment by changing the extension of the at least one limb from the housing. The variable extension of the at least one limb allows the floorplan of the medical facility to be reduced in locations where there is inadequate space for the medical facility to be deployed in the fully extended configuration. The floorplan of the medical facility also allows for reconfiguration of the internal contents of the housing In this way, the medical facility may act as an Operating Resuscitation Theatre in a first use and can also be deployed to act as a trauma theatre, vaccination centre, patient recovery ward, or any other suitable medical purpose in further uses. In this way, there is provided a medical facility capable of providing Role 2 and Role 3 medical support.

As the housing and the at least one limb are rigid, the entire portable medical facility is free-standing. The internal contents of the medical facility, such as medical supplies, are configured to be stored within the housing and the at least one limb. When the medical facility is transported to the location of deployment, the stowed configuration of the medical facility permits easy transportation and eliminates the wait time of arrival of the internal contents, such as when the internal contents are transported separately. In this way, the medical facility and its contents are immediately ready for use upon the medical facility being placed in the deployment location.

Further, the medical facility can be easily transported such that users may familiarise themselves and complete training in the medical facility in a first location, such as in a training facility, prior to the deployment of the medical facility in the deployment location.

In some embodiments, at least the plurality of walls of the housing comprises a metal or a composite material. In some embodiments, at least the plurality of walls of the housing comprise metal. In some embodiments, the at least one limb comprises metal. In this way, the housing and the at least one limb are made from a strong and rigid material. In some embodiments, at least the plurality of walls of the housing comprises a composite material. In this way, the weight of the medical facility is reduced, improving ease of transportation, in particular transportation by helicopter.

Preferably, the medical facility does not comprise a tent or tent-like structure. It is understood that a tent or tent-like structure is any suitable fabric or flexible covering or shelter, such as a canopy or gazebo, which may extend the floor area of the medical facility and provide shelter to users of the medical facility, such as shelter from sun or rain. In this way, the medical facility is sturdier and does not suffer the abovementioned disadvantages with tented solutions of the prior art.

Preferably, the housing and/or the at least one limb comprises ballistic reinforcement. Preferably, the housing and/or the at least one limb comprises a ballistically resistant material. In some embodiments, ballistically resistant material is located in the walls and/or roof of the housing and/or the at least one limb.

Preferably, the housing comprises a shipping container. Preferably, the housing comprises an ISO 668 shipping container or an Offshore DNV 2.7-1 container. In some embodiments, the housing comprises an ISO 668 shipping container. Namely, the ISO 668 shipping container comprises a uniform width of 2,438 mm (8 ft) and a height of either 2,896 mm (9 ft 6 in), 2,591 mm (8 ft 6 in) or 2,438 mm (8 ft). The container may be an ISO 1 CCC shipping container having a length of 6,096 mm (20 ft). The medical facility is therefore immediately compatible with a global ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard, improving ease of global deployment. As the housing comprises an ISO Intermodal Container, the housing is compatible with known transportation means, such as lorries and sea freight vehicles, improving ease of transportation of the medical facility to and from the deployment location.

Alternatively, the housing comprises an an Offshore DNV 2.7-1 container. Namely, the housing comprises a ‘standard 20ft DNV (Det Norske Veritas) container’. Namely, the DNV container has a length of 6,058 mm (19 ft 10 inches), a width of 2,438 mm (8 ft) and a height of 2,591 mm (8 ft 6 inches). In such embodiments, the weight of the DNV container may be 3700 kg. Preferably, the housing is configured to be transported by land, sea and/or air vehicles. Preferably, the housing is configured to be transported by helicopter underslung load.

Preferably, the at least one limb comprises rigid walls. Preferably, the at least one limb comprises substantially a single rigid material and the plurality of walls of the housing comprise substantially the same rigid material. In this way, the walls of the housing and the walls of the limb comprise the same material.

Preferably, in the stowed configuration, the at least one limb does not extend beyond the outer perimeter of the housing. In this way, the at least one limb is flush against the housing. Such a feature is advantageous during transportation and storage of the medical facility.

Preferably, the at least one limb is configured to extend and retract along an extension axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. In this way, a maximum additional floor area is provided by the at least one limb. Further, the medical facility can be more easily deployed on the ground, as a substantially flat floor is created by the housing and the at least one limb.

Preferably, when the at least one limb is in the fully extended configuration, a floor area defined by the housing and the at least one limb is at least 15 m² More preferably, when the at least one limb is in the fully extended configuration, a floor area defined by the housing and the at least one limb is at least 20 m² In some embodiments, when the at least one limb is in the fully extended configuration, a floor area defined by the housing and the at least one limb is 22.5 m²

Preferably, the at least one limb comprises a pair of limbs. More preferably, the at least one limb consists of a pair of limbs. Preferably, the at least one limb comprises a pair of limbs located on opposing walls of the housing. In this way, the extension axis of each limb is parallel and intersects. Such a configuration allows the medical facility to be expanded along a single axis. Preferably, the width of the at least one limb is no more than half the width of the housing. In this way, in the stowed configuration, both limbs can be fully stowed within the housing, allowing the limbs to sit flush against the outer perimeter of the housing.

Alternatively, the width of the at least one limb is no greater than the width of the housing and the pair of limbs are offset from one another along the length of the housing. In this way, both limbs of the pair of limbs can be housed within the housing in the stowed configuration. In some embodiments, the width of the at least one limb is equal to the width of the housing and the pair of limbs are arranged concentrically along the length of the housing. Preferably, the pair of limbs are configured to nest together when the pair of limbs are in the stowed configuration. In these embodiments, the width and height of a first limb is smaller than the width and height of a second limb such that the first limb can be housed within the second limb when the pair of limbs are in the stowed configuration. Preferably, the length of the at least one limb is equal to the length of the housing. In this way, when the pair of limbs are in the fully extended configuration, a floor area defined by the housing and the pair of limbs is three times greater than the floor area of the housing and the pair of limbs when the pair of limbs are in the stowed configuration.

Preferably, the at least one limb is mounted on at least one wheel. Preferably, each of the pair of limbs are mounted on at least one wheel. In this way, the limb can easily be moved between both the fully extended configuration to the stowed configuration. Preferably, the at least one wheel comprises a pair of castor wheels, wherein the distance of the castor wheel from the base of each of the pair of limbs is adjustable. In this way, the height of the wheels below the limb can be adjusted to compensate for uneven ground or terrain on which the medical facility is deployed.

Preferably, the at least one limb is connected to the housing via at least one guiding runner. In this way, the limb is guided between the stowed configuration to the fully extended configuration. Such a feature provides a medical facility which is more robust, wherein the at least one limb is quick and easy to deploy.

An alternative embodiment is envisaged wherein the at least one limb is telescopic. In such embodiments, the at least one limb may be configured to fold. In this way, the at least one limb can be extended from, and retracted into, the housing in a concertina or other telescopic manner.

Preferably, the medical facility further comprises at least one power inlet located in a wall of the housing, the at least one power inlet configured to receive power from an external power source. In this way, internal lighting, tools and other electronics located within the housing can be powered by an external power source. Preferably, the at least one power inlet is configured to receive one or more selected from the range of: a single-phase, 1 ph, power supply; and a three-phase, 3ph, power supply. Preferably, the at least one power inlet is configured to provide power to the housing at any suitable voltage. For example, 115 V, 230 V or 400/440 V (3ph). In this way, a source of reliable, uninterrupted power can be supplied to the medical facility for powering internal equipment, lighting and other electronics.

Preferably, the medical facility comprises at least one fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet located in a wall of the housing, the at least one fluid inlet configured to fluidly connect the housing to an external fluid source and/or the at least one fluid outlet configured to fluidly connect the housing to an internal fluid source. In this way, waste fluid, such as a greywater and other waste, can be removed from the medical facility via the at least one fluid outlet. Additionally, fluid can be provided to the medical facility via the at least one fluid inlet. Preferably, the medical facility comprises at least one gas inlet located in a wall of the housing, the at least one gas inlet configured to fluidly connect the housing to an external gas source. In some embodiments, the housing and/or at least one limb comprises wastewater drainage.

It is envisaged that the at least one fluid inlet and/or at least one fluid outlet may be fluidly connected to a tank or other vessel comprising a fluid, the vessel located outside of the medical facility to increase available space within the medical facility. It is envisaged that one or more of the following fluids may be introduced to, or removed from, the medical facility via the at least one fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet; clean water, hot water, greywater, blackwater, contaminated fluid, oxygen and any other suitable gas, such as gas used during medical treatment. Preferably, the medical facility comprises at least one ventilation unit located in a wall of the housing, the at least one ventilation unit fluidly connecting the housing to the external environment. In this way, external air can be filtered prior to circulation within the housing. Preferably, the at least one ventilation unit comprises a filter configured to inhibit contaminants from the external environment entering the housing. Preferably, the medical facility comprises an air handling unit configured to periodically replace the air within the housing with external air. Preferably, the air handling unit comprises an air purifier or filter configured to remove contaminants from the air within the housing and/or the external environment.

Preferably, the medical facility comprises an environmental control unit configured to control the temperature and/or humidity in the housing. In this way, a desirable temperature and/or humidity can be maintained in the housing despite the external environment, e.g. when the medical facility is deployed in an area of extreme heat.

Preferably, one or more of the power inlet, at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet and at least one ventilation unit comprise at least one cover. Preferably, the at least one cover is configured to sit flush against the outer perimeter of the housing in a closed position. In this way, the power inlet, at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet and at least one ventilation unit are protected from water and contaminants when the at least one cover is closed. Preferably, the at least one ventilation unit is configured to expand from the wall of the housing. Preferably, the at least one ventilation unit is configured to retract into the housing. In this way, when the medical facility is being transported, the at least one ventilation unit is safely stowed within the housing.

Preferably, the medical facility comprises a ladder located on an external wall of the housing, wherein the ladder does not extend beyond the outer perimeter of the housing. Preferably, the ladder is substantially the same height as the housing. In this way, access to the roof of the housing is provided. Preferably, the ladder comprises non-slip grip tape on the ladder rungs to improve user grip on the ladder.

Preferably, the at least one door is located on a first wall of the plurality of walls and comprises at least one window. Preferably, the at least one door consists of two doors, one door located on a first wall of the plurality of walls and one door located on a wall of the at least one limb. Preferably, the at least one door located in the at least one limb comprises a pair of sliding doors. Preferably, at least one door located in the housing comprises a pair of hinged doors. In this way, there is more than one entrance/exit to the medical facility. Preferably, the at least one door comprises a lock configured to lock the at least one door. Preferably, the at least one limb is located on a second wall of the plurality of walls, the second wall adjacent to the first wall.

In some embodiments, at least one door located in the housing comprises an external door and an internal door. In this way, the internal door may be easily closed without requiring the external doors to be closed.

Preferably, the plurality of walls of the housing comprises four walls. More preferably, the plurality of walls of the housing consists of four walls. Preferably, a door is located in a first wall of the four walls. Preferably, a first limb is located in a second wall and a second limb is located in a third wall, the second and third walls adjacent the first wall. In this way, a door is located in the housing and the location of the door relative to the external environment is unchanged regardless of the configuration of the limbs.

Preferably, the medical facility comprises a ramp configured to connect to the doorframe of the at least one door. In this way, accessibility of the medical facility is improved. Further, transportation of wheeled or heavy goods into and out of the housing is aided. Preferably, the ramp is removable retainable on the doorframe. In some embodiments, the medical facility comprises at least one alarm. In some embodiments, the medical facility comprises at least one tannoy speaker.

Preferably, the medical facility comprises at least one drainage aperture configured to allow fluid to exit the floor of the housing and/or the floor of the at least one limb. In this way, fluid that is spilled can be automatically removed from the medical facility. Additionally, during cleaning of the medical facility, such as cleaning of the floor of the housing, the wastewater will automatically drain from the medical facility. Preferably, the medical facility comprises one or more of the following: scrub area with hot water and grey waste disposal; scuttle sink for cleaning the medical facility including black waste disposal; stainless steel work top; storage for consumables; operating table; at least one oxygen supply; at least one ceiling mounted LED (light-emitting diode) operating light over operating table; general distributed LED lighting; and LED lighting in three distinct zones with white and red light with infinitely dimmable control. Preferably, the medical facility weighs 10,000 kg or less.

Preferably, the at least one limb is removable from the housing. More preferably, the at least one limb is configured to be removably connected to the housing. The user may move the limb into an unconnected configuration, such as for storage or transportation, wherein the at least one limb is disconnected from the housing. An advantage is that the at least one limb can be swapped for an alternative or auxiliary limb. The housing may be configured to connect to, for example, a ‘Dental’ limb configured to provide dental facilities, a ‘Laboratory Testing’ limb configured to provide laboratory facilities, and a ‘Trauma Operation Theatre’ limb configured to provide surgical facilities. In this way, the medical facility may comprise at least one auxiliary limb. The user may connect the limb or an auxiliary limb to the housing depending on the application of the medical facility, and this limb may be removed and replaced by an alternative limb when the alterative limb function is required. The auxiliary limb/s may be placed in nearby storage until their deployment is required. Preferably, each limb of the at least one limb is configured to be removably connected to the housing.

In some embodiments, the at least one limb does not comprise wheels and/or struts and/or legs. Preferably, the at least one limb is self-supported when in the fully extended configuration. Namely, the weight of the at least one limb is supported by the medical facility. More preferably, the at least one limb is not configured to contact the ground in the fully extended configuration. It is understood that the ground may be any surface upon which the housing is placed upon, such as the bed of a truck or a deck of a boat. In this way, the weight of the at least one limb is fully supported by the connection between the at least one limb and the housing, without relying on the at least one limb contacting the external environment, such as the ground. As such, the stability of the limbs and the overall medical facility may be improved. Further, the at least one limb could be moved between the stowed configuration and the fully extended configuration without requiring the user to manually lower any support struts, legs or wheels. Such a feature is also advantageous when the medical pod is deployed on uneven terrain, wherein wheels or other supporting struts or legs may be unsuitable for assisting in the movement of the limb between the stowed configuration and the fully extended configuration, or when the external environment is not suitable for supporting the weight of the at least one limb.

In some embodiments, the housing comprises at least one leg. Preferably, the at least one leg is stowable. Preferably, the housing comprises at least one aperture configured to house the at least one leg in a stowed configuration. Preferably, the housing comprises a plurality of legs and a plurality of apertures to house the plurality of legs. More preferably, the housing comprises four legs and four apertures, each aperture configured to house a leg of the four legs. Preferably, the at least one leg is configured to pivot about a hinge. Preferably, the hinge is located in the at least one aperture. More preferably, the at least one leg is configured to pivot from a stowed configuration, wherein the at least one leg is located within the at least one aperture, to a deployed configuration, wherein the at least one leg is configured to support the weight of the housing. Preferably, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the leg in the stowed configuration and the longitudinal axis of the leg in the deployed configuration is between 145 degrees and 200 degrees. More preferably, the angle is around 180 degrees.

An advantage of the at least one leg is that the housing may be lifted away from the surface onto which the housing rests by deploying the at least one leg. The at least one leg provides a clearance gap between the housing and the surface on which the housing sits, such that a lifting device or machine may remove the housing from, for example, the surface of a flat bed truck and transport the medical facility onto, for example, the ground.

Preferably, the roof of the housing is expandable such that the volume of the housing is configured to increase when the roof is expanded. Preferably, the roof of the housing is expandable in a first direction. Preferably, the first direction is perpendicular to the roof of the housing. Preferably, the roof of the housing is contractable in a second direction, the second direction opposing the first direction. In this way, the volume of the housing is configured to decrease when the roof is contracted. In some embodiments, substantially all of the roof is expandable. In some embodiments, only a portion of the roof is expandable. Preferably, the majority of the roof is expandable.

In some embodiments, the roof is telescopically expandable. In some embodiments, the roof of the housing is mounted on at least one telescopic post. Preferably, the roof is mounted on a plurality of telescopic posts. Alternatively, the housing comprises a popup roof.

Advantageously, an expandable roof permits the height of the ceiling of the container to be increased, when desired. Lighting can be deployed at a safe height within the housing, such as on the ceiling of the housing, and air ventilation may be improved with a higher internal ceiling. Further, an expandable and contractable roof allows the volume of the medical unit to be reduced for transport and deployment within tighter spaces. A 1 CCC ISO graded freight container may provide adequate internal ceiling height. An expandable roof further improves the ceiling height of the housing and therefore the size of the room in which a user of the medical facility operates.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 depicts a medical facility in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the limbs shown in the fully extended configuration;

Figure 2 depicts a further view of the medical facility of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 depicts further view of the medical facility of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 depicts a view of the medical facility of Figure 1 wherein the second limb is illustrated in a disconnected configuration;

Figure 5 depicts a second embodiment of a medical facility in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of hinged legs; Figure 6 depicts a third embodiment of a medical facility in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, wherein the roof is telescopically expandable; and

Figures 7A-7C depict a fourth embodiment of a medical facility in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, wherein the housing comprises an expandable pop-up roof.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a medical facility 100 is illustrated. The medical facility 100 comprises a free-standing rigid housing 1 comprising a first wall 1 a, second wall 1 b, third wall 1 c, fourth wall 1 d, roof 1 e and floor 1f. The first wall 1 a, second wall 1 b, third wall 1 c and fourth wall 1 d define an outer perimeter of the housing 1 . The first wall 1 a, second wall 1 b, third wall 1 c, fourth wall 1 d, roof 1 e and floor 1f define the entire outer perimeter of the housing 1. The medical facility 100 comprises a rectangular shipping container and each wall 1 a, 1 b, 1c, 1d comprises a corrugated portion 14. The floor 1f of the housing 1 is substantially rectangular.

The medical facility comprises a pair of limbs comprising a first limb 5a located in the first wall 1 a and configured to extend from the first wall 1 a and a second limb 5b located in the third wall 1 c and configured to extend from the third wall 1 c. The first and second limbs 5a, 5b each comprise a fully extended configuration (shown in Figures 1 -3) wherein a maximum portion of the limb 5a, 5b is located outside the outer perimeter of the housing 1 and a stowed configuration (shown in Figures 4 and 5) wherein a maximum portion of the limb 5a, 5b is located within the outer perimeter of the housing 1 .

The pair of limbs 5a, 5b are configured to move independently of one another. For example, the first limb 5a may be in the stowed configuration while the second limb 5b may be in the fully extended configuration. The pair of limbs 5a, 5b may be extended to any position between the stowed configuration and the fully extended configuration, such that either limb 5a, 5b may be in a partially extended configuration.

The fourth wall 1 d of the housing 1 comprises a door 2. In this way, the door 2 is located centrally on a wall of the housing 1 adjacent to the pair of limbs 5a, 5b. The door 2 is a 1.6m high personnel access door and may optionally comprise a 300 mm by 400 mm transparent window. The medical facility 100 further comprises a ramp (not pictured) configured to be removably retained to the doorframe of the door 2. The ramp improves access into and out of the housing 1 . The ramp may be wedge-shaped and 1 .6 m wide.

Also located on the second wall 1 b of the housing 1 is a power inlet unit 6 comprising a plurality of power inlets. The power inlet unit 6 comprises is located in a recessed aperture in the first wall 1 a and does not extend beyond the outer perimeter of the housing 1 . The medical facility 100 further comprises a fluid inlet/outlet unit 7 located on an outer wall 16 of the second limb 5b. The fluid inlet/outlet unit 7 comprises at least one: gas inlet, gas outlet, liquid inlet and liquid outlet. The fluid inlet/outlet unit 7 is located on a separate wall to the power inlet unit 6 to improve safety in the case of a leak.

Located in the lower portion of the second wall 1 b, to improve access, is a ventilation unit 8. The ventilation unit 8 comprises a ventilation unit known in the art and designed for mounting onto the wall of a shipping container. The ventilation unit 8 is mounted on guide rods fixed to the housing 1 and the ventilation unit 8 is configured to extend from, and retract back into, the second wall 1 b along the guide rods. The ventilation unit 8 is configured to be locked in a fully extended configuration, wherein a maximum portion of the ventilation unit 8 is located outside the outer perimeter of the housing 1 .

The power inlet unit 6, fluid inlet/outlet unit 7 and ventilation unit 8 each comprise a cover 13 configured to cover the respective unit. The cover 13 for the ventilation unit 8 and the fluid inlet/outlet unit 7 both open upwards to improve ease of access.

The medical facility 100 further comprises an alarm unit (not pictured). The alarm unit comprises a siren and a beacon and may be located in a recessed aperture of one of the walls 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d of the housing 1. The medical facility 100 further comprises an air out-flow vent 10a configured to permit air flow out of the housing 1 and an air in-flow vent 10b configured to permit air flow into the housing 1 . The air out-flow vent 10a and the air in-flow vent 10b are located on the fourth wall 1 d of the housing 1. The air vents 10a, 10b are configured to permit airflow between the housing 1 and the external environment, as described above. The pair of limbs 5a, 5b will now be described in further detail. The pair of limbs 5a, 5b are substantially identical, therefore, the following description of the first limb 5a is understood to equally apply to the second limb 5b. It is noted that the second limb 5b does not comprise a door 12.

The first limb 5a comprises an outer wall 16, two side walls 17, a roof 18 and a floor 19. In this way, the first limb 5a comprises a cuboid body with one open side. The lack of a fourth wall enables users within the housing 1 to freely enter the floor 19 of the first limb 51 , without requiring an access aperture, such as a door, located in any of the walls 16, 17.

The first limb 5a comprises a pair of castor wheels 15. The castor wheels 15 are located on the outer wall 16, such that a portion of the castor wheels 15 are located outside the outer perimeter of the housing 1 when the first limb 5a is moved from the stowed configuration into a partially extended configuration. The height of the castor wheels 15 relative to the floor 19 of the first limb 5a is adjustable.

The outer wall 16 comprises a lip 20 located at the perimeter of the outer wall 16. When the first limb 5a is in the stowed configuration, the lip 20 acts as a barrier to inhibit fluid and other contaminants from entering the gap between the housing 1 and the first limb 5a.

The first limb 5a further comprises a door 12. The door 12 comprises a pair of sliding access doors, which are configured to slide in a direction parallel to the outer wall 16 of the first limb 51 . In this way, the door 12 is not required to swing open into the first limb 5a or the external environment.

The first limb 5a comprises a two lockable compartments 3 located in the outer wall 16. The compartments 3 are mounted on guide rods fixed to the first limb 5a and the compartments 3 are configured to extend from, and retract back into, the outer wall 16 along the guide rods. The compartments 3 provide further storage. Two compartments 3 are also located in the second limb 5b. The outer wall 16 sits substantially in-line with the first wall 1 a of the housing 1 when the first limb 5a is in the stowed configuration. In this way, the first limb 5a is flush against the outer perimeter of the housing. The side walls 17 are wholly located inside the outer perimeter of the housing 1 when the first limb 5a is in the stowed configuration. In this way, the medical facility 100 is compact and self-contained improving ease of transportation and storage. The user is not required to separately transport and connect stand-alone limbs to the housing 1 , and can instead pull out the first limb 5a and second limb 5b from their stowed position inside the housing 1 .

The first limb 5a is mounted centrally relative to the length and height of the first wall 1 a. In this way, there is no a gap between the floor 1 f of the housing 1 and the floor 19 of the first limb 5a, such that the entire floor area is level and no steps are present between the floor 1f of the housing 1 and the floor 19 of the first limb 5a.

The first limb 5a is configured to extend and retract along a linear extension axis A perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the housing 1 , as shown in Figure 3. It is understood that extension of the limb 5a describes motion of the outer wall 16 away from the housing 1 , such that a greater portion of the limb 5a is located outside the outer perimeter of the housing 1 . It is understood that retraction of the limb 5a refers to motion of the outer wall 16 towards the housing 1 , such that a greater portion of the limb 5a is located within the outer perimeter of the housing 1 .

The second limb 5b is configured to extend and retract along a linear extension axis A, also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the housing 1 . The extension axis A of the first limb 5a is parallel to and intersects the extension axis A of the second limb 5b. As such, the limbs 5a, 5b are configured to extend and retract, respectively, along the same axis A, A.

The housing 1 further comprises transportation aides 21 configured to aid connection of the medical facility 100 to transportation means. The transportation aides 21 comprise apertures configured to connect to, for example, a portion of a truck or boat, or to a winch or crane apparatus. As illustrated in Figure 4, the first limb 5b and second limb 5b of the medical facility 100 are configured to be removably connected to or removably retained in the housing 1 . Namely, the user may disconnect one or both limbs 5a, 5b from the housing 1 and move the limb/s 5a, 5b into a disconnected configuration. For example, during storage or transportation of the medical facility 100, the first limb 5b and/or second limb 5b may be stored in a location separate to the housing 1 instead of being stored in the stowed configuration. When the medical facility 100 is deployed, the first limb 5b and/or second limb 5b can then be connected to or otherwise inserted into the housing 1 such that the first limb 5b and/or second limb 5b is in, for example, the stowed configuration or the fully extended configuration.

A disconnected configuration differs from the fully extended configuration, wherein a maximum portion of the limb 5a, 5b is located outside the outer perimeter of the housing 1. Namely, in the fully extended configuration, the at least one limb 5a, 5b is still considered safely attached or connected to housing 1 such that the limb 5a, 5b is deployed for use. In a disconnected configuration, the at least one limb 5a, 5b is not considered to be in a deployed state and is instead removed from or otherwise not safely connected to the housing 1 .

As illustrated in Figure 4, the second limb 5b can be disconnected from the housing 1 and removed for storage, transportation, and maintenance. An auxiliary limb (not pictured) may be connected to the housing 1 in the aperture 22 configured to house at least a portion of the second limb 5b. In this way, the auxiliary limb can easily be interchanged with the second limb 5b. Similarly, the auxiliary limb may also be interchanged with the first limb 5a.

Figure 5 depicts a second embodiment of a medical facility 100’ according to the invention. The second embodiment of the medical facility 100’ is substantially identical to the first embodiment, and further comprises four legs 23 for lifting the housing T away from the surface on which the housing T is resting. The housing T comprises four apertures 24’, each aperture 24’ configured to house a leg 23’. Each leg 23’ is in a stowed configuration when the leg 23’ is located within the respective aperture 24’. Each leg 23’ is configured to pivot about a hinge 25’ to a maximum rotation of around 180 degrees, wherein the leg 23’ is located in the deployed configuration. Figure 5 illustrates a leg 23’ positioned in the stowed configuration and a leg 23’ positioned in the deployed configuration.

The user can manually move each leg 23’ between the stowed and deployed configurations, or this movement may be electronically or otherwise remotely controlled.

Figure 6 illustrates a third embodiment of a medical facility 100” according to the invention. The third embodiment of the medical facility 100’ is substantially identical to the first embodiment, and the housing 1 ” further comprises a telescopically expandable roof 1 e”. The roof 1 e” is telescopically expandable in a first direction X and telescopically contractable in an opposing second direction Y. In this way, the internal volume of the housing can be increased or decreased by modifying the height of the roof 1e”.

The housing 1 ” comprises a telescopic post 26” in each of the four corners of the housing 1 ”. Each telescopic post is configured to telescopically increase in length in the first direction X and telescopically decrease in length in the second direction Y. The telescopic posts 26” may be pneumatically, hydraulically or otherwise operated.

Figures 7A-7C illustrate a fourth embodiment of a medical facility 100’” according to the invention. The fourth embodiment of the medical facility 100’ is substantially identical to the first embodiment, and the housing 1 ” further comprises a pop-up expandable roof 1 e’”, shown relative to the second limb 5b’” in Figure 7A.

The roof 1 e’” comprises a pop-up elevating portion 27’”, wherein the elevating portion 27’” covers the majority of the roof 1 e’”. The elevating portion 27’” expands in a direction away from the internal volume of the housing T”. Additional headroom is provided in the volume of the housing T” located underneath the elevating portion 27’”.

The elevating portion 27’” expands and contracts in a folding envelope fashion. Namely, a hinge 27a is provided in opposing side panels 27b of the elevating portion 27’”. The side panels 27b are configured to fold about the hinge 27a, thereby changing the height between an upper surface 27c of the elevating portion 27’” and a non-elevating portion 27d of the roof 1 e’”. The side panels 27b may be folded down about the hinge 27a such that the upper surface 27c is flush with the non-elevating portion 27d of the roof 1 e’” when the expandable portion 27”’ is in a non-expanded configuration. The hinges 27a are continuous and span the width of the side panels 27b. The side panels 27b fold towards the internal volume of the housing T”, such that they are not visible when in the nonexpanded configuration.

When the expandable portion 27”’ is in a fully-expanded configuration, the upper surface 27c is angled with respect to the non-elevating portion 27d of the roof 1 e’”. A flap 27e is provided to enclose and seal the open end 27f of the elevating portion 27’”. The flap 27e may be secured over the open end 27f to protect the internal volume of the elevating portion 27’” from the elements, thereby enclosing the internal volume of the elevating portion 27’” and protecting persons located inside the housing from wind, rain and the like. The flap 27e is configured to fold down towards the internal volume of the housing T” when the expandable portion 27’” is moved into the non-expanded configuration, as illustrated on Figure 7C. The flap 27e may be folded up when the expandable portion 27’” is moved into fully-expanded configuration, as illustrated on Figure 7A.

The side walls 27b may be made from rigid material such as metal, wood or rigid plastic, or from partially flexible material such as strong canvas. A second flap 27g may similarly be configured to enclose an opposing second open end 27h of the expandable portion 27’”. The user may manually move the expandable portion 27’” between the fully- expanded configuration and non-expanded configuration, or move the expandable portion 27’” may be pneumatically, hydraulically or otherwise remotely operated by the user.

Further embodiments within the scope of the present invention may be envisaged that have not been described above. The invention is not limited to the specific examples or structures illustrated, a greater number of components than are illustrated in the figures could be used, for example.

Claims

1 . A portable medical facility comprising; a free-standing rigid housing comprising a plurality of walls defining an outer perimeter of the housing; at least one door located in a wall of the plurality of walls; and at least one limb configured to extend from a wall of the plurality of walls, wherein the at least one limb comprises a fully extended configuration wherein a maximum portion of the at least one limb is located outside the outer perimeter of the housing, and a stowed configuration wherein a maximum portion of the at least one limb is located within the outer perimeter of the housing.

2. The portable medical facility of claim 1 , wherein at least the plurality of walls of the housing comprise metal or a composite material.

3. The portable medical facility of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises an ISO 668 shipping container or an Offshore DNV 2.7-1 container.

4. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least one limb comprises rigid walls.

5. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, wherein, in the stowed configuration, the at least one limb does not extend beyond the outer perimeter of the housing.

6. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least one limb is configured to extend and retract along an extension axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

7. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, wherein, when the at least one limb is in the fully extended configuration, a floor area defined by the housing and the at least one limb is at least 20 m²

8. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least one limb comprises a pair of limbs located on opposing walls of the housing.

9. The portable medical facility of claim 8, wherein each of the pair of limbs are mounted on at least one wheel.

10. The portable medical facility of claim 9, wherein the at least one wheel comprises a pair of castor wheels, wherein the distance of the castor wheel from the base of each of the pair of limbs is adjustable.

11. The medical facility of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the pair of limbs are configured to nest together when the pair of limbs are in the stowed configuration.

12. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least one limb is connected to the housing via at least one guiding runner.

13. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, further comprising at least one power inlet located in a wall of the housing, the at least one power inlet configured to receive power from an external power source.

14. The portable medical facility of claim 13, wherein the at least one power inlet is configured to receive one or more selected from the range of: a single-phase, 1 ph, power supply; and a three-phase, 3ph, power supply.

15. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, further comprising at least one fluid inlet and/or fluid outlet located in a wall of the housing, the at least one fluid inlet configured to fluidly connect the housing to an external fluid source and/or the at least one fluid outlet configured to fluidly connect the housing to an internal fluid source.

16. The portable medical facility of claim 15, further comprising at least one gas inlet located in a wall of the housing, the at least one gas inlet configured to fluidly connect the housing to an external gas source.

17. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, further comprising at least one ventilation unit located in a wall of the housing, the at least one ventilation unit fluidly connecting the housing to the external environment.

18. The portable medical facility of claim 17, wherein the at least one ventilation unit comprises a filter configured to inhibit contaminants from the external environment entering the housing.

19. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, further comprising an environmental control unit configured to control the temperature and/or humidity in the housing.

20. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, further comprising a ladder located on an external wall of the housing, wherein the ladder does not extend beyond the outer perimeter of the housing.

21 . The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, wherein the at least one door is located on a first wall of the plurality of walls and comprises at least one window.

22. The portable medical facility of claim 21 , wherein the at least one limb is located on a second wall of the plurality of walls, the second wall adjacent to the first wall.

23. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, further comprising a ramp configured to connect to the doorframe of the at least one door.

24. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, further comprising at least one alarm.

25. The portable medical facility of any one preceding claim, wherein the plurality of walls of the housing comprises four walls.