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Modular port system and replacement method thereofRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Guard Or Protector, Body Cover, Hazardous Material Body CoverModular port system and replacement method thereof description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050278838, Modular port system and replacement method thereof. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] In medical situations, it is sometimes necessary to isolate a patient to prevent medical personnel or the environment at large from being contaminated by the patient. For example, victims of chemical or biological attacks, and certain infectious diseases require isolation. This isolation system may be in the form of a pod, with gloves provided therein to allow access by the medical worker without risk of contamination. However, these gloves may require replacement due to failure or contamination. A related replacement operation is illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B. During normal operation, a glove 102 is provided in a wall 100 of an isolation device, and is disposed on the inside of the isolation device, where a patient is located. The glove 102 is attached to a flap 104, which is made of a flexible material. During replacement, the glove 102 is pulled to the outside, and portions of the flaps 104 are pulled together below the glove 102 and tied with a rubber band or other sealing member, so that contaminants within the isolation system do not escape to the outside. The glove 102 is separated from the flap 104, and a new glove 102 is attached to the flap 104. [0002] There are several disadvantages to this operation. First, the glove 102 and the flap 104 may contain contaminants, yet these elements are exposed to the outside during replacement. Thus, workers must be extremely careful to avoid contamination. This may require protective clothing or modified breathing. However, such preventative measures may not be sufficient. Furthermore, the seal formed by tying the flaps 104 may not be sufficient to prevent contaminants from escaping, especially in light of the small size of biological microorganisms and chemical molecules. Also, this operation is cumbersome and time consuming because it requires several steps (tying and untying seals 104, removing and replacing gloves 102). In life and death situations, when time is of the essence, patient safety is compromised. Finally, a thick glove is required, degrading the tactile feel sensed by the worker. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] To possibly address the above concerns and/or different concerns, the inventors propose an apparatus to interface between an inside and an outside of a sealed environment, including an outer port, and an inner port, disposed in the outer port to provide a seal between the inside and the outside. The inner port is replaceable by a replacement inner port while maintaining the seal during a replacement operation. [0004] To possibly address the above concerns and/or different concerns, the inventors also propose a chemical or biological containment apparatus having a seal to contain contaminants in an inside thereof from passing to an outside. The apparatus includes an outer envelope, a port disposed in the envelope, the port including an outer portion having a circumferential portion extending away from the envelope and a flange extending from the circumferential portion and attached to the envelope, and an inner portion. The inner portion includes a circumferential surface corresponding to the circumferential portion, a plurality of grooves formed in the circumferential surface, and a plurality of O-rings respectively received in the grooves to form the seal with the outer portion. [0005] To possibly address the above concerns and/or different concerns, the inventors also propose a method including providing a first inner port to create a first seal between an inside and an outside of a biological or chemical containment device, and replacing the first inner port with a second inner port. The replacing includes pressing the first inner port with the second inner port while maintaining the first seal, and creating a second seal with the second inner port while maintaining the first seal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: [0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of an isolation device including the port system according to one aspect of the invention. [0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outer port shown in FIG. 1. [0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inner port shown in FIG. 1. [0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating the port/glove arrangement of FIG. 1. [0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of another embodiment of the inner port according to the present invention. [0012] FIG. 6A is a bottom view of a lower half of the inner port according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 6B is a top view of the lower half of FIG. 6A. [0014] FIG. 7A is a bottom view of an upper half of the inner port according to the embodiment of FIG. 6A. [0015] FIG. 7B is a top view of the upper half of FIG. 7A. [0016] FIG. 8 is a bag which may be used in the isolation device of FIG. 1. [0017] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a glove replacement operation according to the related art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. [0019] FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of an isolation system 1 including the port system according to one aspect of the invention. The isolation system 1 includes a plurality of access holes 9 to allow access between an inside and outside thereof. Port systems 10 are in the holes 9 and provide for the insertion of devices such as glove 35, which allows a medical worker to operate on a patient. In FIG. 1, the isolation system 1 is shown as having the glove 35 inserted therein. However, as will be discussed below, a bag, motor, or medical evaluation apparatus may also be inserted in the port systems 10. Furthermore, other devices to allow communication between the inside and outside of the isolation system 1 may be inserted, as well as other devices which allow for the operation of the isolation system 1. Furthermore, the structure of the isolation system 1 is for illustrative purposes only, and the present embodiments of the port systems 10 may be applied to isolation systems 1 having different designs, or other devices which maintain a sealed environment. For example, although the bottom of the isolation system 1 is shown as being formed of different pieces material, it is certainly possible that a single piece of material could function as both the top and bottom. [0020] A patient is placed within the isolation system 1 in order to prevent the spread of an infectious disease or other hazard. Although the isolation system 1 is shown as being open, the system 1 is closed during actual operation. A positive or a negative pressure may be maintained, depending on the nature of the isolation. The outer port may be made of PVC, polyurethane or similar materials. Continue reading about Modular port system and replacement method thereof... Full patent description for Modular port system and replacement method thereof Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Modular port system and replacement method thereof patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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