WO2000034110A1

WO2000034110A1 - Snow ambulance vehicle rescue system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2000034110A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/029086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Jacobson
Original assignee: Eric Jacobson
Priority date: 1998-12-08
Filing date: 1999-12-08
Publication date: 2000-06-15
Also published as: AU2355400A; WO2000034110A9

Abstract

A rescue vehicle system and method includes a vehicle (10) having at least one and preferably four tracks (14) that propel the vehicle across rough, muddy or snowy terrain, such vehicle is provided with an enclosed housing (16) having at least one access door providing therein through which a patient can be conveyed. A patient is transported in relative comfort and is protected from the outside environment within the housing (16), such housing further provided with rescue equipment, preferably medical devices, instruments and provisions so that the patient can be medically administered during transport to a health care center. The housing of the present invention is large enough to accommodate not only an injured patient but also at least one health care provider. The housing (16) contains at least two beds (22) or cots in addition to other medical equipment that may be required under typical rescue situations such as broken bones of skiers/snow boarders, heart attack victims in remote areas. The rescue vehicle of the present invention is further provided with sirens and warning lights (26) positioned on and about the vehicle and the housing to provide both audible and visible warnings.

Description

SNOW AMBULANCE VEHICLE RESCUE SYSTEM AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a rescue system and method of using the same, and in particular is directed to a mobile snow ambulance vehicle capable of traversing various difficult terrains to transport injured individuals along with one or more health care professionals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In extreme rescue situations it is often necessary to access geographic locations that are difficult, if not impossible, for traditional rescue vehicles to negotiate. Such situations arise, for example, in mountainous areas, in heavily wooded areas, in soggy, marshy, or muddy locations and over particularly rugged terrain. In the past, emergency situations in such areas have required either air drops from planes of individuals or provisions, the clearing of trees to make a path for traditional rescue vehicles, or the arduous, dangerous and time consuming attempts to reach such areas by individual humans on skis, snow shoes, etc. Indeed, often times mountain climbers, hikers, skiers, outdoors men, etc. that are injured in the back country must be carried out by hand with such transport being perilous to the injured individual and to the rescue squads. Emergency situations demand immediate action and traditional methods of rescue in winter time conditions, for example, toboggans, dogsleds, stretchers, etc., cause significant delays that further jeopardize the injured person's chances of survival, or at least expose such person to undesired periods of pain and suffering prior to the receipt of effective medical treatment.

An increasingly common occurrence on ski slopes is the traumatic collisions between skiers, snowboarders, cross country skiers, etc. Moreover, many skiers are killed each year due to collisions with trees and other obstacles. In many of such cases, head injuries are particularly severe especially in view of the reluctance of many wintertime enthusiast to wear protective helmets. Finally, numerous individuals die of heart attacks each year due to over exercision resulting form the rigors of the above-referenced sport activities. In such situations, traditional methods of rescue are perilous to the injured individual in that necessary medical care must await proper transport of the individual to a health care facility. Traditional rescue vehicles and systems attempt to maintain the injured individual in relative comfort, however, this level of care is inadequate to prevent death or further serious injury due to the length of time required to transport an injured individual to a hospital and/or clinic.

To remedy such situations, various rescue/emergency response vehicles and devices have been invented. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,573,300 to Simmons, is directed to a golfcart-type emergency response module wherein interchangeable modules are provided that can be installed on a number of small utility vehicles. Such a device, however, is admittedly of a limited size and often is incapable of traversing the difficult terrain experienced in emergency situations. The modules described by Simmons for ambulance and fire rescue purposes are of an open air construction and therefore are not suitable for use in severe weather situations. Moreover, given the small size of such modules, they do not allow for one or more health practitioners to accompany and work on an injured patient during transit to a hospital.

Still other rescue vehicles and systems suffer from one or more deficiencies. U. S. Patent No. 4,389,066 to Weir et al. discloses a rescue unit towed by a snowmobile and includes a frame with attached skis. U.S. Patent No. 5,242, 176 to Hendrickson discloses a rescue sled adapted to be pulled by a snowmobile. U.S. Patent No. 5,306,026 to Jesse is directed to a rescue toboggan. U.S. Patent No. 3,746,357 to Haskins is directed to an ambulance sled for towing with a snowmobile. U.S. Patent No. 5,755,478 to Kamiya et al. is directed to a collapsible trauma care system transportable by wheels. Many of the above-described devices are constructed so as to merely facilitate the mere transport of a single injured individual and do not provide the room necessary for one or more medically trained individuals to accompany and treat an injured individual during transport. Most of such vehicles are designed to be towed by snowmobiles and thus, rely at least in part on ski-like components in contact with the ground being traversed. These systems are therefore limited in their ability to traverse difficult terrain that may or may not be snow covered, and are generally not suitable when traversing dry or web pavement or dirt roads. Moreover, many of the above-referenced vehicles and rescue systems are of a limited size, with little or no suspension systems and therefore transport an injured person under jarring conditions which further exacerbate the injured person's condition. For example, transporting an injured skier with a broken leg down a moggled ski scope is a cold, jarring and uncomfortable experience for the patient and is often dangerous for the individual directing the toboggan downhill. If transport up a steep incline is required, toboggan-like systems must rely upon being pulled uphill by a snowmobile vehicle. In such situations, however, the injured patent is still exposed to the risk of additional trauma caused by transport over rough and uneven terrain and must await until arrival at a health care facility in order to obtain proper medical attention. For heart attack and head injury victims, the rough ride and elapsed time may have fatal consequences.

There is therefore a long felt but unsolved need for a vehicle and method for transporting injured or health jeopardized individuals across rugged terrain that is inaccessible by conventional wheeled vehicles and that permits a safe and spacious environment wherein the patient(s), as well as a professional health care provider(s) can be accommodated in a manner that facilitates the provision of medical care during the transport of such individual to a hospital or clinic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above referenced problems in the emergency rescue vehicles and systems of the prior art are solved by the present invention. The present invention is generally directed to a vehicle that can traverse the snowy, muddy and hard pavement surfaces that may be encountered in any particular environment without the jarring nature of transport experienced in all prior art vehicles. The spacious housing provided on the rescue vehicle of the present invention accommodates not only at least one injured patient, but also at least one medical health care provider. As such, the present invention provides a vehicle and method for treating victims experiencing a trauma and/or emergency situation (e.g., heart attack, broken bones, etc.) during the transport of such victims to a health care facility.

A rescue vehicle system and method includes a vehicle having at least one and preferably four tracks that propel the vehicle across rough, muddy or snowy terrain, such vehicle provided with an enclosed housing having at least one access door providing therein through which a patient can be conveyed. A patient is transported in relative comfort and is protected from the outside environment within the housing, such housing further provided with rescue equipment, preferably medical devices, instruments and provisions so that the patient can be medically administered during transport to a health care center. The housing of the present invention is large enough to accommodate not only an injured patient but also at least one health care provider. The housing contains at least two beds or cots in addition to other medical equipment that may be required under typical rescue situations such as broken bones of skiers/snow boarders, heart attach victims in remote areas, etc. The rescue vehicle of the present invention is further provided with sirens and warning lights positioned on and about the vehicle and the housing to provide both audible and visible warnings.

Other advantages and embodiments of the present invention are discussed in more detail below and are pictured in the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing a four track vehicle with a snow ambulance housing unit attached thereto; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the interior of the rescue vehicle as illustrated in

Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the present invention illustrating one embodiment having double opening doors to facilitate easy conveyance of patients into and out of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Fig. 1, the present invention in one embodiment is directed to a snow ambulance 10 comprising a snow cat vehicle 12 having at least one, more preferably two and even more preferably four, track rollers 14 which contact the ground and provide the necessary traction to move the vehicle across the ground. The tracks themselves are preferably of a durable material and can be manufactured from conventional belted metal tracks used on conventional snowcats. In a preferred embodiment, however, the tracks are constructed from either a rubber, plastic or neopreen-type material which can then be used to traverse sand, mud, snow, as well as traditional pavement without injuring paved surfaces. Suitable track units can be obtained, for example, from Tucker Manufacturing, Medford, Oregon, Bombadier, Canada, and Larson Manufacturing Company, Plainview, Texas. Appropriate transmission elements, torsion bar elements, etc. can be provided by one of skill in the art, for example, the transmission described in U.S. Patent No. 4,181,042 to Archer (incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference), as well as the provision of appropriate torsion bar systems, for example, that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,743,314 (incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference). The entirety of U.S. Patent Nos. 3,787,099 and 3,857,616 are incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference. An enclosed cabin 16 is attached or otherwise integral with the vehicle 10, such cabin being reversibly closeable to isolate individuals therein from the outside environment.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the interior of the housing 16 is preferably accommodated with various elevated supports 18 for which injured individuals may recline. In a preferred embodiment, at least two supports for injured individuals are provided, more preferably three and most preferably four. With four surfaces capable of accommodating four individual patients, two of such gurney/cots can be suspended from the ceiling and walls of the housing unit 16. As discussed herein below, the housing is of sufficient dimensions to accommodate at least one and preferably two healthcare providers in addition to the four injured patients. Chairs or other supporting surfaces are provided inside the housing to accommodate such medical personnel during transport. An appropriate ventilation system 20 can be provided to ensure a proper temperature and humidity environment within the interior of the housing 16. Medical instruments and supplies used in the treatment of patients during transport can be stored in various compartments 22 and elevated hooks 24 for hanging intravenous fluid bags (not shown) are provided at appropriate positions within the interior of the housing 16. Within the interior of the housing 16 the preferred embodiment provides for two opposing beds or gurney supports 18, in addition to at least one chair or ledge 19 that can accommodate a medical health care provider. In addition, in alternative embodiments, the corners of the interior of the housing 16 can be provided with running water facilities 21 to facilitate cleaning of instruments, patient wounds, etc. The housing 16 is provided with power either through auxiliary batteries or through electrical connections with the vehicle 12 itself. The upper portion of the vehicle 12 is preferably provided with one or more emergency warning lights 26 and sirens. As one will appreciate, the sirens and warning lights 26 can also be mounted on top of the snow ambulance housing enclosure 16. In a preferred embodiment, the snow ambulance of the present invention is mounted on a chassis, for example one manufactured by Tucker Snow-Cat, Medford, Oregon, Larson Manufacture, Plainview, Texas, etc. Other suitable vehicles 12, however, can be utilized, particularly vehicles having one or more tracks capable of traversing snow, marshy, muddy and rocky terrains. Especially preferred are vehicles having suspension systems that reduce, if not largely eliminate, the jarring motions that may be experienced by an injured patient within the housing 16 during transport. Various suspension mechanism are known in the art and can be included and used with the rescue delivery vehicle 10 of the present invention.

The housing 16 itself is constructed preferably from rigid materials, and preferably sheet metal. The housing 16 is preferably insulated to protect the inhabitants thereof from the extremes of weather conditions experienced in the winter back country. Appropriate ventilation systems and/or windows, air holes, etc. can be provided depending upon the particular use and design of any particular housing unit 16. In addition, collapsible self contained trauma care units such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 5,755,478 (the entirety of which is incorporated herein by this reference) can be attached to the rescue vehicle 12 in any appropriate manner, thus providing a rescue vehicle 10 that can traverse terrains that are inaccessible by a wheeled vehicle.

As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the present invention, while primarily directed to a snow ambulance application, also finds application in other various rescue situations, for example as a response vehicle for forest fires, military uses, etc. As such, various configurations of the housing 16 and the interior thereof can be accommodated with appropriate emergency gear for the particular use at hand. For example, the various gear and accessories described in U.S. Patent No. 5,573,300 (incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference) can be incorporated into the present housing 16. Indeed, in one embodiment, compressed air foam, extinguishing systems, water tanks, hose reels, fire nozzles, fire axes, ladders, and other types of fire rescue equipment can be accommodated in the various cabinets 22 or storage spaces, hooks 24 and other compartments within the interior of the housing 16. Indeed, in one particular embodiment designed specifically for military uses, the ambulance vehicle 10 of the present invention is also provided with fire extinguishing equipment since ambulance rescue of injured military personnel often necessitates the extinguishing of fires, explosions, live ordinance, etc. prior to effective rescue procedures being implemented. Thus, in one particular embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 12 and/or housing 16 is provided with fire retardants for extinguishing agents, including compressed foam agents that rely upon very little water to achieve fire suppression. An appropriate fire hose turret or traditional reel hose can be fitted to the vehicle for easy access by personnel. As one can further appreciate, with respect to military applications, another embodiment of the invention provides for the positioning of weapons on or operatively associated with the housing 16 or vehicle 12 itself to further provide military defense protection for positions and injured patients during transport thereof.

As one will also appreciate, exterior hooks and/or reversibly pivoting support surfaces can be provided on the exterior of the housing 16 in order to accommodate additional gurneys, cots, or other support surfaces which can support injured individuals. Thus, in addition to individuals that can be treated inside the housing, the exterior of the housing can also accommodate further reclining and/or sitting injured patients in the event numerous individuals must be transported from a remote location. In a preferred embodiment, the snow ambulance vehicle 10 of the present invention comprises the following components: four rolls of track operatively associated with four carrier assemblies with wheels and sprockets; two differential assemblies; two turntable assemblies; one frame assembly; four springs and/or air bag suspension systems; front and rear drive shaft assemblies; a power plant, preferably diesel; one Allison transmission or Funk transmission; one fuel system; one cab with full instrumentation and two seats provided therein; front and rear lighting; one hood bonnet; and one wire harness and/or one electronic system. The vehicle 10 further has a modular box attached to the chassis which incorporates a built in oxygen system; a litter hold down mechanism; and public warning devices including a siren, flashing light bar, etc. As shown in Figure 3, in a preferred embodiment the vehicle 10 of the present invention has a pair of doors that open independently and/or together in order to provide easy ingress and egress from the interior housing compartment. Moreover, warning lights of various desired colors are mounted about each face of the housing unit itself and may be positioned on top of the housing unit as desired. To facilitate various uses, the housing unit can be made in a modular fashion so that it can be disassociated from the vehicle itself, freeing such vehicle for use with other types of modular units (fire rescue units, etc.).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing 16 is further provided with an avalanche escape ceiling portal (not shown) which is preferably sized to accommodate the exit from the interior of the housing unit through the roof of the vehicle/housing in the event of a snow slide, etc. In addition, other embodiments of the present invention have access portals between the housing 16 and the vehicle cab 12, thus permitting the driver or passenger in the vehicle to access the interior of the housing compartment. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle of the present invention complies with the national road ambulance protocol in the United States. Another important feature of the present invention is directed to a vehicle shut-off mechanism whereby an individual standing outside of the vehicle and housing can operate such mechanism to cease movement of the vehicle. This is often important in situations of an emergency where an operator of the vehicle may not be cognizant of various individuals moving around behind the rescue vehicle, thus putting such individuals into a perilous situation when the vehicle is put into reverse or otherwise moved. In such situations, the individual in such a position of peril is able to trip or otherwise trigger the shut-off mechanism to either break the vehicle's movement and/or to simply shut off the vehicle's engine, thereby ceasing movement of the vehicle, thus preventing any accidental collisions between the vehicle and individuals and/or property. In a preferred embodiment, a cable shut-off mechanism is utilized which when operated interrupts the flow of fuel to the vehicle's engine.

Another safety feature of the present invention includes a video camera positioned so that the operator of the vehicle can clearly view the area behind the vehicle that would otherwise be visually inaccessible even through the use of traditional mirrors. Again, in emergency situations where the motions are running high, such safety features are deemed extremely important in preserving the safety of emergency response individuals. One aspect of the present invention is directed to a method for treating trauma patients, including individuals who have suffered heart attacks on ski slopes or have collided with either other skiers/snowboarders or other obstacles on a ski slope such as trees, posts, chairlift poles, etc. In such embodiments, the method is directed to provision of a vehicle having at least one ground contacting tract (similar to a tank track) that propels the vehicle across various different terrains. As such, the vehicle tracks are preferably made of a rubber or plastic material so that they can traverse not only rocky, snowy and muddy terrains, but can also travel effectively across dirt roads and pavement. In this regard, the present invention is distinguished from snowmobile vehicles that operate on ski-like ground contacting members for either support or steering mechanisms. Thus, in one preferred embodiment, the present invention does not utilize any type of skilike ground contacting member. In operation of the present method, an injured individual is accessed by having the accident reported to the snow ambulance vehicle via standard telecommunication and/or walkie talkie means. The operator of the vehicle then proceeds to the site of the accident and/or injured person and transports the person into the interior of the vehicle housing 16. Once in the housing, medical personnel riding either with the operator of the vehicle or inside the housing itself immediately intends to the injured person's problems. For example, a physician could immediately attend to a heart attack victim by having a defibrillation unit accessible within the housing, thus the physician could initiate proper heartbeat rhythms using such defibrillator at the time the injured party is picked up in the vehicle, rather than awaiting final transport to a hospital and/or clinic. In addition, IV transfusions can be initiated immediately and during transport of the injured party, thus often saving the life of such party. Obviously various drugs can be administered by a physician during transport of an injured party and/or bones can be set, patients' vital signs can be monitored and health clinics and/or hospitals can be immediately notified during transit of the patient so that necessary additional medical services are provided and available upon reaching a final healthcare destination. In brief, one particular advantage of the present invention is the fact that medical care can be immediately provided to an injured party prior to reaching a final healthcare destination. Given the warm and relatively comfortable confines of the housing of the present invention, a patient is also put at ease and is removed from extreme weather conditions that may exist, allowing the person to be stripped of clothing that may hinder an otherwise proper diagnosis of what injuries may exist.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A rescue vehicle, comprising: a vehicle having a chassis, engine, drive train, driver's compartment and a body; an enclosed housing having at least four sides with at least one access portal through at least one of said sides such that a reclining patient can be transported within said housing and protected from the outside environment; storage facilities for a plurality of equipment for use in response to a particular type of emergency disposed within said housing; and at least one rotating track assembly mounted beneath said vehicle and in contact with the ground whereby rotation of said track propels said vehicle in forward and reverse directions.

2. The vehicle, as set forth in Claim 1 , wherein said vehicle comprises at least four separate tracks with two of said tracks being positioned at a front end of said vehicle and two of said tracks being positioned near a back end of said vehicle.

3. The vehicle, as set forth in Claim 1 , wherein said vehicle further comprises means for extinguishing fires; an emergency warning lights; a siren; a control panel; and at least one storage compartment contained within said housing and being reversibly closeable.

4. The vehicle as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said enclosing housing has a ceiling through which an exit portal is provided, said portal being normally in a closed position by a cover, said cover being removable in the event an occupant in said housing is unable to exit said housing through one of said access portals on a side of said housing.

5. The vehicle as set forth in Claim 3, wherein said means for extinguishing fire comprises a compressed air foam extinguishing system; a water tank; a hose reel including a hose and a fire nozzle; a fire extinguisher; a ladder; and an ax.

6. The vehicle as set forth in Claim 1, further comprising means for treating sick and injured persons selected from the group consisting of a cardiac defibrillator; and aneroid sphygmomanometer; an intravenous fluid delivery means; an oxygen cylinder; a patient cot; and a flat back board.

7. The vehicle as set forth in Claim 1, further comprising a means for transporting said vehicle over terrain selected from the group comprising snow, pavement and mud wherein said means for conveying does not comprise any ski-like component being brought into contact with the ground during said transport.

8. The vehicle as set forth in Claim 1, further comprising a heating unit to maintain an inside compartment within said housing at a temperature above about 68 °F.

9. A method for providing medical care to an injured individual, comprising: providing a rescue vehicle having four rotating tracks in contact with the ground and devoid of any ski-like ground contacting members, said tracks operatively connected to a vehicle, said vehicle having associated therewith an enclosed housing unit having an interior spacious enough to accommodate at least two injured individuals and a healthcare provider within said housing; moving said vehicle to an accident site where one or more injured individuals are present; conveying said injured individuals into said interior of said housing; and administering medical treatments to said injured individuals while said vehicle is transporting said injured individuals.

10. The method as set forth in Claim 9, wherein said medical treatment comprises reviving a heart attack victim by using a defibrillation unit on said victim during transport thereof.

11. The method as set forth in Claim 10, further comprising having a physician convey medical information concerning an injured individual to a hospital or clinic during the transport of said injured individual.

12. A method for treating an individual injured on a ski slope, comprising, administering medical attention to an injured person substantially immediately upon a rescue vehicle's arrival at an accident scene wherein said injured individual is transported inside a housing connected to a four track vehicle and a physician within said housing administers medical attention to said injured person during the transport thereof.

13. A rescue vehicle, comprising : a vehicle having a chassis, engine, drive train, driver's compartment and a body; an enclosed housing having at least four sides with at least one access portal through at least one of said sides such that a reclining patient can be transported within said housing and protected from the outside environment; an enclosed housing having at least four sides with at least one access portal through at least one of said sides such that a reclining patient can be transported within said housing and protected from the outside environment; storage facilities for a plurality of equipment for use in response to a particular type of emergency disposed within said housing; at least one rotating track assembly mounted beneath said vehicle and in contact with the ground whereby rotation of said track propels said vehicle in forward and reverse directions. a track assembly having at least four separate tracks mounted beneath said vehicle and in contact with the ground whereby rotation of said tracks propels said vehicle in forward and reverse directions; a fire extinguishing system operatively associated with said vehicle; and a safety shut-down mechanism accessible by a person positioned at the rear of said vehicle, said mechanism being capable of halting movement of said vehicle when triggered.