1. The Problem
Infectious disease epidemics are becoming more frequent and spreading more rapidly, driven by factors such as climate change, population growth, unplanned urbanization, and global interconnectedness. These conditions lead to the emergence and re-emergence of diseases, including zoonoses, which have the potential for rapid global transmission. In response to these challenges, infectious disease treatment centers need to evolve to better meet the needs of patients, staff, and communities. This includes improving medical care, enhancing infection prevention, increasing patient comfort, and gaining community acceptance.
To address these needs, INITIATE²—a collaborative initiative that brings together emergency responders, research institutions, and academia to develop innovative solutions and training for health emergencies—recognized the necessity of creating a rapidly deployable treatment module. This module would complement existing facilities and ensure the provision of quality care during emergencies.
Always up to the challenge, we have studied the list of specifications that they have provided and started work on a treatment module that considers all of the rigors that a space designed for treating infectious diseases must comply with.
2. The Challenge
The design of the Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IDTM) had to adhere to several key principles:
- Contact-enabling design: Tailored to the modes of disease transmission.
- Climate responsiveness and energy efficiency: Adaptable to various environmental conditions while minimizing energy consumption.
- Resilience: Capable of withstanding natural hazards and disturbances.
- Accessibility and inclusivity: Designed to accommodate diverse populations.
- Cultural adaptability and participation: Sensitive to cultural differences and encouraging community involvement.
- Modularity: Flexible layout to allow for surge capacity.
- Ease of construction: Facilitating rapid deployment.
- Sustainability: Incorporating cradle-to-cradle and reuse design considerations.
- Low maintenance: Requiring minimal local maintenance.
- Adaptability and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC): Ensuring effective infection control measures.
- Intuitive usability and wayfinding: Easy to navigate and use.
- Transportability: Capable of being transported by various modes, from tricycles to boats, ensuring easy mobility.
The IDTM needed to be a versatile, self-contained unit designed for the rapid treatment of infectious diseases. It had to be adaptable to different climates, sizes, and patient needs. Each module would accommodate two patients and include areas for treatment, resuscitation, isolation, and care. The users of the IDTM would encompass people of all ages, genders, cultures, religions, and disabilities, covering a wide range of backgrounds and health conditions.
The design also required straight walls to maximize space capacity and improve interior usability. Each IDTM would be divided into three pods:
- Central staff area: A 20 m² (5 x 4 m) space allowing constant observation of patients without the need for personal protective equipment (PPE). This area could also serve as a dressing room, office, and/or pharmacy during the initial days of an emergency.
- Two individual patient rooms: Each room would measure 20 m² (5x4m), designed to provide dedicated spaces for patient care.
By adhering to these principles, the IDTM aims to provide a robust solution for managing infectious disease outbreaks, ensuring that quality care can be delivered swiftly and effectively in diverse and challenging environments.
3. The Approach
The module was designed as a low-pressure inflatable structure to be used outdoors as a stand-alone unit or as a temporary indoor space within existing facilities. The module was designed to be transported on a pick-up truck in small carry-on bags, weighing approximately 200 kg for a 20 m² pod. Being inflatable, it would be quick and easy to set up in a matter of minutes.
The inflatable structure was designed to withstand at least 80 km/h of wind on any surface, and the system design ensured enhanced natural ventilation that would limit the spread of contaminants in the various IDTM configurations. The modularity of the IDTM was ensured by 4 large identical interchangeable openings to allow easy connection on both axes. All the structures can be connected by 4 connectors welded on one side to the module fabric, which are self-sufficient thanks to their own inflatable structure.
4. The Result
A prototype of the IDTM was manufactured and deployed less than 3 months after the contract award. Our AZF low-pressure inflatable shelter was redesigned to meet the need for increased space capacity and was supplied with a double inner liner:
- A silver-coated reflective fabric specially developed for shelter insulation with a very low Lambda value, which reduces the heat flow between the inside and outside, making it one of the best thermal insulators on the market, all the while being extremely light and compact.
- An antimicrobial fabric specially designed for the healthcare industry to inhibit the growth of bacteria. With antiviral properties, 100% waterproof, and high tear resistance, this fabric is the best option for healthcare applications.
To ensure adequate visibility into patient isolation rooms, transparent screens have been provided, all of which are fitted with manipulation glove openings (both height and width) designed to cover the widest range of anthropometric constraints and ensure that caregivers can perform their duties accurately and safely. The connectors, which can be used as vestibules or simply as additional space for patient isolation rooms, are also fitted with the same liners to ensure the same level of protection throughout the system.
LANCO offers sunroofs as optional equipment for most of the shelter models we manufacture. The IDTM was supplied with sunroofs, which are highly recommended in extreme climates. It is advisable to use them for protection from the sun or snow, as they help with both internal temperatures and increased snow load resistance.
Each shelter was supplied with an inflation system, which includes the electric pump and hose system needed to inflate all the arches at the same time, for a quick and easy setup. As accessories, LANCO also supplied the electrical system, transport and storage boxes, and the rigid modular floor system, making the IDTM a turnkey system, quickly deployable and fully equipped for use in the harshest of environments. This innovative solution is set to become the standard for supporting health emergency preparedness and response.
Conclusions
This project required extensive work and an effective collaboration between our various teams: design, engineering, and manufacturing. We have managed to manufacture and deploy a prototype of this infectious module in just 3 months, and the feedback we have received from the end users is very good. The module is a turn-key field hospital solution, capable of supporting infectious diseases combat efforts across the world. It is fitted with all the necessary accessories to prevent cross-contamination and allow for complex medical interventions.
