Modular containment unit

Abstract

A prefabricated, self-contained, standardised working environment that combines transport-useful physical standards for overall dimensions (a shipping container/cargo container) together with functional standards (such as specified clean air or biological containment standards) related to specific types of work to be carried out, and takes advantage of volume production at an assembly site with appropriate materials and expertise. Optionally, users are provided with “no-touch” control of items like doors or taps, and with management of supplies, event logging, instrument control, communications and the like through a network of computer peripherals and a control unit.

1 . A modular containment unit including a working space, for use within an external surrounding environment, characterised in that the modular containment unit is constructed within an outer shell capable of meeting at least one physical standard appropriate to outer shells, and includes an internal working space having a construction and having environmental support means together capable of meeting at least one functional standard appropriate to at least one task capable of being carried out within the working space.  
     
     
         2 . A modular containment unit as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the outer shell capable of meeting at least one physical standard is that of a dedicated shipping container.  
     
     
         3 . A modular containment as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that the construction of the internal working space is based on panels each comprised of a foam interior and at least one coated protective surface.  
     
     
         4 . A modular containment unit as claimed in  claim 3 , characterised in that the internal working space includes means capable of trapping suspended particles within the air, and the internal working space provides walls, floors, ceilings and fitments constructed so as to minimise the release of particles into the air, so that the working space meets or exceeds a standard requirement for the amount of suspended particles in the air.  
     
     
         5 . A modular containment unit as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that the internal working space is capable of providing a barrier between a bio-technical operation carried out within the working space and the external surrounding environment according to at least one recognised Standard for biological containment, and the construction provides for sterilisation of the working space from time to time.  
     
     
         6 . A modular containment unit as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that the modular containment unit includes means for maintaining, within the working space, an internal atmosphere capable of meeting the at least one functional standard, the means also providing a barrier between the internal atmosphere and the external surrounding environment by means of air filtration and/or sterilisation.  
     
     
         7 . A modular containment unit as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that the means for maintaining an internal atmosphere and barrier is capable of being serviced and/or replaced from the exterior of the unit without breaching the barrier.  
     
     
         8 . A modular containment unit as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that the modular containment unit includes means for preventing exchange of organisms between the internal atmosphere and the external surrounding environment by carriage within liquids passing across the barrier.  
     
     
         9 . A modular containment unit as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that the modular containment unit includes means for preventing transfer of organisms across the barrier upon workers' clothing, by providing garment storage and changing areas.  
     
     
         10 . A modular containment unit as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that the working space includes at least one internal modular serviced space, each of which is capable of being occupied by a corresponding item of equipment.  
     
     
         11 . A modular containment unit as claimed in  claim 3 , characterised in that the modular containment unit includes service means (electric power and any gases) for supporting the internal working environment, and for supporting a bio-technical operation carried out within the unit.  
     
     
         12 . A modular containment unit as claimed in  claim 7 , characterised in that the modular containment unit includes a plurality of non-contact sensors each coupled to a corresponding actuator coupled in turn to an item to be operated; each sensor being capable of responding to a worker when requiring that the item be operated, so that the worker does not physically handle the item.  
     
     
         13 . A method for manufacture of a plurality of modular containment units each as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that the method incorporates the steps of aggregating the steps of manufacture at a single site and then transporting each modular containment unit to a destination site as if it were a standard shipping container, so that experience gained in meeting imposed standards may be used repeatedly, so that any one modular containment unit may be later provided with at least one modular item of laboratory equipment, and so that the cost of supply of said modular containment units is minimised.