202 to allow for removal and replacement within the opening 202. For example, a knife edge seal and HEPA lock may be provided as illustrated in FIG. 12.

Various embodiments, thus, provide air delivery and lighting in a modular, easily to install configuration. In various embodiments, an airframe system 350 may be provided, components of which are shown in FIG. 11. The components may be coupled together in different configurations as desired or needed, and as discussed herein. FIG. 11 illustrates base components in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 11 are portions of various components, the components include a portion of a lighting module 352 (shown in an exploded view, the elements of which couple together without fasteners) and portions of air delivery modules 352, which may be sized and shaped based on a particular configuration. In various embodiments, the modules define separate systems or sub-systems to deliver the different features, including lighting and air. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the lighting module 352 is coupled to air delivery modules 352 (to define a lighting and air delivery sub-system) that is integrated with one or more structural mounts 356, such as by mounting these components together in a desired arrangement or configuration. It should be noted that in various embodiments, there is no penetration into the light cavity (e.g., inside the lighting module 352) as a result of the rivet holes for mounting being located in the airframe.

With reference now to FIGS. 13-16, various elements of the structural support for the supply air array 106 will now be described. In particular, the HSS tube frame 302 may be coupled with a light housing 400 (which may be embodied as the lighting module 352) having upper engagement members 304 and lower engagement member 404 that provide a snap fit coupling with the light assembly 304 and the lens 316, respectively (without the need for hardware fasteners). Additionally, the light housing 400 may be coupled with airframe support members 402 (which may be embodied as the air delivery modules 354) that are mounted to a support structure, such as the wall 12 or ceiling 14 of the operating room 10. The light housing 400 with the airframe support members 402 together define air frame channels of the supply air array 106. Variations and modifications are contemplated. For example, in some embodiments, a thumb tab release is provided in combination with a retainer clip 305 within the light housing 400 for easier removal of the components within the light housing 400.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the light housing 400, which is illustrated as a light bar, includes mounting tracks, illustrated as rivet tracks 401 (illustrated as grooves extending longitudinally along the outer walls of the light housing 400) to which the airframe 402 is coupled by a rivet 403. As should be appreciated, the rivet tracks 401 allow the airframe 402 at any suitable location along the light housing 400. A HEPA lock 405 may be provided on the airframe 402 (illustrated as a locking arm coupled within the airframe 402) that allows for releasably securing a HEPA filter (or other filtering device) within the airframe 402 as discussed in more detail herein.

With respect to the light assembly 304 that is coupled within the light housing 400, a control housing 404 is coupled to an LED board 406 (light source) and is configured to receive therein a light controller 408. A wireway plug 410 is coupled to the bottom of a wireway cavity 303. A bolt 412 couples the light housing 400 to the HSS tube frame 302. The control housing 404 is configured with male protrusions 405 for snap fit engagement with an upper female cavity 301. In particular, the width of the light housing 400 narrows from bottom to top (as viewed in the Figures) such that control housing 404 is compressed and snap fit therein engaging the male protrusions 405 into the female cavity 301.

With reference now to FIGS. 18 and 19, the supply air array 106 includes the lower frame 200 that defines an air frame 402 with plural air passages 450 (airflow openings) along an inner edge 452 of each of the openings 202. For example, plural spaced apart openings 450 formed around the periphery of the opening 202 define airflow outlets. The plural air passages 450 allow airflow therethrough, which is directed at an angle downward, for example, by the size, shape and orientation of the air passages 450. Thus, the air passages 450 are configured to direct airflow at an angle downward underneath the light housing 400. For example, an airflow outlet through the plural air passages 450 may be formed within the airframe directly adjacent to the periphery of a diffuser screen 460 as shown in FIG. 20 to direct airflow as shown by the arrows AF in FIG. 21. The airflow directed through the air passages 450 creates a pressure zone underneath the light housing 400 allowing for consistent pressure and airflow beneath the entire supply air array 106.

In some embodiments, a light diffuser structure may be formed in accordance with disclosure herein. For example, FIG. 22 illustrates a 2×2 light diffuser 500 and a 2×4 light diffuser 502. However, as should be appreciated, different sized configurations of light diffuser may be provided.

Thus, various embodiments provide an air frame structure that can include lighting, wherein an air conduit is provided within the air frame structure to direct air into the sterile field 30. The various embodiments allow for the integration of multiple components into an easy to install and customizable system 600, such as shown in FIG. 23. The components may be formed or defined by modules or sub-systems that are coupled together as described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 600 can include one or more air delivery modules 602, one or more lighting modules 604 (illustrated as LED lighting modules), one or more fire suppression modules 606, one or more audio/video modules 608 and one or more structural mounts 610, as described in more detail herein. Structural mounts may be configured as a single cell, Flex mount 610 or as a multiple cell arrangement 612. In the various embodiments, with a pressurized module (which may be embodied as or form part of the top cover 220 (shown in FIG. 3) that allows for simple and easy air source hook-up (e.g., contractor hook up, such as a single or dual S/A connection) and having improved quality and performance. The system 600, thus, provides single point air source connection instead of multiple connection points, resulting in less potential for air loss, less sealing and lower complexity. The system 600 also provides high performance controlled airflow, which includes controlling contaminants (that can be beneficial, such as to protect a patient in an operating room having the system 600 installed), using the plurality of modules as described herein.

It should be noted that in the system 600, the structural mounts 610 may be located (e.g., mounted) along the perimeter of the system 600, thereby being located along the perimeter of the airfield. In this configuration, air flow within the airfield is improved by not having the mounts within the portion of the system 600 that includes the airfield. It should also be noted that field connections can be made prior to equipment installation, thereby providing improved access for services, such as for power, data, audio/video, lighting and communications, among others. In some embodiments, one or more of the modules may include interface of connectors, such as a MedGas manifold with field piping performed prior to equipment installation.

Various embodiments also allow single trade, single source responsibility of the system, instead of multiple trade, multiple source responsibility. In various embodiments, the airframe members 402, such as of adjacent modules, are mounted in abutting engagement as shown in FIG. 24.

As should be appreciated, the number and location of each of these modules may be varied as desired or needed, such as based on the particular application or environment. For example, a plurality of modules may be installed for a particular environment that includes easy load HEPA (see FIG. 25 showing a HEPA filter 652 locked into place with a HEPA lock 650 in combination with an airframe knife edge seal 654) and easy clean damper/diffuser features as described herein, such as using a hinged access configuration as described herein. Additionally, in some embodiments, single cell flex mount modules may be provided, which are configured like the structural mounts 610 and having bolt-on capabilities (e.g., bolt-on fastening or connection to another module, which allows for flexible and movable mounting locations and positions.

In various embodiments, multiple attachment points are provided per module (e.g., four attachment points per module). In these embodiments, anchoring installation time is reduced, which in some cases, is thirty times faster than conventional system installations.

Thus, as shown and described herein, various embodiments, including, for example, the supply air array 106 is configured to direct pressurized air underneath an entire lower surface of a frame structure that includes easily removable light assemblies. The pressurized air underneath the supply air array 106 reduces or eliminates turbulent recirculation of contaminants directly over the patient and surgical site. The air passages 450 direct air under the light housing 400 or any space between the airframe members 402. The pressurized air under the light housing 400 reduces or eliminates turbulent recirculation of air that might entrain contaminants.

Variations and modifications to the various embodiments are contemplated. For example, one or more of the structural elements or components of the embodiments described herein may be modified or additional elements provided, such as illustrated in FIGS. 26-33. The modifications shown relate generally to the airframe system 350 described herein. As should be appreciated, the components may be coupled together in different configurations as desired or needed, and as discussed herein.

More particularly, FIG. 26 illustrates a full grid assembly 700 in accordance with an embodiment. The arrangement allows for easily installation and mounting of various components, such as coupling a lighting module to the structure of the assembly 700. The assembly 700 generally includes mounting, positioning and alignment components that facilitate the installation of the assembly in various embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly 700 includes a support portion 702, which forms part of the support structure of the assembly. In one example, the support portion 702 is a support beam or tube, such as a Hollow Structural Section (HSS) tube. In some examples, the support portion 702 is metal (e.g., steel) having a hollow tubular cross-section. However, it should be appreciated that the support portion 702 can be sized and shaped differently. For example, the support portion 702 can be configured as an HSS member having different shapes, such as circular, square, rectangular or elliptical. It should be appreciated that different support structures or elements can be used, including support structures having different hollow configurations or non-hollow configurations.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support portion 702 is positioned at a perimeter of a module and may be embodiment, for example, as the HSS tube frame 302 described and illustrated herein. It should be noted that there is no light element under the support portion 702 in the illustrated example. The support portion 702 is configured to couple to (e.g., bolt through) to an adjacent module that has a light element. For example, the support portion 702 is coupled to a support portion 704 using a fastener, illustrated as a bolt 708. The support portion 704 in one example is another HSS member, illustrated as an HSS tube. In the illustrated configuration, the support portion 704 is larger than the support portion 702, both in width and height. The dimension of the support portions 702 and 704 may be varied as desired or needed and the relative dimensions are shown as an example. In one configuration, the support portion 702 is a 1×3 HSS tube and the support portion 704 is a 2×4 HSS tube. The support portions 702 and 704 define a support structure for the assembly 700 and include a seam 706 (module seam) therebetween. In one example, the support portion 704 includes a light element thereunder, such that in a grid arrangement, at one or more seams 706, one side includes a light element and the other side does not include a light element.

The assembly 700 also includes an air filter frame, illustrated as a HEPA filter frame 710. The HEPA filter frame 710 is configured to receive therein and/or house a HEPA filter media. It should be appreciated that different filter elements may be used as desired or needed, such as based on filtering requirements. In one example, the HEPA filter media is installed in the system to filter out contaminants. For example, the HEPA filter media is installed from below the assembly and lifted into place as described in more detail herein. In one example, is a gel filled trough 712 in the HEPA filter frame 710 seals to a knife edge track 728 once installed and as described in more detail herein. In one example, the knife edge track 728 is formed into a frame of four sides with a top that has been welded and sealed with caulking. The knife edge track 728 in the illustrated embodiment faces downward at the top of the frame and penetrates the gel (not shown) within the HEPA filter trough 712 in order to seal the system. In one configuration, a plurality of air passages is provided at the bottom of the track to allow air to be introduced under the light grid at a 45 degree angle as described in more detail herein.

The HEPA filter media is held in place with a plurality of filter locks 714, which in one embodiment includes four HEPA locks. The filter locks 714 in one example have a length greater than a width and are operable to rotate to lock and unlock the HEPA filter media. For example, the filter locks 714 are rotatable ninety degrees in one example to swing under the HEPA filter media once in place to hold the HEPA filter media in position.

The filter support arrangement further includes a filter lock angle 716, illustrated as corner support that holds the filter locks 714 to the assembly 700. In one example, the filter lock angle 716 is secured to the assembly using fasteners, such as screws 718. Thus, the filter lock angle 716 is screwed to the assembly 700 in some examples using sheet metal screws (e.g., screw the filter lock angle 716 into the airframe grid described herein). As can be seen, the screws 718 are shielded by a wireway channel leg 720 to prevent any wires running through the grid defined by the assembly 700 from getting cut by the screw 718. Thus, in the illustrated example, the wireway channel leg 720 provides a boundary for the sheet metal screw 718 in order to protect the wiring within an airframe grid 722. The wireway channel leg 720 also provides a wall that creates a wireway channel 726 allowing for a snap in channel cover clip, illustrated as a wireway channel cover clip 724 to enclose the wires (not shown) therein.

In one example, the wireway channel cover clip 724 defines a profile that can snap into the wireway channel 726 in order to enclose a wire or group of wires therein. The wireway channel cover clip 724 acts as a boundary between the wires in the channel and other wires within the system. The wireway channel cover clip 724 in one example is configured as a cover and runs the full length of the airframe grid 722 to fully enclose the wires within. As another example, the wireway channel cover clip 724 can be cut into smaller pieces to hold the wire in place, thereby defining a clip structure. The airframe grid 722 in various examples is configured to house all the wiring and lighting components. The airframe grid 722 (configured in some embodiments as a light bar) also acts as a fixing element to attach the structural framing and the knife edge track 728 thereto.

It should be appreciated that additional wireway channel cover clips 724 can be provided to cover other wireway channels 726, such as along sides of the structure as shown in FIG. 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the wireway channels 726 are longitudinally extending channels and can be sized and shaped as desired or needed. In the illustrated embodiment, three wireway channels 726 are shown that allow for wires to run therethrough without interference from other components placed into the system. The three wireway channels 726 in one example allow for separation of high voltage, low voltage, control signal, audio, video or other wiring circuits.

The assembly 700 further includes a rivet track 730 extending along an outside surface of the airframe grid 722. In the illustrated embodiment, the rivet track 730 is configured to allow for attachment of the knife edge track 728 (illustrated as an airframe knife edge track) to the grid 722 or for other components such as a perimeter angle. Additionally, in one example, a seal track 732 (extending along an outside surface of the airframe grid 722) allows for either a wet or dry seal to be applied prior to assembly. The seal track 732 helps to prevent leaking of contaminants after assembly.

The assembly 700 also includes a lighting element 734 in one configuration. In one particular example, the lighting element an LED board or module that provides lighting thereunder (e.g., lights a space below). In one embodiment, the lighting element is coupled to a strut 736, illustrated as an LED strut, with fasteners, such as screws that penetrate into a screw boss in the strut 736. This arrangement is configured to keep the screws from engaging any wiring directly, which could strip the wire and cause a short. This arrangement also allows for a faster assembly of the components.

With respect to the strut 736, this component is configured in the illustrated example to provide several functions. In particular, the strut 726 is the primary attachment method for the lighting components. The lighting element 734 is screwed to the strut 736. Additionally, the lighting drivers, such as the LED drivers can also be screwed to the strut 736. The strut 736 in one example is formed with threads in the extrusion so that the lighting element 734 (e.g., LED board) is easily screwed down thereto. The above-described design also allows for several widths of the lighting element 734 (e.g., the LED board) to be used, with a second set of channels to receive a screw and protect the wiring from the sharp threads on the screw. It should be noted that the serpentine shape of the strut 736 allows the strut 736 to act as a heat sync due to the increased surface area in contact with the surrounding air space. This configuration allows heat to dissipate more efficiently and keeps the LED components cooler. As a result, heat buildup is reduced that can provide a safety feature and increased operating life of the LED lighting product.

In one example, airflow equalization passages 738 are provided as a plurality of penetrations at the lower edge of the knife edge track 728. The airflow equalization passages 738 are configured to allow air to be introduced under the light grid at a 45 degree angle. This configuration provides for pressure under the light in order to reduce turbulence in the air stream as described in more detail herein.

The assembly 700 in various embodiments allows for quick and easy coupling of the various components. For example, a bolt, illustrated as a T-nut bolt 740 screws into a T-nut 742 and fastens components to the system quickly and easily. In the illustrated embodiment, the T-nut 742 is a spring T-nut configured to allow placement of the T-nut bolt 740 within a T-nut slot 750 from the top with both ends of the slot captured. This coupling arrangement in various embodiments can be provided with or without the spring. The spring, when included, holds the T-nut 742 in place during assembly.

As can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 28 and 29, the strut 736 is easily installed and removed into the airframe grid 722. The strut 736 in one example is formed of metal (that acts as grounding in various embodiments) and configured to house an LED driver 752, as well as hold an LED lighting board 754 in the proper position. The strut 736 in one example has a serpentine shape allowing for increased surface area in contact with the surrounding air. As discussed herein, this configuration allows for the dissipation of heat from the airframe grid cavity. In one example, there are two types of screw channels. One screw channel 756 has threads and the other screw channel 758 does not have threads. These channels 756 and 758 allow for the installation of different sized boards 754, such as having two different sizes. The threaded channel 756 is configured to couple with a machine screw and the non-threaded channel 758 is configured to couple with a self-tapping metal screw, in some embodiments. Both channels 756 and 758 are configured in various examples to protect the wiring in the strut 736 from the sharp screw threads.

The T-Nut slot 750 is configured to allow fast and easy installation of the driver components into the strut