CBRN Patient Isolation Unit

Contain and protect during high-risk patient movement. CAPSULS™ (Containment And Protection System Utilising Life Support) is a portable Patient Isolation Unit (PIU) designed to help prevent particulate (biological and radiological) cross-contamination between a patient and the external environment, while still enabling medical intervention using end-user supplied medical equipment.

CAPSULS™ is intended for transport and isolation of patients on aircraft, ambulances, ships, and other vehicles capable of safely transporting a patient on a standard litter, as well as temporary isolation (with or without transport) within hospitals and other medical facilities.

Why teams choose CAPSULS™

• Two operating modes: positive pressure for patient protection or negative pressure for patient containment (with a powered air supply/exhaust system).
• Medical intervention enabled: fitted with 8 glove arms (4 per side) plus multiple medical access ports for tubing and instrument leads.
• Operational airflow design: patient airflow is always supplied at the head end and exhausted at the foot end.
• CBRN filtration approach: primary CBRN filter canisters provide charcoal filtration of chemicals/chemical warfare agents and particulate filtration to HE/P-100 standards.
• Barrier integrity: engineered shell material, sealing zipper and proprietary seaming create a gas- and liquid-tight envelope designed to act as a particulate barrier.
• Rapid setup by trained staff: unpack, mount to a litter, set up and load a patient in approximately 15 minutes with two trained personnel.
• Standard litter compatibility: mounts to a standard litter using cinch straps (a litter is required for negative pressure operation).
• Clear visibility: transparent barrier supports continuous visual monitoring of the entire patient and provides the patient an unrestricted view.
• Patient security during movement: integrated tethering system supports stabilisation for a range of patient sizes and injury types.

Operating modes

• Positive pressure (patient protection): supports protection of an enclosed patient from outside contaminants; overpressure is generated by a powered air supply at the head end.
• Negative pressure (patient containment): supports isolation of a contaminated patient to help reduce cross-contamination to the outside; under-pressure is generated by a powered air exhaust at the foot end. (A standard litter is recommended/required for negative pressure operation.)

Airflow and filtration

Airflow is provided by a battery-powered PAPR blower fitted with CBRN primary filters. The blower is rated at approximately 115 L/min and provides roughly 17–21 air changes per hour (depending on patient volume). Backflow control uses check valves and/or HE/P-100 secondary filters to help prevent reverse flow at ports not connected to the blower.

Patient access, monitoring and restraint

• “Suitcase” style opening: allows unrestricted access to the interior for patient loading and connection of end-user supplied medical equipment.
• 8 glove arms: support patient treatment through the barrier.
• Medical access ports: various sizes for pass-through of medical tubing and instrument leads.
• Patient tethers: adjustable leg straps and a multi-point upper torso harness to help secure the patient during movement.

Transport and deployment

CAPSULS™ is designed to mount to a standard litter using three snap-buckle cinch straps. Using a litter provides a stable platform for lifting and carrying a patient without undue stress on the barrier envelope, and enables transport in medical evacuation vehicles already designed to secure a litter (ambulance, aircraft, ship) without additional vehicle modification.

Durability and decontamination support

• Engineered shell materials: designed to improve abrasion, puncture and tear resistance versus PVC-based materials of comparable thickness.
• Reinforced base mat: adds durability and provides attachment points for carry straps and litter tethers.
• Smooth external surfaces: designed to minimise pockets/crevices to improve decontamination efficiency.

Models

• Model 2004CN-PUR8C: for single clinical use
• Model 2004TR-PUR8C: for non-clinical training use

What’s included

• CAPSULS™ PIU supplied packed in a carry bag
• User manual and blower user manual
• Waterproof patient ID card with wire tie and marker
• Blower outlet hose and airflow indicator
• HE/P-100 filters (ancillary parts)

Key specifications

• Envelope size (flexible): 0.61 m (W) × 1.98 m (L) × 0.46 m (H)
• Weight (without litter): approximately 14 kg
• Operating volume (without patient): approximately 460 L
• Airflow: approximately 115 L/min (approx. 17–21 air exchanges per hour)
• Filtration: primary CBRN with HE/P-100 particulate (99.97% @ 0.3 µm); backflow filtration HE/P-100 (99.97% @ 0.3 µm)
• Differential pressure: typical approx. 0.10 kPa; negative pressure range approx. 0.03–0.17 kPa; positive pressure range approx. 0.02–0.19 kPa
• Battery runtime (blower): approx. 7–10 hours with BA5800/U (LiSO2) non-rechargeable battery; approx. 2–4 hours nominal with 4 alkaline “D” cells; approx. 2–4 hours nominal with rechargeable NiMH battery
• Operating temperature (isolator): –40 °C to +60 °C
• Patient capacity: up to 181 kg; height capacity 1.9 m nominal / 2.0 m max
• Unit in carry bag: 0.61 m (L) × 0.50 m (W) × 0.46 m (H)
• Storage / shelf life: 10 years in factory packaging

Regulatory note

CAPSULS™ is described as a Regulatory Class II medical device and has been cleared by the U.S. FDA for marketing in the U.S. (510(k) K052798). Confirm local regulatory requirements for your jurisdiction and intended use.

Request a quote from J3Seven

J3Seven can help you specify the right CAPSULS™ configuration for your mission profile—positive vs negative pressure use case, litter integration, battery strategy, and medical access requirements. Contact us for availability, pricing, and deployment guidance.

Frequently asked questions

What is CAPSULS™ used for?

CAPSULS™ is intended for transport and isolation of patients on ambulances, aircraft, ships and other vehicles capable of transporting a patient on a standard litter, and for temporary isolation within hospitals or medical facilities.

Can it operate in both positive and negative pressure?

Yes. The PIU can be operated in positive pressure mode (patient protection) or negative pressure mode (patient containment).

Can clinicians provide treatment while the patient is isolated?

Yes. CAPSULS™ includes 8 glove arms (4 per side) and multiple medical access ports to support connection of end-user supplied medical equipment, tubing and instrument leads.

How long does it take to set up?

Two trained personnel can unpack, mount to a litter, set up and load a patient in about 15 minutes.

Is a litter required?

A standard litter provides the stable platform required to lift and carry a patient without undue stress on the barrier envelope and is recommended/required for negative pressure operation.

What are the patient size limits?

A patient weight capacity of up to 181 kg and a height capacity of 1.9 m nominal / 2.0 m maximum.