Simulation of a vacuum helmet to contain pathogen-bearing droplets in dental and otolaryngologic outpatient interventions.

TitleSimulation of a vacuum helmet to contain pathogen-bearing droplets in dental and otolaryngologic outpatient interventions.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsJia D, Baker JLee, Rameau A, Esmaily M
JournalPhys Fluids (1994)
Volume33
Issue1
Pagination013307
Date Published2021 Jan 01
ISSN1070-6631
Abstract

Clinic encounters of dentists and otolaryngologists inherently expose these specialists to an enhanced risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, thus threatening them, their patients, and their practices. In this study, we propose and simulate a helmet design that could be used by patients to minimize the transmission risk by retaining droplets created through coughing. The helmet has a port for accessing the mouth and nose and another port connected to a vacuum source to prevent droplets from exiting through the access port and contaminating the environment or clinical practitioners. We used computational fluid dynamics in conjunction with Lagrangian point-particle tracking to simulate droplet trajectories when a patient coughs while using this device. A range of droplet diameters and different operating conditions were simulated. The results show that 100% of the airborne droplets and 99.6% of all cough droplets are retained by the helmet.

DOI10.1063/5.0036749
Alternate JournalPhys Fluids (1994)
PubMed ID33746481
PubMed Central IDPMC7976042