An air drape, in some cases called an air door, is a fan-powered ventilation system that produces an air seal over an entryway. They are utilized in medical facilities to prevent ambulance fumes and other impurities from reaching the within an emergency clinic.
Because it is challenging to maintain the air wall over a long range, one difficulty in developing smaller sized air curtains is completely blocking released aerosol particles over time. As a result, the devices gradually lose air-discharge intensity, developing an unstable flow that permits infected aerosol particles to get away into the surrounding environment.
This avoids airflow dispersion, therefore leading to the collection of all the aerosol particles at the suction port. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can be set up inside the suction port for air filtration.
The researchers are establishing an accompanying infection inactivation system geared up with ultraviolet light that links to the suction port. After the air is sanitized with the UV light, it is recirculated to maintain airflow of the air drape and air pressure in the space.
The scientists checked their gadget by utilizing an air compressor linked to a mannequin to simulate breathing. Dioctyl sebacate, an extensively used solvent that spreads easily, was contributed to the airflow to produce aerosol particles. Particle image velocimetry and high-speed video cameras were used to identify the DACSs blocking effect.
The aerosol particles approaching the DACS abruptly bent toward the suction port, representing that air curtain flow fully blocked all inbound aerosol particles.
When the researchers put the mannequins arm through the DACS to mimic a blood-collection circumstance, they discovered the air flow above the arm was interfered with. The aerosol obstructing performance remained unaffected.
The DACS was tested on patients during blood collection at Nagoya University Hospital. The scientists are looking at reducing the suction port, so the arm can be put listed below the heart for proper blood collection.
Reference: “Blocking effect of desktop air curtain on aerosols in breathed out breath” by Kotaro Takamure, Yasuaki Sakamoto, Tetsuya Yagi, Yasumasa Iwatani, Hiroshi Amano and Tomomi Uchiyama, 17 May 2022, AIP Advances.DOI: 10.1063/ 5.0086659.
This prevents air flow dispersion, therefore leading to the collection of all the aerosol particles at the suction port. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can be installed inside the suction port for air filtration.
The researchers checked their gadget by utilizing an air compressor connected to a mannequin to replicate breathing. Dioctyl sebacate, a commonly used solvent that spreads quickly, was included to the air flow to produce aerosol particles.
DACS checked on patient at Nagoya University Hospital. Credit: Junki Mikami (FUIGO).
Device ideal for use in medical facility wards, blood labs, and reception counters.
In efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, miniaturizing air curtains for medical facility wards, labs, and other healthcare settings is acquiring appeal as a practical solution to inadequate face masks or when social distancing is not a reasonable alternative.
Scientists in Japan developed a desktop air curtain system (DACS) that blocks all inbound aerosol particles, as explained in a new post in AIP Advances, published by AIP Publishing.
” We imagine this system will be efficient as an indirect barrier for use in blood-testing laboratories, hospital wards, and other circumstances where adequate physical range can not be preserved, such as at a reception counter,” co-author Kotaro Takamure stated.