{"title":"Computational Fluid Dynamics Optimization of an Extraoral Vacuum Aerosol Cup for Airborne Disease Control in Dental Offices","authors":"Peter Liu","doi":"10.1007/s41810-021-00121-6","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Droplet and aerosol transmission of COVID-19 are the most important concerns in dental clinics, due to the generation of large amounts of infected aerosol and droplets mixed with patient’s saliva during the procedures. The current approach to prevent airborne disease transmission is an extraoral aerosol suction unit: a stand-alone vacuum module with a segmented arm and cup. Despite the need for disease control in dental offices, these units are rarely seen due to the loud noise produced by vacuum, bulky size, and high cost. This paper describes the aerodynamic design optimization of an affordable, 3D printable, Extraoral Vacuum Aerosol Cup (EVAC) that can be directly connected to existing standard 7/16″ central vacuum high-volume evacuator (HVE) valves used for intraoral saliva absorption in a dental office. These HVEs are typically unsuitable for extraoral suction due to their low vacuum force. However, they can be used for extraoral suction, if the cup attachment is aerodynamically optimized for maximum suction efficiency. Fifteen different designs of EVAC are proposed and their suction processes were simulated with computational fluid dynamics. Droplets of various sizes are released to mimic the droplets produced during dental operation. The suction performances of EVACs with different sizes and shapes were compared to find out the designs with optimal performance. Prototypes of the optimized EVAC are 3D printed and tested at a dental office. Development and manufacturing of such a device will largely reduce the COVID-19 infection risk, thus improving the safety protection for both patients and doctors at dental offices.</p><h3>Graphic abstract</h3>\n <div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":36991,"journal":{"name":"Aerosol Science and Engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2021-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Aerosol Science and Engineering","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41810-021-00121-6","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
Droplet and aerosol transmission of COVID-19 are the most important concerns in dental clinics, due to the generation of large amounts of infected aerosol and droplets mixed with patient’s saliva during the procedures. The current approach to prevent airborne disease transmission is an extraoral aerosol suction unit: a stand-alone vacuum module with a segmented arm and cup. Despite the need for disease control in dental offices, these units are rarely seen due to the loud noise produced by vacuum, bulky size, and high cost. This paper describes the aerodynamic design optimization of an affordable, 3D printable, Extraoral Vacuum Aerosol Cup (EVAC) that can be directly connected to existing standard 7/16″ central vacuum high-volume evacuator (HVE) valves used for intraoral saliva absorption in a dental office. These HVEs are typically unsuitable for extraoral suction due to their low vacuum force. However, they can be used for extraoral suction, if the cup attachment is aerodynamically optimized for maximum suction efficiency. Fifteen different designs of EVAC are proposed and their suction processes were simulated with computational fluid dynamics. Droplets of various sizes are released to mimic the droplets produced during dental operation. The suction performances of EVACs with different sizes and shapes were compared to find out the designs with optimal performance. Prototypes of the optimized EVAC are 3D printed and tested at a dental office. Development and manufacturing of such a device will largely reduce the COVID-19 infection risk, thus improving the safety protection for both patients and doctors at dental offices.
期刊介绍：
ASE is an international journal that publishes high-quality papers, communications, and discussion that advance aerosol science and engineering. Acceptable article forms include original research papers, review articles, letters, commentaries, news and views, research highlights, editorials, correspondence, and new-direction columns. ASE emphasizes the application of aerosol technology to both environmental and technical issues, and it provides a platform not only for basic research but also for industrial interests. We encourage scientists and researchers to submit papers that will advance our knowledge of aerosols and highlight new approaches for aerosol studies and new technologies for pollution control. ASE promotes cutting-edge studies of aerosol science and state-of-art instrumentation, but it is not limited to academic topics and instead aims to bridge the gap between basic science and industrial applications. ASE accepts papers covering a broad range of aerosol-related topics, including aerosol physical and chemical properties, composition, formation, transport and deposition, numerical simulation of air pollution incidents, chemical processes in the atmosphere, aerosol control technologies and industrial applications. In addition, ASE welcomes papers involving new and advanced methods and technologies that focus on aerosol pollution, sampling and analysis, including the invention and development of instrumentation, nanoparticle formation, nano technology, indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring, air pollution control, and air pollution remediation and feasibility assessments.
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