Hui Sing Chew1, Marcus Tan2, Acharyya Sanchalika3, Gabriel Tan2, Eu Chin Ho1, Brenda Sze Peng Ang4,5, Rupesh Agrawal6,7, Seng Beng Yeo1. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Tan Tock Seng Hospital Singapore Singapore. 2. The Biofactory Pte Ltd Singapore Singapore. 3. Clinical Research and Innovation Office, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Singapore Singapore. 4. Department of Infectious Diseases Tan Tock Seng Hospital Singapore Singapore. 5. National Centre for Infectious Diseases Singapore Singapore. 6. National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Singapore Singapore. 7. Singapore Eye Research Institute Singapore Singapore.
Abstract
Background: Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), such as nasoendoscopy, are considered high-risk during the COVID-19 pandemic due to risk of virus aerosol transmission. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of an innovative system in reduction of aerosol contamination. Methods: Pilot study involving 15 healthy volunteers performing aerosol-generating activities with the prototype, compared with and without a standard surgical mask. Results: We found an increased frequency of smaller-sized particle emissions for all four expiratory activities. The particle emission rate with the prototype mask was significantly slower over time for the smallest sized particle (0.3 μm) during breathing, speaking and singing compared with similar activities without the mask (p < .05). We found similar trends for coughing for larger particles but that did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: The innovation offers good protection against aerosol transmission through the physical barrier of the mask, the negative pressure environment within the mask, and the unit's dual filtration function. Level of evidence: Level 2b.
Background: Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), such as nasoendoscopy, are considered high-risk during the COVID-19 pandemic due to risk of virus aerosol transmission. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of an innovative system in reduction of aerosol contamination. Methods: Pilot study involving 15 healthy volunteers performing aerosol-generating activities with the prototype, compared with and without a standard surgical mask. Results: We found an increased frequency of smaller-sized particle emissions for all four expiratory activities. The particle emission rate with the prototype mask was significantly slower over time for the smallest sized particle (0.3 μm) during breathing, speaking and singing compared with similar activities without the mask (p < .05). We found similar trends for coughing for larger particles but that did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: The innovation offers good protection against aerosol transmission through the physical barrier of the mask, the negative pressure environment within the mask, and the unit's dual filtration function. Level of evidence: Level 2b.
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