Removal and dispersal of biofluid films by powered medical devices: Modeling infectious agent spreading in dentistry.

Eames, Ian; D'Aiuto, Francesco; Shahreza, Somayeh; Javanmardi, Yousef; Balachandran, Ramanarayanan; Hyde, Martin; Ng, Yuan-Ling; Gulabivala, Kishor; Watson, Sara; Davies, Hywel; Szita, Nicolas; Khajeh, Janette; Suvan, Jeanie; Moeendarbary, Emad

Eames, Ian; D'Aiuto, Francesco; Shahreza, Somayeh; Javanmardi, Yousef; Balachandran, Ramanarayanan; Hyde, Martin; Ng, Yuan-Ling; Gulabivala, Kishor; Watson, Sara; Davies, Hywel; Szita, Nicolas; Khajeh, Janette; Suvan, Jeanie; Moeendarbary, Emad.

Eames I; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
D'Aiuto F; Unit of Periodontology, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, WC1X 8LT, UK.
Shahreza S; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Javanmardi Y; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Balachandran R; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Hyde M; TSI, 30 Millbank, Westminster, London, SW1P 4WP, UK.
Ng YL; Unit of Endodontology, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, WC1X 8LT, UK.
Gulabivala K; Unit of Endodontology, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, WC1X 8LT, UK.
Watson S; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Davies H; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Szita N; Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Khajeh J; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Suvan J; Unit of Periodontology, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, WC1X 8LT, UK.
Moeendarbary E; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.

iScience ; 24(11): 103344, 2021 Nov 19.

Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1481865

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Medical procedures can disperse infectious agents and spread disease. Particularly, dental procedures may pose a high risk of disease transmission as they use high-powered instruments operating within the oral cavity that may contain infectious microbiota or viruses. Here we assess the ability of powered dental devices in removing the biofluid films and identified mechanical, hydrodynamic, and aerodynamic forces as the main underlying mechanisms of removal and dispersal processes. Our results indicate that potentially infectious agents can be removed and dispersed immediately after dental instrument engagement with the adherent biofluid film, while the degree of their dispersal is rapidly depleted owing to the removal of the source and dilution by the coolant water. We found that droplets created by high-speed drill interactions typically travel ballistically, while aerosol-laden air tends to flow as a current over surfaces. Our mechanistic investigation offers plausible routes for reducing the spread of infection during invasive medical procedures.

Keywords

Applied physics; Dentistry; Therapeutic procedure

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Prognostic study Language: English Journal: IScience Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.isci.2021.103344

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