Operating room ventilation apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of ventilating an operating room using temperature-regulated laminar airflow. The velocity of the downwardly directed laminar clean air flow is determined by the air temperature difference between the supply air temperature and the room air temperature at table level. Measure the room air temperature at the level of the operating table and control the temperature of the clean supply air based on this measurement. In order to keep the velocity of the downwardly directed laminar clean air constant, the temperature difference between the room air temperature at table level and the lower supply air temperature should be kept constant. In a preferred embodiment, this constant temperature difference provides a downwardly directed airflow velocity of at least 0.25 m / s and minimizes fluctuations in ambient air temperature in part by using an air supply unit to supply hot or cold air outside the clean air zone to maintain this constant temperature difference. The present invention also provides a ventilation device that produces a uniform and steady downward laminar airflow, thereby creating a clean air zone around the working area of ​​the operating table. A preferred embodiment comprises: a plurality of air supply units arranged in a closed pattern, such as a circle; and flow blocking and flow guiding units, located between the air supply units, thereby producing a widely dispersed uniform and stable, Downward combined laminar airflow.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for providing a zone of clean air in the working area of ​​an operating table in an operating room, and more particularly to methods and apparatus utilizing temperature-controlled laminar airflow. Background technique [0002] Surgical site infection (SSI) is the second most common cause of nosocomial infections. Surgical site infections (SSIs) result in 1.5% to 20% of surgical procedures, depending on the type of procedure and wound classification. [0003] Patients who develop a surgical site infection are significantly debilitated and at increased risk. Patients with surgical site infections have an increased likelihood of being hospitalized in an intensive care unit to as high as 60%. Patients with SSIs were five times more likely to be readmitted and had twice the risk of death than those without SSIs. [0004] The societal cost of surgical site infection is also considerable. Th...

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Problems solved by technology

Also, room temperature fluctuations can cause fluctuations in the actual down-direction velocity during and between procedures

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