Surgical Airborne Pathogen Protection Through Electrostatic Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems in operating rooms provide inadequate protection against airborne pathogens, particularly SARS-CoV-2 particles, as existing air filtration systems are ineffective in removing pathogens with diameters of 60 to 140 nm, posing a significant risk to healthcare personnel and patients during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing electrodes attached to medical personnel and patients to ionize airborne pathogens outside the body with the same polarity, combined with a suction device and optional UV-C radiation, HEPA/ULPA filters, and disinfectant supply to prevent contamination through electrostatic repulsion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air filtration systems (class ≤ 5 according to ISO 14644-1) are used in operating rooms, then general air quality is maintained, but they are ineffective in removing SARS-CoV-2 particles with a diameter of 60 to 140 nm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the protection mechanism from passive mechanical filtration to active electrostatic ionization. By applying voltage to electrodes worn by medical personnel and patients, airborne pathogens are ionized and repelled through electrostatic forces, providing effective protection against particles as small as 60-140 nm that conventional filters cannot capture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system with an electrostatic field-based system. Instead of relying on physical barriers to trap particles, the system uses ionized electrodes to create electrostatic repulsion forces that actively push pathogens away from the respiratory zones of medical personnel and patients
2Reliability
If electrodes with the same polarity are applied to medical personnel and patients for ionization, then electrostatic repulsion prevents pathogen contamination, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electrodes multi-functional by having them serve both as ionization sources and as protective barriers. The same electrodes that ionize the air around the user also create the electrostatic repulsion field, eliminating the need for separate protection devices and simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-protection for both medical personnel and patients independently. Each person wears their own ionizing electrodes that create their personal protective electrostatic field, eliminating the need for complex centralized air treatment systems and allowing autonomous protection without requiring coordination between multiple system components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively reduces the risk of infection by repelling and removing airborne pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, through electrostatic repulsion and suction, providing enhanced protection for both medical personnel and patients during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the first and/or second electrode is configured to ionize the airborne pathogens outside the patient's body
Implementation Method 2
Due to the aligned charge or polarity of the ionized pathogens and the medical personnel or patient, electrostatic repulsion prevents contamination with the pathogen
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for the protection of medical staff and/or of a patient from airborne pathogens in a surgical environment and to a method for protecting medical staff and/or a patient from airborne pathogens in a surgical environment.