COVID-19 in the Clinic: Human Testing of an Aerosol Containment Mask for Endoscopic Clinic Procedures. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ference, Elisabeth H.; Kim, Wihan; Oghalai, John S.; Walker, Clayton B.; Kim, Jee-Hong; Gallagher, Tyler; Ma, Harrison J.; Applegate, Brian E.
• Is Part Of: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery. Volume 166:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 669
• Page End: 675
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: negative-pressure mask -- endoscopy -- laryngoscopy -- nasal endoscopy -- aerosol production -- cough -- sneeze -- Rainbow Passage -- virus -- COVID-19; Head -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neck -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/01945998211029184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-5998

Abstract

Objective: To create an aerosol containment mask (ACM) for common otolaryngologic endoscopic procedures that also provides nanoparticle-level protection to patients. Study Design: Prospective feasibility study . Setting: In-person testing with a novel ACM. Methods: The mask was designed in Solidworks and 3D printed. Measurements were made on 10 healthy volunteers who wore the ACM while reading the Rainbow Passage repeatedly and performing a forced cough or sneeze at 5-second intervals over 1 minute with an endoscope in place. Results: There was a large variation in the number of aerosol particles generated among the volunteers. Only the sneeze task showed a significant increase compared with normal breathing in the 0.3-µm particle size when compared with a 1-tailed t test ( P = .013). Both the 0.5-µm and 2.5-µm particle sizes showed significant increases for all tasks, while the 2 largest particle sizes, 5 and 10 µm, showed no significant increase (both P < .01). With the suction off, 3 of 30 events (2 sneeze events and 1 cough event) had increases in particle counts, both inside and outside the mask. With the suction on, 2 of 30 events had an increase in particle counts outside the mask without a corresponding increase in particle counts inside the mask. Therefore, these fluctuations in particle counts were determined to be due to random fluctuation in room particle levels. Conclusion: ACM will accommodate rigid and flexible endoscopes plus instruments and may prevent the leakage of patient-generated aerosols, thus avoiding contamination of the room and protecting health care workers from airborne contagions. Level of evidence: 2