A catalytic air recirculating medical device reduces formaldehyde levels in a simulated operating room environment

Abstract

Electrosurgery produces formaldehyde. A catalytic material was interfaced with an air recirculation device and tested for formaldehyde removal. When catalyst and activated carbon were in the device, formaldehyde levels were reduced by up to 72% after 1 hour of operation in a simulated operating room (OR). Activated carbon without the catalyst showed no effect on the rate of formaldehyde reduction. The rate of formaldehyde build-up in an OR containing an open container of formalin was reduced by a factor of 3.2 ppm/min. when catalyst and activated carbon were present in the device compared to when only activated carbon was present. Formaldehyde generated by applying electrosurgical cuts to porcine muscle was reduced by 34% after 1 hour when the device contained both catalyst and activated carbon. The catalyst effectively reduces indoor formaldehyde concentrations.

Catalytic Surgical Smoke Filtration Unit Reduces Formaldehyde Levels in a Simulated Operating Room Environment

“…The reduction in formaldehyde during this phase is attributed to natural diffusion out of the room and possibly other processes including adsorption onto surfaces or absorption into materials. While the activated carbon in the unit might play a role, our previous related efforts show that the rate of formaldehyde removal does not change when comparing an air-purifying system with and without activated carbon . Additionally, our previous work shows that when VOCs are adsorbed to activated carbon, the VOC concentration in the OR air decays in a biexponential manner, unlike the more linear decay shown in phase 3 of Figure .…”

“…While the activated carbon in the unit might play a role, our previous related efforts show that the rate of formaldehyde removal does not change when comparing an air-purifying system with and without activated carbon. 31 Additionally, our previous work shows that when VOCs are adsorbed to activated carbon, the VOC concentration in the OR air decays in a biexponential manner, 32 unlike the more linear decay shown in phase 3 of Figure 3. Further, upon insertion of a fresh sheet of activated carbon prepared from coconut shell (phase 4), the formaldehyde levels continue their descent at a similar pace compared to the saturated activated carbon filter.…”

Formaldehyde Reduction in an Operating Room Setting: Comparison of a Catalytic Surgical Vacuum Device With a Traditional Smoke Evacuator

“…The TWA, median, and peak formaldehyde concentrations of the SV device are all less than 1/10th the concentrations emitted by the HE. The SV device contains both activated carbon and a catalytic material that transforms formaldehyde into CO 2 and H 2 O [18]. The HE contains only activated carbon granules and can only remove formaldehyde via adsorption.…”