Aerosol Particle Spreading in an Operation Room under Dynamic Condition

We report on the experimental investigation of aerosol particle spreading in an operation room. Different configurations regarding the source position or representative movements of the staff in the room are analyzed. The data acquisition is performed using a sensor grid of more than 50 particulate matter sensors at a measurement frequency of approximately 1 Hz operated with the DLR’s mobile measurement system (MMS): This allows for a reasonable resolution in space and time. The measurement campaign was performed within the framework of the c3vis project in the teaching operational room of the OTH Amberg-Weiden. First results showed that the aerosol particles exhaled by the standing source are down-washed by the airflow and reach, strongly diluted, one of the sensor positions above the operation table next to the standing source. Local concentrations as low as ≈1.5% of the exhalation concentration are found. All other positions above the operation table show a particle concentration close to zero. With a certain time delay the cloud of exhaled aerosol particles reaches single other sensor locations on its way towards the exhaust openings, while being further diluted (≈0.03% of the exhalation concentration). During the dynamic case, we found neglectable effects when the doors were opened or closed, a weak effect caused by the movement of the staff through the room and a strong effect on the aerosol concentration above the operation table when the surgeon was operating on the patient.