Prevention of submicron aerosolized particle dispersion: evaluation of an aerosol box using a pediatric simulation model.

The SplashGuard CG (SG) is a barrier enclosure developed to protect healthcare workers from SARS-CoV-2 transmission during aerosol-generating procedures. Our objective was to evaluate the protection provided by the SG against aerosolized particles (AP), using a pediatric simulation model of spontaneous ventilation (SV) and noninvasive ventilation (NIV). An aerosol generator was connected to the airways of a pediatric high-fidelity manikin with a breathing simulator. AP concentrations were measured both in SV and NIV in the following conditions: with and without SG, inside and outside the SG, with and without suction applied to the device. In the SV simulated setting, AP peaks were lower with SG: 0.1 × 10 particles/L compared to without: 1.6 × 10, only when the ports were closed and suction applied. In the NIV simulated setting, AP peaks outside the SG were lower than without SG (20.5 × 10 particles/L), whatever the situation, without suction (14.4 × 10particles/L), with suction and ports open or closed: 10.3 and 0.7 × 10 particles/L. In SV and NIV simulated settings, the AP peaks measured within the SG were much higher than the AP peaks measured without SG, even when suction was applied to the device. The SG seems to decrease peak AP exposure in the 2 ventilation contexts, but only with closed port and suction in SV. However, high concentrations of AP remain inside even with suction and SG should be used cautiously.