Laser Ignition of Surgical Drape Materials in Air, 50% Oxygen, and 95% Oxygen

2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 1167-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald L. Wolf ◽  
George W. Sidebotham ◽  
Jackson L. P. Lazard ◽  
Jean G. Charchaflieh
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Oxygen Concentration ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Ignition Source ◽  
Laser Ignition ◽  
Surgical Tools ◽  
Time To Ignition ◽  
Room Fires ◽  
Surgical Laser

Background Operating room fires fueled by surgical drapes and ignited by high-energy surgical tools in air and oxygen-enriched atmospheres continue to occur. Methods The authors examined the time to ignition of huck towels and three commonly used surgical drape materials in air, 50% oxygen, and 95% oxygen using a carbon dioxide surgical laser as an ignition source. In addition, a phenol-polymer fabric was tested. Results In air, polypropylene and phenol polymer do not ignite. For polypropylene, the laser instantly vaporized a hole, and therefore, interaction between the laser and material ceased. When tested in combination with another material, the polypropylene time to ignition assumed the behavior of the material with which it was combined. For phenol polymer, the laser did not penetrate the material. Huck towels, cotton-polyester, and non-woven cellulose-polyester ignited in air with decreasing times to ignition. All tested materials ignited in 50% and 95% oxygen. Conclusion The results of this study reveal that with increasing oxygen concentration, the time to ignition becomes shorter, and the consequences become more severe. The possibility exists for manufacturers to develop drape materials that are safer than existing materials.

Carbon dioxide can eliminate operating room fires from alcohol-based surgical skin preps

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 1863-1867
Author(s):  
Jason M. Samuels ◽  
Heather Carmichael ◽  
Krzysztof J. Wikiel ◽  
Thomas N. Robinson ◽  
Carlton C. Barnett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Room Fires

scholarly journals Operating Room Fires

2019 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 492-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa S. Jones ◽  
Ian H. Black ◽  
Thomas N. Robinson ◽  
Edward L. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Expert Opinion ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Ignition Source ◽  
Room Fires ◽  
Oxygen Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Specific Management ◽  
Clinical Strategy

Abstract Operating room fires are rare but devastating events. Guidelines are available for the prevention and management of surgical fires; however, these recommendations are based on expert opinion and case series. The three components of an operating room fire are present in virtually all surgical procedures: an oxidizer (oxygen, nitrous oxide), an ignition source (i.e., laser, “Bovie”), and a fuel. This review analyzes each fire ingredient to determine the optimal clinical strategy to reduce the risk of fire. Surgical checklists, team training, and the specific management of an operating room fire are also reviewed.

Carbon-Dioxide-Laser-Assisted Lower Facelift: A Preliminary Report

1992 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Morrow ◽  
Linda B. Morrow
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Laser Surgery ◽  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Laser ◽  
Flap Necrosis ◽  
Room Fires

This report describes our experience over a 36-month period with 110 lower facelift surgeries using the CO2 laser as the primary or only cutting and undermining instrument. Carbon dioxide laser surgery was safe and effective in these 110 cases. Using the laser provided excellent hemostasis, absence of postoperative pain, and minimal postoperative bruising and swelling. There were no complications specific to the laser. There were no operating room fires and no laser accidents to the skin, eyes, or other tissues of the patients or operative personnel. Postoperatively there were no hematomas, no infections, no unusual scarring, no flap necrosis, and no dehiscence of incision lines.

scholarly journals Flammability of Surgical Drapes and Materials in Varying Concentrations of Oxygen

2013 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 770-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Culp ◽  
Bradly A. Kimbrough ◽  
Sarah Luna
Keyword(s):  
Operating Room ◽  
Oxygen Concentration ◽  
Ignition Time ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Consumer Product Safety Commission ◽  
Operating Room Personnel ◽  
Flammability Characteristics ◽  
Room Fires ◽  
Enriched Environments ◽  
Oxygen Concentrations

Abstract Background: Over 600 operating room fires occur annually although many cases go unreported. Over 81% of operating room fires involve surgical drapes, yet limited data exist on the differing degrees of flammability of drapes and other surgical fuel sources in varying oxygen concentrations. The purpose of this study is to assess the flammability characteristics of fuels in the operating room under varying oxygen concentrations. Methods: Five fuel sources were analyzed in three levels of oxygen: 21%, 50%, and 100%. Three test samples of each material were burned in a manner similar to that established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Time to sample ignition and time to complete burn were measured with video analysis. Results: The median [minimum, maximum] ignition time in 21% oxygen was 0.9 s [0.3, 1.9], in 50% oxygen 0.4 s [0.1, 1.2], and in 100% oxygen 0.2 s [0.0, 0.4]. The median burn time in 21% oxygen was 20.4 s [7.8, 33.5], in 50% oxygen 3.1 s [1.4, 8.1], and in 100% oxygen 1.7 s [0.6, 2.7]. Time to ignite and total burn times decreased as oxygen concentration increased (P < 0.001). Flammability characteristics differed by material and oxygen concentration. Utility drapes and surgical gowns did not support combustion in room air, whereas other materials quickly ignited. Flash fires were detected on woven cotton materials in oxygen-enriched environments. Conclusions: Operating room personnel should be aware that common materials in the operating room support rapid combustion in oxygen-enriched environments. The risk of ignition and speed of fire propagation increase as oxygen exposure increases. Advances in material science may reduce perioperative fire risk.

A New Oxygen Mask: Comparison with Other Clinical Methods of Giving Oxygen

1974 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 214-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
W A Crosbie ◽  
J P Warren ◽  
L A Smith
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Oxygen Concentration ◽  
Cor Pulmonale ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Supplementary Oxygen ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Oxygen Mask ◽  
Clinical Methods ◽  
Expired Air

The performance of a new mask (Mix-O-Mask) for giving supplementary oxygen in clinical situations was compared with three other methods in a patient with cor pulmonale. Measurements were made of the intra-tracheal gas concentrations and arterial blood levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The new mask was as reliable as Ventimasks in delivering a claimed oxygen concentration and did not cause rebreathing of expired air. The mask proved durable when worn for sixteen hours in a day and was preferred for comfort by the patient.

scholarly journals The Assessment of Carbon Dioxide Dissociation Using a Single-Mode Microwave Plasma Generator

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1558 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Mogildea ◽  
Marian Mogildea ◽  
Cristina Popa ◽  
Gabriel Chiritoi
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Microwave Plasma ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Plasma Generator ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Electron ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Plasma Characterization ◽  
Co2 Atmosphere

This paper focuses on the dissociation of carbon dioxide (CO2) following the absorption processes of microwave radiation by noncontact metal wire (tungsten). Using a microwave plasma generator (MPG) with a single-mode cavity, we conducted an interaction of microwaves with a noncontact electrode in a CO2 atmosphere. High energy levels of electromagnetic radiation are generated in the focal point of the MPG’s cylindrical cavity. The metal wires are vaporized and ionized from this area, subsequently affecting the dissociation of CO2. The CO2 dissociation is highlighted through plasma characterization and carbon monoxide (CO) quantity determination. For plasma characterization, we used an optical emission spectroscopy method (OES), and for CO quantity determination, we used a gas analyzer instrument. Using an MPG in the CO2 atmosphere, we obtained a high electron temperature of the plasma and a strong dissociation of CO2. After 20 s of the interaction between microwaves and noncontact electrodes, the quantity of CO increased from 3 ppm to 1377 ppm (0.13% CO). This method can be used in space applications to dissociate CO2 and refresh the atmosphere of closed spaces.

Analyzing the impact of fossil fuel import reliance on electricity prices: The case of the Iberian Electricity Market

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 687-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanca Moreno ◽  
María T García-Álvarez
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emission ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

Spain and Portugal are highly dependent on energy from abroad, importing more than 70% of all the energy they consume. This high energy dependence could involve important effects on the level and stability of their electricity prices as a half the gross electricity generated in both countries came from power stations using imported combustible fuels (such as natural gas, coal and oil). In general, changes in the prices of these fossil fuels can directly affect household electricity prices, since generation costs are likely to be transmitted through to the wholesale electricity market. Moreover, in the framework of the European Union Emission Trading System, electricity production technologies tend to incorporate their costs of carbon dioxide emission allowances in sale offers with the consequent increase of the electricity prices. The objective of this paper is to analyze the influence of fossil fuel costs and prices of carbon dioxide emission allowances in the EU on the Spanish and Portuguese electricity prices. With this aim, a maximum entropy econometric approach is used. The obtained results indicate that not only the price of imported gas are very important in explaining Spanish and Portuguese electricity prices but also the price of carbon dioxide emission allowances in the EU.

Acoustic Noise Reduction Under Distributed Combustion

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed E. E. Khalil ◽  
Ashwani K. Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Heat Release ◽  
Noise Reduction ◽  
Oxygen Concentration ◽  
Acoustic Signal ◽  
Thermal Field ◽  
Field Uniformity ◽  
Pollutants Emission ◽  
Reactive Gases ◽  
Swirl Flame

Colorless Distributed Combustion (CDC) has been shown to provide unique benefits on ultra-low pollutants emission, enhanced combustion stability, and thermal field uniformity. To achieve CDC conditions, fuel-air mixture must be properly prepared and mixed with hot reactive gases from within the combustor prior to the mixture ignition. The hot reactive gases reduce the oxygen concentration in the mixture while increasing its temperature, resulting in a reaction zone that is distributed across the reactor volume, with lower reaction rate to result in the same fuel consumption. The conditions to achieve distributed combustion were previously studied using methane and other fuels with focus on pollutants emission and thermal field uniformity. In this paper, the impact of distributed combustion on noise reduction and increased stability is investigated. Such reduced noise is critical in mitigating the coupling between flame and heat release perturbations and acoustic signal to enhance the overall flame stability and reduce the propensity of flame instabilities which can cause equipment failure. Nitrogen-carbon dioxide mixture is used to simulate the reactive entrained gases from with the combustor. Increasing the amounts of nitrogen and carbon dioxide reduced the oxygen concentration within the oxidizing mixture, fostering distributed combustion. Upon achieving distributed combustion, the overall flame noise signature decreased from 80 dB to only 63 dB, as the flame transitioned from traditional swirl flame to distributed combustion. The flow noise under these conditions was 54 dB, indicating that distributed combustion has only 9 dB increase over isothermal case as compared to 26 dB for standard swirl flame. In addition, the dominant flame frequency around 490Hz disappeared under distributed combustion. For the traditional swirl flame, both the acoustic signal and heat release fluctuations (detected through CH∗ chemiluminescence) had a peak around 150Hz, indicating coupling between the heat release fluctuations and pressure variation. However, upon transitioning to distributed combustion, this common peak disappeared, outlining the enhanced stability of distributed combustion as there is no feedback between the heat release fluctuations and the recorded acoustic signal.

scholarly journals Leg Impalement – A Rare Injury Pattern Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Pina ◽  
Maria Rita Vaz ◽  
Ana Vaz ◽  
Nuno Borralho
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Body ◽  
Operating Room ◽  
Hospital Care ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Massive Hemorrhage ◽  
Road Accident ◽  
Body Region ◽  
Rare Injury ◽  
Foreign Body Removal ◽  
Wound Debridement

Introduction: Impalement injuries are defined as rare, high-energy lesions caused by foreign bodies, usually steel bars or wooden objects, which pierce body cavities or extremities and remain interposed in the perforated body region. They usually occur with road accident or civil construction falls. Case Report:A 24-year-old male patient was admitted at the emergency department after a motorcycle accident, resulting a left leg impalement with a wooden object. A partial deep peroneal nerve palsy and a proximal third fibula fracture were observed. The foreign body removal and wound debridement were performed. The patient evolved favorably without complications, with complete neurological recovery and returning to his normal life activities. Discussion: Impalement injuries represent a challenge in pre-hospital care, emergency room, and operating room hospital care, due to its rarity and specificity: Type of object, anomalous foreign body location, and trajectory. There is a consensus that whenever possible, it should be removed in the operating room, due to the foreign body may be tamponing a major arterial laceration, thus preventing massive hemorrhage. Conclusion: Neurovascular injury exclusion, foreign body removal in the operating room, debridement, and antibiotic prophylaxis represent the treatment basis of these injuries. Keywords: Impalement, Trauma, Leg

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