Bacteriological evaluation of a mobile laminar cross-flow unit for surgery, under laboratory circumstances

Abstract

A mobile laminar cross-flow unit for surgery has been evaluated by the use of an experimental bacterial aerosol of Escherichia coli in different concentrations, generated at several different sites. A separate ventilation system, mounted underneath the table, produced an almost downward directed curtain of sterile air along both sides of the table. When the velocity of the air stream, discharged by the cross-flow unit, was adjusted at 0·50 m./sec. at 2 m. from the filter face (at the head end of the operation table), the surface of the table could be maintained free of bacterial settling, even after aerosolization of heavily concentrated suspensions of 10⁸ bacteria/ml. at different sites outside the enclosure and underneath the table as well.