Research

Engineering Sciences

Title :

Development of a novel spray system to reduce cross-contamination in dentistry

Area of research :

Engineering Sciences

Focus area :

Mechanical Engineering

Principal Investigator :

Dr. Binita Pathak, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Timeline Start Year :

2024

Timeline End Year :

2027

Contact info :

Details

Executive Summary :

Controlling microbial transmission is crucial to prevent the spread of diseases, especially in dental settings where instruments and individuals can become hosts for pathogens. Dental airotors, rotary instruments used in dental procedures, are a primary source of contamination. The sprayed coolant mixes with mucosal fluids and is ejected back from the oral cavity, contributing to the formation of bio-aerosols in dental healthcare settings. Controlling spray characteristics is a challenge in dental healthcare settings, and facilities are not prepared for such challenges. This project aims to study the impact of dental spray on biofilm, design a novel coolant spray system for air-driven dental airotors, and optimize cooling efficiency. A new swirl-induced atomizer will be designed to optimize aerosol spreading without compromising cooling efficiency. Various preventive measures have been adopted to reduce contamination in dental clinics, but these measures cannot completely eliminate disease transmission. The design of a new novel spray system will be successful in dentistry, being inexpensive and suitable for resource-limited settings.

Total Budget (INR):

48,23,192

Organizations involved