TABLE 5.
ANSYS results for the percentage of particle mass by disposition and particle size (≤5 µm or > 5 µm) for all tested cases, both with and without a surgical mask
| Simulated case | Mask status | Particle size | Caught in mask or on patient face | Trapped near patient (< 1 m) | Escaped to rest of room (> 1 m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HVNI | No mask | ≤5 µm | N/A | 0.00% | 100.0% |
| Low flow oxygen | No mask | ≤5 µm | N/A | 1.96% | 98.0% |
| No therapy | No mask | ≤5 µm | N/A | 5.51% | 94.5% |
| HVNI | With mask | ≤5 µm | 67.6% | 1.73% | 30.7% |
| Low flow oxygen | With mask | ≤5 µm | 29.3% | 8.70% | 62.0% |
| No therapy | With mask | ≤5 µm | 20.9% | 9.60% | 69.5% |
| HVNI | No mask | >5 µm | N/A | 26.7% | 73.3% |
| Low flow oxygen | No mask | >5 µm | N/A | 41.9% | 58.1% |
| No therapy | No mask | >5 µm | N/A | 56.0% | 44.0% |
| HVNI | With mask | >5 µm | 93.4% | 3.22% | 3.37% |
| Low flow oxygen | With mask | >5 µm | 85.1% | 4.96% | 9.99% |
| No therapy | With mask | >5 µm | 83.9% | 6.25% | 9.83% |