H.11 Device Solution to filter droplets from Cystoscopy Procedure Room Drain during post-procedure

Urologic procedures often require a large amount of fluid drainage during procedures, which requires the need to have procedures rooms built with a drain in the floor to allow for continuous fluid movement during the procedure.  This drain requires flushing after every procedure when it is used, which has also caused concern when the topic of using the room for additional types of procedures has come into discussion. If a surgical suite has an open floor drain in it—can more invasive and open procedures be performed in this room? Currently, without proper filtration on the drains it is unclear if there is appropriate mitigation of droplets and particles coming from the drain during the flushing process. 

Cystoscopy procedure rooms are built with a drain that has a water table that sits feet below the floor, however airflow from the flushing process is required as part of the flushing process.  The airflow prevents a general cap from being placed on the drain to prevent droplets or particles from being released into the air, thus the need for a filter to be placed at the top of the drain that allows for airflow but can still filter out for any droplets and particles that may be pushed up from the plumbing and flushing mechanism. 

The goal of this project would be to develop a filter or device that would allow for a system like the Cystoscopy drain flushing design to be used in such a way that allows the institution to maintain a sterile environment, despite the floor drain being present in the procedure room.  This project would require gaining an understanding of the mechanics of the flushing mechanism within the building maintenance system as well as the nature of the surgical suite requirements and urology procedures.