In 2013 we modelled the air distribution in an operating room for Aghito, Gruppo Malvestio, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
The full-scale model included the operating table, surgical lights and other elements that affect airflow. The analysis examined the distribution system in detail, including airflow within the supply plenum and between the filters, to describe its performance both qualitatively and quantitatively.
In an operating room, the way clean air moves around the patient and the surgical team matters a great deal. Objects such as lights and equipment can disturb the intended flow, which is why they belong in a realistic model.
CFD allows these effects to be seen and measured before a system is installed or changed. It gives designers and manufacturers a clear, evidence-based view of how a distribution system behaves in the space it is meant to protect.
