Efficacy of Dust Collector for Electric Cast Saw in Reduction of Dust and Noise during Cast Removal Procedure

Abstract

Background: Heavy noise and air pollution, both of which are classified as occupational health hazards, were produced during the cast removal procedure.

Objective:The purpose of this article was to design and build a dust collector that could operate with an oscillating saw, to reduce plaster dust and noise during cast removal, protecting healthcare workers and patients from occupational hazards.

Methods: A dust collector was designed and fabricated. The experiment was divided into two groups: five trials for cast saw testing with a vacuum cleaner and five trials for cast saw testing with a vacuum cleaner and a dust collector. Acoustic levels as well as aerosol detection were tested. A dual coil spring could work as a force moderator in this application. When a user applies forces to the cast surface, this spring set returned the cast saw and saw blade to a neutral position, promoting safety.

Results: The traditional cast removal group had higher average acoustic levels in a closed room during every experiment (LAeq), measuring 79.3 dBA, compared with the dust collector group, measuring 77.9 dBA, while the dust collector group had slightly higher 8-hour TWA and LCpeak. Total particle concentration was lower in the dust collector group (-0.0235 mg/m3) than in the traditional cast removal group (0.005 mg/m3).

Conclusion: This apparatus may protect patients from overpressure applied to the cast surface. During acoustic tests, the average noise levels differed only slightly between the two groups. In terms of dust containment, a dust collector linked to a vacuum cleaner performed better during the cast removal procedure. In the future, robotic technology and sensor applications may be adapted for this machine.