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Multilateral characterization of masks and tubes surfaces in contact with respiratory system through ventilation

A. C. COMAN1, D. A. TODEA1,* , F. POPA2, T. RADU3, O. CADAR4, C. BORZAN5

Affiliation

  1. Department of Pneumolgy, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu-Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Babes Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  2. Department of Materials Science and Technology, Technical University of Cluj Napoca, 103-105 Muncii Avenue, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  3. Faculty of Physics & Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Sciences, “Babes-Bolyai” University, 1 M. Kogalniceanu, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  4. INCDO-INOE 2000, Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation, 67 Donath Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  5. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu-Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Babes Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse by complementary methods the composition, morphology and real size of inorganic elements, as well as microbiological morphology on the inner surface of continuous positive airway pressure ventilation (CPAP) masks and tubes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The images obtained in secondary electrons evidenced a series of homogeneous versus inhomogeneous structures of variable sizes (between 1-200 μm), some of which as separate entities with either rounded or sharp margins, and others grouped in colonies, partly corresponding to a bacterial or fungal variety of microbiological elements. According to elemental distribution maps developed using SEM, it seems that elements (Si, K, P, Ca, Al, Mg, Fe, Ti) form clusters, constituting various metal structures that favours bacterial (main Staphylococcus) and fungal adhesion (Candida). The presence of microbiological versus inorganic structures on the surface of CPAP masks and tubes raises a flag on the risk of their inhalation into the upper and lower airway. This study allows new researches in the terms of risk factors of home ventilation with CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)..

Keywords

Risk, Microbial, Inorganic, Tubes, Masks, CPAP.

Submitted at: July 7, 2015
Accepted at: Sept. 9, 2015

Citation

A. C. COMAN, D. A. TODEA, F. POPA, T. RADU, O. CADAR, C. BORZAN, Multilateral characterization of masks and tubes surfaces in contact with respiratory system through ventilation, Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials Vol. 17, Iss. 9-10, pp. 1563-1571 (2015)