Computational Fluid Dynamic Modelling AndSimulation Evaluation Of The Plume EvacuationDevice Efficiencies

The purpose of our work has been to evaluate the fluid flow dynamics of distal and proximal handheld plume evacuation devices used during LASIK eye surgery using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Modelling. Fluid flow dynamics studies using CFD simulations were conducted on a proximal plume evacuator, LAHayeSIKTM surgical device, and on the VISX Star S3, which is a distal large volume plume evacuation device. The resulting data was compared and analyzed with experimental data. CFD results show that the proximal plume evacuation system generated a uniform laminar airflow velocity of 0.94 m/s across the corneal surface as compared to 1.3 m/s reported by the distal evacuation system. Flow profiles indicate high shear regions resulting in vortex formations, for the large volume distal evacuator. The CFD simulations conducted to determine the airflow profiles generated by the two surgical plume evacuation devices concur with data obtained from experiments. Flow patterns simulated by the CFD modeling, indicate that the proximal plume evacuation devices generate a gentle laminar airflow profiles over the stromal surface. On the other hand, the distal large volume plume evacuators generate multiple regions of varying air flow velocities contributing to ineffective plume capture.