Easy installation, customizable for any space and building

The Opragon system has a flexible design that is tailor-made for each installation. The minimum space requirement between the structural and false ceilings is approx. 12 inches, which allows for installations in rooms with limited space in both new and refurbished units. This makes it easy to intergrate with other parts of the OR design and any building constraints. No additional heating or cooling required – Opragon controls it all.

Opragon 8 has achieved HCAI Preapproval Certification, California

Approved projects from New York – contact Avidicare for information

Contact Avidicare for assistance with approvals in other States

The limitations of LAF ceilings

The European hospital standard for ultra-clean ventilation systems was previously LAF ceilings. The drawback of these LAF ceilings is that they take up a large proportion of the ceiling surface and often need higher air speeds to be able to counteract the bacteria flow in the operating room. Higher airspeeds of course also mean higher use of energy, which costs money, harms nature and produces noise and draught that disturb the surgical team and it has also been difficult to show improved outcomes. Furthermore, a LAF ceiling only protects the middle of the room, while Opragon keeps the whole room ultra-clean.

It should be noted that low-speed LAF systems such as those commonly used in the US technically do not produce a laminar airflow and thus has a reduced protective effect.

The drawbacks of mixed ventilation systems

Traditional mixed ventilations systems are not able to reliably create and maintain ultra-clean conditions during surgery, especially at lower air change rates (20 ACH). Even with very high rates (60 ACH), ultra-clean is only reliably achieved in combination with very tight clothing systems. This has a negative impact on comfort, safety and cost.  

To ensure that the air in the operating room remains uncontaminated, the convection flows from the staff and equipment must be broken. Otherwise, there is a risk of uncontrolled airborne bacteria dissemination. Ventilaton systems with a lower air speed pose a greater risk of not removing bacteria-carrying particles, which can lead to contamination of the air in the operative zone. Higher speeds, on the other hand, cause draught, noise, dehydration of the patient and staff, cooling of the patient, and turbulence that reduces the effect of the laminar airflow. These limitations of existing technology is precisely why we developed Opragon, which combines the classic mixed/diluting ventilation (which dilutes the number of bacteria-carrying particles) with a cooled unidirectional airflow. Combining the two systems in the same operating room produces extremely effective ventilation. 

The technology behind TcAF is based on the ventilation system pumping out slightly cooled air into a zone around the operating table. By taking advantage of the fundamental laws of nature, TcAF breaks the convection currents in an effective and energy-efficient manner. Since cool air is denser than the surrounding warmer air, it drops towards the floor. The air speed is dictated by the temperature difference in the room. The system enables reliable and stable control of air movements, and thereby also the airflow’s fall speed over the patient and the sterile-clad staff. The technology reduces the presence of bacteria-carrying particles in the operative zone while at the same time helping to create a comfortable working environment. It makes the temperature slightly cooler for sterile-clad staff and slightly warmer for other staff in the room. The temperature can be set to any level that is required by staff or the patient. Discover Opragon here.

If the air, coming from the ventilation system, is cooler than the layer of air at the level of the operative zone, the ultra-clean air will drop down to the operative zone and thereby provide its protective effect. The convection currents are broken and the airborne bacteria are transported away from the patient and the sterile instruments. In order for the ultra-clean air to reach the operative zone, there must be a fall speed of about 0.25 m/s at the level of the operative zone. The speed at the operating table will vary depending on the temperature difference between the ultra-clean air and the ambient room air in the operating room. 

During the development of Opragon, we determined that a temperature difference (ΔT value) of -1.5 to -3°C is required between the ultra-clean air and the ambient room air at the operating table to guarantee a fall speed of about 0.25 m/s at the level of the operating table. The technology continually checks to ensure that the ultra-clean air maintains a constant under-temperature of 1.5–3°C regardless of the temperature of the ambient room air.

Independent scientific validation confirms real life advantages

An extensive set of scientific evidence has been gathered during the last 15 years since the very first installation of an Opragon using TcAF. The key findings confirm less than 10 cfu/m³ as well as ISO 5 or better in the whole OR. The low noise and minimal draught are also verified along with the low energy consumption. Read more here.