Commercially available novel device to prevent the diffusion of droplets from subjects undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A pilot study with its prototype

Abstract

Introduction

Under the current pandemic situation of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), we have newly developed a commercially available device named Endomask to prevent the diffusion of droplets from subjects undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Herein, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of the device, and also evaluate the stress of the device on the operators and the subjects of EGD.

Methods

The efficacy of the device was evaluated using an experimental model that simulated the environment of EGD. The safety of the device was evaluated clinically by means of measuring the oxygen saturation and the expiratory carbonic dioxide partial pressure of subjects with our device during EGD. The stress of the device on the operability of the endoscopists and the respiration of the subjects were evaluated using questionnaires.

Results

In the experiments with Endomask, the percentage of the area with simulated droplets was significantly reduced compared to that without our device (median, 0.24% vs. 6.96%, p = 0.009). The saturation of oxygen and the expiratory carbonic dioxide partial pressure of subjects with the device did not show significant change at any recording times. Neither the operators nor the subjects felt serious stress from examination with the device.

Conclusions

Endomask could remarkably and safely prevent the diffusion of droplets without serious stress. Endomask is expected to contribute to a reduction of the infectious risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 in endoscopy units during COVID‐19 pandemic.

Abbreviations

• COVID-19
• coronavirus disease 2019
• EGD
• esophagogastroduodenoscopy
• PPE
• personal protective equipment
• SARS-CoV-2
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2

INTRODUCTION

Under the current pandemic situation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the infectious risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in endoscopy units is enhanced. In addition to the risk of contact and droplets transmission, the possibility of airborne transmission by aerosols should be considered when developing strategies against SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES) issued recommendations for gastrointestinal endoscopy during this pandemic situation. Triage (risk stratification) of subjects, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) of medical staffs, careful management of subjects and the endoscopic room are recommended.

In addition to these strategies, a further solution for preventing the diffusion of droplets/aerosols from subjects is important in terms of reduction of the infectious risk of SARS-CoV-2 in endoscopic units. The presence of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected patients and the possibility of false negatives from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) suggest that even subjects triaged as low risk may be a source of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Accordingly, a simple and inexpensive solution that can be adapted for all subjects is needed. The safety of the subjects and the stress for the endoscopists should be also taken into account when developing a solution. Although some devices for the prevention of the diffusion of droplets from subjects undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) have been reported recently, there were no reports that evaluated the influence on the respiration of the subjects and the operability of the endoscopists.

We previously reported a disposable self-made device that is expected to capture droplets from subjects undergoing EGD. Although the device could be utilized even in an emergent condition lacking resources such as PPE, efforts to improvise and regard for the type of mouthpiece were necessary. Herein, we have newly developed another commercially available device named Endomask (TOP Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) to prevent the diffusion of droplets from subjects during EGD. The design of our novel device and the image of a subject with our device are shown in Figure . Endomask is made of a monolayer of nonwoven fabric with a slit for the passage of an endoscope. It can be utilized without regard for the type of mouthpiece. The price is 35 yen.

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In this pilot study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of Endomask using its prototype. Stress on the operability of the endoscopists and the respiration of the subjects were also evaluated.

METOHDS

Efficacy

For quantitative evaluation of the efficacy, we established an experimental model that simulated the environment of EGD. A mannequin head was prepared and its mouth was hollowed out for fixing a mouthpiece and a 10 mm diameter pole simulating an endoscope. A 300 mm plastic cube with a window was placed in front of the mannequin head. Droplets from subjects were simulated by aqueous red paint. The paint was sprayed into the cube by a sprayer 10 times from 5 mm inside of the mouthpiece (Figure ). The constancy of the quantity of the sprayed ink was confirmed using a test tube in advance. The quantity of the paint ranged 6.5 ± 0.1 ml in the experiments repeated five times and was thought to be quite stable (data are not shown). White paper attached to the inner walls in advance could reveal the adherence of the paint. This experiment was repeated five times with or without Endomask (Figure ). The percentage of the area with paint was analyzed using computer software (Rasband, W.S., ImageJ, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA).

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Safety

For evaluation of the safety, the saturation of oxygen and the expiratory carbonic dioxide partial pressure of subjects were measured by a pulse oximeter and capnometer (YG-227T, Nihon Kohden Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) in 12 consecutive nonsedated subjects of EGD with Endomask. One of the subjects was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Each parameter was recorded four times (before EGD without Endomask, before EGD with Endomask, during EGD with Endomask, the end of EGD with Endomask). The record during EGD with Endomask was made when the scope passed through the pylorus. The values before EGD without our device served as the control.

Stress on operability of endoscopists and respiration of subjects

Some questionnaires for the evaluation of stress on the operability of the endoscopists and the respiration of the subjects were prepared. Fifteen endoscopists (experts) were questioned after several examinations with Endomask. The questions were as follows: “Did you have any stress upon attaching this device?,” “Did you have any operation stress upon using this device?” They could answer for each question as follows: (i) no stress, (ii) a little stress (acceptable), (iii) moderate stress (unacceptable), (iv) serious stress. Ninety-eight nonsedated subjects of EGD examined with Endomask were questioned on the respiratory stress and the understanding of the device. The questions were as follows: “Did you have any stress upon breathing with this device?,” “Did you understand the significance of this device?,” “Can you agree to the next EGD with this device?” They could answer the first question as follows: (i) no stress, (ii) a little stress (acceptable), (iii) moderate stress (unacceptable), (iv) serious stress. They answered the latter two questions as “Yes” or “No.”

Statistical analysis

The parameters on the efficacy were analyzed by Mann–Whitney U-test. The parameters on the safety were analyzed by paired t-test. All analyses were done using Statcel 4 software (OMS Publishing Inc., Saitama, Japan).

RESULTS

Efficacy

In the experimental model for quantitative evaluation of the efficacy, Endomask captured most of the simulated droplets and remarkably reduced the area with paint compared to that without the device (Figure ). In the experiments with Endomask, the percentage of the area with paint was significantly reduced compared to that without our device (median, 0.24% vs. 6.96%, p = 0.009) (Figure ).

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Safety

The evaluation of the safety was conducted in 12 consecutive nonsedated subjects (11 males and a female) of EGD. Their median age was 75 years (range 56–90), and the median examination time was 232 s (range 182–317). In the clinical analysis for the evaluation of safety, the saturation of oxygen and the expiratory carbonic dioxide partial pressure of the subjects did not show any significant change at any recording times (Figure ).

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Stress on operability of endoscopists and respiration of subjects

The questionnaires for the endoscopists revealed that almost no endoscopists experienced stress when attaching this device and their operation stress was within acceptable level (Table ). Ninety-eight subjects (53 males and 45 females) of EGD were questioned; their median age was 63 years (range 29–90), and the median examination time was 291 s (range 182–754). The questionnaires for the subjects also revealed the minimal stress on breathing and complete understanding and acceptance of the device (Table ).

TABLE 1 Questionnaires for the endoscopists

Q1. Did you have any stress upon attaching this device?
No stress	14
A little stress (acceptable)	1
Moderate stress (unacceptable)	0
Serious stress	0
Q2. Did you have any operation stress upon using this device?
No stress	11
A little stress (acceptable)	4
Moderate stress (unacceptable)	0
Serious stress	0

TABLE 2 Questionnaires for the subjects

Q1. Did you have any stress upon breathing with this device?
No stress	79
A little stress (acceptable)	19
Moderate stress (unacceptable)	0
Serious stress	0
Q2. Did you understand the significance of this device?
Yes	98
No	0
Q3. Can you agree to the next EGD with this device?
Yes	98
No	0

DISCUSSION

Among the reports on devices for the prevention of diffusion of droplets from subjects undergoing EGD, this is the first report that evaluates not only the efficacy but also the safety and the operability of the device to our knowledge.

We could show the ability of Endomask to prevent the diffusion of simulated droplets using an experimental model quantitatively. In this experimental model, Endomask significantly prevented the diffusion of simulated droplets. More than 95% of the simulated droplets were captured by Endomask. This result suggested that Endomask would effectively reduce the risk of contact and droplet transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during EGD. According to a recent report about the preventive effectiveness of face masks on airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the protective efficiency was higher when masks were worn by a virus spreader. In that report, even cotton masks could block more than 50% of the virus and its potential was nearly equal to that of surgical masks when masks were worn by a virus spreader. Accordingly, Endomask is a reasonable solution and could be expected to partially reduce the risk of the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, although an accurate evaluation of the diffusion of aerosols was difficult in this experimental model. In the report, a synergistic effect when both the virus receiver and virus spreader wore masks was also described. Therefore, the addition of Endomask to existing strategies including PPE of medical staffs could further reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

We also showed the stability of respiration of subjects with Endomask during EGD. Our device changed neither the saturation of oxygen nor the expiratory carbonic dioxide partial pressure of the subjects at any recorded times. This suggested that Endomask could be used safely without obstructing the breathing of the subjects. Indeed, most subjects had no stress when breathing during EGD with Endomask according to the results of the questionnaire. The minimal stress of the device on breathing would promote acceptance by all subjects on the next use of the device. Before EGD, we explained the significance of the device to all the subjects. This process was thought to be important for understanding the purpose of the device.

With regard to the questionnaire for the endoscopists, the stress on both the attachment and the use of Endomask was within an acceptable level. This result suggested that Endomask was easy to use for the endoscopists. The minimal stress of the device for endoscopists is important given the expected frequent use.

The continuity of not only emergent but also elective endoscopic procedure should be considered even during the COVID-19 pandemic, because postponement of an elective endoscopic procedure involves some risk of a delayed diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases including malignancies. Lui et al. reported that a substantial reduction in endoscopic examinations during the COVID-19 outbreak was associated with a significant delay in cancer diagnosis. They also mentioned that the delay and subsequent cancer stage upshifting will be amplified if COVID-19 pandemic continues further. Under the continuation of the basic strategies (triage, appropriate PPE, careful management of subjects and the endoscopic room), Endomask could be useful as an additional solution against SARS-CoV-2 transmission during COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates the endoscopy staffs to reconsider the precautions against the infectious disease. Although the main precaution at the endoscopy units so far is the PPE, this would be insufficient for a pathogen with the risk of droplets/aerosol transmission like SARS-CoV-2. There are some other pathogens that also have the potential risk of droplets/aerosol transmission such as influenza, and such outbreaks cannot be predicted. Therefore, an additional standard precaution against the transmission of droplets/aerosols should be considered in endoscopy units. A simple and inexpensive device that can be utilized for all subjects is ideal as a standard precaution. Endomask could be a candidate as an additional standard precaution because it is easy to use and inexpensive.

A limitation of this study is that it was a single-center pilot study and the number of participating subjects was small. In particular, although we demonstrated sustained respiratory parameters after using Endomask in this study, the number of subjects was too small for providing high evidence for safety of this device. Furthermore, the method of evaluating the stress of the endoscopists in this study may lack objectivity because it is a simple questionnaire survey at the developed facility. In the next step, a multicenter study, including the larger number of patients, with a more realistic survey (e.g., whether to continue to use the mask after its introduction) is warranted. Another limitation is that the efficacy of the device was evaluated not clinically but by using an experimental model. The constancy of speed of sprayed ink was not confirmed. Although accurate clinical evaluation of the ability to prevent the diffusion of droplets/aerosols is difficult, our experimental model would at least partially reflect the clinical condition of EGD.

In conclusion, Endomask could remarkably and safely reduce the diffusion of droplets without serious stress on the operators or the subjects of EGD. This inexpensive device could be a candidate as an additional standard precaution against some pathogens with the risk of droplets/aerosol transmission including SARS-CoV-2. Endomask is expected to reduce the infectious risk of SARS-CoV-2 in endoscopy units during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to express our gratitude to Kenta Naka, Kiyoshi Yokota, Ryousuke Orikasa and Yoshiharu Matsuo (staffs of TOP Corporation) for their support in developing this device. We acknowledge our collaborators: Takeshi Kanno, Xiaoyi Jin, Kenichiro Nakagawa, Masahiro Saito, Kaname Uno, Naoki Asano, and Akira Imatani (members of Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine).

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Hiroyuki Endo received the material of prototype from TOP Corporation. Author W.H. is an Associate Editor of DEN Open.

ETHICS STATEMENT

This study was approved by the ethics committee of Japan Community Health Care Organization Sendai Hospital (#2020-15) and was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All participants provided written informed consent before study participation.

FUNDING INFORMATION

None.

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