Medical technology digitally developed

Press release HTCO GmbH on PRESSEBox from 25.01.2022

Medical technology digitally developed
HTCO simulates aerosols in new suction system for SycoTec

In dentistry, the transmission of infections by bacteria or viruses, such as the current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, represents a high risk for dental personnel. Particularly during scaling with powder jet devices and drilling with high-speed contra-angle handpieces, a fine spray of aerosols is produced. The new SycoTec “aer x” suction reduces these by 99.9% directly at the patient’s mouth. HTCO GmbH from Freiburg, Germany, was consulted for virtual flow simulations (CFD) in the development of the new product.

The computer-aided flow simulation used by HTCO makes highly complex flows calculable and virtually visible by means of suitable mathematical methods. The goal of SycoTec’s product developers was to investigate how efficiently the planned suction works and to reveal which optimization potentials exist to further improve the suction rate. For example, the CFD simulations showed how a change in the orientation of the suction nozzles could capture more particles without disturbing the working comfort of the dental staff.

With the aid of the simulation, various device settings and the flow behavior of different particle sizes were calculated and tested. This detailed analysis crystallized the relevant process parameters and enabled targeted optimization. “Neither of these is possible in laboratory tests to this depth and informative value,” explains Teodora Vatahska, Managing Director of HTCO GmbH. “Manufacturers benefit from the fact that flow simulation can be used to confirm the functionality and performance of a new product at an early stage.”

Optimization potential can also be exploited at an early stage of development. In the case of the dental suction system, for example, the ease of use was increased without having to produce additional prototypes. Klaus Kohler, SycoTec Development Manager, confirms this: “The work HTCO did in our joint project to achieve our requirements was fantastic!”

HTCO GmbH
HTCO GmbH is an engineering company specialized in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). For more than 30 years, we have been supporting companies from a wide range of industries in the development or optimization of technical products, processes and buildings. We are also involved in various national and international research projects.