A cough simulator constructed from off-the-shelf and 3D-printed components.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Aerobiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Accessibility in scientific research is limited by the cost of specialized equipment.
• Understanding respiratory disease transmission requires accurate simulation of aerosol generation.
• Existing equipment for aerosol studies can be expensive and lack customizability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and validate a low-cost, programmable cough simulator.
• To enable precise control over ejection velocity and aerosol size for ad-hoc studies.
• To enhance research accessibility in respiratory disease transmission.

Main Methods:

• Development of a piston-driven simulator using off-the-shelf and 3D-printed components.
• Programmable control over ejection velocity and aerosol generation.
• Validation of fluid flow and particle monitoring capabilities.

Main Results:

• The cough simulator was successfully constructed using affordable, readily available parts.
• Performance validation confirmed its ability to replicate mouth breathing and coughing velocities.
• The device demonstrated suitability for monitoring ejected particles and evaluating fluid dynamics.

Conclusions:

• This novel, customizable cough simulator offers an accessible and cost-effective solution for researchers.
• The device facilitates critical studies in aerosol ventilation, disinfection, and personal protective equipment efficacy.
• It contributes to advancing scientific understanding of respiratory disease transmission and improving public health outcomes.