Press Release

COVID-19 hit the world and it has affected virtually every aspect of our lives.  Many people are still fearful about leaving their homes and many people have chosen to avoid dental visits for fear of exposure to COVID-19. At the onset of COVID-19 I was forced to close my dental office for 3 months. During that time, I sought ways to ensure patient safety when we reopened. That quest is what gave rise to creation of the EVADE™ (Externally Vented Aerosol and Droplet Evacuation) System.

Dental procedures involving a dental handpiece, ultrasonic scaler or a 3 way air/water spray syringe generate aerosols and droplets which may contain saliva and other patient fluids. If dispersed into the treatment room, these potentially infectious COVID-19 or other aerosols and droplets create a hazard to the dental professionals and patients within the office environment. They can be inhaled or transferred through surface contact within the treatment area.

The unique EVADE™ (Externally Vented Aerosol and Droplet Evacuation) System treats collected aerosols with Ultraviolet (UVC) Radiation and exposure to Ozone gas to deactivate and prevent the spread of COVID or other infectious pathogens. Unlike other systems, EVADE™ uses an externally vented central vacuum system which produces up to 280 CFM of vacuum flow to facilitate collection of potentially contaminated oral aerosols and droplets generated by instrumentation of any type within the medical, dental or other fields. The aerosols are collected within a mirrored chamber, reflecting UVC light in all directions and exposing the aerosols to Ozone gas before moving through HEPA particle filtration and out of the environment through the exhaust of a central vacuum system.

Ultraviolet radiation is effective in the destruction of molecules of DNA and proteins of pathogens. However, using Ozone (O³) for air purification and sterilization is even more effective because Ozone is bio destructive, causing bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogens to undergo cellular degradation and destruction. However, Ozone cannot be introduced into occupied treatment areas. Without Ozone, the effectiveness of UVC with HEPA filtration is more limited and re-introducing aerosols treated only in this fashion into the occupied environment carries risk if filtration fails or the UVC bulb loses effectiveness.

EVADE™ incorporates Ozone providing a higher rate of destruction of pathogens. It is essential to eliminate the toxic effects that Ozone would have upon the respiratory system of humans in an occupied environment. The EVADE™ System provides external venting of the UVC/Ozone treated aerosols which eliminates the potential for spread of the collected pathogens and does not contaminate the air of the treatment area. 

Increasing patient safety during dental treatment is the goal of the EVADE™ System. Practicing in San Diego, CA, the inventor, Dr. Rich Masek, wanted to do as much as possible to protect his patients and prevent spread of these aerosols to other patients and staff. EVADE™ is positioned at the source to collect, disinfect, filter and remove potentially contaminated oral aerosols from dental/medical treatment areas. It is a comprehensive solution to address requirements for patient safety and prevent any recirculation into the treatment environment. As an added benefit, the EVADE™ System also collects mercury vapors which can be released during the removal of mercury amalgam (silver fillings) during treatment.

Response to the EVADE™ System:   

Dr. Rich Masek is an inventor, author and practicing dentist in San Diego, CA.  He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.