There's a shortage of N95 masks, respirators and face shields all over the world as the Coronavirus pandemic spreads to almost every nation around the world. Some hospitals are forced to reuse the same masks for more than one shift as supplies run out or are being rationed because the supply chain was not prepared for the surge in demand on a global basis all at once.
Many in the maker space using 3D printers to build prototypes of products or consumer products have proactively engaged in supporting their local hospitals and front line medical staff that need Personal Protective equipment or PPE. When a patient enters an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), staff have to take full precautions to prevent being infected themselves. They wear disposable gowns, rubber gloves, N95 masks and face shields. The masks, gowns and gloves should be discarded after every shift and shields disinfected at the minimum or ideally after every patient close quarters visit.
Face shields are in very short supply because their use is rarely needed in normal day healthcare service. But because the Coronavirus known as COVID-19 (or novel-CoV 2019) can remain airborne after an infected patient coughs, the droplets could land on a healthcare technicians face and ultimately infect them. The face shield is a mandatory item in the ICU ward and becoming a requirement for those working in the non-ICU section. Demand has outstripped supply in many regions around the world. The same is true of ventilators that assist a patients breathing when the lungs become filled with liquid as the virus opens up the pours of the lung walls.
Some hospitals have begun to share ventilator pumps using a manifold that can support multiple patients at the same time with a single pump due to the lack of availability.
Enter the 3D community that are now making face shields and respirator pump manifold valves. Some 3D printer companies have shared designs that any 3D printer owner can make and then distribute to their local healthcare facility or to healthcare volunteers that offer assistance at senior citizen assisted home care facilities.
There are problems including certification and quality control problems that normally arise when a product is home made. But some regions are desperate for supply of these vital items, regardless of where they are made. But the manufacturers of some 3D printers have began to directly work with the healthcare experts to ensure their designs follow best practices and received approval in some countries.
Here are some links to the 3D printer community.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - National Institutes of Health 3D Printing
Prusa Research Czech Republic - 3D printing face shields
AnyCubic - 3D Printed Face shields
3D Printing Media Network - Emergency Respirator
Facebook Community 3D Printing Group - COVID-19 Makers Collaborative
BBC News Report - Can we 3D print our way out of PPE shortage
Many in the maker space using 3D printers to build prototypes of products or consumer products have proactively engaged in supporting their local hospitals and front line medical staff that need Personal Protective equipment or PPE. When a patient enters an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), staff have to take full precautions to prevent being infected themselves. They wear disposable gowns, rubber gloves, N95 masks and face shields. The masks, gowns and gloves should be discarded after every shift and shields disinfected at the minimum or ideally after every patient close quarters visit.
Face shields are in very short supply because their use is rarely needed in normal day healthcare service. But because the Coronavirus known as COVID-19 (or novel-CoV 2019) can remain airborne after an infected patient coughs, the droplets could land on a healthcare technicians face and ultimately infect them. The face shield is a mandatory item in the ICU ward and becoming a requirement for those working in the non-ICU section. Demand has outstripped supply in many regions around the world. The same is true of ventilators that assist a patients breathing when the lungs become filled with liquid as the virus opens up the pours of the lung walls.
Some hospitals have begun to share ventilator pumps using a manifold that can support multiple patients at the same time with a single pump due to the lack of availability.
Enter the 3D community that are now making face shields and respirator pump manifold valves. Some 3D printer companies have shared designs that any 3D printer owner can make and then distribute to their local healthcare facility or to healthcare volunteers that offer assistance at senior citizen assisted home care facilities.
There are problems including certification and quality control problems that normally arise when a product is home made. But some regions are desperate for supply of these vital items, regardless of where they are made. But the manufacturers of some 3D printers have began to directly work with the healthcare experts to ensure their designs follow best practices and received approval in some countries.
Here are some links to the 3D printer community.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - National Institutes of Health 3D Printing
Prusa Research Czech Republic - 3D printing face shields
AnyCubic - 3D Printed Face shields
3D Printing Media Network - Emergency Respirator
Facebook Community 3D Printing Group - COVID-19 Makers Collaborative
BBC News Report - Can we 3D print our way out of PPE shortage
