Development of a 3D‐printed single‐use separation chamber for use in mRNA‐based vaccine production with magnetic microparticles

In our work, we produced PDMS-based microfluidic devices by mechanical removal of 3D-printed scaffolds inserted in PDMS. Two setups leading to the fabrication of monolithic PDMS-based microdevices and bonded (or stamped) PDMS-based microdevices were designed. In the monolithic devices, the 3D-printed scaffolds were fully inserted in the PDMS and then carefully removed. The bonded devices were produced by forming imprints of the 3D-printed scaffolds in PDMS, followed by bonding the PDMS parts to glass slides. All these microfluidic devices were then successfully employed in three proof-of-concept applications: capture of magnetic microparticles, formation of droplets, and isotachophoresis separation of model organic dyes.

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3D Printing 18F Radioactive Phantoms for PET Imaging

10.21203/rs.3.rs-136006/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Gillett ◽

Daniel Marsden ◽

Safia Ballout ◽

Bala Attili ◽

Nick Bird ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Double Helix ◽

Human Anatomy ◽

Radioactive Material ◽

Ct Scanner ◽

Pet Ct ◽

Radioactive Concentration ◽

3D Printed ◽

Single Use ◽

The Mean ◽

Cylinders And Spheres

Abstract Purpose: Phantoms are routinely used in molecular imaging to assess scanner performance. However, traditional phantoms with fillable shapes do not replicate human anatomy. 3D printed phantoms have overcome this by creating phantoms which replicate human anatomy which can be filled with radioactive material. The problem with these is that small objects suffer from boundary effects and therefore boundary-free objects are desirable. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of creating resin-based 3D printed phantoms using 18 F-FDG. Methods: Radioactive resin was created using an emulsion of printer resin and 18 F-FDG. A series of test objects were printed including twenty identical cylinders, ten spheres with increasing diameters (2 mm to 20 mm) and a double helix. Radioactive concentration uniformity, printing accuracy and the amount of leaching were assessed. Results: Creating radioactive resin was simple and effective. The radioactivity remained bound to the resin for the duration that it was radioactive. The radioactive concentration was uniform among identical objects; the CoV of the mean, max and total signal were 3.6%, 3.8% and 2.6%, respectively. The printed cylinders and spheres were found to be within 4% of the model dimensions. A double helix was successfully printed as a test for the printer and appeared as expected on the PET scanner. The amount of radioactivity leached into the water was measurable (0.72%) but not visible above background on the imaging. Conclusions: Creating an 18F-FDG radioactive resin emulsion is a simple and effective way to create boundary-free, accurate, complex 3D phantoms that can be imaged using a PET/CT scanner. This technique could be used to print clinically realistic phantoms, however, they are single use, and cannot be made hollow without an exit hole. Also, there is a small amount of leaching of the radioactivity to take into consideration.

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3D Printed frames to enable reuse and improve the fit of N95 and KN95 respirators

10.1101/2020.07.20.20151019 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Malia McAvoy ◽

Ai-Tram N. Bui ◽

Christopher Hansen ◽

Deborah Plana ◽

Jordan T. Said ◽

...

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Design Process ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Short Supply ◽

Iterative Design ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Fit Testing ◽

3D Printed ◽

Single Use ◽

Repeated Use

Background: In response to supply shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs or "masks"), which are typically single-use devices in healthcare settings, are routinely being used for prolonged periods and in some cases decontaminated under "reuse" and "extended use" policies. However, the reusability of N95 masks is often limited by degradation or breakage of elastic head bands and issues with mask fit after repeated use. The purpose of this study was to develop a frame for N95 masks, using readily available materials and 3D printing, which could replace defective or broken bands and improve fit. Results: An iterative design process yielded a mask frame consisting of two 3D-printed side pieces, malleable wire links that users press against their face, and cut lengths of elastic material that go around the head to hold the frame and mask in place. Volunteers (n= 41; average BMI= 25.5), of whom 31 were women, underwent qualitative fit with and without mask frames and one or more of four different brands of FFRs conforming to US N95 or Chinese KN95 standards. Masks passed qualitative fit testing in the absence of a frame at rates varying from 48-92% (depending on mask model and tester). For individuals for whom a mask passed testing, 75-100% (average = 86%) also passed testing with a frame holding the mask in place. Among users for whom a mask failed in initial fit testing, 41% passed using a frame. Success varied with mask model and across individuals. Conclusions: The use of mask frames can prolong the lifespan of N95 and KN95 masks by serving as a substitute for broken or defective bands without adversely affecting fit. Frames also have the potential to improve fit for some individuals who cannot fit existing masks. Frames therefore represent a simple and inexpensive way of extending the life and utility of PPE in short supply. For clinicians and institutions interested in mask frames, designs and specifications are provided without restriction for use or modification. To ensure adequate performance in clinical settings, qualitative fit testing with user-specific masks and frames is required.

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3D Printing to Support the Shortage in Personal Protective Equipment Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma13153339 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 3339 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Mostapha Tarfaoui ◽

Mourad Nachtane ◽

Ibrahim Goda ◽

Yumna Qureshi ◽

Hamza Benyahia

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Medical Devices ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Health Concern ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

3D Printed ◽

Single Use ◽

Tract Infections

Currently, the emergence of a novel human coronavirus disease, named COVID-19, has become a great global public health concern causing severe respiratory tract infections in humans. Yet, there is no specific vaccine or treatment for this COVID-19 where anti-disease measures rely on preventing or slowing the transmission of infection from one person to another. In particularly, there is a growing effort to prevent or reduce transmission to frontline healthcare professionals. However, it is becoming an increasingly international concern respecting the shortage in the supply chain of critical single-use personal protective equipment (PPE). To that scope, we aim in the present work to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest 3D printing efforts against COVID-19, including professional additive manufacturing (AM) providers, makers and designers in the 3D printing community. Through this review paper, the response to several questions and inquiries regarding the following issues are addressed: technical factors connected with AM processes; recommendations for testing and characterizing medical devices that additively manufactured; AM materials that can be used for medical devices; biological concerns of final 3D printed medical parts, comprising biocompatibility, cleaning and sterility; and limitations of AM technology.

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Feasibility of single-use 3D-printed instruments for total knee arthroplasty

The Bone & Joint Journal ◽

10.1302/0301-620x.101b7.bjj-2018-1506.r1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 101-B (7_Supple_C) ◽

pp. 115-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

J. Hooper ◽

R. Schwarzkopf ◽

E. Fernandez ◽

A. Buckland ◽

J. Werner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ◽

Dimensional Changes ◽

Before And After ◽

Nylon 12 ◽

3D Printed ◽

Total Knee ◽

Single Use ◽

Oscillating Saw

Aims This aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of designing and introducing generic 3D-printed instrumentation for routine use in total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods Instruments were designed to take advantage of 3D-printing technology, particularly ensuring that all parts were pre-assembled, to theoretically reduce the time and skill required during surgery. Concerning functionality, ranges of resection angle and distance were restricted within a safe zone, while accommodating either mechanical or anatomical alignment goals. To identify the most suitable biocompatible materials, typical instrument shapes and mating parts, such as dovetails and screws, were designed and produced. Results Before and after steam sterilization, dimensional analysis showed that acrylonitrile butadiene styrene could not withstand the temperatures without dimensional changes. Oscillating saw tests with slotted cutting blocks produced debris, fractures, or further dimensional changes in the shape of Nylon-12 and polymethylmethacrylate (MED610), but polyetherimide ULTEM 1010 was least affected. Conclusion The study showed that 3D-printed instrumentation was technically feasible and had some advantages. However, other factors, such as whether all procedural steps can be accomplished with a set of 3D-printed instruments, the logistics of delivery, and the economic aspects, require further study. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B(7 Supple C):115–120

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Autonomous lab-on-a-chip generic architecture for disposables with integrated actuation

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-55111-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anke Suska ◽

Daniel Filippini

Keyword(s):

Lab On A Chip ◽

Dead Volume ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Marginal Costs ◽

Generic Architecture ◽

3D Printed ◽

Single Use ◽

Necrosis Factor ◽

Selection Of ◽

Multiple Step

AbstractThe integration of actuators within disposable lab-on-a-chip devices is a demanding goal that requires reliable mechanisms, systematic fabrication procedures and marginal costs compatible with single-use devices. In this work an affordable 3D printed prototype that offers a compact and modular configuration to integrate actuation in autonomous lab-on-a-chip devices is demonstrated. The proposed concept can handle multiple step preparation protocols, such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) configuration, by integrating reagents, volume metering capabilities with performance comparable to pipettes (e.g. 2.68% error for 5 μL volume), arbitrary dilution ratio support, effective mixing and active control of the sample injection. The chosen architecture is a manifold served by multiple injectors ending in unidirectional valves, which exchange a null dead volume when idle, thus isolating reagents until they are used. Functionalization is modularly provided by a plug-in element, which together with the selection of reagents can easily repurpose the platform to diverse targets, and this work demonstrates the systematic fabrication of 6 injectors/device at a development cost of USD$ 0.55/device. The concept was tested with a commercial ELISA kit for tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a marker for infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, and its performance satisfactorily compared with the classical microplate implementation.

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Design and Construction of a Chamber Enabling the Observation of Living Cells in the Field of a Constant Magnetic Force

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10123339 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 3339

Author(s):

Daniel Dziob ◽

Jakub Ramian ◽

Jan Ramian ◽

Bartosz Lisowski ◽

Jadwiga Laska

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Magnetic Force ◽

Optical Microscope ◽

Magnetic Microparticles ◽

Main Challenge ◽

Halbach Array ◽

3D Printed ◽

Neodymium Magnets ◽

The Magnetic Field ◽

Microscopic Stage

The aim of the work was to design and construct a microscopic stage that enables the observation of biological cells in a magnetic field with a constant magnetic force. Regarding the requirements for biological observations in the magnetic field, construction was based on the standard automatic stage of an optical microscope ZEISS Axio Observer, and the main challenge was to design a set of magnets which were the source of a field in which the magnetic force was constant in the observation zone. Another challenge was to design a magnet arrangement producing a weak magnetic field to manipulate the cells without harming them. The Halbach array of magnets was constructed using permanent cubic neodymium magnets mounted on a 3D printed polymer ring. Four sets of magnets were used, differing in their dimensions, namely, 20, 15, 12, and 10 mm. The polymer rings were designed to resist magnetic forces and to keep their shape undisturbed when working under biological conditions. To check the usability of the constructs, experiments with magnetic microparticles were executed. Magnetic microparticles were placed under the microscope and their movement was observed to find the acting magnetic force.

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Adding Value: Upcycling problematic plastic waste through digital craft

10.26686/wgtn.16675786 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Huy Tim

Keyword(s):

Field Research ◽

Plastic Waste ◽

Research Approach ◽

Plastic Pollution ◽

Waste Streams ◽

Cultural Shift ◽

Research Through Design ◽

Practice Based Research ◽

3D Printed ◽

Single Use

Plastic pollution is and continues to be a growing problem in today’s world. The consequences of its abundance and combination of take, make, and waste practices linger within our environment and landfills, resulting in negative social, economic, and environmental impacts. Due to China’s new waste ban, New Zealand (NZ) is no longer able to export plastic waste overseas. With the current inadequate waste management infrastructure and without recycling restrictions on different types of plastics, this waste stream becomes complex and problematic. A significant amount of this waste originates from single-use and non-recyclable plastics, which has only increased over time with the emergence of consumer convenience packaging. Thus, in addition to new infrastructure and systems, a cultural shift and greater awareness is needed to address the plastic waste issue. There are existing industry leaders who have successfully closed the loop for recycling certain plastic waste streams in NZ. However, field research has revealed that even within such closed looped systems, some residual non-recyclable waste still remains. This research proposes to add new value to this low value and problematic waste in the form of highly crafted artefacts. This opportunity is explored with a ‘Research through Design’ methodology focusing on 3D printing and digital craft. This includes a practice-based research approach that includes material experimentation and reflective practice to inform the creation of design outputs. The investigation explores the upcycling of bottle caps and sticker labels as difficult and low value waste streams. Outputs include 3D printed artefacts for a variety of applications, including lighting, furniture and craft objects. These design outputs aim to demonstrate how undervalued and neglected materials can be reincarnated in a more durable form, to raise awareness and elicit responses regarding throwaway culture and the global waste problem.

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3D printing 18F radioactive phantoms for PET imaging

EJNMMI Physics ◽

10.1186/s40658-021-00383-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Gillett ◽

Daniel Marsden ◽

Safia Ballout ◽

Bala Attili ◽

Nick Bird ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Double Helix ◽

Human Anatomy ◽

Radioactive Material ◽

Exit Hole ◽

Radioactive Concentration ◽

3D Printed ◽

Single Use ◽

Cylinders And Spheres ◽

Gamma Counter ◽

Test Objects

Abstract Purpose Phantoms are routinely used in molecular imaging to assess scanner performance. However, traditional phantoms with fillable shapes do not replicate human anatomy. 3D-printed phantoms have overcome this by creating phantoms which replicate human anatomy which can be filled with radioactive material. The problem with these is that small objects suffer to a greater extent than larger objects from the effects of inactive walls, and therefore, phantoms without these are desirable. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of creating resin-based 3D-printed phantoms using 18F. Methods Radioactive resin was created using an emulsion of printer resin and 18F-FDG. A series of test objects were printed including twenty identical cylinders, ten spheres with increasing diameters (2 to 20 mm), and a double helix. Radioactive concentration uniformity, printing accuracy and the amount of leaching were assessed. Results Creating radioactive resin was simple and effective. The radioactive concentration was uniform among identical objects; the CoV of the signal was 0.7% using a gamma counter. The printed cylinders and spheres were found to be within 4% of the model dimensions. A double helix was successfully printed as a test for the printer and appeared as expected on the PET scanner. The amount of radioactivity leached into the water was measurable (0.72%) but not visible above background on the imaging. Conclusions Creating an 18F radioactive resin emulsion is a simple and effective way to create accurate and complex phantoms without inactive walls. This technique could be used to print clinically realistic phantoms. However, they are single use and cannot be made hollow without an exit hole. Also, there is a small amount of leaching of the radioactivity to take into consideration.

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