scholarly journals Attenuating pandemic supply shocks with 3D printed emergency use equipment

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karim I. Budhwani ◽  
Albert T. Pierce ◽  
Nitin Arora
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Supply Shocks ◽  
Medical Facilities ◽  
Common Strategy ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Second Wave

Abstract The fast-moving COVID-19 pandemic stressed supply chains even for some of the best prepared medical facilities. As a result, producing on-demand personal protective equipment (PPE) using additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities (3D-printing) emerged as a common strategy. While layer-by-layer processing confers several advantages to AM, it also imposes prohibitive print times, particularly for large volume parts. This leads to potential for using AM to rapidly produce smaller adaptors that modify available components for addressing critical shortages in emergencies. We applied this principle in developing a quick, simple, and low-cost adaptation of elastomeric half-mask respirators for emergency use in high-risk clinical settings. As we move toward reopening society, we must proactively build stronger bridges between engineering and medicine to respond to critical shortages in PPE ensuing from a potential second wave.

scholarly journals Design of 3D Printing Thermo-Sensored Medical Gear in Detecting COVID-19 Symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Milena Djukanović ◽  
Ardijan Mavrić ◽  
Jovana Jovanović ◽  
Milovan Roganović ◽  
Velibor Bošković
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Body Temperatures ◽  
Medical Facilities ◽  
The World ◽  
3D Printers ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Second Wave

Shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a need to provide protective equipment to the medical facilities whose supplies were threatened to be depleted. Just like many countries in Europe, Montenegro responded to the need for medical equipment by using the advantages of 3D printers while establishing a state network of production hubs, ensuring closed connectivity, communication, and the mutual fulfilment of personal protective equipment (PPE) demands whenever and wherever required. With the second wave of the pandemic, Montenegro rose to second place in the world with the number of coronavirus cases, which also led to an increasing number of infected medical staff. Since fever is a frequent symptom of SA+RS-CoV2 infection, a type of innovative 3D-printed thermo-sensored medical gear has been designed and tested in hospital conditions. This medical gear shaped like a bracelet, which changes color in the presence of high human body temperatures, proves to be efficient and easy to use for medical staff as well as patients.

scholarly journals Air seal performance of personalized and statistically shaped 3D-printed face masks compared with market-available surgical and FFP2 masks

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Nold ◽  
Marc C. Metzger ◽  
Steffen Schwarz ◽  
Christian Wesemann ◽  
Gregor Wemken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Second Step ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Air Leakage ◽  
Facial Soft Tissue ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
Mask Design ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
House Production

AbstractThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has revealed alarming shortages of personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare professionals and the general public. Therefore, a 3D-printable mask frame was developed, and its air seal performance was evaluated and compared. Personalized masks (PM) based on individual face scans (n = 8) and a statistically shaped mask (SSM) based on a standardized facial soft tissue shape computed from 190 face scans were designed. Subsequently, the masks were additively manufactured, and in a second step, the PM and SSM were compared to surgical masks (SM) and FFP2 masks (FFP2) in terms of air seal performance. 3D-printed face models allowed for air leakage evaluation by measuring the pressure inside the mask in sealed and unsealed conditions during a breathing simulation. The PM demonstrated the lowest leak flow (p < 0.01) of inspired or expired unfiltered air of approximately 10.4 ± 16.4%, whereas the SM showed the highest (p < 0.01) leakage with 84.9 ± 7.7%. The FFP2 and SSM had similar values of 34.9 ± 18.5% leakage (p > 0.68). The developed framework allows for the time- and resource-efficient, on-demand, and in-house production of masks. For the best seal performance, an individually personalized mask design might be recommended.

scholarly journals Printing 3D Hydrogel Structures Employing Low-Cost Stereolithography Technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Samara S. M. Magalhães ◽  
Francisco Eroni Paz Santos ◽  
Conceição de Maria Vaz Elias ◽  
Samson Afewerki ◽  
Gustavo F. Sousa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Laser Source ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate ◽  
Glycol Diacrylate ◽  
Layer Structures ◽  
Complex Models ◽  
3D Printed

Stereolithography technology associated with the employment of photocrosslinkable, biocompatible, and bioactive hydrogels have been widely used. This method enables 3D microfabrication from images created by computer programs and allows researchers to design various complex models for tissue engineering applications. This study presents a simple and fast home-made stereolithography system developed to print layer-by-layer structures. Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels were employed as the photocrosslinkable polymers in various concentrations. Three-dimensional (3D) constructions were obtained by using the stereolithography technique assembled from a commercial projector, which emphasizes the low cost and efficiency of the technique. Lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl phosphonate (LAP) was used as a photoinitiator, and a 404 nm laser source was used to promote the crosslinking. Three-dimensional and vascularized structures with more than 5 layers and resolutions between 42 and 83 µm were printed. The 3D printed complex structures highlight the potential of this low-cost stereolithography technique as a great tool in tissue engineering studies, as an alternative to bioprint miniaturized models, simulate vital and pathological functions, and even for analyzing the actions of drugs in the human body.

scholarly journals A Method for Computerized Olfactory Assessment and Training Outside of Laboratory or Clinical Settings

i-Perception ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 204166952110239
Author(s):  
Simon Niedenthal ◽  
Johannes Nilsson ◽  
Teodor Jernsäther ◽  
David Cuartielles ◽  
Maria Larsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Adaptive Challenges ◽  
Reader Antenna ◽  
Frequency Identification ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Perceived Usability ◽  
High Level

There are currently few ways to reliably and objectively assess olfaction outside of the research laboratory or clinic. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for remote olfactory assessment; in particular, smell training at home is a promising method for olfactory rehabilitation, but further methodological advances might enhance its effectiveness and range of use. Here, we present Exerscent, a portable, low-cost olfactory display designed primarily for uses outside of the laboratory and that can be operated with a personal computer. Exerscent includes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that are attached to odor stimuli and read with a MFRC522 module RFID reader/antenna that encodes the odor in order to provide adaptive challenges for the user (e.g., an odor identification task). Hardware parts are commercially available or 3D printed. Instructions and code for building the Exerscent are freely available online ( https://osf.io/kwftm/ ). As a proof of concept, we present a case study in which a participant trained daily to identify 54 odors, improving from 81% to 96% accuracy over 16 consecutive days. In addition, results from a laboratory experiment with 11 volunteers indicated a very high level of perceived usability and engagement. Exerscent may be used for olfactory skills development (e.g., perfumery, enology), and rehabilitation purposes (e.g., postviral olfactory loss), but it also allows for other forms of technological interactions such as olfactory-based recreational interactions.

scholarly journals Effect of Fibre Orientation on Novel Continuous 3D-Printed Fibre-Reinforced Composites

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2524
Author(s):  
Ilaria Papa ◽  
Alessia Teresa Silvestri ◽  
Maria Rosaria Ricciardi ◽  
Valentina Lopresto ◽  
Antonino Squillace
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Compression Tests ◽  
Fused Filament Fabrication ◽  
Calorimetric Analysis ◽  
Surface Finishes ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Manufacturing Techniques

Among the several additive manufacturing techniques, fused filament fabrication (FFF) is a 3D printing technique that is fast, handy, and low cost, used to produce complex-shaped parts easily and quickly. FFF adds material layer by layer, saving energy, costs, raw material costs, and waste. Nevertheless, the mechanical properties of the thermoplastic materials involved are low compared to traditional engineering materials. This paper deals with the manufacturing of composite material laminates obtained by the Markforged continuous filament fabrication (CFF) technique, using an innovative matrix infilled by carbon nanofibre (Onyx), a high-strength thermoplastic material with an excellent surface finish and high resistance to chemical agents. Three macro-categories of samples were manufactured using Onyx and continuous carbon fibre to evaluate the effect of the fibre on mechanical features of the novel composites and their influence on surface finishes. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) analysis and acquisition of roughness profile by a confocal lens were conducted. Tensile and compression tests, thermogravimetric analysis and calorimetric analysis using a DSC (differential scanning calorimeter) were carried out on all specimen types to evaluate the influence of the process parameters and layup configurations on the quality and mechanical behaviour of the 3D-printed samples.

scholarly journals Protection Level and Reusability of a Modified Full-Face Snorkel Mask as Alternative Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Schmitt ◽  
Lewis S. Jones ◽  
Elise A. Aeby ◽  
Christian Gloor ◽  
Berthold Moser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Additional Protection ◽  
Small Virus ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Full Face

The worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 drastically increased pressure on medical resources and highlighted the need for rapidly available, large-scale and low-cost personal protective equipment (PPE). In this work, an alternative full-face mask is adapted from a modified snorkel mask to be used as PPE with two medical grade filters and a 3D-printed adapter. As the mask covers the eyes, mouth and nose, it acts as a full-face shield, providing additional protection to healthcare workers. The filtration efficiency of different medical filters is measured for particles below 300 nm to cover the size of the SARS-CoV-2 and small virus-laden droplets. The filtration performance of the adapted full-face mask is characterized using NaCl particles below 500 nm and different fitting scenarios. The mask is compared to a commercial respirator and characterized according to the EN 149 standard, demonstrating that the protection fulfills the requirements for the FFP2 level (filtering face-piece 2, stopping at least 94% of airborne particles). The device shows a good resistance to several cycles of decontamination (autoclaving and ethanol immersion), is easy to be produced locally at low cost and helps addressing the shortage in FFP2 masks and face shields by providing adequate protection to healthcare workers against particles below 500 nm.

A method for computerized olfactory assessment and training outside of laboratory or clinical settings

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Niedenthal ◽  
Johannes Nilsson ◽  
Maria Larsson ◽  
Jonas Olofsson
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Rfid Tags ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Adaptive Challenges ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
And Training

There are currently few ways to reliably and objectively assess olfaction outside of the research laboratory or clinic. Smell training is a promising method for olfactory rehabilitation at home, but further methodological advances might enhance itseffectiveness and range of use. Here we present Exerscent, a portable, low-cost olfactory display designed primarily for uses outside of the laboratory and that can be operated witha personal computer. Exerscent includes RFID tags that are attached to odor stimuli using a sensor box that encodes the odor in order to provide adaptive challenges for the user(e.g. an odor identification task). Hardware parts are commercially available or 3D printed. Instructions and code for building the Exerscent is freely available online(https://osf.io/kwftm/). As a proof of concept, we present a case study in which a participant trained daily to identify 54 odors, improving from 81% to 96% accuracy over 16 consecutive days. Exerscent may be primarily used for olfactory skills development (e.g. perfumery, enology), and rehabilitation purposes (e.g. postviral olfactory loss), butit also allows for other forms of technological interactions such as olfactory-based recreational interactions. We discuss how Exerscent and similar methods might enablewidespread, networked olfactory research in a variety of settings, including homes, elder care facilities and schools.

scholarly journals Conductive Polymer Composites Based Flexible Strain Sensors by 3D Printing: A Mini-Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libing Liu ◽  
Dong Xiang ◽  
Yuanpeng Wu ◽  
Zuoxin Zhou ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Polymer Composites ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Wearable Sensors ◽  
Conductive Polymer ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Conductive Polymer Composites ◽  
3D Printed

With the development of wearable electronic devices, conductive polymer composites (CPCs) based flexible strain sensors are gaining tremendous popularity. In recent years, the applications of additive manufacturing (AM) technology (also known as 3D printing) in fabricating CPCs based flexible strain sensors have attracted the attention of researchers due to their advantages of mold-free structure, low cost, short time, and high accuracy. AM technology, based on material extrusion, photocuring, and laser sintering, produces complex and high-precision CPCs based wearable sensors through layer-by-layer stacking of printing material. Some high-performance CPCs based strain sensors are developed by employing different 3D printing technologies and printing materials. In this mini-review, we summarize and discuss the performance and applications of 3D printed CPCs based strain sensors in recent years. Finally, the current challenges and prospects of 3D printed strain sensors are also discussed to provide an insight into the future of strain sensors using 3D printing technology.

Pioneering Low-Cost 3D-Printed Transtibial Prosthetics to Serve a Rural Population in Sierra Leone

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merel van der Stelt ◽  
Martin P. Grobusch ◽  
Abdul R. Koroma ◽  
Marco Papenburg ◽  
Ismaila Kebbie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Rural Population ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
3D Printed

An Update on the Use of Alginate in Additive Biofabrication Techniques

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 1249-1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amoljit Singh Gill ◽  
Parneet Kaur Deol ◽  
Indu Pal Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Fused Deposition Modeling ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Three Dimension ◽  
Anionic Polymer ◽  
Fused Deposition ◽  
The Status ◽  
Deposition Modeling ◽  
Extrusion Printing

Background: Solid free forming (SFF) technique also called additive manufacturing process is immensely popular for biofabrication owing to its high accuracy, precision and reproducibility. Method: SFF techniques like stereolithography, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, extrusion printing, and inkjet printing create three dimension (3D) structures by layer by layer processing of the material. To achieve desirable results, selection of the appropriate technique is an important aspect and it is based on the nature of biomaterial or bioink to be processed. Result & Conclusion: Alginate is a commonly employed bioink in biofabrication process, attributable to its nontoxic, biodegradable and biocompatible nature; low cost; and tendency to form hydrogel under mild conditions. Furthermore, control on its rheological properties like viscosity and shear thinning, makes this natural anionic polymer an appropriate candidate for many of the SFF techniques. It is endeavoured in the present review to highlight the status of alginate as bioink in various SFF techniques.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document