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

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.

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Integrated 3D printing solution to mitigate shortages of airway consumables and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-020-05891-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ferran Fillat-Gomà ◽

Sergi Coderch-Navarro ◽

Laia Martínez-Carreres ◽

Núria Monill-Raya ◽

Toni Nadal-Mir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

3D Printing ◽

Medical Devices ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Medical Equipment ◽

Quality Standard ◽

Global Supply Chain ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

3D Printed ◽

Online Catalogue

Abstract Background To cope with shortages of equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, we established a nonprofit end-to-end system to identify, validate, regulate, manufacture, and distribute 3D-printed medical equipment. Here we describe the local and global impact of this system. Methods Together with critical care experts, we identified potentially lacking medical equipment and proposed solutions based on 3D printing. Validation was based on the ISO 13485 quality standard for the manufacturing of customized medical devices. We posted the design files for each device on our website together with their technical and printing specifications and created a supply chain so that hospitals from our region could request them. We analyzed the number/type of items, petitioners, manufacturers, and catalogue views. Results Among 33 devices analyzed, 26 (78·8%) were validated. Of these, 23 (88·5%) were airway consumables and 3 (11·5%) were personal protective equipment. Orders came from 19 (76%) hospitals and 6 (24%) other healthcare institutions. Peak production was reached 10 days after the catalogue was published. A total of 22,135 items were manufactured by 59 companies in 18 sectors; 19,212 items were distributed to requesting sites during the busiest days of the pandemic. Our online catalogue was also viewed by 27,861 individuals from 113 countries. Conclusions 3D printing helped mitigate shortages of medical devices due to problems in the global supply chain.

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Integrated 3D Printing Solution to Mitigate Shortages of Airway Consumables and Personal Protective Equipment During the COVID-19 Pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32570/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ferran Fillat-Gomà ◽

Sergi Coderch-Navarro ◽

Laia Martínez-Carreres ◽

Núria Monill-Raya ◽

Toni Nadal-Mir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

3D Printing ◽

Medical Devices ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Medical Equipment ◽

Quality Standard ◽

Global Supply Chain ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

3D Printed ◽

Online Catalogue

Abstract Background: To cope with shortages of equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, we established a nonprofit end-to-end system to identify, validate, regulate, manufacture, and distribute 3D-printed medical equipment. Here we describe the local and global impact of this system. Methods: Together with critical care experts, we identified potentially lacking medical equipment and proposed solutions based on 3D printing. Validation was based on the ISO 13485 quality standard for the manufacturing of customized medical devices. We posted the design files for each device on our website together with their technical and printing specifications and created a supply chain so that hospitals from our region could request them. We analyzed the number/type of items, petitioners, manufacturers, and catalogue views.Results: Among 33 devices analyzed, 26 (78·8%) were validated. Of these, 23 (88·5%) were airway consumables and 3 (11·5%) were personal protective equipment. Orders came from 19 (76%) hospitals and 6 (24%) other healthcare institutions. Peak production was reached 10 days after the catalogue was published. A total of 22,135 items were manufactured by 59 companies in 18 sectors; 19,212 items were distributed to requesting sites during the busiest days of the pandemic. Our online catalogue was also viewed by 27,861 individuals from 113 countries.Conclutions: 3D printing helped mitigate shortages of medical devices due to problems in the global supply chain.

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A quantitative analysis of 3D printed face shields and masks during COVID-19

Emerald Open Research ◽

10.35241/emeraldopenres.13815.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 42 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

James I. Novak ◽

Jennifer Loy

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Product Category ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Fused Filament Fabrication ◽

Community Groups ◽

3D Print ◽

The World ◽

Regulatory Bodies ◽

3D Printed

In response to shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, makers, community groups and manufacturers around the world utilised 3D printing to fabricate items, including face shields and face masks for healthcare workers and the broader community. In reaction to both local and global needs, numerous designs emerged and were shared online. In this paper, 37 face shields and 31 face masks suitable for fused filament fabrication were analysed from a fabrication perspective, documenting factors such as filament use, time to print and geometric qualities. 3D print times for similar designs varied by several hours, meaning some designs could be produced in higher volumes. Overall, the results show that face shields were approximately twice as fast to 3D print compared to face masks and used approximately half as much filament. Additionally, a face shield typically required 1.5 parts to be 3D printed, whereas face masks required 5 3D printed parts. However, by quantifying the print times, filament use, 3D printing costs, part dimensions, number of parts and total volume of each design, the wide variations within each product category could be tracked and evaluated. This data and objective analysis will help makers, manufacturers, regulatory bodies and researchers consolidate the 3D printing response to COVID-19 and optimise the ongoing strategy to combat supply chain shortages now and in future healthcare crises.

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Integrated 3D printing solution to mitigate shortages of airway consumables and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32570/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ferran Fillat-Gomà ◽

Sergi Coderch-Navarro ◽

Laia Martínez-Carreres ◽

Núria Monill-Raya ◽

Toni Nadal-Mir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

3D Printing ◽

Medical Devices ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Medical Equipment ◽

Quality Standard ◽

Global Supply Chain ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

3D Printed ◽

Online Catalogue

Abstract Background: To cope with shortages of equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, we established a nonprofit end-to-end system to identify, validate, regulate, manufacture, and distribute 3D-printed medical equipment. Here we describe the local and global impact of this system. Methods: Together with critical care experts, we identified potentially lacking medical equipment and proposed solutions based on 3D printing. Validation was based on the ISO 13485 quality standard for the manufacturing of customized medical devices. We posted the design files for each device on our website together with their technical and printing specifications and created a supply chain so that hospitals from our region could request them. We analyzed the number/type of items, petitioners, manufacturers, and catalogue views.Results: Among 33 devices analyzed, 26 (78·8%) were validated. Of these, 23 (88·5%) were airway consumables and 3 (11·5%) were personal protective equipment. Orders came from 19 (76%) hospitals and 6 (24%) other healthcare institutions. Peak production was reached 10 days after the catalogue was published. A total of 22,135 items were manufactured by 59 companies in 18 sectors; 19,212 items were distributed to requesting sites during the busiest days of the pandemic. Our online catalogue was also viewed by 27,861 individuals from 113 countries.Conclusions: 3D printing helped mitigate shortages of medical devices due to problems in the global supply chain.

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Integrated 3D printing solution to mitigate shortages of airway consumables and personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32570/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ferran Fillat-Gomà ◽

Sergi Coderch-Navarro ◽

Laia Martínez-Carreres ◽

Núria Monill-Raya ◽

Toni Nadal-Mir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Supply Chain ◽

3D Printing ◽

Medical Devices ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Medical Equipment ◽

Quality Standard ◽

Global Supply Chain ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

3D Printed ◽

Online Catalogue

Abstract Background: To cope with shortages of equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, we established a nonprofit end-to-end system to identify, validate, regulate, manufacture, and distribute 3D-printed medical equipment. Here we describe the local and global impact of this system. Methods: Together with critical care experts, we identified potentially lacking medical equipment and proposed solutions based on 3D printing. Validation was based on the ISO 13485 quality standard for the manufacturing of customized medical devices. We posted the design files for each device on our website together with their technical and printing specifications and created a supply chain so that hospitals from our region could request them. We analyzed the number/type of items, petitioners, manufacturers, and catalogue views. Results: Among 33 devices analyzed, 26 (78·8%) were validated. Of these, 23 (88·5%) were airway consumables and 3 (11·5%) were personal protective equipment. Orders came from 19 (76%) hospitals and 6 (24%) other healthcare institutions. Peak production was reached 10 days after the catalogue was published. A total of 22,135 items were manufactured by 59 companies in 18 sectors; 19,212 items were distributed to requesting sites during the busiest days of the pandemic. Our online catalogue was also viewed by 27,861 individuals from 113 countries.Conclusions: 3D printing helped mitigate shortages of medical devices due to problems in the global supply chain.

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Attenuating pandemic supply shocks with 3D printed emergency use equipment

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1229836/v1 ◽

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.

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Evaluation of the Circularity of Recycled PLA Filaments for 3D Printers

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10248967 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (24) ◽

pp. 8967

Author(s):

Victor Gil Muñoz ◽

Luisa M. Muneta ◽

Ruth Carrasco-Gallego ◽

Juan de Juanes Marquez ◽

David Hidalgo-Carvajal

Keyword(s):

Circular Economy ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Fused Filament Fabrication ◽

Circular Loop ◽

Material Supply ◽

3D Printers ◽

3D Printed ◽

Circular Economics ◽

High Level ◽

Additional Value

The circular economy model offers great opportunities to companies, as it not only allows them to capture additional value from their products and materials, but also reduce the fluctuations of price-related risks and material supply. These risks are present in all kind of businesses not based on the circular economy. The circular economy also enables economic growth without the need for more resources. This is because each unit has a higher value as a result of recycling and reuse of products and materials after use. Following this circular economics framework, the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM) has adopted strategies aimed at improving the circularity of products. In particular, this article provides the result of obtaining recycled PLA filament from waste originating from university 3D FFF (fused filament fabrication) printers and waste generated by “Coronamakers” in the production of visors and parts for PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) during the lockdown period of COVID-19 in Spain. This filament is used in the production of 3D printed parts that university students use in their classes, so the circular loop is closed. The obtained score of Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) of this material has been calculated, indicating its high level of circularity.

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Designing Inclusion: Using 3D Printing to Maximize Adapted Physical Education Participation

Teaching Exceptional Children ◽

10.1177/00400599211010191 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 004005992110101

Author(s):

A. Chloe Simpson ◽

Andrea Ruth Taliaferro

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Student Success ◽

Assistive Technology ◽

Adapted Physical Education ◽

Physical Educators ◽

Related Service ◽

3D Printers ◽

3D Printed ◽

Education Participation ◽

Individual Design

While assistive technology is often suggested as a way to increase, maintain, or improve functional ability for individuals with disabilities within physical activity (PA) settings, cost and availability of such items are often noted as barriers. In recent years, 3D printing has become available to the general public through the adoption of 3D printers in schools, libraries, and universities. Through individual design and rapid prototyping, 3D printing can support physical educators in accommodating student need for assistive technology through a multitude of modification possibilities. This article will highlight the capacity for 3D printed assistive technology within educational settings, and will illustrate how teachers, APE specialists, and other related service personnel can utilize this technology to support student success in PE and PA settings. This article will also assist practitioners with locating, uploading, and utilizing existing collections of 3D assistive technology models from open-source websites, such as Thingiverse.

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Evaluation of the Ability to Accurately Produce Angular Details by 3D Printing of Plastic Parts

Machines ◽

10.3390/machines9080150 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 150

Author(s):

Andrei Marius Mihalache ◽

Gheorghe Nagîț ◽

Laurențiu Slătineanu ◽

Adelina Hrițuc ◽

Angelos Markopoulos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Point Of View ◽

Vertex Angle ◽

Function Type ◽

Constant Height ◽

3D Printers ◽

3D Printed ◽

Mathematical Processing ◽

Plastic Parts

3D printing is a process that has become widely used in recent years, allowing the production of parts with relatively complicated shapes from metallic and non-metallic materials. In some cases, it is challenging to evaluate the ability of 3D printers to make fine details of parts. For such an assessment, the printing of samples showing intersections of surfaces with low angle values was considered. An experimental plan was designed and materialized to highlight the influence of different factors, such as the thickness of the deposited material layer, the printing speed, the cooling and filling conditions of the 3D-printed part, and the thickness of the sample. Samples using areas in the form of isosceles triangles with constant height or bases with the same length, respectively, were used. The mathematical processing of the experimental results allowed the determination of empirical mathematical models of the power-function type. It allowed the detection of both the direction of actions and the intensity of the influence exerted by the input factors. It is concluded that the strongest influence on the printer’s ability to produce fine detail, from the point of view addressed in the paper, is exerted by the vertex angle, whose reduction leads to a decrease in printing accuracy.

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Leveraging 3D Printing Capacity in Times of Crisis: Recommendations for COVID-19 Distributed Manufacturing for Medical Equipment Rapid Response

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17134634 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (13) ◽

pp. 4634 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Albert Manero ◽

Peter Smith ◽

Amanda Koontz ◽

Matt Dombrowski ◽

John Sparkman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

3D Printing ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Global Supply Chain ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

High Demand ◽

Global Demand ◽

Short Run ◽

3D Printed ◽

Traditional Manufacturing ◽

Rule Out

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has provided a unique set of global supply chain limitations with an exponentially growing surge of patients requiring care. The needs for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for hospital staff and doctors have been overwhelming, even just to rule out patients not infected. High demand for traditionally manufactured devices, challenged by global demand and limited production, has resulted in a call for additive manufactured (3D printed) equipment to fill the gap between traditional manufacturing cycles. This method has the unique ability to pivot in real time, while traditional manufacturing may take months to change production runs. 3D printing has been used to produce a variety of equipment for hospitals including face shields, masks, and even ventilator components to handle the surge. This type of rapid, crowd sourced, design and production resulted in new challenges for regulation, liability, and distribution. This manuscript reviews these challenges and successes of additive manufacturing and provides a forward plan for hospitals to consider for future surge events. Recommendations: To accommodate future surges, hospitals and municipalities should develop capacity for short-run custom production, enabling them to validate new designs. This will rapidly increase access to vetted equipment and critical network sharing with community distributed manufacturers and partners. Clear guidance and reviewed design repositories by regulatory authorities will streamline efforts to combat future pandemic waives or other surge events.

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