3D-Printing in the Age of COVID-19

Oct 2020 News & Views
Author: Dr. A. Asif
Editor: J. Sanghera

The United Kingdom (UK) is now being threatened by a second wave of COVID-19, with pragmatic lockdown measures being reintroduced. In this article, Dr. Ashar Asif summarises the incredible innovations within 3D-printing community to help tackle this global pandemic.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is of paramount importance - from volunteer groups to industry, the 3D-printing community have pitched in their efforts to print visors and facemasks, equipment necessary to provide a safety barrier for healthcare professionals when approaching patients. 3D Crowd UK are leading the volunteer response in the UK: the network comprises 5500 3D-printers and has been accepting orders left, right and centre to help maintain the safety of front-line healthcare staff [1].

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3D-printing technology provides a quick and relatively inexpensive way to prototype and produce tools that are simple yet customisable. For example - to tackle the risk of COVID-19 surface transmission in hospitals, innovators have designed hands-free door handles that allow hospital staff to open doors using their forearms [2].

A hands-free door handle being printed. The smaller curve hooks onto the door handle, whilst the larger hook provides a slot for the user to place their forearm and pull the door open. (Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52008745)

A hands-free door handle being printed. The smaller curve hooks onto the door handle, whilst the larger hook provides a slot for the user to place their forearm and pull the door open. (Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52008745)

Finally, various 3D-printing groups have utilised this technology to produce key components for vital equipment: these include valves for respiratory aids and ventilators, nasopharyngeal swabs and models to facilitate nasopharyngeal swab training [3,4]. On a larger scale, even temporary testing hubs and emergency isolation zones have been 3D-printed using durable materials such as concrete [4].

A summary figure depicting the various ways 3D-printing technology has been used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many designs and models are open-source. (Source: Choong et al., 2020)

A summary figure depicting the various ways 3D-printing technology has been used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many designs and models are open-source. (Source: Choong et al., 2020)

References

  1. 3DCrowd UK Emergency 3D Printed Face Shields organized by 3D Crowd UK [Internet]. gofundme.com. Available from: https://www.gofundme.com/f/3dcrowd-emergency-3d-printed-face-shields

  2. The innovations inspired by a pandemic [Internet]. BBC News. Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-52008745

  3. UEA launch project to 3D print ventilator parts and masks - News - UEA [Internet]. Uea.ac.uk. Available from: https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/-/ventilators

  4. Choong, Y.Y.C., Tan, H.W., Patel, D.C. et al. The global rise of 3D printing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nat Rev Mater 5, 637–639 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-020-00234-3

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