9 3D Printing and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Printing PPE
COVID-19, the global pandemic which at the time of writing needs no introduction, is one of the most pressing “wicked problems” we face. Today, headlines are dominated by stories of vaccine supply and potential side effects, but only a few months ago, news stories focused on worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).
In response to the onset of the pandemic and PPE shortages, a number of 3D printable designs became available on online repositories such as thingiverse.com. The items ranged from hands-free door openers to face masks, face shields, and even emergency replacement parts for ventilators.
Face Shields and “Ear Savers”
One of the most widely publicised printing efforts was spearheaded by Prusa Printers, a company which was part of the original RepRap printer project. Prusa worked in conjunction with the Czech Ministry of Health to design a face shield to be worn over an N95 face mask to prolong its use. Those designs were then made open source and anyone with a 3D printer was encouraged to assist in printing and distributing the shields.
Importantly, because the files were open, users could make adjustments and modifications to the designs based on feedback from medical staff and printing restrictions. For example, one modified model featured a wider forehead area to improve comfort while another shortened the same part to reduce printing time. Additionally, the Prusa online forum was used as a resource for individuals with printers to discuss settings and sterilisation tips, and find healthcare workers in need of PPE.
Another popular model of which many versions are available online is an ‘ear saver’ to be worn with masks. It is a piece of plastic with catches on it designed to go behind the head and hold the loops of a face mask to take pressure off healthcare workers’ ears.
These two items were ideally suited to 3D printing because they were to be used in conjunction with additional protective equipment. Home and hobbyist printers are not and cannot be expected to produce medical devices to the same standard as large manufacturing companies, but could nevertheless make a positive impact at a time when supply chains failed.
Risks
The below excerpt from an article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health highlights one of the applications of 3D printing to adapt snorkel masks as rapid response PPE to the pandemic as well as some of the concerns associated with it. In the study, masks were tested with 3D adaptors to mount regular bacterial-viral ventilator filters when available, or with snorkel openings covered with N95/FFP2 cloth.
Creative thinking resulted in the adaptation of commercially available snorkel masks for use as full-face protection devices in [a medical] setting…
The theoretical advantages of using such masks instead of an assembly of oro-nasal protection mask and protective goggles, are ease of use, reusability, and possi