Additive manufacturing in fighting against novel coronavirus COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Medical Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates effective personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent viral transmission.
• A global shortage of conventional PPE, like face masks, poses a significant challenge for healthcare systems.
• Alternative production methods are urgently needed to meet the demand for essential medical supplies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Additive Manufacturing (AM) as a viable solution for the shortage of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To review the current AM efforts and community involvement in producing medical devices.
• To address technical and biological considerations for AM-manufactured medical devices.

Main Methods:

• Review of COVID-19 and conventional preventive measures.
• Overview of current Additive Manufacturing (AM) initiatives and community contributions.
• Discussion of technical factors, testing, characterization, biocompatibility, and sterilization for AM medical devices.
• Numerical simulations of AM-manufactured face masks and Ambu bag ventilators.

Main Results:

• Additive Manufacturing (AM) presents a promising alternative for producing essential medical supplies like face masks and ventilators.
• The 3D printing community has actively engaged in developing and manufacturing critical medical equipment.
• Key technical and biological challenges for AM medical devices have been identified and discussed.

Conclusions:

• AM is a crucial technology for addressing PPE shortages during global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Further research and standardization are needed to ensure the safety and efficacy of AM-manufactured medical devices.
• AM offers a scalable and accessible solution for augmenting traditional medical supply chains.