Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 14, 2025

Evaluating Regional Pulmonary Deposition using Patient-Specific 3D Printed Lung Models
Published on: November 11, 2020
Emergency 3-Dimensional-Printed Devices for Splitting Ventilators in Lungs With Different Compliances: An In Vitro
Marcelo Frizzera-Borges1, Fausto Frizzera2, Jório B M Lemos3
1From the Department Center for Research and Education, UNIMED-Vitória, Vitória, Brazil.
Abstract:
Ventilator shortages occurred due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). This in vitro study evaluated the effectiveness of 3-dimensional (3D)-printed splitters and 3D-printed air flow limiters (AFL) in delivering appropriate tidal volumes (TV) to lungs with different compliances. Groups were divided according to the size of the AFL: AFL-4 was a 4-mm device, AFL-5 a 5-mm device, AFL-6 a 6-mm device, and no limiter (control). A ventilator was split to supply TV to 2 artificial lungs with different compliances. The AFL improved TV distribution.

