3D-Printed Microfluidics Potential in Combating Future and Current Pandemics (COVID-19)
Heba A Eassa1, Nada A Helal2, Ahmed M Amer3
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy & Physician Assistant Studies, University of Saint Joseph, Hartford, CT 06103, USA.
Insights
3D printing and microfluidics offer rapid, low-cost solutions for personal protective equipment (PPE) and diagnostic supplies during pandemics like COVID-19. Ensuring safety and regulatory compliance is crucial for widespread adoption.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Technology
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused global lockdowns and severe medical supply shortages.
- Emerging technologies like 3D printing and microfluidics show potential to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of 3D printing and microfluidics in accelerating COVID-19 diagnosis and monitoring.
- To assess their role in fulfilling shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment.
Main Methods:
- Review of applications of 3D printing and microfluidics in providing PPE, supportive care, and diagnostic supplies.
- Analysis of cost-effectiveness and regulatory considerations for these technologies.
Main Results:
- 3D printing offers reusable and cost-effective solutions for PPE (masks, respirators, face shields) and medical equipment.
- Microfluidics can accelerate disease diagnosis and monitoring through lab-on-chip devices and sampling swabs.
Conclusions:
- 3D printing and microfluidics can significantly mitigate shortages during health crises.
- Standardization, safety, sterility, and regulatory assessment are essential for successful implementation.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in China in December 2019. In March 2020, the WHO declared it a pandemic leading to worldwide lockdowns and travel restrictions. By May, it infected 4,789,205 and killed 318,789 people. This led to severe shortages in the medical sector besides devastating socio-economic effects. Many technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), microfluidics, 3D printing, and 3D scanning can step into contain the virus and hinder its extensive spread. This article aims to explore the potentials of 3D printing and microfluidic in accelerating the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease and fulfilling the shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment. It highlights the main applications of 3D printers and microfluidics in providing PPE (masks, respirators, face shields, goggles, and isolation chambers/hoods), supportive care (respiratory equipment) and diagnostic supplies (sampling swabs & lab-on-chip) to ease the COVID-19 pressures. Also, the cost of such technology and regulation considerations are addressed. We conclude that 3D printing provided reusable and low-cost solutions to mitigate the shortages. However, safety, sterility, and compatibility with environmental protection standards need to be guaranteed through standardization and assessment by regulatory bodies. Finally, lessons learned from this pandemic can also help the world prepare for upcoming outbreaks.
