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Additive Manufacturing for Forward-Deployed Shipboard Surgical Teams

  • 0Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Portsmouth, VA 23708, United States.
Military Medicine +

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March 18, 2025

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March 18, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Shipboard 3D printing successfully manufactured critical medical supplies, including an anesthesia machine part and surgical tools, demonstrating its potential to reduce supply chain delays and costs for deployed naval forces.

Area Of Science

  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Medical Devices
  • Naval Engineering

Background

  • Amphibious warships are equipped with 3D printing capabilities for engineering needs.
  • Additive manufacturing offers potential for medical departments to replenish supplies at sea.
  • This report explores leveraging afloat additive manufacturing for medical parts.

Purpose Of The Study

  • Demonstrate the utility of shipboard additive manufacturing for medical supplies.
  • Assess the feasibility of producing critical medical parts while deployed.
  • Highlight the benefits of on-demand manufacturing in naval medical settings.

Main Methods

  • Utilized shipboard additive manufacturing to produce a sevoflurane vaporizer key, a surgical retractor, and a scrub sink lever.
  • Designed parts using 3D computer-aided design to meet specific requirements.
  • Manufactured functional replacements for damaged or needed medical equipment at sea.

Main Results

  • Successfully printed a functional sevoflurane vaporizer key, restoring anesthesia machine operation.
  • Manufactured a surgical retractor that maintained stability after sterilization and was suitable for clinical use.
  • Produced a functional scrub sink lever, with all printed items meeting specifications without post-manufacturing modifications.

Conclusions

  • Onboard 3D printing of medical supplies is a viable proof of concept for deployed naval forces.
  • Digital libraries of medical supplies can reduce supply chain costs and delays.
  • On-demand additive manufacturing at sea mitigates risks of resource depletion and capability loss in shipboard medical departments.