Additive Manufacturing for Forward-Deployed Shipboard Surgical Teams

Amphibious warships are now being deployed with established 3D printing departments capable of designing and manufacturing parts for aircraft or ship engineering needs. The ability to print with a variety of materials from heat stable polymers to metal constructs can be useful to shipboard medical departments to replenish consumable and durable supplies. This report aims to demonstrate the potential benefit of leveraging the afloat additive manufacturing capabilities for medical parts and supplies while deployed at sea.

Shipboard additive manufacturing was used to re-supply a sevoflurane vaporizer key for the primary anesthesia machine which was found to be damaged and non-function during deployment. A surgical retractor intended for open surgical procedures and a scrub sink knee control lever were also manufactured. All items were rendered on the 3D computer-aided design program interface to match the desired part specifications, and a functional new part or instrument was printed while deployed at sea.

Printed items were manufactured to acceptable specifications. The primary sevoflurane vaporizer key was tested and found to function as intended, allowing the primary operating room anesthesia machine to maintain functionality. The surgical retractor was sterilized at high pressure and high temperature with preserved material stability and deemed appropriate for clinical use. The scrub sink knee lever functioned appropriately once installed. No modifications were required post-manufacturing.

This proof of concept report conducted onboard a forward-deployed amphibious warship provides a basis on which future applications can be applied. Digital libraries of medical and surgical supplies can be used to obviate supply chain costs and delays by manufacturing items afloat. 3D printing for on-demand use can decrease the risk of resource depletion and capability degradation in the shipboard medical department.