Additive Manufacturing for Forward-Deployed Shipboard Surgical Teams.

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.