Liquid Three-Dimensional Printing for Constructing Premature Infants’ Cannulaide Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Using Additive Manufacturing Technology

Abstract

Objectives: Nurses and specialists face serious challenges, including nasal necrosis and infection at intensive care units for premature infants. Considering that therapeutic continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is necessary for premature infants needing respiratory support, nasal masks, and prongs transfer positive end-expiratory pressure. The infant’s skin is highly delicate, and such products exert pressure on the nose and make nasal necrosis, in which case premature infants may suffer from infection and loss of nasal septum. Thus, prong support (Cannulaide CPAP) is employed to reduce the pressure. Each infant should use a specific prong since infants’ noses vary in size and shape. Materials and Methods: Computer-aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing (AM) for medical 3D printing were implemented using soft materials (silicone). Accordingly, non-plastic and soft materials were implemented for infants at the neonatal intensive care unit because silicone is a fluid that hardens gradually. Results: The setting ranges were transferred to the three-dimensional (3D) printer. Different prototypes were printed after applying these settings. Conclusions: AM rises to meet this challenge by making ergonomic products. This study addresses the innovation and production of liquid silicone prong support through AM. This prototype was tested at Al-Zahra hospital in Tabriz, Iran, and the results turned out to be satisfactory.

Keywords

• additive manufacturing
• 3d silicone printing
• infants premature
• continuous positive airway pressure