Medical Devices: Evidence and Research (Jul 2023)

3D Printing in the Fight Against Covid-19

  • Płatek P,
  • Daniel N,
  • Cieplak K,
  • Sarzyński M,
  • Siemiński P,
  • Sadownik B,
  • Andruszkiewicz P,
  • Wróblewski Ł

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 16
pp. 167 – 182

Abstract

Read online

Paweł Płatek,1 Natalia Daniel,1 Kamil Cieplak,1 Marcin Sarzyński,1 Przemysław Siemiński,2 Bartosz Sadownik,3,4 Paweł Andruszkiewicz,3 Łukasz Wróblewski3 1Faculty of Mechatronics, Armament and Aviation, Military University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Faculty of Automotive and Construction Machinery Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland; 3 2nd Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical University of Warsaw, Central Teaching Hospital, Central Teaching Hospital, Warsaw, Poland; 4Department of Descriptive and Clinical Anatomy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandCorrespondence: Paweł Płatek, Military University of Technology, gen. Sylwestra Kaliskiego 2, Warsaw, 00-908, Poland, Tel/Fax +48 261839657, Email [email protected]: The paper describes the design concept and findings from technological and initial clinical trials conducted to develop a helmet for non-invasive oxygen therapy using positive pressure, known as hCPAP (Helmet Continuous Positive Airway Pressure).Methods: The study utilized PET-G filament, a recommended material for medical applications, along with the FFF 3D printing technique. Additional technological investigations were performed for the production of fitting components. The authors proposed a parameter identification method for 3D printing, which reduced the time and cost of the study while ensuring high mechanical strength and quality of the manufactured elements.Results: The proposed 3D printing technique facilitated the rapid development of an ad hoc hCPAP device, which was utilized in preclinical testing and treatment of Covid-19 patients, and yielded positive results. Based on the promising outcomes of the preliminary tests, further development of the hCPAP device’s current version was pursued.Conclusion: The proposed approach offered a crucial benefit by significantly reducing the time and costs involved in developing customized solutions to aid in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: 3D printing, fused filament fabrication, Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory failure, hCPAP

Keywords