Critical medical equipment is needed to fight COVID-19 - MatterHackers is connecting you to the correct source

MatterHackers has created a hub that intends to connect those who need medical aid (Hospitals and Government Agencies) and those who can create it using Digital Manufacturing, for which MatterHackers has a broad base of customers to engage with.

LEARN MORE HERE


In these unprecedented times, people search for ways to make a helpful impact. 

I find myself inspired to assist. I have a background in Medical Device R&D Engineering and an abundance of 3D printing knowledge from past experiences (about 17 years in additive manufacturing) and at my company, MatterHackers. 

Moreover, we (MatterHackers) stand on the shoulders of the powerful 3D printing community—hundreds of thousands of 3D printers waiting idly to become a part of the solution. During times where shortages of vital items like medical supplies are on the rise and shipping overseas and air is currently limited, in-house solutions are crucial now, more than ever.

Many individuals have taken steps to rise above our current challenges with thoughtful designs and approaches. Ranging from fully 3D printed ventilators that ease the tension of a reduced industrial supply chain to door handle attachments that vitally reduce the need to touch the handle, in-house additive manufacturing helps intermittently fill these unforeseen problematic gaps. 

The 3D printing community is a powerful and hard-working one. Given an issue, many designers, engineers, and hobbyists can successfully get themself out of a bind. Be it a broken light switch at home or an assistive device customized and adapted for individuals, there is no problem too small or big for this community to resolve with their own unique innovative ideas. Now is the time where a helpful impact can start right from the home as there are more individuals who own a reliable 3D printer and have access to powerful free/affordable CAD software to generate their ideas.

Interested in offering your valuable additive manufacturing skills to those in need? View the links below for inspirational responses and solutions to the hardships people all around the world are facing due to current events. We will continue to update this page as we find more helpful links for projects and updates that can help combat any new obstacles that may arise. As we all continue practicing safe hygiene, self-isolation, and social distancing for the next couple of weeks, please remember we can still make helpful impacts right at home.

If you have any resources you believe would be helpful to the community, leave them in the comments below and we will make updates within the article. 

HELPFUL RESOURCES

ORIGINAL INSPIRATION
https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/covid-19-3d-printed-valve-for-reanimation-device/

A moving article about an Italian hospital resourcefully turning to 3D printing valves for Covid-19 patients as supply chains continue to break from the strain of unforeseen high demand. There have been some updates worth taking a look at after the device companies responded - a caution for sure (read below 'Two Final Words - Efficacy and Safety'). 

Protective Face Shield - RC1
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/25857-prusa-protective-face-shield-rc1/files

Prototype face shield that developed by Prusa Research

Hands-Free Door Openers *These are easy to print and install - Print some for those in need today*
https://www.materialise.com/en/hands-free-door-opener/technical-information?fbclid=IwAR14WeR0aWPyQkGvKahn6y27yMF8YEx5SLHYbbMQkaRTK5g9P99paMp4zVI

On this page, discover our available models, printing and mounting instructions, and informational sticker for our 3D-printed hands-free door opener to avoid passing on COVID-19.

Open Source COVID19 Medical Supplies
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-71FJTmI1Q1kjSDLP0EegMERjg_0kk_7UfaRE4r66Mg/preview#heading=h.6rcgzhjv3lfe

On this page, you can read a Summary of COVID19 Situation & Supply Needs and has links to alot of great resources, not all 3D printing.

Get Us PPE

https://getusppe.org/

On this site, you can help connect people who need PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) with those who are making it or already have it. 

helpwithcovid.com
https://helpwithcovid.com/

Information about who's looking for what help - lots of options across a variety of professions.

COVENT-19 CHALLENGE FACEBOOK GROUP (private)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/234043834310271/

A Facebook Group for the CoVent-19 design challenge aimed to design a 3D printable mechanical ventilator to help us maximize survival during the COVID-19 crisis.

COVENT-19 CHALLENGE
https://www.coventchallenge.com/

An Open Innovation Effort to Design a Rapidly Deployable Mechanical Ventilator. Founded by residents at Massachusetts General Hospital, the CoVent-19 Challenge will be a completely virtual open moonshot competition hosted on Slack to develop a rapidly deployable mechanical ventilation solution.

 

ULTIMATE MEDICAL HACKATHON: HOW FAST CAN WE DESIGN AND DEPLOY AN OPEN SOURCE VENTILATOR?
https://hackaday.com/2020/03/12/ultimate-medical-hackathon-how-fast-can-we-design-and-deploy-an-open-source-ventilator/

A quick, very informative article on the types of respirators hospitals need, as well as an open call for the general community to start thinking about solutions for other issues currently apparent in the medical industry.

OTHER SOURCES WITH GREAT INFORMATION 

MAKE - 3D PRINTED VALVES ARE SAVING LIVES IN ITALY
https://makezine.com/2020/03/17/3d-printed-valves-are-saving-lives-in-italy/

An informative article that asks and answers important questions related to the story about the Italian hospital turning to 3D printing for valve supplies.

WOMEN IN 3D PRINTING - COVID-10 RESPONSES AND RESOURCES
https://womenin3dprinting.com/covid-19-3d-printing-responses/

A list of responses, resources, and initiatives that Women in 3D Printing have found to be helpful during this critical time.

FABBALOO - 3D PRINTING AGAINST CORONAVIRUS: WHO AND HOW TO HELP
https://www.fabbaloo.com/blog/2020/3/18/3d-printing-against-coronavirus-who-and-how-to-help

An article listing more helpful resources and initiatives. It also provides some important words of caution to keep in mind when thinking about 3D printing in tandem with the rules and regulations of the medical industry.

Two Final Words - Efficacy and Safety

These are the words the FDA (here in the US, anywho) uses to ensure a medical device or aid is ready for market - there is a TON of testing that happens, exhaustive documentation and months/years of review before approval. I can't emphasize how important this is.

We should try to work with medical professionals, engineers, and the medical device companies themselves (worth calling them out to assist) to see how we can overcome supply chain availability issues to save lives ensuring never to never cut corners.  The companies that make the equipment and devices have Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for every device and piece of equipment - those should be used when considering any 3D printed art for an application.