Use of 3D printed connectors to redesign full face snorkeling masks in the COVID-19 era: A preliminary technical case-study.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in severe shortages of personal protection equipment and non-invasive ventilation devices. As traditional supply chains could not meet up with the demand, makeshift solutions were developed and locally manufactured by rapid prototyping networks. Among the different global initiatives, retrofitting of full-face snorkeling masks for Non-Invasive-Ventilation (NIV) applications seems the most challenging. This article provides a systematic overview of rapid prototyped - 3D printed - designs that enable attachment of medical equipment to snorkeling masks, highlighting potential and challenges in additive manufacturing. The different NIV connector designs are compared on low-cost 3D fabrication time and costs, which allows a rapid assessment of developed connectors

SUBMITTER: Profili J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8234254 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature