Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to large-scale shutdowns in society. This resulted in global supply bottlenecks for medical protective equipment. The so-called Maker Movement recognized this emerging problem early on and, with the help of additive manufacturing (AM), began developing and manufacturing half masks or face shields as personal protective equipment (PPE). This knowledge has been made available in many places in form of open source product data, so that products could be adapted and improved, saving development time.MethodsThis production and innovation potential has been taken up and professionalized by the authors of this article. By means of a proof-of-principle we provide an overview of the possibility and successful unique introduction of a so-called professional “hybrid production” in a micro factory using 3D-printing at the place of greatest demand in a hospital by medical personnel to produce their own PPE. Furthermore the learning process and future benefits of on site 3D-printing are described.ResultsOur proof-of-principle successfully showed that the allocation of 3D-printing capabilities in the hospital infrastructure is possible. With assistance of the engineers, responsible for product design and development, the medical staff was able to produce PPE by means of AM. However, due to legal uncertainties and high material and production costs the usability is severely limited.ConclusionsThe practical research showed that a complete implementation of the concept and the short-term establishment of a 3D-printing factory for the autonomous supply of a hospital with PPE was not feasible without further efforts. Nevertheless, it has enabled the medical staff to use AM technologies for future research approaches.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to large-scale shutdowns in society
Of the 3D-Printing lab at the hospital As early as in March 2020, at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, a 3D-printing lab was established as part of the 3D-Printing work group of the Neurosurgical Department at the German Armed Forces Hospital in Westerstede
The authors gave an insight into the Maker Movement during the Corona pandemic and presented theoretical foundations and preliminary considerations for the implementation of hybrid production
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to large-scale shutdowns in society This resulted in global supply bottlenecks for medical protective equipment. The so-called Maker Movement recognized this emerging problem early on and, with the help of additive manufacturing (AM), began developing and manufacturing half masks or face shields as personal protective equipment (PPE). This knowledge has been made available in many places in form of open source product data, so that products could be adapted and improved, saving development time. Our research deals with the integration of 3D-printers and their influence on the design development process, the advantages of in-house production and the insights of the medical staff on site. This point-of-care production strategy with on site printing and evaluation is the key feature of the study presented here
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