ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Science Time How 3D Printing Is Saving Lives In The Coronavirus Outbreak
As scientists and healthcare professionals work hard to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, social distancing has been one of the best ways to slow down the spread of the virus. However, with over a million infections worldwide, many patients need ventilators to help them breathe. This urgent need has pushed the 3D printing industry to step up and help.
3D printing technology has been on the brink of a major breakthrough. It allows for the quick and affordable production of medical equipment. Health authorities globally are asking companies to adjust their production lines to make more ventilators and other necessary medical devices.
The idea of using 3D printing for medical parts started in Italy. Hospitals there were running out of ventilator masks. Dr. Renato Favreau had a clever idea: by modifying a snorkeling mask, they could 3D print parts to turn it into a ventilator mask. Although the original ventilator manufacturer couldn’t share their design files due to regulations, Dr. Favreau worked with a 3D printing company called ISA Nova. They collaborated with Decathlon, the company that made the snorkeling masks, to create a new component.
This new ventilator mask, with a part called the Charlotte Valve, helps provide crucial airflow to patients. ISA Nova made sure the design is freely available by patenting it. If you have a 3D printer, you can even print these valves yourself. Thanks to this innovation, 500 patients are now using these modified masks.
The success in Italy has inspired other countries to use 3D printing for medical equipment. Many hospitals worldwide are now using 3D printed parts. A company called Desktop Metal has set up a website where manufacturers can request metal parts for medical devices, offering free 3D printing services to help with supply shortages.
Doctors and nurses have reported shortages of protective gear like N95 masks. In New York, which was hit hard by the virus, a company named Copper 3D released 3D printing files for a mask called the Nano Hack. This mask is designed to filter out virus particles and can be made by anyone with a 3D printer.
3D printing isn’t the only technology helping in the fight against COVID-19. Artificial intelligence is also playing a role, but that’s a story for another time. Thanks for reading! If you found this information helpful, consider sharing it with others who might be interested.
Imagine you are a designer tasked with creating a new 3D printed mask. Sketch your design on paper, considering how it can be both functional and comfortable. Then, use a simple 3D modeling software to bring your design to life. Share your design with the class and discuss how it could help in a healthcare setting.
Choose a specific medical device that has been produced using 3D printing technology. Research how it is made, its benefits, and its impact on healthcare. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting the role of 3D printing in improving patient care.
Participate in a class debate on the ethics of making medical device designs open-source. Consider the benefits of accessibility and innovation versus the potential risks and intellectual property concerns. Formulate arguments for both sides and engage in a respectful discussion with your classmates.
Join a hands-on workshop where you can learn the basics of 3D printing. Work in small groups to print a simple object, such as a keychain or a small model. Discuss how the skills you learn could be applied to creating medical devices and other useful items.
Write a creative short story set in the future where 3D printing has revolutionized healthcare. Imagine new technologies and how they might solve current medical challenges. Share your story with the class and explore the imaginative possibilities of 3D printing.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
[Music] As we wait for scientists and healthcare professionals to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, social distancing has been described as one of the best measures we can take to prevent the spread of the virus or at least flatten the curve. However, as the number of infections reaches 1 million worldwide, patients hardest hit by COVID-19 will need to be placed on ventilator machines. The need to increase the development of ventilators and other medical devices has spurred the worldwide 3D printing industry into action.
In our previous video, we explained how 3D printing technology has been on the verge of a breakthrough, as 3D printers can be easily repurposed to manufacture low-cost medical equipment. Health authorities around the world are asking companies to repurpose their production lines and supply chains to close the gap between the number of ventilators required and those currently available.
The idea of 3D printed components originated in Italy, where hospitals were running out of emergency ventilator masks. Dr. Renato Favreau realized that by adjusting a snorkeling mask already available on the market, they could 3D print valves to make the necessary modifications. However, the ventilator manufacturer was unable to share the CAD files due to medical regulations. He contacted a 3D printing company, ISA Nova, which studied the idea and reached out to sporting goods company Decathlon, the maker of the snorkeling masks in question. Decathlon provided the CAD drawings of the snorkeling masks, and a new component was designed and 3D printed by ISA Nova.
The new repurposed ventilator mask is able to provide vital airflow to prevent the collapse of patients’ lungs. ISA Nova went one step further and patented their connecting component, called the Charlotte Valve, to ensure the design remains freely available. If you happen to have a 3D printer at home, you can use the files to print the valves yourself; the link to the files can be found in the video description. It’s reported that 500 patients are now being treated using the modified mask.
Thanks to the success in Italy, the concept of 3D printing medical parts and equipment has been embraced by other countries as well. Many hospitals around the world are incorporating 3D components into their specialized medical equipment. Desktop Metal, a 3D printing company, has launched a site for manufacturers to submit requests for metal components needed for medical devices amid supply chain constraints. They will be able to access technology and engineering resources to provide free 3D printing services.
In recent weeks, doctors and nurses have reported shortages of personal protective equipment, with stocks of N95 masks and antimicrobial filters available only in small amounts. This was particularly evident in New York, the current epicenter of the U.S. coronavirus outbreak. Here, another 3D printing company, Copper 3D, has stepped in. The company, which specializes in antimicrobial equipment, has released 3D printing files to allow anyone with a printer to make its Nano Hack mask, designed to filter out particles that could carry the virus.
3D printing is not the only technology helping in the fight against COVID-19; artificial intelligence is also playing a role. But more on that in another video. Thanks for watching! If you liked this video, please show your support by subscribing, ringing the bell, and enabling notifications to never miss videos like this.
—
This version maintains the essential information while removing any potentially sensitive or unnecessary details.
3D Printing – A process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file, often used in healthcare for creating medical models and devices. – Example sentence: 3D printing has revolutionized the way prosthetic limbs are made, allowing for more customized and affordable options for patients.
Healthcare – The organized provision of medical care to individuals or a community, including services provided by doctors, nurses, and hospitals. – Example sentence: Advances in technology have greatly improved the quality and efficiency of healthcare services worldwide.
Ventilators – Machines that help patients breathe by moving air in and out of the lungs, crucial for treating severe respiratory conditions. – Example sentence: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for ventilators in hospitals increased dramatically.
Masks – Protective coverings worn over the nose and mouth to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. – Example sentence: Wearing masks in public places became a common practice to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
Innovation – The introduction of new ideas, methods, or products, often leading to improvements in technology and healthcare. – Example sentence: Innovation in telemedicine has made healthcare more accessible to people living in remote areas.
Airflow – The movement of air, which is important in maintaining proper ventilation and preventing the spread of airborne diseases in healthcare settings. – Example sentence: Hospitals have improved their airflow systems to ensure a safer environment for patients and staff.
Equipment – The necessary items for a particular purpose, such as medical devices and tools used in healthcare. – Example sentence: The hospital invested in new diagnostic equipment to enhance patient care and treatment accuracy.
Shortages – Situations where the demand for a product or service exceeds its supply, often seen in healthcare during crises. – Example sentence: The pandemic led to shortages of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and healthcare. – Example sentence: Technology has enabled the development of advanced medical imaging techniques that improve diagnosis and treatment.
COVID-19 – A highly contagious virus that caused a global pandemic, leading to significant changes in healthcare practices and technology use. – Example sentence: The rapid spread of COVID-19 prompted researchers to develop vaccines in record time.
