3D Printing of Medical Supplies
The lesser-known hero of the pandemic and potential player in the future
Welcome to the Health Bytes Newsletter!
This week, we are looking into how 3D printing has grown globally in the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the main takeaways:
PPE and medical equipment printing in a time of need
Raises a question of immediate need versus safety
3D printing landscape after the pandemic
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PPE and medical equipment printing in a time of need
With massive shortages of personal protective equipment, 3D printing has emerged as a cost-saving solution. The FDA lifted several regulatory requirements and liability risks to mobilize the 3D printing community. A subsequent rise in equipment was especially focused on providing face masks and shields, nasal swabs and diagnostic materials, ventilator valves and parts. Creative solutions to social distancing such as touch-free door handles were also thanks to the customizable nature of 3D printing. The widespread availability of open-source designs have spread these materials to less accessible regions.
Raises a question of immediate need versus safety
Despite the immediate need for such supplies, there are a few risks and regulators are urging caution. There is a clear lag between regulation and innovation, which may contribute to under-reliance on checklists and safety protocols, especially when 3D printing is so widely accessible. It’s also been seen that 3D-printed PPE are less likely to provide similar levels of fluid barrier separation and filtration as FDA-cleared alternatives on the market. It will be crucial for the FDA and NIH to accelerate the investigation of such applications of 3D printing and to encourage collaboration between 3D printer users and medical experts.
3D printing landscape after the pandemic
As we return to a more fragmented global economy, the demand for more decentralized manufacturing will grow. 3D printing offers the advantages of high customization abilities, production on demand, shorter supply lines, and reduced waste and inventory. 3D printing may also be the base of a greener and more sustainable approach to massive healthcare supplies. It seems likely that we’ll see the development of local microgrids of 3D printing factories. The pandemic also proved the importance of collaboration in this field, with a rise of open-source designs and an increase in cross-company communication on developing new designs.