As the fear of the Corona virus is increasing day by day and this COVID-19 pandemic becoming a global crisis the need for the change and adaptation is always on call. The countries with faster adaptation and awareness will do well in these pandemic days and in future.
With the initial outrage of this virus from China, various changes like travel restrictions, wearing of the masks, maintaining the social distance, usage of the sanitizers etc have come into existence. It was witnessed that scientists and innovators across the world started using technologies in order to fight the need for the effective handling of the pandemic. One such technological development is the innovative use of 3D printing technologies. Scientists across the world have been predicting that 3D printing will shape the next decade of the manufacturing processes and advancement and precise manufactured development. Here is some interesting statistics compiled by Statista for exemplary use of 3D printing for medical supplies.
In the beginning of April, India had announced a massive lock down of 1.4 billion people to prevent the spreading of the pandemic. A large quantity of sanitizers, masks, medical equipment, ventilators were all required and all the manufacturing industries were closed or were not effective during this time. Many of the scientists, manufacturing setups and individuals across the country started using 3D printing in Corona times for the production of face shields, medical equipment etc. to meet the ever increasing demand.
3D Printing in Corona Times: Innovative Use of 3D Printing for fighting Corona virus Pandemic:
Face shields:
With the spread of the virus on a large scale it is suggested to make sure that an individual does not come in contact physically with another individual and do not touch his/her face. So, it was necessary that an equipment had to be made sure that it would combat all these needs. 3D printing technology came to the rescue: face shields were manufactured and designed in very less time and solved all the above problems..
In the lock down phase, front line medical professionals and security guards were using face shields. Now, at the end of the lock down, the 3D printed face shields find extensive use by the medicare professionals, petrol pumps, hotels and other large scale workforce.
Door handles:
With the physical contact restrictions coming into place, there was always a question that coronavirus would transmit through the opening of the doors and by coming of physical contact with the door. The scientists with the 3D printing technology have come up with the automated door technology handle to avoid physical contact with the door and the person hence reducing or stopping the transmission of the viruses on a large amount.
Nasal Swabs:
The nasal swabs due to the outrage of the virus were needed in large numbers to meet the needs of the patients with the COVID positive outcome. To meet this sort of needs with the industries under the lockdown, many of the organizations came up with the nasal swabs using 3D printing technology and met the needs and demands of the people during the major outrage of the pandemic.
The other major equipment of this 3D printing technology made during this pandemic is the ventilators.
Ventilators:
As we know that the ventilators are the one which is in full flow in this pandemic and the 3D technology is on a fly in the production of the ventilators. When Italy had its vast increase of the virus going over and over, some of the scientists and the top healthcare professionals used this 3D printing technology in order for large scale production of the ventilators and hence we are able to produce more ventilators to the COVID emergency patients and this gives us an insight as to how this small scale technological development of the printers will be the cutting edge in the next few years and decade.
Valve splitter:
The main attack of the Covid 19 virus is the bronchi of the lungs and nothing more than the 3D printed valve splitters can help mankind. During this Covid 19 lock down one such organization in Manipal in Karnataka, used extensive 3D printing mechanisms to produce large scale valve splitter. Since the printing was over, the doctors had found out that precise valve splitters were produced and this helped in the simulation of lungs to breathe even during the attack of the virus and could produce something as similar to a ventilator at a very cheaper cost and rate and helped in reducing the effect of the virus and the problems related to breathing during the early effect of the pandemic.
Surgical ear mask savers:
With the growth of the pandemic it was sure that wearing a mask was obvious for someone who would go out and moreover it’s been a constant for the healthcare providers. One common drawback of wearing these masks on a long run is that it creates a sort of impression on the nasal area and back of the ears and causes a lot of discomfort for that person. A new breakthrough by the 3D printers assuring that all these drawbacks are seen through made a surgical mask ear savers where in everybody could now plug in the back of their mask behind the ears and has made sure that anyone can use this equipment and wear mask for as much as time as possible.
Hand sanitizer dispenser:
Regular hand washing is one of the best ways to protect from getting sick. Many 3D printing companies have designed and developed the touch-free hand sanitizer dispenser. One can sanitize their hands by bringing them close to the device without touching it and avoiding contact points in this way.