Optimization of community-led 3D printing for the production of protective face shields

• Published in: 3D printing in medicine Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 35
• Main Authors: Zhang, Peter Chengming, Ahmed, Yousuf, Hussein, Isra M., Afenu, Edem, Feasson, Manon, Daud, Anser
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 23.11.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: 3-D printers; Acetic acid; Biomaterials; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Case Study; COVID-19; Decontamination; Health care; Imaging; Medical personnel; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Optimization; Pandemics; Personal protective equipment; Production capacity; Production methods; Public health; Quality assurance; Radiology; Shields; Surgery; Three dimensional printing
• ISSN: 2365-6271; 2365-6271
• DOI: 10.1186/s41205-020-00089-y

Background As the healthcare system faced an acute shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of 3D printing technologies became an innovative method of increasing production capacity to meet this acute need. Due to the emergence of a large number of 3D printed face shield designs and community-led PPE printing initiatives, this case study examines the methods and design best optimized for community printers who may not have the resources or experience to conduct such a thorough analysis. Case presentation We present the optimization of the production of 3D printed face shields by community 3D printers, as part of an initiative aimed at producing PPE for healthcare workers. The face shield frames were manufactured using the 3DVerkstan design and were coupled with an acetate sheet to assemble a complete face shield. Rigorous quality assurance and decontamination protocols ensured community-printed PPE was satisfactory for healthcare use. Conclusion Additive manufacturing is a promising method of producing adequate face shields for frontline health workers because of its versatility and quick up-start time. The optimization of stacking and sanitization protocols allowed 3D printing to feasibly supplement formal public health responses in the face of a global pandemic.