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. 2021 Mar 8;7(1):7.
doi: 10.1186/s41205-021-00097-6.

Application of 3D printing and distributed manufacturing during the first-wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Our experience at a third-level university hospital

Rubén Perez-Mañanes  1   2   3   4 , Sonia García-de San José  5   6 , Manuel Desco-Menéndez  5   7   8 , Ignacio Sánchez-Arcilla  5   9 , Esmeralda González-Fernández  5   10 , Javier Vaquero-Martín  11   12   7 , Javier Pascau González-Garzón  5   7   8 , Lydia Mediavilla-Santos  11 , Diego Trapero-Moreno  5 , José Antonio Calvo-Haro  5   11   12   7
Affiliations

Application of 3D printing and distributed manufacturing during the first-wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Our experience at a third-level university hospital

Rubén Perez-Mañanes et al. 3D Print Med. .

Abstract

Background: 3D printing and distributed manufacturing represent a paradigm shift in the health system that is becoming critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. University hospitals are also taking on the role of manufacturers of custom-made solutions thanks to 3D printing technology.

Case presentation: We present a monocentric observational case study regarding the distributed manufacturing of three groups of products during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic from 14 March to 10 May 2020: personal protective equipment, ventilatory support, and diagnostic and consumable products. Networking during this period has enabled the delivery of a total of 17,276 units of products manufactured using 3D printing technology. The most manufactured product was the face shields and ear savers, while the one that achieved the greatest clinical impact was the mechanical ventilation adapters and swabs. The products were manufactured by individuals in 57.3% of the cases, and our hospital acted as the main delivery node in a hub with 10 other hospitals. The main advantage of this production model is the fast response to stock needs, being able to adapt almost in real time.

Conclusions: The role of 3D printing in the hospital environment allows the reconciliation of in-house and distributed manufacturing with traditional production, providing custom-made adaptation of the specifications, as well as maximum efficiency in the working and availability of resources, which is of special importance at critical times for health systems such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: 3D printing; COVID-19; POC manufacturing; distributed manufacturing; ear savers; face shields; personal protective equipment; swabs; ventilatory support.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Products delivered
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Images from the STL files and pictures of protection products
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Images from the STL files and pictures of ventilation products
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Images from the STL files and pictures of 3D printed swabs
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Example of distributed production. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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