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Formlabs has fielded hundreds of requests, evaluated dozens of potential applications for 3D printed products, and is now supporting a handful of projects with high-impact potential. The current priority areas were selected based on clinical demand, technical feasibility, and regulatory implications. Priority areas for focus include test kit swabs, ventilator splitters, and face shields. Once designs have been tested and validated by the medical community, Formlabs has the resources available to scale production to tens of thousands of parts per week. We are ready to engage our internal resources and community of skilled volunteers to produce parts for healthcare providers all over the world.
Ventilator Splitter
Problem
As the number of patients in critical condition grows, mechanical ventilation is required to provide sufficient oxygen into the lungs and body. Ventilator machines are limited in supply, and hospitals can run out of machines faster than they can order new devices.
Experimental Solution
Adding an adapter to one ventilation system to be used with more than one patient may help expand capacity. These adapters could allow for two, three, or four patients with similar needs and conditions to potentially use one ventilator.
Several Formlabs customers are working on this problem, including Northwell Health and Southern Maine Community College.
The 3D Design and Innovation Lab at Northwell Health has provided Formlabs with STL files that fit standard tubing. These files allow for a HEPA filter to be placed at each end then connecting patient vent tubing.
A professor at Southern Maine Community College posted an instructional video and .form files on his design, which was tested at Maine Medical Center.
Note:
Ventilator splitters should only be considered as a last resort and with appropriate protections in place. Multiple medical associations have discouraged the use of ventilator splitters. Healthcare organizations need to assess and make decisions based on their own circumstances and judgement.
Validation Status
Northwell Health has conducted lab testing and states that while this would allow one to split a ventilator in a life or death situation, there are certain caveats one needs to be aware of.
Northwell is currently writing clinical protocols. Neither Northwell Health, nor the CDC, have studied ventilation splitting on human patients.
A respiratory therapist at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine conducted a 36 hour test using the Southern Maine Community College device and reported no issues. Maine Medical Center is assessing how this resource can be utilized to best support current or future patient needs.
While there is the new capability to ventilate multiple patients for a short period of time without utilizing front line clinical staff, patients likely need to be similar in height, IBW (weight), lung dynamics, and COVID-19 carrier status. Also, heavy sedation / paralytics may be necessary to eliminate asynchrony, and tandem weaning.
