Applications of Additive Manufacturing Technologies in Healthcare Sectors During Covid-19 Pandemic |Biomedgrid

COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. To control the spread of this pandemic, various measures have been implemented worldwide, including social distancing, wearing masks, and frequent hand washing. At the same time, healthcare system has been overwhelmed with increase demand for healthcare services, shortages of medical resources, including hospital beds, and medical equipment, and healthcare workers burnout. Additionally, the pandemic has also caused disruptions to global supply chains, due to changes in transportation, demand/supply, inventory management challenges, and logistic difficulties. All these factors have resulted in shortages of essential goods and services, including medical supplies, Protective Equipment (PPE), and medical equipment. To overcome this, clinical sectors have adapted and implemented new strategies to continue to provide effective healthcare services despite these challenges. Additive manufacturing or 3D printing has facilitated production of these scarce resources, quicker and cheaper, filling the supply chain gap. This article reviews the major efforts of healthcare sectors that have utilized rapid prototyping technologies to address some of the medical supply's shortage issues. Efforts made in production of numerous medical devices, including nasal swabs, face masks and shields, respiratory valves and other related jigs and fixtures are discussed.