Spake Carole S L, Carruthers Thomas N, Crozier Joseph W, Kalliainen Loree K, Bhatt Reena A, Schmidt Scott T, Woo Albert S
Division of Plastic Surgery, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Brown University, Box G-9999, 34 Olive Street, Providence, RI, 02902, USA.
Ann Biomed Eng. 2021 Dec;49(12):3666-3675. doi: 10.1007/s10439-021-02859-z. Epub 2021 Sep 3.
Early in 2020, the pandemic resulted in an enormous demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), which consists of face masks, face shields, respirators, and gowns. At our institution, at the request of hospital administration, the Lifespan 3D Printing Laboratory spearheaded an initiative to produce reusable N95 masks for use in the hospital setting. Through this article, we seek to detail our experience designing and 3D printing an N95 mask, highlighting the most important lessons learned throughout the process. Foremost among these, we were successful in producing a non-commercial N95 alternative mask which could be used in an era when N95 materials were extremely limited in supply. We identified five key lessons related to design software, 3D printed material airtightness, breathability and humidity dispersal, and ability for communication. By sharing our experience and the most valuable lessons we learned through this process, we hope to provide a helpful foundation for future 3D-printed N95 endeavors.
2020年初，新冠疫情导致对个人防护装备（PPE）的需求激增，个人防护装备包括口罩、面罩、呼吸器和防护服。在我们机构，应医院管理层的要求，寿命3D打印实验室率先发起了一项倡议，生产可重复使用的N95口罩供医院使用。通过本文，我们旨在详细介绍我们设计和3D打印N95口罩的经验，突出整个过程中吸取的最重要的经验教训。其中最重要的是，我们成功生产出了一种非商业性的N95替代口罩，该口罩可在N95材料供应极其有限的时期使用。我们确定了与设计软件、3D打印材料的气密性、透气性和湿度扩散以及沟通能力相关的五个关键经验教训。通过分享我们的经验以及我们在此过程中学到的最宝贵的经验教训，我们希望为未来3D打印N95口罩的努力提供有益的基础。
