Corona Virus - 3D Printing and Addere Creations

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COVID - 19 / CORONA VIRUS
Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered virus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.  Older people and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. 
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following:
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Maintain at least 1 meter distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
  • Stay home if you feel unwell.
  • Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
  • Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.
The COVID-19 virus affects different people in different ways.  COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and most infected people will develop mild to moderate symptoms and recover without requiring special treatment.  People who have underlying medical conditions and those over 60 years old have a higher risk of developing severe disease and death.
Common symptoms include:
  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Dry cough.
Other symptoms include:
  • Shortness of breath
  • Aches and pains
  • Sore throat
  • Very few people will report diarrhea, nausea or a runny nose.
People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-isolate and contact their medical provider or a COVID-19 information line for advice on testing and referral. People with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should call their doctor and seek medical attention.
Credits: W.H.O - https://www.who.int/

COVID-19 and 3D PRINTING WORLDWIDE
A surge of additive manufacturing (AM) companies from service bureaus to makers have publicly declared their willingness to support the manufacture of much needed life-saving medical equipment. As the number of cases increases, our regular supply chains are struggling to facilitate demand for crucial items such as respiratory devices and protective masks. 
As the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, there is a growing need for supplies as well as parts for ventilators and diagnostic devices to help patients and protect medical workers and first responders. Many of these devices (or parts for them) can be 3D printed.
Some of the supplies that are being 3D printed (credits to the makers and photographers) and used worldwide are:
  • Face Masks
 


 
  • Face Shields



  • Ventilator Splitter

     
  • Respiratory Valve

   

  • Safety Goggles


   
  • Door Handle

HOW ADDERE CREATIONS CAN HELP?
With the help of 3D printing, Addere Creations is fabricating these supplies and devices to donate it to patients, doctors and others who are in dire need of them. 3D printing is beneficial for on demand manufacturing with options for customization. Many of the supplies will have to be patient specific and equipment specific, these conditions can be easily implemented in 3D printing. With the help of 3D designing, we are trying to come up with new designs that are suitable for local specifications and requirement. Using the data shared by other makers and industries, supplies can be redesigned to match our requirement at a root level. 3D printing and 3D designing are two fields with which we at Addere Creations want to fight against COVID-19.
Some of the supplies 3D printed at Addere Creations along with its usage details:
  • Face Masks
With the increasing demand of Face Masks, traditional manufacturing methods are failing to meet the required quantities. When normal Face Masks supplies are unavailable, 3D printed Face Masks can be used as an alternative. The benefits of a 3D printed face masks is that it can be customized to a person with varieties of designs available and can me manufactured using bio friendly materials.

  • Face Shields
Face shields are personal protective equipment devices that are used by many doctors and medical workers for protection of the facial area (eyes, nose, and mouth) from splashes, sprays, and spatter of body fluids. Doctors and medical workers are in constant contact with the patients. The face shield acts as a barrier to prevent spreading of viruses through droplets from the patients. 


  • Ventilator Splitter
COVID-19 cases have become a pandemic with millions of people suffering around the world. The number of patients exceeds the number of ventilators available in a country by a massive quantity. During such life and death situations, the ventilator splitter can be used to treat up to 4 patients using 1 ventilator.

  • Respiratory Valve
The respiratory valve also called a venturi valve is used to connect the respirator to a patient’s face mask to deliver oxygen at a fixed concentration. As the valves need to be replaced for each patient, the huge need is causing shortage of supplies. This respiratory valve can be 3D printed on demand and used for emergencies.
HOW ADDERE CREATIONS IS HELPING?
      We are donating 3D Printed Protective Equipment to Doctors and Medical workers in Bangalore. As they continue to save lives everyday, we will contribute more and do our part to help them fight against COVID-19.

              

          
        
       

HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Here are few things that you can do to help the fight against COVID-19.
  • Stay at home 
Yes, just staying at home plays an important role. It prevents spreading of the virus.
  • Keep yourself hygienic
Wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face and stay clean.
  • Spread awareness not fear
A lot of people are unaware about the virus or would have acknowledged fake news. Fill them with the right information, advise them to take proper precautions and ask them not to worry. 
  • Help us to reach out
If any of the hospitals, doctors and medical workers require any of the supplies 3D printed, let us know. Spread this article to your contacts until it reaches the people in need. 
  • Contribute
Provide help and financial support to people who are in need. Share your excess resources to the needy. Make sure to do your part, no matter how big or how small, it definitely helps.

Stay home, Stay safe.
Let us fight against COVID-19 together.