Print in urgent

Do humans have the power to respond to public health emergencies, the 3D Printing technologies directly respond to this question through their practicality examinations. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 3D printing has become a key tool to help with medical supplies and personal healthcare supplies. 

NP swabs are usually used for testing for respiratory infections. They are flexible sticks with bristles on one end that are placed in the nasal cavity to gather debris. As more countries across the world require covid testing before removing limitations and restrictions on regular economic activity and entertainment, the shortage of NP swabs is anticipated to be more severe. This article will briefly illustrate the process of 3D printing that is employed to address the swab shortages during COVID-19.

Swab design

The Formlabs Form 2 and Form 3B SLA 3D printers were used to produce swabs since they were thought to be easily accessible with biocompatible materials and reasonably priced for local deployment when combined with FDA-cleared software.

Swab printing

The Preform program was then used to arrange the STL of the 3DP swab for 3D printing. 324–380 swabs could be securely printed each batch after a balance between printing the most swabs and minimizing the contact sites to prevent any possible problems was found. Swabs are printed using Surgical Guide version 1 resin at a layer thickness of 100 m (the quickest setting), with the base in direct contact with the platform and without the use of rafts or supports.

3DP swabs are washed in 99% isopropyl alcohol for 20 minutes using a Form Wash. This cleaning procedure is carried out while the swabs remain connected to the build plate. After the wash, the prints are left to air dry for at least 30 minutes. The swabs are then gently scraped from the construction platform. Before scraping the printed swabs off the platform, a loose rubber band was wrapped around them to help with general organization. 

The swabs are then strung from the base in a curing rack and placed in the Form Cure for 60 °C for 30 min (Form 2) or 70 °C for 30 min (Form 3B). During the inverted suspension of the NP swabs, it is advised that the curing rack not be congested in order to guarantee that each swab receives adequate ventilation and UV exposure.

After curing, 3DP swabs are inserted in steam sterilization pouches and ready for sterilization. An suitable sterilization cycle is a pre-vacuum steam sterilization cycle set at 132 °C/270 °F with a 4 minute sterilization phase and 30 minute dry.

Conclusion

More than forty million COVID tests were made possible in 25 countries because to the swab design. Governments and healthcare organizations have continued to employ Formlabs 3D printers to enhance patient testing and treatment throughout the past year. This universal answer is but one illustration of how 3D printing’s adaptability can advance society.

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