How Can 3D Printing Australian Machines Fill in the Scarcity for Life-Saving Ventilation Equipment for COVID-19?

3D / Billie Fleming

An awful lot of business organizations and more than a handful of additive manufacturing firms today are racing against time. They need to help and give assistance to the government and healthcare institutions around the globe in addressing the looming shortage of life-saving respiration tools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 patients are challenged in their autonomous breathing and thus would be needing some kind of mechanical help to alleviate them in their condition. Increasing the production of respiration tools are intended for their use and care.

In light of the urgency of the situation we are facing at the moment, the use of 3D printing technology for this purpose will prove to be the most viable option here. However, there would be instances that the flow of accurate information would be limited with regard to the distinction between the different kinds of machinery used.

Respiratory failure and insufficiency of oxygen in a human body system happens when the circulating blood is not carrying enough oxygen for distribution to the different organs or when there is too much carbon dioxide in the body.

When you respire, your body is bringing in oxygen to your lungs and transmits them to your blood, then it is for distribution to your body organs. Carbon dioxide is expelled from the body when you are exhaling.

The organs inside the human body need this oxygen-rich blood to carry out their functions well, but if there is a high concentration of carbon dioxide in your blood it can be detrimental to your organs as well. There are a handful of conditions that can have an impact on breathing and eventually lead to respiratory arrest or failure.

The COVID-19 virus is among those conditions that can lead to respiratory arrest because they directly target the lungs of an infected individual. Hence, they have difficulty in breathing, and those who happen to have prior respiratory issues, weak immunity, and frail body systems such as old ones are at greater risk of being infected. Thus, everyone is encouraged to take extreme caution not to get the virus.

computer aided design COVID-19 patients suffering from declining respiratory performance can be administered with one of the 2 types of treatment approaches, which is highly dependent on the gravity of the condition of the patient. These treatment approaches are classified as either invasive and non-invasive methods.

Due to the delicate nature of invasive ventilation, which is recommended to be administered to COVID-19 patients who are challenged in breathing on their own, the majority of 3D printing australia activities need to center on the printing of equipment for use in non-invasive methods.

The patients are sedated first so that oxygen can be pumped right to their lungs with the help of an intra-oral tracheal tube. These pieces of equipment are also classified further into low-flow and high-flow devices to be used in either assisted or unassisted respiration.

3D Printing Australian Industry: How Can It Help in the Pandemic?

3D printing, otherwise known as additive manufacturing, can provide invaluable help when it comes to the production of intensive care ventilators.

It can penetrate first into the traditional supply chain, offering the industry an alternative option for handling the production of highly unavailable parts whose production and supply are usually under the control of traditional manufacturing firms of medical supplies.

(During this time of pandemic, we should put aside if not to completely eradicate market control and monopoly for medical supplies and equipment. Until such time that the distressing situation we are in is ebbing the tide, then things can slowly normalize, too.)

3D printing in the country can offer invaluable help via rapid production and development of various medical supplies and equipment, particularly in areas that involve the production of respiratory-assistive tools. This has something to do with the manufacturing of custom splitters that will allow multiple patients to get connected and use just a single ventilation machine.

How Can 3D Printing Australian Machines Fill in the Scarcity for Life-Saving Ventilation Equipment for COVID-19? Read More »

The Importance of Lighting During the Coronavirus Pandemic

In the hopes to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic governments all over the world are prioritizing the supply of medical supplies, protective equipment, food essentials, and pharmaceuticals. Next to such are the other important sectors. However, one serious risk is being overlooked and taken for granted- it is the role of light.

Artificial lights are very important in today’s time of crisis. With lights, we can get doing all the basic things we need to do. Most of all, functional lights play an important role in keeping test facilities, hospitals, highways, supermarkets, and distribution centers running both day and night.

The Role of Lighting in Today’s Crisis

Front Line

It is not only the visual property of lights that is making a huge difference today. Although not everyone realizes it, bit UV radiation plays a key role in disinfecting hospitals. Also, it utilized disinfecting police stations, factories, schools, offices, and post offices. For example, a UV-C radiation that comes with a wavelength of 254nm can break down the DNA of mold, bacteria, and viruses. It can even purify water and air.

Here are more ways on how lighting improves the quality of life, while adding essential value during this difficult time in our lives today.

Health at Home

With an overwhelming number of individuals who are now staying in their homes, the importance of light for their well-being and that of their family should never be underestimated. In fact, even before this crisis came to exist, almost 90% of our time was being spent inside with not enough daylight. Indeed, light is very essential to everyone’s health and well-being as it helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle.

In addition, it could help with people’s daily routine. A bright and functional light can keep us energized and enhance our concentration levels. On the other hand, warm light can help create a cozy atmosphere that helps unwind at night. Simply put, having the right type of light would make us feel, see, and function much better.

Food Security

There is one more unsung application of light and it is in food production. With artificial lights, it is possible to grow crops in many countries, thus reducing the distance and lessening the dependence on imports that could be carbon-hungry. Such is changing the way people farm. In today’s time, when the supply chains are tested, food security is most important.

Keeping the Streets Safe and Secure

The majority of pedestrians and drivers recognize the requirement for a well-lighted street. A good quality lighting for the streets can help reduce accidents and injuries by up to 30%. In addition, a well-lit street is also safer. Police officers can tell that proper lights can help prevent crime.

Light has so many benefits, although we do not realize all of them. But one thing is for sure, our lives have become so much better because of light. And during this trying time, we can just all be thankful that lights are available to help us in many ways.