3D-Printing Manufacturer Nabs EUA to Convert BiPAP Machines into Ventilators

3D printing has emerged as a hero technology during COVID-19 because the technology enables rapid prototyping and production of personal protection equipment (PPE), diagnostic testing swabs, and an array of other medical device components. While there remains limitations with technology, additive manufacturing is far better positioned to respond to urgent supply needs than traditional manufacturing methods. Case in point, Formlabs recently became the first 3D-printing manufacturer to receive emergency use authorization (EUA) from FDA to print bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) adapters designed by Northwell Health, New York's largest healthcare provider. BiPAP machines are typically used to treat sleep apnea, but these plastic T-shaped adapters are designed to convert the machines into functional invasive mechanical ventilators. The Somerville, MA-based company said it is now shipping the adapters to hospital and government systems throughout the country in response to the COVID-19 ventilator shortage and plans to ramp up production to 3,000 parts a day. Gaurav Manchanda, Formlabs' director of healthcare, told MD+DI that the company has been working with Northwell Health since well before the COVID-19 outbreak. Northwell was the first customer of Formlabs' automated enterprise production solution called Form Cell back in 2018, he said, and the healthcare provider is now using Form Cell ...
Source: MDDI - Category: Medical Devices Authors: Tags: COVID-19 3-D Printing Source Type: news