3D PRINTING OF A LOWELL MAKES MASK IN PLA
Article PDF

Keywords

Lowel Makes mask, PLA, 3D printing, ULPA filter

Abstract views: 275
PDF Downloads: 137

How to Cite

Nidal , E., Alae-Eddine , S., Dalal , E., Nabil , H., & Samira , B. (2021). 3D PRINTING OF A LOWELL MAKES MASK IN PLA. Medical Science of Ukraine (MSU), 17(3), 110-116. https://doi.org/10.32345/2664-4738.3.2021.12

Abstract

Relevance: The new pandemic crisis caused by the Covid19 virus has led to a global shortage of personal protective equipment including FFP2 masks necessary for the exercise of professionals in direct contact with positive patients.

Objective: 3D print a PLA mask similar to the FFP2 mask with the addition of an ULPA filter

Methods. The designed mask is based on the general morphology of the FFP2 standard. This is how we downloaded the prototype of the «LOWELL MAKES». We have adapted this prototype to our craniofacial dimensions on the «Meshmixer» software, to finally export the prototype in STL format to print it by fused deposition modeling (FDM) via the 3D printer «XYZ Junior 1.0» equipped with a PLA (polylactic acid) filament.

Results. The total duration of the printing of the full mask (the cover, the body of the mask, and the retentive filter grid) was around 4h30 min. Regarding the choice of the filter, we opted for two solutions, the first to cut an FFP2 mask and to use the parts obtained as being filters (doubled), the second being a commercial ULPA or HEPA filter. A ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) filter can theoretically filter dust, pollen, and bacteria from the air with an efficiency of 99.999 % thanks to a size of 0.1 microns. Remember that the average size of the Covid-10 virus is around 0.1 µm and that the porosity of the FFP2 mask allows particles to be filtered with a diameter of around 0.6 µm at 94 %. In order to maximize the filtering effect while wearing this mask, we opted for the interposition of a ULPA filter covered by an FFP2 filter. We tested the tightness of this mask by checking for side leaks by maintaining a stabilized sheet on the outer cover by suction during inhalation. We have also added to the edges of the mask in contact with the face a peripheral silicone seal, polymerized on the face, to avoid any marks or scars after removal of this mask while increasing the comfort of the practitioner. The protocol that we chose by superimposing two filters (the first having a porosity of 0.6µm and the second of 0.1µm) allowed us to potentiate the filtration. This allowed the filter to be used for 40 hours. The total cost price of the mask is around 9 €.

Conclusions. The «open source» community makes it possible to popularize 3D printing while making it easier for any 3D printer owner to appropriate their protective equipment at a reduced price, however, intellectual property remains a concern, in particular for medical parts that cannot be procured promptly during a pandemic crisis similar to that caused by the Covid-19 virus.

https://doi.org/10.32345/2664-4738.3.2021.12
Article PDF

References

Ramanathan K, Antognini D, Combes A, Paden M, Zakhary B, Ogino M, MacLaren G, Brodie D, Shekar K. Planning and provision of ECMO services for severe ARDS during the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases. Lancet Respir Med. 2020 May;8(5):518-26. DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30121-1

View at:

Publisher Site: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30121-1/fulltext

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32203711/

PubMed Central: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7102637/

Ziqing Z, Coffey C, Roland BA. The Effect of Subject Characteristics and Respirator Features on Respirator Fit. J.occup.Envir. Hyg. 2005 Dec;2(12):641-9. DOI: 10.1080/15459620500391668

View at:

Publisher Site: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15459620500391668

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16298949/

Provenzano D, Rao YJ, Mitic K, Obaid S.N, Pierce D, Huckenpahler J,Berger J,Goyal SH, Loew M.H. Rapid Prototyping of Reusable 3D-Printed N95 Equivalent Respirators at the George Washington University. Preprints. 2020 March: 2020030444. DOI: 10.20944/preprints202003.0444.v1

View at:

Publisher Site: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202003.0444/v1

About NanoHack. Accessed 24 Mar 2020.

View at:

Publisher Site: https://copper3d.com/hackthepandemic/

HEPA Mask. Accessed 24 Mar 2020.

View at:

Publisher Site: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4222563

Makers Guide. Accessed 24 March 2020.

View at:

Publisher Site: https://creality.com/info/makers-guide-3d-printed-face-mask-no-worries-on-mask-shortage-and-virus-infection-i00248i1.html

COVID-19 Response. Accessed 24 March 2020.

View at:

Publisher Site: https://lowellmakes.com/covid-19-response/

Tino R, Moore R, Antoline S, Ravi P, Wake N, Ionita CN, Morris JM, Decker SJ, Sheikh A, Rybicki FJ, Chepelev LL. COVID-19 and the role of 3D printing in medicine. 3D Print Med. 2020 Apr 27; 6(1):11. DOI: 10.1186/s41205-020-00064-7

View at:

Publisher Site: https://threedmedprint.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41205-020-00064-7

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32337613/

PubMed Central: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7183817/

Société française d‘Hygiène Hospitalière (SF2H). Avis du 04 mars 2020 relatif aux indications du port des masques chirurgicaux et des appareils de de protection respiratoire de type FFP2 pour les professionnels de santé.

View at:

URL: https://www.sf2h.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Avis-Masque-SF2H-SPILF-04.03.2020.pdf

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.