Thanks to 3d Printing: Italian Company Turns Respirators into Breathing Masks

When treating Covid-19 patients, it is critical to have adequate ventilation equipment. But in mid-March the valves broke on some of the devices in the Italian city of Bergamo. The Isinnova company, which specializes in 3D printing, was contacted. In fact, it was able to provide the important spare parts in record time. Now the company may have made another important contribution to the treatment of the disease. At the suggestion of a former doctor from Lombardy, they added some functions to classic diving masks and thus received improvised ventilators. These could then be used when all other capacities are exhausted. In Lombardy and in Alsace in France, this is already the case in some cities.

The invention can be replicated worldwide

The diving masks come from the French company Decathlon and usually cost around twenty euros. In this case, however, they were made available free of charge. At Isinnova, the connection for the snorkel was then removed and replaced with a yellow part from the 3D printer. This is also a connection. On the one hand, this makes it possible to supply oxygen using a hose. On the other hand, a so-called PEEP valve can be used, which ensures pressure equalization in the lungs. In this way, an improvised ventilator can be produced comparatively quickly and inexpensively. The intermediate piece, which is produced using 3D printing, was given the name “Charlotte Valve” by the developers. Isinnova has also secured the patent for the new development,

There is no official approval yet

At the same time, the company also emphasizes that it is an emergency solution. So far, there is no state certification, and the devices have not been scientifically tested. At least the developers were already ready to let the construction ventilate themselves. There were no problems. The same applies to the first tests on patients. Nevertheless, Decathlon remains cautious: The company emphasized on the social networks that there is no proof of the functionality of the new improvised ventilators. In Germany, improvised solutions are already being worked on for emergencies. For example, Hessian researchers converted CPAP devices against sleep apnea and resuscitators accordingly