Recent Topics
Medical Supplies That Will be or Are Needed
General Hand Sanitizer PPE N95 Respirators Surgical Face Masks Goggles / Masks Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR/CAPR) Examination Gloves Gowns Face Shields (Full Face Protection / FFP) Ambu-bags - needed for several of the open source vent projects. Medical Supplies Nasal Cannulas Catheters Flow-Splitters for Oxygen Supply Thorpe Tube Flowmeter Oxygen Masks Venturi Masks (High Flow) Devices Negative Pressure Rooms Non-Contact Thermometers Ventilator Machines Hospital Beds Oxygen Concentrators
Canada Calls on Manufacturers to help increase the production of essential medical supplies
In response to COVID-19, The Government of Canada is seeking information from manufacturers about their ability to provide products and services. One critical area of focus is to increase the production of essential medical supplies. The Alliance is assisting the Canadian Government in asking companies to self-identify and declare if they have the capabilities to manufacture items such as: Disposable N95 masks Disposable Surgical masks Nitrile gloves Vinyl gloves Gowns Bottles of hand sanitizer Virus
How can I find hospitals that need help in my area?
You can find hospitals who need help by calling a hospital marketing/PR dept, materials management, or procurement dept. We will also try to post information on this page as we receive it.
Are home-sewn masks safe?
They are safe by being better than nothing. Here is a design that has been approved by our medical experts: http://project-cloth-masks.com. You can find other vetted designs for masks and other PPE here.
How can I help?
Educate yourself and your community on how COVID19 is treated, and understand the entire problem at hand, before you start designing or building or ideating anything. Continue to grow this group. The goal of this Facebook group is to be a discussion forum and megaphone to the world once safe open source supply solutions are found, and it needs to be as large as possible to reach everyone who will be affected. Go out and find as many existing solutions as possible to the supply problems we've highlighted,
What about building a negative pressure ventilator?
A negative pressure ventilator (sometimes colloquially called an “iron lung”) is a mechanical ventilator that acts by intermittently lowering the pressure around the patient’s abdomen to less than atmospheric pressure, mimicking the natural function of the muscles and diaphragm to allow the patient to take in air. This can be accomplished with either a large tank surrounding the patient’s body, or a smaller jacket-like device worn by the patient. These have been widely used for breathing difficulties
What about using CPAP or BiPAP machines?
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is a form of non-invasive ventilation in which mild, consistent air pressure is applied through a mask to keep the airway open and maintain oxygenation. BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) is similar to CPAP, but alternates periods of higher and lower pressure to make it easier for the patient to exhale. While these are being used in the treatment of patients experiencing respiratory distress, these methods have been discouraged for the treatment of
Are 3D printed parts sterile?
Due to the way in which they are manufactured, 3D printed materials are frequently more porous than typical medical device materials, allowing them to harbor microbes if they are not carefully sterilized. Medical sterilization techniques require heat, radiation, and chemical sterilization processes. Any 3D printed device made for use with patients must be able to withstand repeated exposure to these processes. Most common 3D printing materials will warp, melt, or lose tensile strength when exposed
Why (not) 3D print (mass production, etc)?
3D printing can be an efficient method of mass-producing needed supplies to prevent shortages. In one example of successful use of 3D printing, respirator valves are already being 3D printed in response to the increased need for mechanical ventilation in Italian hospitals. However, medical devices pose unique problems that require additional precautions in 3D printing.
Why (not) make ventilators?
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), in which breathing is impaired by fluid buildup in the lungs, is one of the most common severe complications of COVID-19. Patients with ARDS frequently require mechanical ventilation to survive. According to the American Hospital Association, it is possible that up to 900,000 people in the United States may need mechanical ventilation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Society of Critical Care Medicine estimates that approximately 200,000 are currently available,
BC Engineering and Manufacturing COVID19 Response (BCEMCR)
Summary of COVID19 Related hardware industry efforts in BC Version 1.0, last updated 3/22/2020 Based on OSCMS document Primary Contacts: Leigh Christie (leigh@mistywest.com), 857-210-8616 Marcus Ewert-Johns (Marcus@manufacturingbc.org) The Problem COVID19 is currently spreading rapidly and the rate of new cases per day is accelerating globally. Italy, where thousands of people are dying, serves as a “this could happen to us” case study. One of the biggest problems they have had, despite having
List of BC Engineering and Manufacturing Companies Working on Covid-19 related Medical Supplies
Please add yourselves through the comment section under the correct heading as listed below. We update this list regularly. Full list can be found at https://manufacturingbc.org/covid-19-manufacturing-responders Headings: Active Manufacturing Prototyping Developing Concepts Expressed Interest Modelling and Analysis Solutions Coordinating Efforts 3D Printing Suppliers Offering Help POST EXAMPLES ACTIVELY MANUFACTURING Portable Electric clean portable power for mobile clinics, temporary triage centres,