Stratasys has added to its efforts to fight the pandemic and ongoing testing requirements to include Origin who is producing field ready, individually packaged, sterile 3D printed nasopharyngeal swabs.
We are sharing our design files and invite and encourage those in the 3D printing community to join us as we work to keep our medical community safe. Download the Face Shield Frames below.
DownloadCelebrating Our “Honor Roll” of COVID Coalition Members
In mid-March, a few of us at Stratasys initiated some conversations with organizations like the Mayo Clinic and Medtronic about what healthcare providers needed most as they faced a growing number of COVID-19 patients, and we also assessed what 3D printing would let us produce best. We decided to focus on face shields.
So we iterated designs and started 3D printing visors as fast as we could. Medtronic and Dunwoody College of Technology helped us with cutting the initial clear shields. A few of us made runs to Office Depot to scoop up their supplies of overhead transparencies.
We asked hospitals and emergency responders how many they needed: Thousands. Ultimately hundreds of thousands.
We asked companies and colleges, large and small, to help us in this effort. They quickly became the Stratasys COVID Coalition and more than 100 teams across the U.S. and around the world went to work, 3D printing dozens, hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of shield visors.
Look at the difference this has made, in about six weeks! Friends, this week, we will hit 100,000 face shields shipped. We’ve successfully used 3D printing to get us to where injection molding can help boost production. And we’ve received heart-warming thanks from heroes on the front lines of this pandemic.
As we all feel our way towards a new normal that is hopefully easier on everyone than the last few weeks have been, we’re hoping that soon our shields are no longer needed, so our COVID coalition can focus on building planes, teaching students, racing cars, making prosthetics, powering our world, winning high school robotics competitions, and all the other amazing things that we all “normally” do.
However, as long as the need for shields remains critical, Stratasys will continue to ship face shields to where they are needed. But as we reach peak scale of this effort, it’s time to thank all the coalition members who have played a part and have been willing to be named.
The "Honor Roll":
We’re often asked about the biocompatibility of our FDM materials, and recent events have only accelerated the influx of questions. In an effort to make as much information about biocompatibility readily available, this blog post provides the facts we have to-date.
Stratasys has performed multiple tests to determine biocompatibility and the capability for sterilization for the following materials:
Table 1 below summarizes the results for biological endpoints and testing standards for each material. Table 2 identifies the details of the test coupons. Tables 3 through 6 provide current information about the sterilizability of these materials.
An important fact to remember is that this information represents results on post-printed test coupons (cubes), not on raw thermoplastic pellets or filament. Should you want to produce your own test coupons, we’ve included the protocol for preparing the printer and making the coupons with ABS-M30i and/or PC-ISO material. Access the test procedure here.
You can also review the biocompatibility and sterilizability supporting documentation currently available.
* Controlled refers to the specific printer preparation and cleaning that can be found in the test sample preparation document. This includes post-processing as appropriate.
Stratasys is responding to the current global COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in many ways. One way we are responding is to provide additional information about our products. Stratasys has obtained a report, titled “Biocompatibility of MED610 as a Component in Gas Path Devices”, dated 30 March 2020, published by Nelson Labs A Sotera Health company and is sharing this information with you. Note, this is for informational purposes only. While the information is deemed accurate, you may not rely on this information, but must complete your own analysis or obtain your own advice. Stratasys does not warrant product selection and you are solely responsible for the same. You are responsible for determining the appropriateness and use of materials, whether there are any governmental rules, regulations, laws or requirements for use of materials or the products derived from materials, and informing others of these requirements. Medical devices, including those manufactured from MED610, may be subject to additional rules and regulations. Stratasys is not responsible for the biocompatibility assessment of any part or medical device printed with MED610 or use of a printing option. Final product classifications are not discussed in this document. Stratasys retains no and disclaims all liability for any claims of any kind made by any person, either as a result of use of or as related to this information and the relevant materials. STRATASYS, FOR ITSELF AND ON BEHALF OF ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES, DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATED TO THIS INFORMATION OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR USE OR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE; NON-INFRINGEMENT; COMPLIANCE WITH ANY REGULATORY STANDARDS; AND COMPLIANCE WITH ANY OTHER LAWS.
There are three current ways to help:
1. Printing - We are publishing files you can print and donate to your local hospitals and care facilities at your scale. If you can print more than 100 visors and don’t have local needs, please continue reading for instructions to send to Stratasys.
2. We will consolidate and distribute to hospitals within our network. It is imperative that supplies have all components prior to shipping to hospitals.
If you’re only printing one component, please send to the address listed at the bottom of this document.
3. Spread the word. The more people who know about this initiative, the more help and ideas we can gather. We encourage anyone and everyone to help save lives. If you know of a caregiver in need, please have them submit their request at https://go.stratasys.com/lp-stratasys-helps.html
4. Do you know companies that manufacture filters, plastic shields and other items currently in short supply that could be used to help? Please have them reach out to stratasyshelps@stratasys.com.
Q. Where can I find all information related to this initiative?
Q. How do I express what I am able to do to help?
Visit https://go.stratasys.com/lp-stratasys-helps.html and select how you’re able to contribute. Please use the comments field to indicate how you plan to contribute including quantities, types of printers and materials available. The process to accept your contributions and distribute is triggered by your input into this website.
Q. What files are available to be printed?
Q. I can print visors. Where do I get shields? Or, I have shields, where can I get visors?
Q. What technologies can I use to print files?
Q. What Stratasys FDM Systems can I use?
Q. What materials can I use to print the files?
Q. Is the material limited to the biocompatible list on chart #9 (ULTEM 1010; ABS-M30i or PC-ISO)? Or what other material can be used?
Q. Is the size of the visor frame compatible with a 380?
Q. What is the rough estimate of volume and run time for a frame?
Q. We want to ensure the requirements are met on material, cleanliness, packaging and dimensions. Is there a source of confirmation of those requirements so we can assure we deliver proper equipment?
Q. Do we have an FDA, NIOSH etc. spec for face shields?
Q. What is the demand for medical products that Stratasys is hearing from hospitals nationwide?
Q. How can I connect with other customers who are helping to see if we can partner together on this initiative?
Q. Can you share my companies name when publicizing this effort? We are proud to contribute to the greater good.
Q. How do I stay updated if I am actively contributing to this initiative?
Q. I have product made. Where should I send it?
Q. I have more questions, who should I contact?
Please direct all questions to stratasyshelps@stratasys.com. This inbox is monitored 7 am-10 pm CT, and your question will be distributed and answered by the appropriate team. Please refrain from reaching out to direct contacts with generic information unless you have already had a dialogue about a specific topic. We are consolidating questions and will continue to update this document to keep you well informed.
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