An Origami 3D-Printed Ventilation System to Fight COVID-19

At Simon Fraser University in Canada, a team of researchers led by Professor Kim Woo Soo developed a 3D-printed ventilation system to fight COVID-19. Drawing inspiration from the art of Japanese folding, better known as origami, the team was able to reduce the weight, size, and production cost of the portable system, which is made up of 95% of 3D-printed parts. This portable ventilation system could be of use to any patient who may need an easily transportable device outside of hospitals, such as patients in isolated rural areas, countries where access to health care is more difficult, or healthcare establishments that are treating a higher than normal volume of patients.

As you know, the recent global health crisis has highlighted the weaknesses of our supply chains, especially in the medical sector. Additive manufacturing has been able to provide short and medium-term answers to allow rapid access to care solutions such as respiratory masks, valves, or even some ventilation systems. As mandates are eased and daily activities have a semblance of normalcy, COVID-19 is still present and the medical sector remains on alert. In preparation for a possible new wave, researchers at Simon Fraser University have designed a ventilation system that is easier to transport and less expensive to produce.