The world is currently going through one of the biggest challenges it has encountered since over a decade with a Covid-19 pandemic that has resulted in the people around the world isolating themselves and remaining in Quarantine for an undetermined period of time. Hence, it has become imperative that people around the world are well aware of the preemptive measures to avoid corona virus and make sure that the virus is eradicated. One of these efforts is to ensure collaboration between research and industries who can work for ways that can mitigate this risk. In such effort, it was recently observed in a twitter thread that with the use of collaboration between various industrial experts and companies, one can use 100 ventilators and convert them into 400
This conversation was sparked by the twitter handle of Zarlasht Faisal at @zarlastfaisal who shared the thread on the resilience and potential of young creators in Pakistan. All of this was sparked on the use of 3D printing and how industries can use it to fast tracking the making of life saving equipment amidst the pandemic. The conversation was then followed with a conversation with the NIc Lahore Team which stated: “Another tagged tweet to NIC Lahore team; can your 3D printing teams get this done? 48 hours of brainstorming, and ideation. The idea to create a valve that connects to make 1 single patient use ventilator into a multi patient use splitter comes into fruition. Next step?”
This was then followed by the tweet which stated: “We need to study a ventilator. Access to hospitals is difficult; many don’t understand the idea of this innovative design. Frustration is vented out on twitter,at the same time that a story comes out about how a genius from an ICU in another country turned one ventilator into 9”.
This was followed by another tweet in which the design files are sent for the 3D printers. The tweet later states: “The printing happens overnight, and the valve splitters are ready by the next morning. Now time for testing; most status quo hospitals say “next week”. Hustling around; An email is sent to Shaukat Khanum; Dr.Faisal responds immediately, and loops in Dr.Aasim.” A connection was later established and stated that one hour, and their team is connected to the young engineers @theabdullah007 and his team at Rada who printed the valves and testing begins. Modifications are suggested. The valve design is improved, and approved. Suddenly; the capacity of 1 ventilator goes from 1-4.
This can be explored can various Hospitals across the country and with demand, 3D printers can be used alongside the necessary designs. A volunteer list of sign ups of 3D printers can be created by @yaserawan @fsherjan. The thread concluded with thanking those that contributed to this thread such as: @theabdullah007, @SKMCH, @yaserawan, @fsherjanand @fifteenforty.