3-D printing technology may help overcome shortage of ventilators

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 6

At the University Centre for Research and Development (UCRD) of Chandigarh University (CU), Prof Ranvijay Kumar and students of the Mechatronics Department have designed a two-way, three-way and four-way ventilator splitters which can help in quadrupling the ventilator capacity of hospitals in the quickest possible time. The device has been designed using 3D printing technology and will help in fighting ventilator shortage in the country.

According to a WHO report, India has only 48,000 ventilators and as cases tick up, their availability is the biggest concern.

“We have used polylactic acid also known as polylactide (PLA) to manufacture the two-way, three-way and four-way ventilator splitters which is one of the biodegradable and biocompatible thermoplastics derived from renewable sources such as corn starch, tapioca roots and sugarcane” said Prof Ranvijay.

The university had constituted a core research group on the call made by Department of Science and Technology (DST), which invited proposals from companies, universities and research institutions to derive technologically driven innovative solutions such as low-cost masks, cost-effective scanning devices, technologies for sanitisation of large areas as well as for contactless entry, rapid diagnostic kits and oxygenators, and ventilators.

“We have submitted our designs to DST for further testing and the university is ready to start mass production of splitters once we get a nod from medical nodal agencies,’’ Prof Kumar said. Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, CU, said, “We have allocated a budget of Rs 5 crore for the UCRD which will exclusively work on to find solutions to address the problem caused by the Covid-19 pandemic”.