This 3D-printed oxygen mask was designed to help with a lack of ventilators for coronavirus patients

The entire design consists of a non-invasive mask, a filter, a valve, and a 3D-printed connector.

Materialise designed the connector, and all the other pieces are standard medical equipment already available in hospitals.

Engineers on the project say that the process from initial designs to trials was fast. In only a few days, they went from an idea to a proof of concept with a pulmonologist to trials on healthy people.

A perk of the 3D printed design is that it can be produced locally as supply chains are disrupted around the world.

Materialise is fast-tracking the design for approval in Europe and the US, and also preparing to ramp up production.

"Except for the new 3D-printed connector, the components of the mask exist and the concept is already known. We've used it for years in non-invasive and invasive ventilation. In the trial, we will identify what the effect is on COVID-19 patients and at what stage of the disease to best use this NIP solution," pulmonologist Wilfried De Backer said.

De Backer noted that the design is less invasive, so easier on the patient, and also saves ventilator capacity.

He says that it's important to use the mask early, as soon as the airway starts becoming inflamed.

See how it works here.

Materialise also invites companies interested in producing the design, or caregivers in need of the design, to contact them.

Reach them at FightCovid@Materialise.be.