Day 33 Materialise

Materialise, a 3D printing company from Belgium has developed several products to support treatment and containment of the Coronavirus. They have distributed a free design for a 3D-printed door opener that helps reduce the transmission of the coronavirus. The crafty invention can be mounted on top of a classic door handle, making it easier for people to open and close doors with their forearms instead of their hands. Materialise also developed a 3D printed shopping cart handle to allow users to steer carts with their arms rather than touching handles with bare hands. The company is also working hard on the development of the NIP connector, a device to convert standard equipment available in most hospitals, into a mask to facilitate breathing for patients by creating positive pressure in the lungs.

3D printing allows for fast and local manufacturing of medical devices and makes it possible to quickly bring solutions to hospitals.

Other manufacturers are also contributing 3D-printing materials and expertise to the fight against the coronavirus, including Total Corbion PLA, DSM, Design that Matters and Siemens.