WASHINGTON, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a release on Monday that it is possible to use 3D printing to make certain personal protective equipment (PPE) while noting technical challenges for ensuring a full effectiveness.
The PPE includes protective clothing, gowns, gloves, face shields, goggles, face masks, and respirators or other gear designed to protect from injury or virus infection or illness.
While it is possible to use 3D printing to make certain PPE, there are technical challenges that have to be overcome to make the products effective enough, said the FDA.
"3D-printed PPE may provide a physical barrier, but 3D-printed PPE are unlikely to provide the same fluid barrier and air filtration protection as FDA-cleared surgical masks and N95 respirators," said the agency.
The 3D-printed masks may look like conventional PPE, it said, however, they may not provide the same level of barrier protection, fluid resistance, filtration, and infection control.
Currently, the United States is the country hardest hit by the novel coronavirus, with over 360,000 cases so far confirmed. The public health crisis has put a strain on its medical resources, highlighted by a shortage of medical equipment including face masks and ventilators.
