The Georges Charpak Institute of Human Biomechanics(IBHGC), located on the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Paris, has been participating for several weeks in the 3D Covid project, a high-speed printing platform set up by the Paris Public Hospital System to meet the urgent healthcare needs of medical staff. Testimonial from Sébastien Laporte, Director of the Institute.
What is the objective of the 3D Covid project?
The Covid 3D project aims to manufacture "equipment for healthcare workers and for treating patients: protective face shields, valves for emergency ventilators, intubation equipment, masks, handles, etc. All of this is being done under the supervision of the start-up Bone 3D. The project is led by Dr. Roman Hossein KHONSARI (MCU-PH, Necker Hospital, University of Paris) and Jérémy ADAM (Bone3D).
The idea is to share the files needed for 3D printing with everyone once the system designs have been validated, so that they can be useful to as many people as possible. The AP-HP has set up a website where healthcare staff can find all the parts that can be printed (open source). Some models have been validated as emergency medical devices for the APHP, while others are at the prototype stage and undergoing clinical evaluation.
Why did the Georges Charpak Institute of Biomechanics decide to get involved in this project?
The Georges Charpak Institute of Human Biomechanics has been working in partnership with Bone3D for several years, and we have a joint doctoral thesis project with the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Pediatric Plastic Surgery.
The IBHGC became involved in this project for several reasons, including:
- Being able to make IBHGC's various areas of expertise in design and 3D printing in the medical field available to the platform.
- Promote this initiative within the Arts et Métiers community and thus benefit from the expertise of our staff and students.
How is the Institute involved in the project?
Several members of IBHGC (research engineers, lecturers, doctoral students) are participating in the development and design of the 3D Covid project. Covid project.
Among other things, we can mention Xavier Bonnet's design and development work on a device that allows doors to be opened with the forearm , and Sylvain Persohn's geometric evaluation and dimensional control of printed parts using the institute's µScanner.
Personally, I try to connect members of the Arts et Métiers network Arts et Métiers healthcare professionals involved in the 3D Covid project, whether for design issues or for needs related to system validation.
How does the 3D Covid project tie in with the production of visors on the Arts et Métiers campuses?
I believe that in times like these, every action counts. The visor production projects and the 3D Covid project are highly complementary, as they share the same goal: to help healthcare workers to the best of our ability. I would also like to highlight the tremendous involvement of the school staff in their efforts to produce visors. It is important to relay the school's call for donations:
In order to continue manufacturing visors, theArts et Métiers teamsArts et Métiers materials: plastic film, elastic bands, and plastic spools for 3D printers. Do you or your company have this type of material? Contact your nearest campus to donate it!
If you are in the Paris area and would like to donate equipment, please contactbre.paris@ensam.eu!
