Medical Device Innovation
3D
Printed Infant Masks, A Success Story for Silicone in
the Medical Sector
3D printed silicone
Infant masks are being used in the medical sector.
Courtesy of Hospital Clinic Barcelona
The landscape of additive
manufacturing in medical applications is experiencing
a surge in growth, with the global market for 3D
printing in healthcare projected to double from $2
billion in 2021 to around $4 billion by 2026,
according to Global Data forecasts. This burgeoning
sector presents increasing demands on materials,
especially in the diverse realm of medical 3D
printing, encompassing orthopedics, dentistry, and
surgery. Silicone, in particular, is gaining
prominence in medical applications due to its unique
properties.
Silicone’s rising
popularity in the medical field is reflected in the
escalating silicone additive manufacturing (AM)
market, which is estimated to have reached $1.5
billion in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a
compound annual growth rate of 19.9% through 2028.
Silicone’s appeal lies in its biocompatibility, UV
resistance, thermal stability, sterilizability, and
adaptability for 3D printing, making it a valuable
material for medical advancements.
Application of 3D
Printed Silicones
One noteworthy
application of 3D printed silicone is in the
development of medical respiratory masks for premature
infants. Elkem Silicones, in collaboration with the
Hospital Clínic of the University of Barcelona, is
pioneering a proof-of-concept project to create
3D-printed silicone masks tailored to the unique needs
of premature babies requiring respiratory support.
Traditional non-invasive
ventilation techniques, like CPAP devices, often fall
short for infants due to ill-fitting masks designed
for adults. 3D printing addresses this challenge by
enabling the customization and iterative redesign of
masks to accommodate the rapidly growing and
differently shaped faces of infants. Elkem Silicones’
project aims to alleviate issues associated with
generic medical products, which may not fit everyone,
leading to discomfort, pressure sores, scarring, and
potential infections.
Karsten Schlichter,
global business development manager at Elkem
Silicones, emphasizes the crucial role of silicone in
this.
Elkem is focusing on the
production of silicones for additive manufacturing.
Courtesy of Elkem endeavor. Hypoallergenic silicone
serves as the ideal material for baby masks, providing
comfort without leaving scars on infants’ delicate
skin. The combination of soft silicone for facial
contact and stiffer material for ports, seamlessly
integrated through 3D printing, ensures both comfort
and functionality.
While the
proof-of-concept project is ongoing, initial results
are promising, with a 14% reduction in leakage
observed during mannequin tests. The silicone masks
demonstrated enhanced comfort, minimizing the risk of
scarring, ulcers, and infections. Schlichter foresees
a bright future for silicone in additive
manufacturing, emphasizing its versatility in various
applications, from medical to industrial. The ongoing
efforts aim to further expand the possibilities for
silicone in 3D printing technologies.
November 17, 2023
https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2023/11/3d-printed-infantmasks-a-success-story-for-silicone-in-the-medical-sector-002645/#!
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