Media Release

Mangaluru, Apr 15: Prof K V Gangadharan and Dr Pruthviraj U, Centre for System Design (CSD) at National Institute of Technology Karnataka, (NITK) Surathkal had been working with the state and national team to double the capacity of ventilators availability through 3D printed components for circuit splitter and flow regulator for devices for multiple patient lung ventilation.

The design was completed and the first level of test had been conducted at 10 different hospitals in different states. Presently, 3D printers available at NITK Surathkal have not proved sufficient to give the kind of accuracy that is required for medical devices. Thanks to Rajiv Bajaj managing director, M/s Stratasys who readily agreed to provide two industry grade 3D printers capable of working 24x7 and consumables for this purpose for three months and Rudramani vice president and centre head, Dell EMC, Bangalore Design Center and NITK '89 Batch alumni who coordinated the logistics.

Besides, the team at CSD had been engaged in 3D printing of sterilisable bio-safe face shields and N95 masks which are needed for front line medical staff, municipality employees, police and security staff. It has been planned to print about 1000 masks, given the current global shortage of supplies. OHP sheets needed for the face shields have been provided by Rao Xerox from the college library. Moreover, 100 laser cut face shields would be made ready within three days for NITK security personnel.