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 Published Thursday, May 21, 2020
to Social Security
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Even though 3D printing started in the 1980s, it has recently become more relevant, and in the presence of the new coronavirus, it has turned into a key tool for creating personal protective equipment for covid-19 frontline workers.
In Costa Rica, this printing method is now used to produce facial protectors and surgical visors to donate to health workers.
Students of the University of Costa Rica, known as UCR for its acronym in Spanish, launched an initiative with the collaboration of multinational companies such as Akamai Technologies and Boston Scientific to 3D print facial protection masks.
Massachusetts- based Akamai Technologies, has a branch in Escazú District in San José Province, is a global content delivery network, cybersecurity, and cloud service company providing web and Internet security services.
As part of this initiative, Akamai is focusing on the design and prototyping of facial protectors and surgical visors, while Boston Scientific is working on producing parts for clear masks via 3D printing.
Also, Massachusetts- based Boston Scientific Corporation, is a manufacturer of medical devices, has two branches in Alajuela and Heredia Provinces.
“With the UCR and under the leadership of Mario Peña, senior solutions specialist and Francisco Vargas, senior data engineer of Akamai Costa Rica, we are designing and prototyping surgical viewers for personnel assisting the health emergency," said Andrés González, Site Manager for Akamai Technologies. "Currently, and thanks to the 3D printing equipment that we have in our Innovation Laboratory (Danny’s Lab), we print parts for the creation of these devices that are needed for health personnel and other areas.”
Boston Scientific is producing parts for masks via 3D printing.
“What Boston Scientific is doing is directly related to the promotion of healthcare and protection of people’s health," said Luis Javier Serrano, Vice President of Operations of the Boston Scientific. "This drives us to find innovative and creative ways to support those who are on the frontline and who are tirelessly working towards overcoming this pandemic.”
According to Serrano, among the initiatives that stand out, the corporation has taken on the collaboration project with the UCR to produce and donate clear masks to Social Security.
These masks will serve healthcare workers in charge of taking care of patients with covid-19.
"It is a key moment for all of us to unite efforts to contribute and come out winning from this situation,” said Serrano.
According to Boston Scientific staff, they require an average of three hours to 3D-print the necessary masks. More than 300 sets have been produced and provided to the Social Security after the UCR staff assembles each mask with an elastic band and protection screen.
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What other international company branches in the country should be making donations to health workers during the pandemic? We would like to know your
thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
