Experimental and numerical study of 3D-printed parts for a pulmonary ventilator circuit

Resumo

The speed of propagating COVID-19 has culminated in an alert from the World Health Organization,
characterized by a global health problem and an emergency state. In Brazil, the growing demand for obtaining
spare parts for respirators motivated researchers of the University of Brasilia to assist in the task force of providing
studies in this area. The 3D printing could be a solution for the low-cost respirator parts replacement attending
ISO standards. Such verification is the main objective of the current work. The structural integrity tests showed

the agreement of the 3D-printed parts with the ISO 80601-2-80 technical requirements. The numerical simula-
tions were based on the transient Navier-Stokes equations to study the flow patterns in a ventilator circuit with

original and printed components. The geometry discretization method took into account boundary layer and flow
recirculation zones. The following studies have been analyzed: simulation of the flow path built from the original
components and 3D-printed components, doubled flow circuit for two patients, and an evaluation of the usability of
the newly fabricated parts. The simulation results showed reduced pressure losses and improved flow patterns for
the newly designed 3D-printed parts and their complete attendance to the ISO requirements to medical connections.