Disclaimer: For professional use only. Given the exigent circumstances under which this information is being provided, the authors/creators, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, The Texas A&M University System, and their affiliates make no presentations, guarantees or warranties of any kind with respect to the 3D printed MDI Spacer (“Spacer”) or the production and or use of this spacer, whether express or implied, including as to the safety and efficacy of this spacer and any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. The design of this spacer has not been industry tested nor has it been approved by any applicable regulatory agencies or governments. It is intended solely for informational purposes and should only be used if there is no other option and only during the Covid-19 outbreak. This spacer is to be used solely by or in consultation with a trained healthcare professional who can evaluate and determine the suitability of the spacer given the circumstances. Use of biocompatible 3D printable material my cause the spacer to have a limited shelf and use life.
Download the Free EnMed Spacer/Diffuser STL files and Print Your Own Devices
If you want to download these files please fill out our contact form. We’re anticipating that the need at our local hospital may be indicative of a larger need. Consequently, we’d love to hear from you. It’s very short, we’re just requesting a name and email address.
Patients infected with COVID-19 may require inhaled bronchodilator medications (e.g., albuterol). Due to concerns that the use of nebulizers is an aerosol generating treatment, which could spread the virus, health care providers may prefer to deliver these drugs via metered dose inhalers (MDI) to known or suspected COVID-19 patients. To help efficiently deliver the medication to the patient, a device called a spacer is attached to the MDI.
In settings where MDI spacers are not available or so limited in supply that routinely practiced standards of care for using MDI spacers are no longer possible, as a last resort, it may be necessary for health care providers to use MDI spacers that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Below are two 3D printable designs that can be used as a last resort to alleviate MDI spacer shortages. It is important to use a biocompatible 3D printable material when making these devices (e.g. polylactide).
The first is a standalone design:
The STL file for this design can be downloaded by clicking on the text link below:
The second design intended for low resource settings, can be interfaced with the conventional water bottle. These require less 3D printable material and are thus, less expensive to produce. There are actually two versions, one is a barbed design, and the other is a smooth design.
Barbed design:
The STL file for this design can be downloaded by clicking on the text link below:
Barbed Spacer Interface (9 downloads)
Smooth Design:
The STL file for this design can be downloaded by clicking on the text below:
Smooth Spacer Interface (8 downloads)
If you use these files please let us know. We’re anticipating that the need at our local hospital may be indicative of a larger need. Click the button below and send us a message, we’d love to hear from you.
Disclaimer: For professional use only. Given the exigent circumstances under which this information is being provided, the authors/creators, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, The Texas A&M University System, and their affiliates make no presentations, guarantees or warranties of any kind with respect to the 3D printed MDI Spacer (“Spacer”) or the production and or use of this spacer, whether express or implied, including as to the safety and efficacy of this spacer and any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. The design of this spacer has not been industry tested nor has it been approved by any applicable regulatory agencies or governments. It is intended solely for informational purposes and should only be used if there is no other option and only during the Covid-19 outbreak. This spacer is to be used solely by or in consultation with a trained healthcare professional who can evaluate and determine the suitability of the spacer given the circumstances. Use of biocompatible 3D printable material my cause the spacer to have a limited shelf and use life.