At the pediatric intensive care unit of Emma Children’s Hospital at Amsterdam UMC, children aged 0 to 7 can receive custom-made ventilation masks.
Standard masks often do not fit properly: they may be too large, slip into the mouth, or cause air leaks and pressure sores.
To prevent these problems, the development team uses a medically certified 3D printer to produce soft, flexible, and personalised masks. Researcher Rosemijne Pigmans explains more about this innovation and demonstrates how the masks are made in the video below.
The manufacturing process begins when a doctor or nurse submits a request to the MedTech Prototyping & Development department at Amsterdam UMC, the hospital’s “engineering bureau.”
A 3D scan of the child’s face is then created. Based on this scan, the team designs a digital model of the mask cushion, which is 3D-printed and combined with a ready-made frame. This allows the customised mask to be produced and provided to the patient quickly.
With these custom-made masks, healthcare providers aim to reduce air leaks and prevent pressure sores while improving comfort for seriously ill children.
There are plans to expand the technique to older children, children requiring long-term ventilation, and potentially adults.
