COVID-19 Response

3D Printing Ventilator Adapter

This project was initiated because of the possible shortage of medical ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several studies have shown that a single ventilator could be used for multiple patients simultaneously to meet disaster surge. We designed these ventilator adapters and used 3D printers to create them.

This project is not conducted to make a profit. We hope our hospitals never will need to have multiple patients share a single ventilator, but we must prepare for the worst. 

This webpage serves two purposes: To share the adapter designs, and to share the demand and supply information. Please contact us if:

  • You have a 3D printer and are willing to help with production.
  • You work in a hospital and need adapters.
  • You would like to contribute your design.

"Save one life, and it will all be worth it."
— New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (March 20).

Access to 3D Printers

If you have 3D printers and are willing to help on production, please fill out the 3D Printing Supplier Registration Form.

Hospitals in Need

If you work in a hospital and need adapters, please fill in the Hospital Request Form.

Here is the ventilator-sharing protocol developed by Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and New York-Presbyterian Hospital (version date: March 24): Ventilatorsharingprotocol.pdf

Adapters Manufactured by 3D Printing

  • 2 Outlets
  • 4 Outlets
  • 6 Outlets

Details of each adapter can be found below.

Adaptors

2 Outlets

4 Outlets

6 Outlets
Ventilator Models Puritan Bennett™ 980 and 840 Puritan Bennett™ 980 and 840 Puritan Bennett™ 980 and 840
CAD Drawing Adaptors X2 outlet (Triangle Support).STEP.zip Adaptors X4 outlet (Triangle Support).STEP.zip X6adaptor.step.zip
STL File X2adaptor.stl X4adaptor.stl X6adaptor.stl
Printer Model Prusa i3mk3s Prusa i3mk3s, Ultimaker S5 Prusa i3mk3s
Materials PETG PETG PETG
Printing Parameters and Time 0.2 mm layer thickness, 100% infill, 5-7 hours printing time per pair. (Our design needs no supports for internal structures.) 0.2 mm layer thickness, 100% infill, 10-15 hours printing time per pair. (Our design needs no supports for internal structures.) 0.2 mm layer thickness, 100% infill, 10-15 hours printing time per pair. (Our design needs no supports for internal structures.)
Photos 2 outlet ventilator adaptor 4 outlet adaptors 6 outlet adaptors
Testing Preliminarily tested at Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital; in progress at UHS Hospitals Preliminarily tested at Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital; in progress at UHS Hospitals Not tested yet

University Related News

News Coverage

Risks

To clinicians: Please be fully aware of the risk before attempting to ventilate multiple patients with one ventilator. Please read the statement from the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), and American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST).