MONTRÉAL, April 10, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - In order to offer support to the hospital sector during the fight against COVID-19, researchers from École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) Research Centre and the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS NIM) have joined forces with the clinical teams at CHUM and CIUSSS NIM to provide 3D printing services for the medical and non-medical equipment required by health-care workers.
The purpose of mobilizing this team – which has already resulted in the delivery of 1000 face shields to health-care workers at CHUM – is to align existing 3D-printing capabilities with the equipment needs of the hospital sector. (CNW Group/École de technologie supérieure)
A nurse wearing a face shield. (CNW Group/École de technologie supérieure)
Jacques de Guise, Professor at ÉTS and Researcher at the CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM). (CNW Group/École de technologie supérieure)
François DeBlois, Chief of physics in the CHUM Radio-oncology Department. (CNW Group/École de technologie supérieure)
The purpose of mobilizing this team – which has already resulted in the delivery of 1000 face shields to health-care workers at CHUM – is to align existing 3D-printing capabilities with the equipment needs of the hospital sector.
The team is creating prototypes and printing medical and protective equipment to meet the needs of hospitals until such time as their usual suppliers are able to fulfil the demand. The objective is to quickly produce face shields, swabs used in testing for COVID-19, adaptors for protective mask filters and for connections to respirators, as well as protective tents for surgery.
According to Jacques de Guise, Professor at ÉTS and Researcher at the CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM): "We are currently able to create a minimum of 500 face shields per day. Our team is following Health Canada's recommendations for the production of equipment, in addition to having established links with the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) in order to ensure that the needs of the health network are properly met." The production capacity may be increased in the coming days, with the cooperation of industrial partners and social economy companies from the Fab Labs and Living Labs network, along with citizens and students who have 3D printers. Approximately fifty of them are already supporting the team on a voluntary basis.
This type of cooperation they are hoping for is reflected in their mood and in the name of this unique group from Québec: Covi3d (Création ouverte et vivante en impression 3D).
ÉTS is giving its partners at CHUM and CIUSSS NIM access to 3D printers, materials and specialized personnel, including engineers, technicians and students, in order to facilitate the manufacture of this protective equipment, along with the required medical and non-medical equipment.
At CHUM, François DeBlois and Stéphane Bedwani, both Medical Physicists and Researchers, are offering their expertise and the services of the "Carrefour d'impression 3D en santé" (Health-related 3D printing centre), which normally serves the needs of the CHUM Radio-Oncology Department and other hospital sectors. Specialized personnel, including engineers and technicians, are responsible for overseeing the centre's operations.
François DeBlois, Chief of physics in the CHUM Radio-Oncology Department, explains: "It is extraordinary to see the entire Québec scientific community joining forces in the area of 3D printing. It has come together in a spirit of cooperation and openness to support the teams of health-care workers on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19."
"This initiative is the fruit of a productive joint effort involving the research and medical departments of three major institutions, and is a source of great pride for us", adds Daniel Sinnett, Director of Research, Education and Innovation at CIUSSS NIM.
The Covi3d team The multidisciplinary team is coordinated by Stéphane Bedwani, Medical Physicist at CHUM and Researcher at CRCHUM; François DeBlois, Medical Physicist at CHUM and Researcher at CRCHUM; Jacques A. de Guise, Professor in the Systems Engineering Department at ÉTS and Researcher at CRCHUM; and Kathy Malas, Deputy President-Director General – Innovation and Artificial Intelligence at CHUM.
The following individuals are involved in this initiative: Sophie Lerouge, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department (ÉTS) and Researcher (CRCHUM); Vladimir Brailovski, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department (ÉTS) and Researcher (CIUSSS NIM); Yvan Petit, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department (ÉTS) and Researcher (CIUSSS NIM Research Centre); Éric Wagnac, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department (ÉTS) and Researcher (CIUSSS NIM Research Centre); Lucas Hof, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department (ÉTS).
About ÉTS École de technologie supérieure is one of ten constituents of the Université du Québec network. It trains engineers and researchers who are recognized for their practical and innovative approach, the development of new technologies and their skill at transferring their knowledge to companies. Almost one-quarter of all engineers in Québec graduated from ÉTS, which boasts 10,000 students, including 2,650 at the graduate and post-graduate level. ÉTS specializes in applied training and research in engineering, and maintains a unique partnership with the business sector and with industry. For more information, please visit etsmtl.ca.
About CHUM The Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal is an innovative hospital devoted to serving patients and the Quebec population. It provides the highest quality of specialized and ultraspecialized care to patients, and, through its unique expertise and innovations, improves the health of the adult and aging population. As the Université de Montréal hospital, CHUM is dedicated to care, research, teaching, health promotion, and the assessment of technology and health intervention methods. Since the fall of 2017, patients and their families have been able to enjoy a renewed hospital experience at CHUM's new facilities. chumontreal.qc.ca
About the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal Encompassing 26 health care and social services installations in five boroughs in the northern section of Montréal, the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal is responsible for organizing and developing health care and social services for the 436,000 Montréal citizens within its territory. It also offers specialized services to 1.8 million Québecers from other regions of the Province, primarily in the areas of traumatology, respiratory health, cardiovascular health and mental health. The CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal is affiliated with Université de Montréal, and focuses on three main research priorities: biomedical research, social research and research into the mental health of children and adolescents.
SOURCE École de technologie supérieure
Chantal Crevier, ÉTS Communication Service, [email protected], 514-396-8800, extension 7893; Lucie Dufresne, Communication and access to information directorate, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), 514 890-8000, ext. 15380, [email protected]; Emilie Jacob, Media relations and public affairs office, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, 514-331-3418, [email protected]
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