Researchers at Simon Fraser University (SFU) are replicating a unique origami art form to create 3D printing technology that could help fight viruses and assist doctors in identifying and diagnosing various health conditions.
Woo Soo Kim, an associate professor at SFU’s College of Mechanical and Electrical Systems Engineering, led a research team to develop a low-cost, portable 3D-printed ventilator powered by a patented smart 3D-printed origami tube.
This portable mechanical ventilator is designed to assist breathing by collapsing a 3D-printed origami tube, rather than compressing a traditional bag valve mask (BVM). This reduces the overall size of the ventilator while maintaining its effectiveness. Furthermore, the 3D-printed design and lightweight materials reduce production costs.
Professor Kim added that the small and lightweight design of the ventilator, along with its low production cost, is useful for treating patients or for patients in out-of-hospital settings who require a small ventilator.
Professor Kim is also developing 3D origami dry electrodes for monitoring patient health in a sensing robot. These dry electrodes can detect and monitor physiological signals such as heart rate, respiration, temperature, and muscle movement. The sensing robot can also monitor oxygen levels, which is particularly useful for critically ill patients. This vital data can be viewed in real-time on the robot's display or sent directly to healthcare professionals. In the future, researchers hope this technology will assist doctors and nurses in remotely assessing patient health.
