Neurosurgeon, dentist's 3D printed masks evolved production, being made worldwide: 5 details

Spine

The masks a Billings, Mont.-based neurosurgeon and dentist designed for 3D printers have gone global, with the open-source software file shared in 148 countries, according to the Billings Gazette.

 

Five things to know:

1. The design has gone beyond 3D printers to include injectable mold production through Spark R&D to allow for mass production and a more comfortable feel.

2. Dusty Richardson, MD, is a neurosurgeon with Billings Clinic who worked on the design alongside dentist Spencer Zaugg, DDM, and his son Colton Zaugg, who has a degree in microbiology.

3. The mask has a replaceable filter, making it ideal to stem the spread of COVID-19. The design is free online and has gained national attention.

4. With the production now transitioned to Spark R&D, the company can produce 2,800 masks per day. With the 3D printer, it could take about three hours to print one mask.

5. The developers also connected with Flowmark/HighTech Filters, a fiber manufacturing business, to create the reusable filters, which are being sent across the U.S.

 

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