Ingenuity in a Time of Need

Since the beginning of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, one thing has been on everybody’s mind: Are hospitals adequately equipped to deal with this safely and effectively? It became clear early on that hospitals around the world were ill-prepared to deal with the oncoming wave of COVID 19 positive individuals. Canadian hospitals have been more prepared than those in other countries, but supplies are stretched thin. Luckily, there are those with large hearts and ready resources who are prepared to do what they can to aid hospital staff.

A proud Fox and his creations.

One such man is Tim Fox: An engineer with a heart of gold and a now very active 3D printer. Mr. Fox has been in communication with both the Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe, Norfolk County as well as the Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville, Haldimand County. He has been creating prototype PPE equipment for the hospitals to utilize so they can be better protected when dealing with those afflicted by the novel corona virus.

(left to right) 3D printed headbands, face shields and Y Ventilator connector pieces.

Designing the Y connector.

Aside from printing PPE equipment, he has also been designing and printing custom Y connection parts for ventilators so they may be used by two patients at the same time.

There are other 3D printer enthusiasts that have decided to put their resources to work as well, like this story about a Tilsonburg man who had the same idea.

I’ve attached the full Q & A from the interview that I facilitated with Mr. Fox over email last week below. Please do read over it, and if you too own a 3D printer or any type of resources that could be utilized to aid hospital efforts, do not hesitate to put them to work. You might just inspire a movement while you’re at it.

Graem’s Kauch: Tell me about your 3D printing initiative.

Tim Fox: I recently bought a 3D printer, and have been experimenting with it a lot - and heard from some colleagues in Germany that home 3D printers were being used to produce PPE for hospitals due to Covid19 - from there, and a few internet searches I got started.  I also convinced a couple friends, including one local guy to also buy 3D printers, so I recruited them for the effort also.

GK: What inspired you to do this?

TF: Just wanting to be able to do something small to be helpful, while remaining socially distant at the same time.

GK: What’s the plan for implementation at the local hospitals?

TF: Not totally sure at the moment.  It so happens that one of the lead doctors at the hospital is my neighbour, so I mentioned it to her and that is how we got started.  We had previously provided some to NACL and some to a team at Norview.  

GK: Are there plans to implement this at other hospitals?

TF: At this point, with travel restrictions, I hadn't planned on reaching out farther than Norfolk.  In other municipalities, such as Hamilton and Kitchener, larger and frankly, better planned initiatives are bringing the 3D printing community together to make really massive amounts of PPE.  A company called Inksmith in Kitchener, and 3D printing Canada in Hamilton are both worth looking up - they started collecting parts from the community, then assembling, doing quality checks and then dispatching to the local health networks.  Sadly, once the non-essential travel ban came in place, it was no longer possible for us to take parts to them in this way.

GK: Any closing comments for those wanting to help who haven’t yet found inspiration to do so?

TF: All i would say is that sometimes the best way to deal with BIG issues is if everyone tries to get involved in some small way - doesn't have to be anything fancy - whatever it is you are good at.  There are few things worse than feeling helpless - so get out there and do something instead!

If you liked the article, I’d love for you to click the like button and share it on your social media. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below as well if you would be so inclined. Its been a while since my last journo style article post, but seeing as we are all trapped inside for the foreseeable future I’ll be writing a lot more often.

If you like gaming, be sure to follow me on my new twitch.tv/GraemsKauch channel. I stream four times per week and would love to see you in the community I’m building. Cheers for now, and as always, take a seat.