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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Development of a 3D Individualized Mask for Neonatal

Non-Invasive Ventilation

Cristina Borràs-Novell *, Mario García Causapié , Maria Murcia , Damien Djian ,
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3
4
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Óscar García-Algar¹
¹Department of Neonatology. BCNatal – Center for Fetomaternal and Neonatal Medicine Barcelona. Hospital Clínic.
Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona, 08028, Spain
2 Biomedical Engineering. Hospital Clínic. Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona, 08036, Spain
3 Elkem Siliconas España. Santa Perpetua de Mogoda, Spain
4 Elkem Silicones France SAS. Saint Fons, France

Abstract: Non-invasive masks are designed based on generic facial models; therefore, difficulties in fitting patients’ unique
characteristics are common. A poor fit of the mask may have consequences such as air leaks or pressure ulcers. It is possible to
optimize the fit of interfaces by adapting them to a patient’s face. Our objective is to design an individualized silicone mask for
non-invasive ventilation for a premature phantom using a three-dimensional (3D) scanner and bioprinter. The facial surface
of the manikin was scanned with a 3D scanner in a supine position, in an incubator with a sliding mattress and in <2 min. We
printed the tailor-made mask in 3 h with biocompatible and hypoallergenic silicone. When applied under a simulated clinical
scenario, the mask possessed good structural reliability after post-processing and optimal mechanical features. We observed
adequate thoracic excursion and 14% reduction in air leaks when the manikin was ventilated with the customized mask with a
neonatal ventilator. We ink the edges of personalized and standard masks. After fitting them to phantoms, personalized mask
showed better pressure distribution. Our subsequent research direction is to test the viability of personalizing non-invasive
ventilation masks for very preterm infants of our department.
Keywords: Premature infant; Non-invasive ventilation; Mask; Pressure ulcer; 3D printing

*Correspondence to: Cristina Borràs-Novell, Department of Neonatology. BCNatal – Center for Fetomaternal and Neonatal Medicine Barcelona.
Hospital Clínic. Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona, 08028, Spain; cborrasn@clinic.cat
Received: November 18, 2021; Accepted: December 29, 2021; Published Online: February 24, 2022

Citation: Borràs-Novell, C., Causapié, M.G., Murcia, M, et al., 2022, Development of a 3D Individualized Mask for Neonatal Non-Invasive
Ventilation. Int J Bioprint, 8(2):516. http://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.v8i2.516

1. Introduction 3D printing. Although the applications of 3D printing are
still limited in neonatology, a specialty that has undergone
The application of three-dimensional (3D) printing for a significant technological advancement in recent decades,
medical purposes has become more common in recent it is expected that this technology will contribute to the
years, and it’s application has been further accelerated due individualization of neonatal care . Recent publications
[2]
to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic . have demonstrated the viability to create individualized
[1]
3D printing is a technology that allows printing solid masks for occupational health, aerosol therapy or non-
objects in different materials by overlapping layers in cross invasive ventilation (NIV) in adults and children [3-7] .
sections. The 3D models can be created de novo or by NIV is used in neonatology departments worldwide.
replicating an existing object with the use of a 3D scanner. NIV requires the use of an interface that connects the
Although the literature related to 3D printing in ventilator to the patient. There are different types of
medicine remains scarce, disciplines such as dentistry, interfaces; one of the most used in neonatology is nasal
reconstructive surgery, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery mask. NIV masks are designed based on generic facial
are among the top disciplines that have proven the utility of models; therefore, difficulties in fitting patients’ unique facial

© 2022 Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting distribution and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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