This course is designed for healthcare professionals, biomedical technicians, clinical engineers and students in technical fields who are involved, or preparing to be, in the maintenance of medical equipment in low-resource healthcare settings.
In many hospitals and clinics, especially in low-resource settings, medical devices often become unusable due to the lack of affordable spare parts and there is often also a shortage of locally available assistive and training devices that could strengthen healthcare delivery. This course equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to address these issues using filament 3D printing technologies.
A hands-on approach
Participants will explore how 3D printing can be used to design and manufacture spare parts for biomedical equipment, as well as to create low-cost assistive tools (such as mobility aids and adaptive devices) and training models that support clinical education. Through hands-on modules, you will understand the core principles of additive manufacturing and gain familiarity with 3D printing tools, materials and techniques suitable for healthcare contexts. Using CAD software, students will learn to design replacement parts and apply principles of iterative prototyping to improve design quality and performance.
Beyond design, the course also focuses on how to operate and maintain low-cost 3D printers, troubleshoot common issues and ensure that printed components meet safety and functionality standards. You will be introduced to practical case studies and real-world examples to understand the challenges and opportunities of implementing 3D printing in resource-limited healthcare contexts.
By the end of the course, you will be able to independently design, produce, and evaluate spare parts, assistive devices and training tools using 3D printing. You will also be empowered to contribute to open-source communities and implement sustainable repair practices in your own institutions or regions. This course has the potential to significantly enhance your professional impact, allowing you to extend the lifespan of medical equipment, reduce downtime and improve healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings.
