Optimal design for 3D printed nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs for COVID-19 detection.

用于 COVID-19 检测的 3D 打印鼻咽 (NP) 拭子的优化设计。

• 批准号: 554501-2020
• 负责人: Natale, Giovanniantonio
• 金额: $ 3.64万
• 依托单位: University of Calgary
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=705519
• 关键词: Optimal; design; 3D; printed; nasopharyngeal

This research project seeks funds for developing optimal designs for 3D printed nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs for COVID-19 detection. 3D printed NP swabs have been identified as a viable methodology to manufacture NP swabs in large quantities considering the need highlighted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, to be brought to the market and used clinically, NP swabs still suffers various limitations in quality and quantity of sample collected, patient discomfort and limited mechanical stability. Here we propose to develop numerical simulations to improve the current NP swab design features to optimize sample collections. This optimization will take into account the mucus rheological properties and the local stresses on the mucosa generated during the NP swab motion for sample collection. Simulations rather then experiments are ideal to perform this optimization because the large variability in mucus rheology and physiognomy of the population. This large variability makes an experimental approach time consuming and highly demanding. This optimized design will benefit the management of COVID-19 in Canada by reducing a) the number of false negatives, b) the risks for qualified personnel and c) the associated use of personal protective equipment.

该研究项目为开发用于3D印刷鼻咽（NP）拭子的最佳设计的资金用于COVID-19检测。考虑到最近的Covid-19-19大流行的需求，3D打印的NP拭子已被确定为可行的NP拭子的可行方法。但是，要被带到市场并在临床上使用，NP拭子仍然遭受了收集的样本，患者不适和机械稳定性有限的质量和数量的各种限制。在这里，我们建议开发数值模拟，以改善当前的NP拭子设计功能，以优化样品收集。该优化将考虑到NP拭子运动期间产生的粘膜的粘液流变特性和局部应力。仿真而不是实验是执行此优化的理想选择，因为粘液流变学和人群的较大差异。这种巨大的可变性使实验方法耗时且高度要求。这种优化的设计将通过减少a）假否定因素的数量，b）合格人员的风险以及c）相关使用个人保护设备的风险来受益于加拿大Covid-19的管理。