MULTIMATERIAL 3D PRINTING FOR THE FABRICATION OF FUNCTIONAL STETHOSCOPES

Stethoscopes are ubiquitous across the healthcare system. For the most part, stethoscopes do not represent a financial burden, mostly throughout the developed world. Further reducing the cost of stethoscopes has both humanitarian and prophylactic goals. The Glia project pioneered the concept of 3D printing stethoscopes for war or poverty-stricken regions of the world. Cross-contamination concerns have led researchers and manufacturers to develop single-use stethoscopes. Our aim is to develop a fully printed, multi-material, functional stethoscope to alleviate these concerns. Our team also seeks to establish a framework for the on-demand manufacturing of medical devices to reduce costs associated with shipping, distribution, and inventory.