With 3D printing, they save patients from the coronavirus then are threatened with a trial

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Italian medical company threatens to sue Italian volunteers for carrying out by 3D printing valves which saved several patients from the coronavirus.

Normally, the company sells the valve for 10,000 euros. With the volunteer technique, the production cost does not exceed 1 euro the unit. Arguing that his intellectual property has been infringed, the manufacturer wants to take the matter to court.

3D printed valves that saved lives from coronavirus

A hospital in Italy recently ran out of precious valves, essential for treating patients with Covid-19. Gold, his usual supplier could not deliver new ones within the desired time.

Cristian Fracassi and Alessandro Ramaioli then offered to print replicas with the 3D printer of their startup Isinnova. After the 3D heart, the technique is gradually entering the medical field.

However, when the duo asked the manufacturer for the plans, the manufacturer refused. To save time facing the coronavirus, they then measure the valves themselves and 3D print three different versions. Until March 14, the method has already saved 10 patients.

This tweet gives a better overview of the valves:

Threats from the manufacturing company

Not content with refusing to help the hospital, the manufacturer is now threatening to press charges against Fracassi and Ramaioli. In fact, blame the two men for violating their patents on the design of the valves.

In their defense, the two colleagues recalled that they did this work as volunteers. Thus, they do not intend to profit financially from their discovery. In a publication on Facebook, Fracassi also points out that this is a question of life or death for affected patients.

Time will tell if the company is acting on its threats. Meanwhile, 3D printed valves continue to save lives as the coronavirus has already affected 204,404 people of which 8,232 have died. For its part, 3D printing continues to amaze in the medical sector.

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