PPE Face Mask Extenders-Ear Savers
Donation protected
My name is Erik Graham, I am a retired small business owner who is currently 3D printing a form of PPE known as Ear Savers. My purpose in setting up this campaign is to raise funds to support the purchase of 2 more Prusa 3D printers and to defray the ongoing expenses of the PLA filament and shipping costs. To date, I personally have invested $2700 and would like to raise an additional $3500 to keep this initiative going. My intent is to make this campaign completely and utterly revenue neutral, any residual funds will be donated to one of the following recipients.
I have been dabbling in 3D printing and design for the last 2-1/2 years. I started by printing a readily available design but soon after, I had an insight into the efficiencies that had been overlooked in the original design. After trying to “fix it” I decided to design a new part from scratch in Fusion 360. As a result I am now able to produce 11 parts in the same time I was previously able to print 7 with no perceivable sacrifices to form or function. I have posted my STL files for others to share on thingiverse.com and cults.com in order to help other printers similarly boost their output.
Although the supply of N95 and Surgical Procedure Masks has improved dramatically, what is emerging is that that the wearing of these masks for long periods of time is spectacularly uncomfortable. Nurses in particular are now reporting that they are getting physical sores from the rubbing of the elastic bands on the soft tissue behind their ears. These Ear Savers probably can’t legally be deemed PPE’s as they do not prevent the spread of any contagions but they are responsible for lending comfort to those who are routinely working 12hour shifts. This holds equally true for kitchen staff and other hospital employees who might not be considered “front line”, yet are no less essential.
The Ear Savers that I produce are printed using PLA filament, which is a plant based, biodegradable polymer and are easily sanitized with soap and water in the work place. They are durable and have been designed to be a “one size fits all” device.
So far my wife and I have produced and distributed nearly 4,000 parts. I have personally reached out and supplied Ear Savers to the following institutions. As an example of the magnitude of need, Sick Kids alone has 10,668 volunteer and full time staff.
Toronto General Hospital Belleville General Hospital
Sick Kids Hospital Lakeridge Health
Trillium Health Partners Grey Bruce Health Unit
St. Joseph’s Hospital Mount Sinai Hospital
Wm. Osler Health System Sunnybrook Hospital
Dorothy Ley Hospice
I have been dabbling in 3D printing and design for the last 2-1/2 years. I started by printing a readily available design but soon after, I had an insight into the efficiencies that had been overlooked in the original design. After trying to “fix it” I decided to design a new part from scratch in Fusion 360. As a result I am now able to produce 11 parts in the same time I was previously able to print 7 with no perceivable sacrifices to form or function. I have posted my STL files for others to share on thingiverse.com and cults.com in order to help other printers similarly boost their output.
Although the supply of N95 and Surgical Procedure Masks has improved dramatically, what is emerging is that that the wearing of these masks for long periods of time is spectacularly uncomfortable. Nurses in particular are now reporting that they are getting physical sores from the rubbing of the elastic bands on the soft tissue behind their ears. These Ear Savers probably can’t legally be deemed PPE’s as they do not prevent the spread of any contagions but they are responsible for lending comfort to those who are routinely working 12hour shifts. This holds equally true for kitchen staff and other hospital employees who might not be considered “front line”, yet are no less essential.
The Ear Savers that I produce are printed using PLA filament, which is a plant based, biodegradable polymer and are easily sanitized with soap and water in the work place. They are durable and have been designed to be a “one size fits all” device.
So far my wife and I have produced and distributed nearly 4,000 parts. I have personally reached out and supplied Ear Savers to the following institutions. As an example of the magnitude of need, Sick Kids alone has 10,668 volunteer and full time staff.
Toronto General Hospital Belleville General Hospital
Sick Kids Hospital Lakeridge Health
Trillium Health Partners Grey Bruce Health Unit
St. Joseph’s Hospital Mount Sinai Hospital
Wm. Osler Health System Sunnybrook Hospital
Dorothy Ley Hospice
Organizer
Erik Graham
Organizer