Design of 3D-Printed Nasopharyngeal Swabs for Children is Enabled by Radiologic Imaging

Z. Starosolski; P. Admane; J. Dunn; B. Kaziny; T.A.G.M. Huisman; A. Annapragada

doi:10.3174/ajnr.A6794

Abstract

SUMMARY: 3D-printed nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing address the national shortage of swabs. Swab designs for adult use were placed in the public domain in March 2020. Swabs for pediatric use, however, need to be smaller and more flexible to navigate delicate pediatric nasopharyngeal cavities. We describe a novel use of maxillofacial CT scans to aid in the design of pediatric nasopharyngeal swabs.

ABBREVIATIONS:

COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019
RT-PCR: real-time polymerase chain reaction

Footnotes

This work was partially funded by a grant from the Soicher Family Foundation to A.A.
Disclosures: Zbigniew Starosolski—UNRELATED: Patents (Planned, Pending or Issued): Texas Children’s Hospital, Comments: submitted invention disclosure form to Texas Children’s Hospital for a patent titled “Design of Pediatric 3D Printed Nasopharyngeal Swab on June 16, 2020; Stock/Stock Options: Alzeca Biosciences stock. Prasad Admane—RELATED: Grant: Baylor College of Medicine, Comments: Soicher Family Foundation*; RELATED: Patents (Planned, Pending or Issued): Texas Children’s Hospital, Comments: submitted invention disclosure form to Texas Children’s Hospital for a patent titled “Design of Pediatric 3D Printed Nasopharyngeal Swab" on June 16, 2020. Ananth Annapragada—RELATED: Grant: Soicher Family Foundation, Comments: to support work on bioprinting*; UNRELATED: Board Membership: Alzeca Biosciences; Consultancy: Alzeca Biosciences; Grants/Grants Pending: National Institutes of Health, Comments: I have several grants pending at National Institutes of Health*; Patents (Planned, Pending or Issued): numerous US and foreign patent applications, Comments: The full list can be obtained at https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/advancedSearch.jsf using search terms: IN: Ananth AND IN: Annapragada*; Royalties: University of Texas, Comments: royalties on patents licensed by the University of Texas to third parties; Stock/Stock Options: Sensulin, Alzeca Biosciences, Comments: I am a significant stockholder in Sensulin and Alzeca Biosciences; Other: Abbott Laboratories, Comments: I am a significant stockholder. *Money paid to the institution.