The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of paying attention to the development of science, medicine, as well as engineering and making. Now, during an acute shortage of medical protective equipment and intensive care, inventors and enthusiasts from around the world are contributing to the fight against the disease. So when a new coronavirus infection came to Italy, Italian hospitals faced a catastrophic influx of patients with COVID-19 in serious condition. One of these hospitals spent all the valves for ventilators. Turning directly to the supplier to agree on an urgent delivery of a new batch, the administration received a negative answer: the company was not able to arrange the supply of valves in a short time.
Then a group of Italian volunteers decided to use a 3D printer in order to print unofficial copies of the patented valve. The Italians emphasized that an official product is the best long-term solution, but at the moment, hospitals can use their printed alternative to save lives.