Open Source Nasopharyngeal Swab and UV Curing System

This repository hosts the open-source design files, instructions, and validation results for a parametric nasopharyngeal swab and UV curing system. The designs are tailored for distributed manufacturing using accessible 3D printing technologies. Originally developed to address swab shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, this project aims to provide a low-cost, scalable solution for clinical testing and other medical applications.

Features

• Parametric Design: Fully customizable in OpenSCAD to adapt swab and handle features for specific needs.
  • Tested with github.com/CameronBrooks11/OpenSCAD-Batch-Export
• Distributed Manufacturing: Designed for SLA 3D printers and modular UV curing systems, enabling local production with low-cost, accessible equipment.
• Validated Performance: Mechanical testing ensures durability and safety for clinical applications.
• Open Source: Licensed under GNU GPL v3.0 and CERN OHL v1.2 for maximum accessibility and collaboration.

Cost Overview

• Nasopharyngeal Swabs:
  • Press-fit handle: ~$0.06/swab
  • Tong-style handle: ~$0.11/swab
• Modular UV Curing System: $45 total

Included Components

1. Swab Design Files:
   • Parametric OpenSCAD files for the swab and handle.
   • STL files for SLA and FFF printers.
2. UV Curing System:
   • Design files for modular PCBs and 3D printable components.
   • Assembly instructions and parts list.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

• Swabs: UV resin for swab heads and thermoplastics (e.g., PLA, PETG) for handles.
• UV System: Modular PCB components, UV LEDs, 3D printed brackets, and power supply.

How to Use

Swab Fabrication

1. Print swab heads using SLA 3D printers.
2. Print handles using FFF 3D printers.
3. Assemble and cure swabs in the UV curing system.

UV Curing System Assembly

1. Solder PCBs and assemble the modular curing box.
2. Connect power and ensure system functionality with a multimeter.

Validation

• Follow the provided mechanical testing protocols for tensile strength and break points.
• Conduct clinical testing in accordance with FDA or regional guidelines.

Licensing

This project is licensed under:

• GNU General Public License (GPL) v3.0
• CERN Open Hardware License (OHL) v1.2

Contributing

Contributions to improve the design, validation, or documentation are welcome. Please open an issue or submit a pull request.

Citation

If you use this project in your work, please cite the original paper:
Gallup, N., Pringle, A. M., Oberloier, S., Tanikella, N. G., & Pearce, J. M. (2020). Parametric nasopharyngeal swab for sampling COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses: Open source design, SLA 3-D printing and UV curing system. HardwareX, 8, e00135.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Witte Foundation and benefited from the contributions of numerous collaborators listed in the publication.

For more details, visit the source paper or access original files on the Open Science Framework (OSF).