Northwell Health has joined the University of South Florida Health, Formlabs and Tampa General Hospital to create 3D printed nasal swabs to test for COVID-19.

The group created the swabs to address emergency shortages to test for COVID-19. The swabs have been tested by clinicians, and will now be produced and used on patients.

“During this current COVID-19 outbreak, there is little time for delay, and the swift, agile and adept action of everyone on this effort will greatly improve this nation’s ability to test patients,” said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president for USF Health.

Summer Decker, director for 3D Clinical Applications in USF Health’s Department of Radiology, said with 3D printed swabs, they will be able to add thousands of swabs a day to testing kits, and treat more patients safely and effectively.

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