At the beginning of 2025, we received an email from Marc Petrykowski, a doctor of anesthesia nursing at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He and his research team are working on a unique and impactful project: improving anesthesia care in Cameroon, Africa, through 3D printing technology.
Their goal is clear—to design and manufacture a low-cost, eco-friendly, and reusable video laryngoscope. This device is intended to assist in the accurate and efficient placement of endotracheal tubes during surgery and will be donated to local medical institutions in Cameroon to improve the safety and quality of anesthesia practices.
Cameroon is a developing country with limited medical resources. Local anesthesia procedures often reflect standards from 30 to 40 years ago. Due to a lack of modern equipment, even basic medical operations can lead to unnecessary complications, seriously threatening patient safety.
The anesthesia nursing team at Webster University has been collaborating with medical institutions in Cameroon for years, offering education, training, and technical support. In 2025, their doctoral project reached a new milestone. Beyond sharing knowledge and experience, they aim to deliver self-developed, 3D printed medical devices to resource-limited regions like Cameroon.
However, as the project progressed, they encountered a critical challenge—the region's humid climate severely affects the quality of 3D printing materials. Cameroon's experiences high humidity year-round, and materials like PLA, PETG, ABS, and especially nylon are extremely moisture-sensitive. Moist filaments can cause printing failures and compromise the mechanical properties and precision of the printed parts. For high-accuracy medical equipment, this poses a significant risk.
Comparison of 3D prints after drying and before drying (school logo is used with permission)
That’s when they turned to EIBOS. They hoped to use EIBOS filament dryers to keep their materials in optimal condition and ensure the reliability and safety of their prints.
As a brand dedicated to innovation in 3D printing technology, EIBOS believes that technology should not be confined to laboratories and factories—it should serve real-life needs and human welfare. We are committed to providing stable, reliable solutions to every 3D printing user, regardless of their industry or location.
Therefore, EIBOS is proud to support this project and help them accomplish this extraordinary mission. We believe that every 3D print is more than just shaping an object—it’s a step toward building a better world. It is an honor for EIBOS to be part of this initiative, and it continues to inspire us to move forward.