The covid-19 crisis in the Czech Republic mobilised individuals, communities, research institutions, and companies into an unprecedented drive of activity and sharing in order to fill the gap in protective gear and medical equipment. Contributing to the common cause, many offer free use of their research in countering covid-19 worldwide.

In reaction to the acute shortage of protective wear for medical personnel, manufacturer of 3D printers Prusa Research has quickly developed and started to mass-produce face shields. Hundreds of thousands of shields have been printed and donated to medics and other professionals in the Czech Republic. However, the shortage is global and everyone with a 3D printer can help: the design of the shields is fully open-source, anyone can produce it and/or modify it. The shields are made from easily accessible and inexpensive materials. Additional information may be found at the web of Prusa Research.

Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics at the Czech Technical University (CIIRC CTU) developed a prototype of safety half-mask RP95 that is printable and can be produced anywhere in the world. While there are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of projects seeking to quickly design emergency medical equipment, CIIRC RP95-3D is one of the few that have received official certifications. The development and certification of the product has been accomplished in one week.

The CIIRC RP95-3D is a personal protective equipment with a P3 replaceable external filter. It meets at least the same degree of protection as a FFP3 class respirator. The mask can be reused thanks to proven sterilization and disinfection procedures. Holders of MultiJet Fusion technology can download and use the data for 3D printing. As their contribution to fighting covid-19, the authors of the prototype provide the license for the production free.

A civic initiative Covid19CZ launched a crowdfunding campaign in order to develop a low-cost ventilator from readily available parts and deliver the product to hospitals free of charge. The initiative included biomedical research scientists, hospital doctors working in Intensive Care Units, and engineers specialised in electronics and manufacturing.

The prototype ventilator under the CoroVent project was completed at the end of March, five pieces are being tested and serial production is supposed to start in mid-April. The device documentation may be downloaded at the CoroVent Project web and used under a temporary open licence.