This Master s dissertation examines the potentialities and limitations of additive manufacturing in the production of medical devices in response to the growing global demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research seeks to understand the implications of project adaptations, compliance with regulations, and the creation of a resilient and sustainable production chain, using low-cost 3D printers. Furthermore, the research instigates reflections on the intersection between medicine and design, stimulating new research in this interdisciplinary field. The study delves into the analysis of design adaptations and explores an alternative production chain that is more resilient and has less environmental impact. The research considers the possibility of using hospital waste as raw material for the production of medical components, a practice that can reduce disposal costs and the carbon footprint. In addition, it discusses the implementation of DRAM (Distributed Recycling and Additive Manufacturing) in hospital environments to respond to health demands in scenarios of supply chain disruption. The research raises important questions about the frontier between medicine and technology, highlighting the importance of ethical and social responsibility in scientific and technological evolution. It argues the importance of proper maintenance of medical equipment and the vital role that additive manufacturing can play in the quick production of replacement parts, especially in emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. With a detailed analysis of the elbow, a practical project developed during the master s program, the research identifies the need for restructuring manufacturing processes, taking into account economic and geographic factors. The project s experience instigated enriching discussions about the role of the designer, the power of digital manufacturing technology, and the relevance of this activity in emergency situations.