Today’s medical technology can help diagnose and treat almost any condition — like cardiac catheterization, which is a valuable tool in diagnosing and treating heart disease. And while there are many awe-inspiring stories of medical technology saving lives, not many are about a patient as cute as a dachshund named Patches.
According to the University of Guelph, Michelle Oblak, DVM, DVSc, Diplomate ACVS, ACVS Fellow of Surgical Oncology, with the help of small-animal surgeon Galina M. Hayes, BVSc, MRCVS, PhD, removed a large cancerous tumor from Patches’ skull. After the tumor-ridden skull was removed, the missing skull was replaced with a 3d-printed titanium implant. Not only did the surgery save the dog’s life, but it is groundbreaking for cancer research in both animals and humans.
According to Dr. Oblak, assistant co-director of the U of G’s Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation and board-certified veterinary surgical oncologist at Ontario Veterinary College, “The technology has grown so quickly, and to be able to offer this incredible, customized, state-of-the-art plate in one of our canine patients was really amazing.”
Dr. Oblak’s research is focused on not only how 3D-printed implants could be used when reconstruction is needed, but also how digital rapid prototyping, in general, can help surgeons prepare for surgeries. And according to the college, Dr. Oblak uses dogs as a disease model to help study cancer in humans. Unfortunately, more than 1.5 billion people around the world suffer from chronic pain and millions more suffer from conditions like cancer, which means any cancer-related research is essential.
When Patches’ case came to Dr. Oblak, she worked with a team at OVC to first locate the tumor and map its size. To allow Dr. Oblak to be able to virtually perform the surgery first, an engineer from Sheridan College’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies designed and produced a 3D model of Patches’ head.
The U of G reported that if more printed models were created to allow surgeons to virtually operate before an upcoming procedure, that could lead to less time patients need to be under anesthesia. And with millions of surgeries being performed around the world, like the 50,000 neurostimulators that are implanted every year, 3D printed models could make surgeries safer and more successful — for both animals and humans.
And 3D printing can be used for more than just implants or practice areas for surgery. There are veterinarians have used custom 3D-printed anatomical guides when working with animals who suffer from angular limb deformities or spinal malformation. Veterinarians can use 3D printing to improve surgical accuracy and even make more accurate predictions of various possible outcomes.
According to Dr. Kevin Parsons, an orthopedic vet who works at Langford Vets’ small animal hospital in Bristol, “Taking this approach with additive has resulted in an improved preoperative planning, reduced surgical time and more predictable outcomes.”
Using 3D printing, vets are able to create implants that can be an exact match for each animal’s anatomy, which is crucial in restoring mechanical functions. 3D-printed orthopedic implants can help animals of all breeds and sizes move as best as possible.
So while 3D printing certainly has many applications in today’s society, it’s becoming more prevalent how crucial this technology can be when it comes to helping medical patients, both animals and humans.
