Experts from Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom jointly participated in the treatment of a family pet dog from Canada in an international medical cooperation project recently completed. The additive manufacturing technology (AM) (also known as metal 3D printing) In which played an important role.
Surgery was performed in Canada. The doctor used an implant designed by Germany's Voxelem and manufactured by Renishaw to replace the maxillary tissue that was lost due to tumor resection.
Implants for treating the Bernese Mountain Dog
background
After a dog is over 10 years of age, the probability of suffering from a cancerous disease increases to more than 50%. Usually, chemotherapy can be used to suppress tumors first and then surgically removed. This does not generally result in permanent trauma.
However, in some cases, due to the complex location of the tumor, the operation will be very difficult and will seriously affect the postoperative quality of life of the dog.
In the field of human surgery, the medical community has made major breakthroughs - more and more surgeons use customized implants to help improve the effectiveness of surgery and shorten the patient's recovery cycle.
In the past, hospitals used patient customized implants (PSIs) only for extremely complex cases. Now, thanks to advances in technology, PSI has become part of standard medical practice.
One of the most effective ways to produce PSI is to use medical-specific CAD tools for custom design and use additive manufacturing (AM) technology to complete the process.
challenge
The sick dog is a seven-year-old Bernese Mountain dog. It has a tumor on the left maxillary section of the dog. After the diagnosis, the doctor believes that there is no better treatment than the first complete removal of the tumor and subsequent facial repair. Due to the complexity of the site, the doctor chose a custom 3D printed titanium implant to support the dog's postoperative facial skeletal structure - this is considered the best treatment option because the implant can be highly complex and free Shapes and characteristics.
So far, PSI is mainly used for human cases, but Renishaw, a multinational company in engineering and medical technology, and Voxelmed, a 3D design company, hope to highlight the application advantages of additive manufacturing technology in veterinary surgery.
solution
The surgery was performed by Julius Liptak, a licensed veterinarian at the Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Ottawa, Canada. He used a titanium alloy maxillofacial implant made by Renishaw using an additive manufacturing technique designed by Voxelmed Germany.
The experts involved in the project first used the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) International Standard to analyze and integrate the multiple diagnostic images of the dog to generate a digital 3D model of the tumor site. Next, the experts used the model and combined Dr. Liptak's instructions to design custom implants.
During the design process, Dr. Liptak repeatedly examined the expected effects of the implant and compared it with the 3D scan image of the lesion and the skull model of the dog. The refinement of the design stage allowed the implant to be manufactured and operated. The placement process is made easier because it complies with all the implant specifications required by Dr. Liptak.
Dr. Liptak was able to plan the surgical procedure in advance, simplifying preparations and shortening the patient's anesthetic time.
The implant is manufactured by the Center for Medical Additive Design Solutions (ADEISS) in London, Ontario, Canada.
ADEISS was founded in cooperation with University of Western Ontario, London Medical Network and Renishaw. The center focuses on the development and commercial application of additive manufacturing medical equipment and medical devices, and also assists other companies in the development of additive manufacturing medical technology to promote The transformation of the global medical approach.
'A tumor was removed along with some of the edges of the tissue during surgery,' explains practicing veterinarian, Jan Klasen, 3D designer and CEO of Voxelmed. 'The tumor grew in the skin, not in the maxilla, but we still A maxillofacial resection was required to resect the 45 mm x 50 mm mass and the 30 mm marginal tissue. Later we placed the implant in place and secured it with a surgical screw, while preparing a facial shaft flap to cover the surgery. Parts and implants. Because the structure of the nose is not deformed by the absence of hard tissue, this Bernese Mountain dog retains its normal face shape.
The design and manufacturing process of the implant took only two weeks. In this particular case, the dog's tumor has continued to grow. Therefore, if the implant is used for too long, it will lead to the original design. The implant is no longer suitable for the affected area.
result
"If there is no additive manufacturing technology, then after removing the tumor, it is almost impossible to re-repair the dog's maxilla, because the geometry of the site is extremely complex," Klasen explained. 'The implant must be compatible with the dog's existing The similar structure and function of the skeletal structure. The use of additive-produced implants to maintain the original shape and function of the oral cavity and nasal cavity ensures that the dog has a high quality of life after surgery, just like the natural growth of the skull and maxilla. Can help it breathe easily and eat.'
'As far as I know, this is the first implant to be used for this type of surgery. Prior to this case, most veterinarians were not even aware of the existence of this medical technology. Germany is currently planning a similar wound repair surgery. , And people are studying how to make various animals benefit from this type of surgery.
The seven-year-old Bernese Mountain dog was discharged on the second day after the operation. Although it took a short period of painkillers and antibiotics, it was able to breathe normally through the nose after surgery, and finally recovered completely. If not With the advancement of additive manufacturing technology, this beloved family member may not be able to survive like this for a long time.
For more information, visit www.renishaw.com/additive