UNTIL fairly recently, the idea that you could print a solid object was fit only for science fiction.
As with so many technological leaps, however, the once-foreign concept has become a reality with multiple industries now using the technique to produce everything from machinery parts to prosthetics and human tissue made using modified printer cartridges and extracted cells.
The veterinary profession is no exception to the trend and has seen the use of 3D printing expand and evolve steadily over the last few years. It has even been touted as being a key catalyst in sparking the next industrial revolution – but does the technology really have the ability to transform the veterinary industry?
From flat to form
3D printing involves producing a three-dimensional, tangible object from a 2D digital image by a process of successive layering known as “additive processing”. In order to do this, sliced image sections are needed, most commonly provided by computed tomography (CT). The corresponding cross sectional layers of material are automatically fused to create a seamless 3D product which corresponds exactly to the digital image.
The main advantages of the technique are the speed and cost of production, as well as the ability to replicate almost any geometrical shape. Working models can be created in days rather than weeks, sometimes for a fraction of the cost of producing its multi-pieced counterpart.
The end product may also have superior quality and durability, with almost unlimited choice of product material, so it’s perhaps not surprising that 3D printing is gaining popularity.
Seeing is believing
So what does this mean for vets? Having a visual replica of the anatomy in question can be advantageous in many situations and can be accomplished extremely effectively by creating an accurate 3D model.
Julien Labruyère, veterinary diagnostic imaging specialist and director of VetCT, describes the most common current applications for the technique. “By far the most frequent request we get from our clients is for 3D models of limbs and joints to aid surgical planning for corrective osteopathies and complex fracture assessments.
“Orthopaedic surgeons report that being able to visualise the extent of a defect, measure their implants exactly and basically practice their surgery beforehand is invaluable,” he says.
Similarly, having a tangible recreation of a cancerous mass might be instrumental in treatment planning for oncologists, or a model could be used for identifying the best approach to complex surgical vascular conditions such as portosystemic shunts (PSS).
The advantage of seeing an accurate 3D recreation doesn’t stop at vets, however, with anatomic models also working wonders in student teaching and pet owner education.
Julien thinks that seeing a visual 3D representation is often the best way to learn: “Before you can understand a complex disease process, you have to know what normal anatomy looks like and what better way to achieve this than being able to see, touch and manipulate an exact replica?”
Print on demand
Another growing application of the technology is to manufacture tailormade equipment and components for machinery.
As well as developing the first specialist veterinary MRI system designed specifically for small animals, Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging has been pioneering 3D printing in the veterinary industry. The company recently used its in-house 3D printer to create an integral part for its specialist PetVet MRI scanner.
The process was ideal. The part was being used for specialist veterinary MRI and therefore would only be required in small volumes and it was unique, having been developed by Hallmarq specifically to provide dual coil capacity in its PetVet MRI system.
Steve Roberts, director at Hallmarq, describes why he thinks the method is gaining popularity. “To create a precise or complex piece, 3D printing is ideal as it can print to exact specifications from a 3D CAD model to give a seamless, uniform product of extremely high quality.
“Because the component we needed for PetVet was so special, 3D printing was ideal. From start to finish, the whole process is much quicker than creating an equivalent product from discrete parts or developing cost prohibitive bespoke tooling – although it still took about 12 hours to print the PetVet MRI parts.”
Pelvic fracture
Julien describes a recent case of a feline pelvic fracture for which the help of a 3D printed model proved to be priceless.
“A three-year-old male, neutered Siamese cat presented to our client with a hind limb ataxia following a road traffic accident. A pelvic fracture was suspected and confirmed.
“As the fracture was complex, involving several parts of the hip joints including the acetabulum, 3D printing was performed to create a corresponding physical model. This allowed the vet to precisely describe and evaluate the complex fracture and plan a successful surgical repair – all of which would have been very difficult without it.”
Although still relatively new technology, Julien says that 3D printed models actually cost less than many would think and is something that more vets should consider taking advantage of.
“A small cat joint, for example, might only cost in the region of £150 to model, which in the context of an expensive surgery is extremely justifiable – especially when you consider the dramatic difference it can make.”
Pushing the frontiers
3D printing has been around since the 1980s but its use has only recently rapidly evolved.
Steve Roberts says, “For us, it’s enabled the production of equipment that’s at the cutting edge – the PetVet MRI system has amazing capacity to provide more accurate images of hard to view structures as a result of the printed dual coil connector parts. In a wider sense it means that custom equipment adapted to better match veterinary needs is increasingly within reach.”
Julien Labruyère agrees: “I have absolutely no doubt that 3D printing will become common practice for vets in the future – it’s not inconceivable that at some point practices may have their own in-house 3D printers and be able to produce everything from tailormade implants to surgical instruments. Who knows, we might even be able to ‘print’ replacement animal tissue and organs.”
There are already examples of bioprinting of simple structures and 3D printing of “bionic” ears, windpipes and even functional kidneys, as well as aspirations to create a 3D liver “on a chip”, so it’s very much a case of watch this space.
