CADdent as your strong manufacturing partner in veterinary medicine
Additive manufacturing is revolutionizing medical technology and is also becoming increasingly important in veterinary medicine. A major advantage of this process is the ability to produce even highly complex geometries very precisely, which is particularly important when developing customized implants or prostheses. Thanks to rapid prototyping, adjustments and optimizations can also be implemented in a short space of time, allowing treatment methods to be continuously improved. Additive manufacturing thus opens up new horizons for veterinary medicine by offering innovative, tailor-made solutions which can be implemented quickly and efficiently - and, above all, meet the expectations of pet owners.
Advanced materials for 3D printed bone replacements
3D printing enables the use of a wide range of materials, including polymers, metals and ceramics. In addition, there is a constant development of new materials specially optimized for the LaserMelting or LCM process. Significant progress is being made in the field of ceramic 3D printing in particular, creating new possibilities for the production of bone replacement materials. Both tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) impress with their high biocompatibility and osteoconductivity, while the later in particular offers outstanding printability of porous geometries. Hydroxyapatite - a naturally occurring mineral - is the main component of bones. When an implant made of hydroxyapatite is placed in a body, it grows through and is resorbed by the bone cells. This means that it is no longer necessary to remove the implant at a later date, which makes the operation less costly and, of course, more comfortable for patients. HA has better mechanical properties than β-TCP, which means it can withstand more pressure and therefore bridge a larger defect.
Additive manufacturing accelerates progress in veterinary medicine
Veterinary medicine benefits greatly from the rapid implementation and flexible adaptability of additive manufacturing technologies. In contrast to human medicine, where extensive and costly certification processes are necessary, new specially optimized materials for veterinary use can be brought to market and used much more quickly. Our in-house research and development department tests the materials at the starting phase, allowing us to offer innovative materials at a very early stage. These shortened development times give veterinarians the opportunity to offer innovative and state-of-the-art treatment methods individually tailored to the needs of their pet patients. There is no need to compromise on safety or quality, as additive manufacturing allows for maximum precision and control over the final product. In addition, this technology allows the production of customized implants and prostheses which not only improve the chances of recovery, but also increase the comfort and quality of life of the animals. This flexibility and efficiency opens up completely new possibilities for veterinary medicine and helps to ensure that treatment methods can be adapted more quickly and efficiently to new medical challenges.
Customized bone implants in veterinary medicine
An outstanding example of the application of this technology is the case of a cat that suffered a significant bone defect in its lower left leg after being bitten by a dog. Using modern imaging methods such as CT scans, veterinarian Danilo Borak was able to localize and measure the defect. This detailed data enabled us to design a customized bone replacement structure. This was then manufactured from hydroxyapatite using the LCM (Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing) process. Danilo Borak inserted the implant into the affected area and stabilized it with two fixed-angle osteosynthesis plates. The cat was able to put full weight on her leg just three days after the procedure. A final examination six months later confirmed the successful healing process without complications. This case impressively demonstrates the importance of customized solutions in veterinary medicine and the crucial role that innovative technologies can play in recovery. Such advances not only enable faster healing, but also offer new perspectives for veterinary medicine.
Another case reached us as part of a cooperation with a veterinary center in Italy. Here we demonstrated new perspectives in the field of reconstructive surgery in veterinary medicine. Using a CT scan of a dog's skull, we were able to develop customized replacement structures for extensive bone defects in the facial area and manufacture them from our cobalt-chrome alloy. We also simulated another defect in the lower jaw bone, such as can occur in a tumor which needs to be surgically removed before cancer cells spread. We designed a porous bone replacement structure for this defect, which was produced from hydroxyapatite using ceramic 3D printing.
In both cases, we have shown how customized implants can be manufactured in the shortest possible time and with the highest precision. This underlines CADdent's role as an innovative and reliable manufacturing partner in the field of medical technology and also in veterinary medicine. The flexibility and efficiency of additive manufacturing open up new possibilities for providing patient-specific solutions. Interested parties can request the hydroxyapatite material directly via the rapid prototyping order page.
CADdent at the Formnext 2024 trade fair
We cordially invite you to visit us at Formnext at the PROTIQ stand in hall 12.1, stand E79. There you will have the opportunity to meet us in person, learn more about our technologies, materials and their versatile application possibilities. Discover how CADdent can help you to meet individual requirements with the highest precision and quality. We look forward to have stimulating discussions and an exciting exchange with you!
Would you like to learn more about the topic live? Then visit our presentation “Additive manufacturing of bioresorbable ceramics for veterinary medicine” (in English) by our Product Manager Dr. Christoph Lauer on Thursday, November 21st, 2024 at 12:30 am in Hall 12 Level 0, E42 on the Technology Stage. You can find more information here.
Do you still have questions about rapid prototyping? Our experts will be glad to help you select the right material and make any necessary adjustments to the design.
Prototyping Customer Service
T: +49 821 5999965-0
E-mail: prototyping@caddent.eu