VETERINARY devices
Many implants and fixation devices used for animals were originally designed for use in humans, meaning that they often do not cater well with animal morphology.
3DMorphic has developed patient specific interbody fusion devices for dogs, 3D printed in biocompatible Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V).
These devices have successfully treated Wobbler Disease, a neurologic disease affecting the cervical discs in large breed dogs. The use of these devices is published in the Peer Reviewed Journal ‘Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology’.
Interbody fusion devices are often used in conjunction with a ventral plate. The left hand image shows a CT slice of the fusion device and ventral plate construct immediately after surgery.
Six months after the operation (right hand image) the instrumented level shows a good fusion between the adjacent vertebral bodies. Fusion aims to stabilise the problematic level and decompress the affected neurological structures (spinal cord and exiting nerve roots) relieving pain.
Clinical results from these procedures have been successful, with patients recovering well and improvement to their gait.
