Digitally designed and 3D fabricated titanium implants empower veterinarians to compress the treatment-to-recovery cycle of a common, but difficult-to-solve problem in dogs’ legs, underscoring the power of 3D printing to improve the quality of life for all.
The patent pending TTA RAPID™ (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) implant effectively repairs damage to cruciate ligaments in dogs’ hind legs caused by trauma, degeneration or genetics. This revolutionary treatment begins with a 3D printed implant that is inserted into the dog’s lower leg, reorganizing the mechanical forces of the bones and creating dynamic knee stability without the need to repair the damaged ligament. In success, dogs – from Jack Russells to Great Danes – are able to walk and run freely six weeks after surgery.
“It is heartbreaking to see your dog in so much pain that he or she can barely walk,” said Rita Leibinger, owner and founder of Rita Leibinger Medical. “With this implant we experienced faster, more successful surgery and a faster recovery period. It is gratifying to see progress like this improve the lives of these animals and their families.”
The key to this ground breaking implant’s success is its complex, open structure that promotes rapid bone ingrowth, with less risk of infection. Rita Leibinger Medical teamed up with 3DS to manufacture these proprietary titanium implants in its state-of-the-art healthcare manufacturing facility in Leuven, Belgium, while the surgical technique was perfected in collaboration with Dr. Yves Samoy from Ghent University in Belgium.
“With 3D printing complexity is free, which is critical to unlocking performance and efficacy in the medical field,” said Kevin McAlea, Chief Operating Officer, Healthcare Products, 3DS. “Unlike traditional manufacturing, there is no penalty for complexity or scale, so we are able to produce a wide range of implant sizes quickly and economically. 3D printing is the clear choice for better functional and scalable solutions, in healthcare and beyond.”
Source: 3DSystems