Providing better outcomes for surgical patients is central to a newly opened 3D printing facility.
Launched by VCA Animal Hospitals, 3D Printing Lab has opened at the VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists in Clackamas, Ore. The new facility is dedicated to orthopedic surgeries, offering customized solutions that aim to improve patient recovery and quality of life.
“With 3D printing, we can prepare more thoroughly for surgeries, increase our surgical precision, and improve outcomes while minimizing unnecessary risks,” says Jose Carvajal DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, surgery specialist, VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists.
VCA’s care teams will have the capability to perform simulated surgeries in advance and create customized tools and instruments on-site, tailored to each pet’s unique anatomy.
“There are complex cases in which you need to understand the 3D anatomy of a bone, which you cannot get with x-rays. To achieve this, we perform a CT scan, create 3D virtual models, and then print those models that are a perfect copy of the pet’s anatomy,” says Dr. Carvajal, adding the printed models can be used to educate students, interns and members of their care team. “…being able to give the model to the pet owner to take home post-surgery brings an unexpected joy to the experience.”
For more information, visit the VCA Animal Hospitals website.