Almost half of all canine limb amputations are the result of either cancer treatment or accidents. While there have been numerous efforts focused on animal prostheses, it has often been more difficult to find an effective and widespread solution. Dogs, for example, carry 60% of their body weight on their front legs alone, which is why it’s so important to ensure safe and even weight distribution. Without proper attention, a dog that prefers one leg can develop more serious health problems over time. Luckily, advances in medical 3D printing have not only benefited humans, but our animal companions as well. To that end, New Jersey-based company 3D Pets has a simple goal: “Bring pet mobility into the 21st century.”
Established as a subsidiary of 3D printing and design company DiveDesign, which we interviewed previously, the formation of 3D Pets as a self-contained entity gives their team the opportunity to focus their resources and attention solely on the veterinary revolution. Their process involves creating custom canine prosthetics for their canine customers. To do this, they used FDM 3D printing and 3D scanning to map each animal’s precise support and shape requirements. But unlike the large, cumbersome devices used in some hospitals or clinics, they use a technology that is much more domestic: smartphones.
3D Pets offers a modular design that can accommodate different types of prosthetics.
Bespoke solution from 3D Pets tailored to individual needs
Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about 3D scanning is that using a smartphone makes clever use of modern technology and the advanced cameras that are fast becoming standard features on new cell phones. The process comprises several steps: After filling out a questionnaire, it is determined which device is best suited for the patient. The company sends the customer a mold kit to create a rigid mold of the animal’s carcass. Once the mold is complete, the team can use a smartphone’s LiDAR and TrueDepth cameras to create a 360-degree scan of the mold, which can be uploaded as a digital file. After rendering in a modeling software application, the shape can be modified to best fit the animal’s body. This fine-tuning process is an important step as it takes into account the dog’s unique shape, size and prosthetic needs to maximize both their comfort and mobility.
The end result is a custom made harness which can then be 3D printed using an FDM 3D printer. The exact details of the machine used are not available, but the company says it uses flexible TPU plastics that come in multiple colors. After post-processing and any imperfections removed, the canine prosthetic is ready to be assembled and handed over to the lucky pup, who must begin his journey and relearn how to walk on all fours. This process has enabled numerous dogs to return to happy, active lifestyles, and 3D Pets continues to transform the lives of dogs and the human families they love. More information about 3D Pets and their work can be found HERE on the website.
What do you think of 3D printed pet prosthetics? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter here, with the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
*All image credits: 3D Pets
