Part human evolution, part recent pandemic, we are more caring towards our animal companions in the last few years. Veterinary medicine spending as a whole is on the rise because of our compassion for our best friends. In this week’s issue of “From Academia”, we include three recent publications from veterinary medicine on how we can take care of our animals using 3D printing and 3D scanning technologies. The first article lays the foundation of the how-tos in 3D printing for veterinary medicine. The second article focuses on implant development for large bone defects using 3D printed bone. The result was astonishing. The last article uses 3D scanning and 3D printing to make prostheses for large animals.

“From Academia” features recent, relevant, close to commercialization academic publications. Subjects include but not limited to healthcare 3D printing, 3D bioprinting, and related emerging technologies.

Email: Rance Tino (info@3dheals.com) if you want to share relevant academic publications with us.

Photo Credit: Cabiomede

3D Printing for veterinary anatomy: An overview

Authored by Ray Wilhite and Inga Wölfel. Anatomia Histologia Embryologia. 8 November 2019

Use of three‐dimensionally printed β‐tricalcium phosphate synthetic bone graft combined with recombinant human bone morphogenic protein‐2 to treat a severe radial atrophic nonunion in a Yorkshire terrier

Authored by Jordi Franch, Albert Barba, Katrin Rapper, Yassine Maazouz, Maria-Pau Ginebra. Veterinary Surgery. 8 July 2020 

Orthosis and Prosthesis Development for Large and Medium Animals using reverse Engineering and Additive Manufacturing Techniques

Authored by Marcelo A. R. D. Santos, Ruís C. Tokimatsu, Tiago L. E. Treichel, Tales D. D. Prado, Adecir C. D. S. Junior. International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science. May 2020

Related Articles:

Medical Simulation Using Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, 3D Printing

3D Printing in Veterinary Practice

3DHEALS IG Live Recordings: 3D Printing in Veterinary Medicine with Richard Doerer

3D Printing In Orthopedics: Implants, Drug Delivery, Bone Regeneration

3D Bioprinting for Wound Healing and Skinlike Sensors
Automated Bioprinting

3D Printed Drug Delivering Medical Devices

3D Printing Pharmaceuticals and Drug Delivery Devices

3DHEALS Guides (Collective) – This is where we dive deep into subjects that you will find helpful for your projects and career.

3DEALS Expert Corner (Collective) – This is where we invite field experts to write their perspectives in a first-person narrative. To write for this column, please email: info@3dheals.com

3DHEALS From Academia (Collective) – This section features recent, relevant, close to commercialization academic publications in the space of healthcare 3D printing, 3D bioprinting, and related emerging technologies.

Other similar articles

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Nick Dechev received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, Canada, in 2004, and joined the University of Victoria in 2005.  He is currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and is presently Director of the Biomedical Engineering Program. Dr. Dechev’s research program involves biomedical system design with application areas centered on advanced hand prosthesis and bio-sensor design.  These areas include 3D printing of hand prosthesis, implantable sensor design for the acquisition of bio-signals, and wireless power transfer technology for implantable sensors. These projects aim at developing better methods for the control of advanced hand prosthesis.  He is also the Executive Director of the Victoria Hand Project, a non-profit dedicated to providing hand prostheses to amputees in need in developing countries. Dr. Dechev will be a speaker at the #3DHEALS2020.

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like?

Nick: First encounter was 16 years ago with a stereolithography system. It was a huge machine, and cost around half a million dollars! It made an impressive prototype part about the size of a cup made of polycarbonate, but it was expensive. The more recent encounter was with FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) about 7 years ago in the laboratories at the University of Victoria. The FDM system really amazed me, since the machine was only around $6000, and even though the parts produced were very coarse (thick layers) and brittle, I saw the potential given the low cost.

Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing ?

Nick: The journey for the Victoria Hand Project started as a research project. That research project, in turn, was started by my personal motivation to help create technologies for people with health and disability issues.

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing (bio-printing/bio-fabrication)? This can be a mentor, a patient, a celebrity, anyone basically. You can name more than one as well.
Nick: My inspiration comes from various people I work with, who push the edge of technological advancement, including many colleagues at the University of Victoria. As well, the incredibly talented and dedicated team of Range of Motion Project, headed by David Krupa, CPO, and Eric Neufeld, CPO.

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?
Nick: As a design engineer, I enjoy cross-mixing technologies, to enable/create new possibilities. Technologies all build upon each other, like a set of inter-linked pieces. Connecting these together, and sometimes creating new technology from scratch, is exciting and drives my work and research.

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
Nick: Finding enough talented and motivated people! Since Victoria Hand Project is a non-profit, this task is even more challenging. Monetary incentives are not the motivation for recruitment, which is a hurdle.  Solutions for this are various.  Finding people who will donate their time and experience may mean: alignment of mutual interests, providing knowledge, training, and experience to them, providing recognition of their efforts, or various other means.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?
Nick: Materials, Materials, Materials! The robotics and machinery of 3D printers are well developed and are already phenomenally low cost. Its time for major advances in the materials used for 3D printing, to improve strength, durability, and other properties.  Also, its time to move beyond just 3D prototyping, into limited-run (low batch) fabrication of end-use products.  That’s exactly what the medical industry needs.

Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?
Nick:
a. A sustainable world, with food, water, and resources for everyone
b. World peace
c. A seat on a mission to Mars 🙂

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?
Nick:
a.Take many calculated risks early on in your career, when you have little to lose.
b.Share your ideas with others to get valuable feedback. There is way more to gain by getting early feedback on your idea, than worrying about someone stealing the idea.

Jenny: What were/was the best investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?
Nick: FDM printing technology. Its low-cost, durable, easily serviceable hardware, works under various conditions and produces field ready parts.

Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?
Nick: Branching into new areas of research where I previously have zero experience. This has led to some of my biggest successes.

Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?
Nick: Technology design and creation. Its blend of my work and personal interests.

Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?

Nick: “Just do it” by Nike. With so many daily tasks, there are 100 reasons not to do something important that needs to be done. Find your priority and “just do it!”

Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you? =)

Nick: 3D printing enabling healthcare and medicine.

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Mr. Janis Jatnieks has been working with industrial 3D printing for the last five years. Operating in a small market of Baltic States has always made them more aware of where the 3D printing technology is advancing and which are the niche products that are perfect for 3D printing. The first time he encountered a request for 3D printed prosthetic was 3 years ago and has been working with 3D printed prostheses and orthoses ever since. Mr. Janis Jatnieks will be a speaker at the #3DHEALS2018 conference on April 20-21st, 2018. 
Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?
Janis: The first time I encountered 3D printing was through a YouTube video. At the time I was working as a broker on wall street and my first thought was – what the hell am I doing here – this technology will change everything!
Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing (bio-fabrication/bio-printing)?
Janis: I saw an opportunity to bring that technology “home” to Northern Europe. This was my opportunity to move from advising people to actually manufacturing and I took the leap. Right now everything I do is revolving around additive manufacturing. The medical aspect of my work came as an unexpected pivot, but it was a welcome one. I truly believe that 3D printing and medical/bio-printing applications are the perfect fit – it is a space where you always need a custom product.

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing (bio-printing/bio-fabrication)? This can be a mentor, a patient, a celebrity, anyone basically. You can name more than one as well.
Janis: I have been truly inspired by the work of Neri Oxman, who has been able to transfer nature forms to her 3D printed designs and products. Hugh Herr has a brilliant vision on how to envision the possibilities that technology can give you to replace a missing a limb. And Amy Karle has the most captivating approaches to combining 3D printing, art, technology, and biology.
Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?
Janis: The first time my team gave a 3D printed prosthetic to a six-year-old boy and he was glimmering with pride. I saw at that moment that we have not only produced him a replacement limb, but we have given him a product that will let him stand out. He was excited to show it to everyone in his class at the kindergarten and not at all shameful of his different limb. I want to create more experiences like that.
Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
Janis: Biggest obstacle – industry players interested in maintaining the status quo. Nothing can be harder than showing a new/different approach to professionals who believe that they are already doing the best job possible and that their personal way of doing things is the only right one. We never say we know better or that we can do better – we merely say there is another way – the digital way. But conveying the message the right way is a problem. The best way around is to educate. To educate about the benefits, the differences, and the challenges.
Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?
Janis: Same as before. Trying to bring something new to the Prosthetics and Orthotics market is most difficult due to people not willing to change. My approach is to provide an alternative that does not necessarily replace the existing methods.
Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?
Janis: My advice would be to try out as many things as possible while still at school. Our company has provided internships, training, and free 3D prints to any interested student. I believe there are many more options around that could be utilized to learn more about real work environments and the skills needed to thrive in them. Ask employers what they need – they will always give you an answer that you can work with to understand if you’re on the right path.
Jenny: What were/was the best investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?
Janis: My own companies! Establishing Baltic3D.eu and working on the WIDE project has been my two best investments.
Jenny: What were/was the worst investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?
Janis: Buying 3D Systems stock. 🙂
Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?
Janis: Changing the field of work and pursuing the 3D printing path. I have never looked back, but when I started there was no “path” to take – it was more like wandering around in the darkness.
Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?
Janis: I enjoy spending time with my family. When not around them I spend my spare time doing sports like running or playing ice hockey. I enjoy watching movies and reading books. I also like to spend a sunny afternoon on the golf course.
Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you? =)
Janis: Health is a state of being; healthcare is just an industry; healing is the process of becoming healthier and improving one’s quality of life. I like how the word heals brings more meaning to the name of the event.
 
 
 

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