OPTIMIZATION STUDY ON CANINE SURGICAL IMPLANT
At LOBECOR we like to imagine the state of technology as a network, like a spider web, capable of retaining problems in order to find their solution. The state of knowledge (research) determines the size of the network, more extensive the more knowledge advances. This extension means that we are able to cover more and more areas, but it also implies a distance between the different branches and, continuing with the simile of the network, an increase in the size of the mesh that implies a lower capacity to retain specific problems.
There is another growth that unites these branches by a tissue that will be more useful to "catch" problems the more dense it is, it is interdisciplinary growth. The figure that embodies this growth would be the inventor who has the vision of using new discoveries to create uses and techniques of practical utility (development).
Recently, at LOBECOR, we have had a good example of this interdisciplinary vision. In tendon rupture repair surgery in dogs, the technique of placing an implant (titanium wedge) in the tibial plateau that has previously been cut has been used, in order to displace the point of support and favor the gait stability. A prestigious veterinarian, Mr. Enrique Senís Alvarez from SELCAN clinics, together with Dr. Jose Luis Fontalba have had the idea of applying current technologies to optimize this implant, studying how to obtain the best result by modifying the cutting plane and displacement angle.
Thinking that, after all, it is a structure mechanics problem, they looked for a company that would give them technical support for a first study prior to practical development, contacting LOBECOR.
They sent us a 3D file of a dog's tibia from a CT scan with which we were able to create a computer model that served to study the influence of the position and depth of the cut as well as the angle forced by the prosthesis on the displacement of the points of support, always under the tutelage of Mr. Enrique Senís since we were no more than the tool to carry out his idea.
Once the parameters were determined, different 3D impressions were made to be able to visualize the result in a "palpable" way and to be able to present the study in different areas not necessarily familiar with 3D design.
In this way, the vision of a professional unrelated to 3D technologies has made it possible to combine surgical-veterinary knowledge and CAD-3D design with 3D printing to advance in the resolution of a problem.
