Active Materials for 3D Printing in Small Animals: Current Modalities and Future Directions for Orthopedic Applications

Abstract

The successful clinical application of bone tissue engineering requires customized implants based on the receiver’s bone anatomy and defect characteristics. Three-dimensional (3D) printing in small animal orthopedics has recently emerged as a valuable approach in fabricating individualized implants for receiver-specific needs. In veterinary medicine, because of the wide range of dimensions and anatomical variances, receiver-specific diagnosis and therapy are even more critical. The ability to generate 3D anatomical models and customize orthopedic instruments, implants, and scaffolds are advantages of 3D printing in small animal orthopedics. Furthermore, this technology provides veterinary medicine with a powerful tool that improves performance, precision, and cost-effectiveness. Nonetheless, the individualized 3D-printed implants have benefited several complex orthopedic procedures in small animals, including joint replacement surgeries, critical size bone defects, tibial tuberosity advancement, patellar groove replacement, limb-sparing surgeries, and other complex orthopedic procedures. The main purpose of this review is to discuss the application of 3D printing in small animal orthopedics based on already published papers as well as the techniques and materials used to fabricate 3D-printed objects. Finally, the advantages, current limitations, and future directions of 3D printing in small animal orthopedics have been addressed.

Corrective Osteotomy in a Dog to Address Increased Distal Femoral Procurvatum Ascribed to a Distal Femoral Salter-Harris Type V Injury

“…The accuracy of the corrective osteotomy can be improved by use of a three-dimensional-printed guide instead of the free-hand technique. 24 Although the minor degree of recurvatum was well tolerated and did not appear to have an adverse impact on limb function, increased recurvatum should be avoided. 23 The extent of the recurvatum has been shown to reduce over time by bone remodelling, particularly in dogs with continued longitudinal growth.…”

Apple Derived Exosomes Improve Collagen Type I Production and Decrease MMPs during Aging of the Skin through Downregulation of the NF-κB Pathway as Mode of Action

“…Lastly, this work found it appropriate to investigate ADNVs’ applicability in cosmetic formulations and medical dressing. Hyaluronic acid is a natural polysaccharide, which has been used in various forms and with numerous functionalization [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ]. From topical applications to drug delivery, it has been adopted for biomedical and cosmetic solutions.…”

3D printing: a novel technology for livestock sector knowledge dissemination

“…3D printing allows fabricating tailor-made implants to better address the patient’s needs. The customized “3D-printed implants have benefited several complex orthopedic procedures in small animals, including joint replacement surgeries, critical size bone defects, tibial tuberosity advancement, patellar groove replacement, limb-sparing surgeries and other complex orthopedic procedures” (Memarian et al , 2022). 3D models enable the better comprehension of complex surgical anatomy, leading to better prospects for assessing the spatial relationship of relevant structures, facilitating individualized surgical planning by allowing surgeons to adapt and augment the surgical plan by examining patient-specific anatomy and pathology (Huang et al , 2022).…”