You need knowledge in several fields for 3D design and the physical production of the designed objects with the help of a 3D printer, no matter how easy the process seems to be. You have to know various design software and the programmes used to prepare 3D printing. You must always be up-to-date concerning 3D printing technologies, the characteristics of materials, and last but not least, you have to know how to use the printers. Besides, an engineering approach is essential so that the product is flawless, fulfills its function and is a real help to doctors. Based on these factors, a trend started to unfold in the world: service centres, like LimesVet, are being created for veterinarians.
We focused on maximizing the advantages of 3D technology when we created our service portfolio at LimesVet so that we can provide veterinarians with as comprehensive help as possible with personalized medicine. Visualization enables us to make problems more visible by making use of 3D modeling. It is like we could virtually look around inside or outside the body, so by rotating the model, it is possible to examine the body part at issue in anatomical detail. These virtual models are zoomable, thus even the tiniest changes can be accurately depicted and observed. In addition, the whole process can be shown with an animation. This method can be applied in the case of orthopaedic deformations, bone injuries, bone density analysis, etc.
The anatomical models can also be 3D printed in 1:1 or in other scales too. As a result, the area at issue can also be seen in physical form. Moreover, the physical models can be used for planning operations and for practice. In other words, they make it possible to simulate medical situations on a model matching the anatomy of specific animals. Therefore, the procedure can be made much safer in the case of physiologically dangerous operations, such as spinal surgeries. The operations can be safer, faster and more precise due to the production of custom-made surgical aids, primarily drilling and cutting guides. These are also always custom-made for the specific case, so they completely match the anatomy of the animal. For various limb, vertebral and skull operations, we can produce custom implants made of surgical steel. Among other things, we have created patellar groove prostheses and total knee prostheses, which greatly helped improve the life quality of pets.
Our services can be connected to cases when CT or MRI images are made which are essential for visualisation and the production of models and aids. Visualization can be used for all such cases, but we strongly recommend it for special problems such as limb deformities, anatomical changes and congenital disorders, when the usual methods of treatment are only limited or not possible at all.
What can you expect if you, as a veterinarian, contact us because you think that our services can be integrated into your praxis or because you were assigned a special case where an operation can be made safer with LimesVet's unique solutions? We would like to demonstrate how cooperation works taking the procedure of implant orders as an example.
You should contact us on our website or via e-mail, briefly describing the case. Then, we send you a reply email with a questionnaire in which you can explain your request in detail. We always ask for CT and MRI images as well because we can only create the 3D model of the area at issue based on them. After we receive the necessary images and information, we create the 3D model and send its link together with the identification number of the case. You can have a look at the model by clicking this link. We strongly recommend our customers to use the identification number of their cases because we continuously refer to these numbers to identify the products and for the purposes of invoicing.
We produce the physical anatomical models necessary to plan the operation based on the 3D model, if you find it appropriate. Then, we design the guides required for the operation and we produce them after the veterinarian approves them. If all of these are ready, we create a design for the implant, which we manufacture after the approval of the veterinarian. After payment of the invoice, the complete package containing all products, instructions for use and disinfection is sent to the customer by a parcel service provider. Should you have any questions, we are, of course, available at any point in the process.
