Turkish 3D printing service provider BTech has managed to fit a 3D-printed beak onto a turtle. The turtle was seriously injured and nearly killed in an encounter with a boat propellor, but is now recovering well thanks to the imaginative intervention.
BTech worked by taking CT scans of the turtle and translating these to 3D models, which were then converted into replicas of the turtle's upper and lower jaws. The design was finally 3D printed in medical-grade titanium, before being implanted by a surgical team. The turtle is currently recovering with the help of antibiotics, and is set to be released back into the wild once it makes a full recovery.
This 3D-printed beak isn't the first of its kind, with a penguin previously being a beneficiary. This story proves that man-made technology isn't always to the detriment of the animal kingdom, and can indeed be used as a force for good.
3D-Printed Beaks
This Turtle's Actual Beak Was Injured By a Boat Propellor
Trend Themes
1. 3D Printing for Animal Injuries - The use of 3D printing in the recovery of animals has the potential to disrupt traditional healing methods for animal injuries
2. Medical-grade 3D Printing - The use of medical-grade 3D printing materials and technology can be a disruptive innovation in the medical industry, especially for surgical implants
3. CT Scans for 3D Printing - The use of CT scans and 3D printing can revolutionize the creation of implants and prosthetics for animals and humans alike
Industry Implications
1. 3D Printing Industry - The 3D printing industry has the opportunity to expand its reach and market share by offering 3D printing services for animal prosthetics and implants
2. Veterinary Industry - The veterinary industry can disrupt traditional healing methods for animal injuries by adopting 3D printing technology for the creation of prosthetics and implants for animals
3. Medical Industry - The medical industry can incorporate 3D printing technology to create medical-grade implants and prosthetics, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality of life for patients