# 3D-Printed Turtle Prosthetics This 3D-Printed Prosthesis Was Implanted Onto Stumpy the Turtle By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-01-05 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-prosthesis References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/fifth-graders-3d-print-stumpy-turtle/35419/) & [savannahnow](http://savannahnow.com/news/2014-12-26/may-howard-students-help-injured-savannah-turtle-get-leg) Stumpy the three-legged turtle has a 3D-printed prosthesis. The turtle was brought to the Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah, California with a badly injured and infected leg. Veterinarian Leslely Mailler quickly amputated the limb; however, she then reached out to May Howard Elementary School where her daughter studied and mentioned using a [3D printer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maker-hardware-ttd3000) in class. Mailler then worked with the school's science teachers and fifth grade students, including her daughter, to design a 3D-printed prosthesis for Stumpy. The design was inspired by the rolling wheels on the bottom of classroom chairs. The design was printed using the 3DTin software program, before being attached using Gorilla glue. The fifth graders are now hoping to refine the design and make the prosthesis a little smaller to make life easier for Stumpy. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 6% | Activity: 12% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **3d-printed Prosthetics:** Opportunity to create customizable and affordable prosthetics using 3D printing technology. - **Collaborative Design:** Opportunity for collaboration between professionals and students to develop innovative solutions. - **Animal Rehabilitation:** Opportunity to utilize 3D printing to improve the quality of life for injured animals. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Healthcare:** Opportunity to disrupt the prosthetics industry by providing personalized and cost-effective solutions. - **Education:** Opportunity to integrate 3D printing technology into the curriculum and foster students' creativity and problem-solving skills. - **Animal Care:** Opportunity to introduce 3D printing in animal care facilities to create customized prosthetics and devices for injured animals. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Parametric 3D-Printed Dog Wheelchairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wheelchair-for-dogs.md) - [Patented 3D-Printed Bone Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/p3d-bone.md) - [Adaptive Swim Prosthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-nimble.md) - [Enhanced Thumb Prosthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/third-thumb.md) - [Aquatic Shoreline Conservation Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tidal-stool.md) - [Modular Slip-Proof Prosthetic Legs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lytra-prosthetic-leg.md) - [Bionic Knee Prostheses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/httpswwwmediamitedu.md) - [3D-Printed Bone Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bellaseno.md) - [Tortoise-Saving Glasses Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/save-the-tortoise-collection.md)