3D Printing Helps Pup Walk Again

In a new partnership with veterinarians, the Jefferson Health Design Lab gives new meaning to the term “PET scan.” Using a 3D printer, Jefferson student-and-physician designers produced a model of a dachshund’s spine for a veterinarian-surgeon at the Saint Francis Veterinary Center of South Jersey. Andy, the seven-year-old dog, woke one morning with his back legs paralyzed from a spinal compression, a common malady of the breed. The replica of the dachshund’s vertebrae column, printed from a CT scan, allowed the surgeons to see and touch what they’d be repairing during the procedure. With an assist from Jefferson’s 3D technology, the veterinarians made the lame pup walk again. A 3 CBS Philly news report and an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer tell the tale—and so does Andy’s wagging tail.

The Jefferson Health Design Lab brings together doctors and designers, patients and providers, and anyone with a stake in a healthier community to reimagine healthcare and solve some of its toughest challenges. Be a part of the solution by making a gift.