Winnipeg-based Orthopaedic Innovation Centre (OIC) — a research and testing facility for the medical device market that uses ‘3-D printing’ in joint replacement and other medical procedures — has created a new kneecap for a six-year-old dog named Oreo.

OIC regularly uses additive manufacturing to shorten production cycles and create customised products, so when a Winnipeg vet rang asking for a replacement patella for Oreo, the opportunity was too good to refuse. To create the new patella, OIC scanned a donated kneecap to create a CAD model that was then modified to match an X-ray of Oreo.

Using a Stratasys Fortus 400mc, OIC built the replacement kneecap from a bio-compatible polycarbonate. After testing it for mechanical strength, the implant was then attached to Oreo’s tendon and quadriceps with polypropylene sutures. According to his owners, the dog recovered full function of his leg within two months of the surgery.