May 17, 2015 at 14:47Sea turtle with severely damaged jaws received titanium prostheses printed on a 3D printer
Most species of sea turtles are endangered species of living organisms, and each individual is very important for the survival of the species as a whole. Not so long ago, scientists and engineers were able to save the adult sea turtle Caretta caretta (or loggerhead). The problem was a very severe damage to the jaws of the turtle - they were broken, and the animal could not feed on its own.
Specialists were able to create a titanium prosthesis by printing it on a special 3D printer, and now the tortoise, more like a cyborg, can lead a very ordinary life. According to the head of the operation, Professor Yakup Kaska, 3D printing in this case is one of the very few (if not the only) ways to help the animal.
This is what the unfortunate animal looked like before the operation (the damage was severe, so the image was put into the spoiler)
The prosthesis was prepared by BTech Innovation , which works in the field of creating prostheses, implants, models for medical needs. The company's specialists were able to make almost perfect dentures with which the jaw was restored. Within 18 days after the installation of the prosthesis, signs of rejection did not appear, so the procedure can be considered quite successful.
The video is in Turkish, but it’s quite possible to understand what it’s about
now. The turtle is feeling quite normal, it should soon be released into the natural habitat. It is worth noting that such turtles live in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian oceans. They are found in the Mediterranean Sea, where the tortoise. most likely, they will let me go.