PublishedNov 25, 2021, 12:50 pm SGT
SINGAPORE - 3-D-printing technology has determined a shocking utility in customised shoes that guard birds of prey in Singapore from a probably deadly foot sickness.
The silicone-made bird shoes have been subtle overyears by using Jurong Bird Park's avian veterinary group and the Keio-NUS Cute (Connective Ubiquitous Technology for Embodiments) Centre on the National University of Singapore (NUS).
In a joint announcement on Thursday (Nov 25), Jurong Bird Park and NUS said the footwear, which were forged from 3D-printed moulds of the feet of a number of the park's birds, have been used to deal with a clinical condition of the birds referred to as pododermatitis, or "bumblefoot".
Pododermatitis results in pressure sores, tissue swelling and callouses. If left untreated, it can grow to be disabling and even deadly, the declaration said. The footwear are designed to redistribute pressure on the weight-bearing floor of the affected person's ft, as well as resource within the recuperation from the degenerative situation.
While the circumstance can be handled with bandages, 3-D-published technology provided a more specific way of shielding chicken feet, said Dr Xie Shangzhe, appearing deputy vice-president of conservation, research and veterinary at Mandai Wildlife Group.
The park's first affected person with pododermatitis became Walter, a 21-12 months-old girl hooded vulture, who recovered 17 weeks after her first shoe remedy in 2019.
But love prompted Walter's anguish to go back.
After the vulture became released to the Birds of Prey aviary, she started showing courtship behaviour with a male and making ready a nesting place on a hard, excessive rock ledge.
Extended durations of perching at the ledge brought on the bumblefoot condition to recur and Walter needed to be equipped with footwear and determined from August to October.
The fowl's signs advanced dramatically and Walter's footwear have due to the fact that been eliminated.
"She can be discharged from her observation ward into a unique aviary for retirees of the park's Kings of the Skies Show wherein any other hooded vulture resides," the announcement stated.
"If she's in the mood for love once more and nesting behaviours are found, Walter may be supplied with a appropriate nesting area to save you reoccurrences of the condition."
The parks' first affected person with pododermatitis changed into hooded vulture Walter, who recovered 17 weeks after her first shoe treatment in 2019. PHOTO: JURONG BIRD PARK
Associate Professor Yen Ching Chiuan, co-director of the Keio-NUS Cute Centre, stated that any other advantage of 3D printing is the ability to customise shoes in keeping with the size, shape and circumstance of every chicken's ft.
The group on the centre labored intently with Jurong Bird Park to create footwear that had been appropriate in terms of size, fabric and usefulness according to the bird kind and its precise usage behaviours, he said.
Designing for Anchor hen feet was no smooth feat, however, because the shoes had to be snug for the hen yet without problems detachable for cleaning, and sturdy because the sufferers may additionally percent at them with their sharp beaks.
In August, the bespoke footwear additionally helped Miguel, a 31-yr-vintage male southern caracara.
Miguel, who advanced pododermatitis due to arthritis in his antique age, saw notable development after 2½ months of sporting the shoes, the assertion said.
Miguel's shoes have given that been eliminated and he has been discharged into the retirement aviary to spend his golden years with fellow retiree birds of prey.
This marks the second one time Jurong Bird Park has worked collectively with the Keio-NUS Cute Centre to use 3-d-printing generation for veterinary care.
In 2018, the centre designed and fitted a 3-d-revealed prosthetic casque for Jary, the top notch pied hornbill, whose personal casque was removed due to cancer.
Jary has on the grounds that made a complete restoration and not needs his prosthesis, the declaration stated.
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