Jennie Mae is a gorgeous iguana with an infection in her ear cavity, along with development of abnormal bone. An earlier sample identified abnormal bacteria, which helped her feel better. There aren't a lot of descriptions of the bony structures of the iguana ear, so we had a 3D model of her skull made based on a CT scan taken earlier. The model helped us understand normal and abnormal anatomy, and guide which portions were best to sample or remove.
The 3D models can be sterilized in an autoclave just like other surgical instruments. This way the surgeon can hold and manipulate it throughout the surgery while wearing sterile surgical gloves.
3D models are aiding human and veterinary surgeons with a variety of complicated surgeries. A few years ago we used a 3D model of a rabbit skull to help guide surgery of the middle ear.
