’burg and Beyond

Lewisburg

Meet Doug, a two-year-old golden retriever born with three legs. Mary Ann Sigler Stanton ’89, who works as a director in University Advancement, and her family took in Doug after his previous owners could no longer care for him. When Stanton’s veterinarian said a prosthetic could reduce Doug’s risk of developing arthritis in his weight-bearing front leg, she knew just where to turn for help — Bucknell’s College of Engineering.

Their Challenge

Grace Adams ’23, biomedical engineering; Will Carcieri ’23, mechanical engineering; and Emma O’Shea ’23, biomedical engineering, had experience creating human arm, hand and finger prosthetics as members of Bucknell’s chapter of e-NABLE, a national organization that creates 3D-printed prosthetics for those in need. Designing a leg for a high-energy canine presented a unique set of challenges.

Their Work

The team initially fit Doug with 3D-printed prosthetic models. After having Doug test different prototypes, the engineers made adjustments for function and fit before transitioning to a prosthetic made from a plaster mold.

Good Boy

The engineers appreciated their model patient. “It’s been great working with Doug,” O’Shea says. “He is happy and playful and always brightens our day. We hope this device improves his long-term health.”

Their efforts will help other Bucknell engineers make additional modifications as needed to ensure the prosthetic continues to be a good fit for Doug’s active lifestyle.

—Katelyn Collins ’23

The Model Patient