Performing a CT scan on a horse is a laborious process that takes a team of nearly a dozen technicians and veterinarians. It involves forklifts and cranes and the skills of veterinary technicians who have mastered this task after years of repetition. Thanks to one University of California, Davis (UC Davis), imaging technician, however, that process just got a lot less complicated. 

Jason Peters, RVT, RLAT, a technician in the hospital’s diagnostic imaging service, recently created a new CT table that will improve how scans on horses are performed.

“We set out to acquire a new large animal table for CT,” said Peters, noting that the existing table has been in use at UC Davis for 30 years. “Due to our room configuration, however, we could not purchase a pre-existing table. So, we decided to build our own.”

After the UC Davis team discussed types of materials for the project, and knowing they would need to build a massive table that could handle thousands of pounds, carbon fiber stood out. Carbon fiber is an easily molded material that will take on any shape and strength. NASA uses it for many applications in the space program due to its strength-to-weight ratio, high stiffness, chemical resistance, and temperature tolerances. Carbon fiber is also used in exotic sports cars (Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc.), motorcycles, bicycles, and sailboats