Highlights:
- New medical glue repairs bone fractures in 2–3 minutes.
- Inspired by oysters’ ability to cling underwater.
- Naturally absorbed by the body, avoiding second surgery.
- Successfully tested on more than 150 patients.
- Could replace metal plates and screws in the future.
A Breakthrough in Bone Treatment
Chinese scientists have announced a groundbreaking medical invention – a special bone glue that can repair broken bones in just three minutes. This new adhesive is seen as a revolutionary step in orthopaedics, as it may replace the need for metal plates and screws that are commonly used today.
What is “Bone-02” Bone Glue?
The new product has been named “Bone-02.”
It was developed by a research team in Zhejiang Province, East China, and was officially presented on September 10.
Dr. Lin Xianfeng, associate chief orthopaedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, led the research. He said he was inspired by observing oysters attaching strongly to underwater bridges. This natural process gave him the idea to create a powerful glue for human bones.
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How It Works
According to Dr. Lin, the bone glue can firmly fix broken bones within two to three minutes, even in environments where blood flow is high.
One of the biggest advantages is that the glue is absorbed naturally by the body as the bone heals. This means patients will not need a second surgery to remove implants, unlike current treatments with steel plates and screws.
Tested in Patients
The glue has already been successfully tested in over 150 patients.
Laboratory and clinical trials showed:
- Bones bonded with a strength of more than 400 pounds.
- Shear strength of about 0.5 MPa.
- Compressive strength of around 10 MPa.
These results suggest that the glue can hold bones firmly and safely, possibly replacing traditional implants in the future.
Advantages Over Traditional Treatments
At present, treating bone fractures often requires a large surgical cut to insert metal plates and screws. This comes with risks of infection, pain, and sometimes the need for another surgery to remove the implants later.
The new bone glue offers several benefits:
- Quicker healing process (just 3 minutes).
- Less invasive surgery (no need for big cuts).
- Reduced risk of infection and side effects.
- No second surgery needed to remove implants.
Looking Back: Earlier Attempts at Bone Adhesives
Efforts to develop bone glue are not new. The first bone adhesives appeared in the 1940s, using materials like gelatine, epoxy resins, and acrylates.
However, those early versions failed because they were not compatible with the human body and had safety issues.
The new Chinese-developed “Bone-02” has overcome these challenges and is showing strong potential as a safe and effective medical solution.
Future Possibilities
Experts believe this glue could replace many metal implants currently used in orthopaedic surgeries. If widely adopted, it may change how fractures and bone injuries are treated worldwide, giving patients faster recovery and fewer complications.
Source: Times of India
