Scientists in China have developed a revolutionary new “bone glue” that can heal fractures, which could traditionally take months to heal, in a matter of minutes, according to a report.
Product “Bone-02’ was developed by a Chinese research team, which sought to fix orthopedic injuries that would generally require months of downtime and invasive surgeries that often include metal plate insertions, the Global Times reported.
Lin Xianfeng, associate chief orthopedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, in Hangzhou, said the adhesive can achieve precise fixation in a matter of minutes even in blood-rich environments.
The glue treatment comes in the form of a single injection and will “bond shattered bone fragments in just three minutes,” according to that report.
In one trial case, a patient with a wrist fracture received one injection via a mere 3 cm incision and was healed in just three minutes, Cho Sun Daily reported.
A surgery to repair the wrist would have required a metal plate and screws that would require a second surgery the following year to remove, the outlet reported.
After a three-month follow-up check-up, the patient’s fracture had fully healed without complications, that report claimed.
Researchers said they were inspired by oysters — namely the mollusk’s ability to stick to underwater surfaces that are difficult for traditional adhesives to manage, Interesting Engineering reported.
Unlike ordinary glues, the bio-glue secreted by oysters forms pressure and erosion resistant bonds in moist, salty, wet, and constantly moving conditions, that outlet explained.
The creators of “Bone-02” further stated that the substance demonstrated a maximum bonding force of over 400 pounds, the Global Times said.
“Bone-02” can also be naturally absorbed by the body as the bone heals, eliminating the need for a second surgery to remove implants, according to the substance’s creators.
Initial tests also indicate that using the bone-glue produces fewer infections than metal plate procedures.
