Imagine walking into surgery with a broken bone and walking out knowing your doctor literally printed part of your healing process on the spot.
That’s the promise of a fascinating new medical tool being developed in South Korea: a 3D-printing “glue gun” that can repair bone fractures in real time.
Unlike traditional implants, which often require pre-surgery scans and precise custom modeling or rely on metal and donor bone, this invention allows surgeons to produce bone grafts directly during surgery. The device is compact, handheld, and fast — producing strong, flexible grafts customized to the exact contours of a patient’s jagged fracture edges within minutes.
What’s inside this “bone glue”? A filament made of hydroxyapatite (a natural bone component) and polycaprolactone (a kind of biocompatible plastic that melts at a safe 60°C).
Together, they create a scaffold that’s not only strong but also gradually dissolves as natural bone grows back in its place. For patients, that means less risk of long-term complications and more potential for the body to heal naturally.
But that’s not all. Bone surgeries often carry a risk of infection — something that can complicate recovery and prolong healing. To address this, the research team integrated antibiotics such as vancomycin and gentamicin directly into the 3D-printed scaffold.
Over time, these drugs slowly release into the surgical area, offering localized protection against harmful bacteria, while reducing the need for heavy systemic antibiotics.
In animal trials, the results were nothing short of impressive. Rabbits treated with this technique showed significantly improved bone regeneration compared to those given conventional bone cement. Within 12 weeks, the treated group displayed healthier bone density, thicker structures, and no signs of infection or tissue death — pointing to a promising step toward human application.
As Professor Jung Seung Lee of Sungkyunkwan University explained:
“This allows for highly accurate anatomical matching even in irregular or complex defects without the need for preoperative preparation such as imaging, modeling, and trimming processes.”
His words highlight just how revolutionary this tool could be for operating rooms worldwide.
For many, surgery can feel uncertain and daunting, especially later in life when fractures are harder to heal. A treatment that’s faster, more adaptable, infection-resistant, and designed to work with the body’s natural healing can mean shorter hospital stays and better long-term outcomes.
The next step: preparing for human trials. If all goes well, this little “glue gun” may soon be a lifesaver for accident victims, older adults, and anyone facing serious bone fractures.
Want to dive deeper? Check out the full article at Good News Network.
