Scientists in South Korea have developed a new bone grafting technology using a modified glue gun that can 3D print biodegradable grafts directly at the site of an injury during surgery, New Atlas reports.
The technology is designed to improve the repair of bone damage that occurs, in particular, after fractures or tumor removal, reducing the need for donor grafts or metal structures.
The gun uses special rods made of a biodegradable composite. This material consists of polycaprolactone, which stabilizes damaged bone, and hydroxyapatite, a natural component of bone tissue. When heated, the composite turns into a scaffold that promotes the growth of new bone tissue.
In addition to the main components, antibiotics such as vancomycin and gentamicin can be added to the rods, which reduces the need for oral medication and the risk of developing antibiotic resistance.
According to the developers, the gun allows the surgeon to adjust the direction, angle and depth of the print during the operation, and thanks to the low-temperature operation mode, the device does not damage the surrounding tissue. In addition, the intervention process itself takes several minutes.
In a 12-week comparative study, the new technology outperformed traditional bone cement, producing stronger, more natural-looking bone with no signs of inflammation or damage to the surrounding area. The scaffold gradually breaks down and is replaced by new bone.
The new technique will allow surgeons to create individual grafts in the operating room more easily and cheaply. However, before it can be implemented in clinical practice, it will need to go through sterilization, preclinical studies and standardization of production. Only then can the technology become part of standard surgical instruments.