Researchers in Zhejiang Province, China, have developed a groundbreaking medical adhesive called "Bone-02" that can repair bone fractures in as little as three minutes, potentially revolutionizing orthopedic treatment. The innovation was unveiled on September 10 by a research team led by Lin Xianfeng, associate chief orthopedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital.
Bio-Inspired Design Breakthrough
The development of Bone-02 drew inspiration from an unexpected source: oysters. Lin Xianfeng explained that the team observed how oysters cling tightly to bridges underwater, leading to the creation of a bone adhesive capable of achieving precise fixation in just two to three minutes, even in blood-rich environments where traditional adhesives typically fail.
Unlike ordinary adhesives, the bio-glue secreted by oysters forms pressure and erosion-resistant bonds in moist, salty, wet, and constantly moving conditions. This natural mechanism provided the foundation for developing an adhesive that could function effectively in the challenging environment of human bone repair.
Clinical Performance and Testing
Bone-02 has undergone extensive testing in more than 150 patients, with laboratory results demonstrating promising outcomes for both safety and strength. The adhesive exhibits remarkable mechanical properties, including a bonding force of more than 400 pounds, shear strength of approximately 0.5 MPa, and compressive strength of around 10 MPa.
In clinical trials, procedures that would normally require steel plates and screws were completed in less than three minutes using the adhesive. One notable case involved a patient with a wrist fracture who received a single injection through a mere 3-centimeter incision and achieved complete healing in three minutes. During a three-month follow-up examination, the patient's fracture had fully healed without complications.
Advantages Over Traditional Methods
The adhesive offers several significant advantages over conventional orthopedic treatments. Unlike metal implants, Bone-02 is naturally absorbed by the body as the bone heals, eliminating the need for secondary surgery to remove hardware. This characteristic addresses a major limitation of current treatments, where patients often require a second procedure to remove metal plates and screws.
Initial test results also indicate that the bone-glue treatment produces fewer infections compared to metal plate procedures, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
Historical Context and Future Implications
Current bone cements and fillers used in fracture treatment do not function as true adhesives. Early attempts at developing bone glue in the 1940s using gelatin, epoxy resins, and acrylates were abandoned due to biocompatibility issues.
If further trials confirm its efficacy, researchers believe Bone-02 could mark a major leap in orthopedic care, offering patients a quicker and less invasive alternative to traditional surgery. The technology addresses the significant challenge of treating orthopedic injuries that generally require months of downtime and invasive surgeries involving metal plate insertions.
