Chinese Scientists have created an innovative medical adhesive, known as “Bone-02,” capable of repairing bone fractures and fragmented bones within minutes — a process that would normally require months of healing.
The breakthrough, announced by a research team in Zhejiang Province, enables precise bone fixation in just two to three minutes, even in blood-rich surgical environments. According to Lin Xianfeng, the project’s lead researcher and associate chief orthopedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital in Hangzhou, the injectable glue is applied through a small incision, removing the need for metal plates or screws and allowing for faster, minimally invasive operations.
Lin explained that the glue gradually dissolves as the bone regenerates, eliminating the necessity for follow-up surgeries to remove implants. Laboratory testing has shown that “Bone-02” is both safe and effective. In clinical trials involving over 150 patients, the bonded bones displayed a tensile strength exceeding 400 pounds, a shear strength of roughly 0.5 MPa, and a compressive strength close to 10 MPa.
These findings indicate that the material could eventually replace conventional metal implants, lowering the risk of infection or immune rejection commonly linked with foreign materials.
The team drew inspiration from oysters, whose natural adhesive allows them to attach firmly to wet, salty, and constantly moving surfaces — conditions that make bonding difficult for typical glues. Unlike standard bone cements or fillers used in orthopedic surgery, this bio-glue forms strong, erosion-resistant bonds under such challenging conditions.
Efforts to develop similar bone adhesives date back to the 1940s, when materials such as gelatin, epoxy resins, and acrylates were tested but later abandoned due to poor biocompatibility. If large-scale trials prove successful, “Bone-02” could revolutionize orthopedic surgery by shortening procedure times, speeding up recovery, and reducing the need for multiple operations.
