China Develops Medical Glue Gun That Heals Broken Bones in Just Three Minutes

Chinese scientists have announced the creation of a medical glue gun that can heal broken bones in just three minutes. The innovation, known as “Bone-02,” has already been tested on more than 150 patients and is being praised as a possible replacement for traditional metal plates and screws used in fracture treatment.

The announcement came from a research team in Zhejiang Province led by Lin Xianfeng, an associate chief orthopedic surgeon at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. Speaking to Chinese media, Dr. Lin explained that his idea came from an oyster.

“When I saw how oysters cling so firmly to bridge pillars under water, I thought to myself, if they can survive in such a wet and difficult environment, why can’t we design something similar for human bones?” Lin said in an interview with Global Times. “That was the beginning of the journey that led us to this glue.”

The new broken bones glue gun works in a way that is very different from present medical products. While other materials like bone cement could only fill spaces, this adhesive actually sticks bone fragments together, even in blood-rich environments where normal adhesives fail.

Scientists designed it by studying how oysters secrete a special natural cement that allows them to stick to rocks, bridge pilings, and even to each other. “Oysters showed us that nature already solved this problem,” Lin explained. “We only had to learn from it.”

The glue is injected directly into the fracture. Within two to three minutes, it hardens and holds the broken bone in place. Doctors say it is strong enough to handle a force of more than 400 pounds. In lab tests, it showed a shear strength of 0.5 MPa and a compressive strength of 10 MPa, proving that it can survive heavy pressure.

Local media in Zhejiang reported that the glue has already been tested in over 150 patients. According to CCTV, the results were impressive. In one case, a fracture that would normally require a large incision and the placement of metal screws was repaired in less than three minutes.

A patient who was part of the trial said, “The doctors told me it would be fast, but I did not expect my bone to be fixed in minutes without any plates or screws. It feels like a miracle,” he said.

Doctors added that the glue is biodegradable, meaning that it will dissolve naturally inside the body as the bone heals. This makes it very different from metal implants, which often require another surgery to remove them later.

Usually, surgeons use steel plates, screws, and rods to treat broken bones. While effective, these methods come with problems. They can cause infections, allergic reactions, and long recovery times. Patients also face the possibility of a second surgery to remove the implants.

“This glue has the potential to replace the implants,” Lin said. “It reduces the risks, lowers the cost of treatment, and most importantly, it helps patients heal faster.”

Scientists have been trying to develop such a product since the 1940s. Early versions were made from gelatin, epoxy resins, and acrylates. However, they were quickly abandoned because they were not safe for the human body.

The medical world relied on bone cements and fillers instead. These could stabilize bones but had no true adhesive properties. That is why experts often called a real bone adhesive the “holy grail” of orthopedic surgery.

Now, with Bone-02, Chinese researchers believe they may finally have the answer. Experts says that more research is needed. Long-term data must confirm that the glue works in all conditions and for different kinds of fractures. Some doctors also want to see how the glue performs in older patients with fragile bones.

“If oysters can show us the way, and if science can turn that idea into reality, then this could be a new era in bone treatment,” said a researcher from Zhejiang University.

Dr. Lin summed it up by saying, “We wanted to create something simple and safe. Our goal was to help patients heal faster and avoid unnecessary suffering. Bone-02 is a step in that direction, and we believe it can change orthopedic surgery forever.”