Innovative 3D Printing 'Glue Gun' Enables On-Site Bone Graft Fabrication During Surgery

Scientists have introduced a groundbreaking surgical tool inspired by a modified glue gun that utilizes 3D printing technology to create bone grafts directly onto fractures and defects during operation. This novel device, detailed in the journal Device, has undergone testing in animal models, specifically rabbits, demonstrating rapid, accurate formation of complex bone implants without pre-fabrication. The filament used in the device combines hydroxyapatite (HA), a natural component that facilitates healing, with polycaprolactone (PCL), a biocompatible thermoplastic, allowing for customizable properties.

The heated glue gun operates at temperatures low enough (around 60°C) to prevent tissue damage while conforming precisely to irregular bone surfaces. Surgeons can modify the printing direction, angle, and depth in real time, enhancing surgical precision and reducing operative time to mere minutes. This technique also incorporates antibacterial agents, vancomycin and gentamicin, embedded within the filament for localized infection control, releasing gradually over several weeks to prevent postoperative infections.

In animal studies, the scaffold supported effective bone regeneration, showing no infection or necrosis after 12 weeks, and surpassed traditional bone cement in key structural parameters. The biodegradable scaffold gradually degrades as new bone tissue forms, offering a promising solution for complex or irregular fractures without the need for preoperative imaging or custom implant design. This innovation paves the way for immediate, precise, and infection-resistant bone repair in surgical settings, with ongoing efforts aimed at clinical trials and regulatory approval.

Source: Medical Xpress