Chinese scientists have developed a new “bone paste” called Bone-02, which is reported to be able to heal a fracture in just three minutes with a single injection. The technology is inspired by the way oysters can adhere to surfaces underwater in wet environments.
It’s said that Bone-02 has already been tested in more than 150 patients. The paste is designed to form a very strong bond between bone fragments and then gradually dissolve as the bone heals. This eliminates the need for metal plates or screws, which are traditionally used in fracture repair.
The researchers aim for a minimally invasive approach: instead of opening up the bone and inserting hardware, a small injection of this adhesive could fix the fracture quickly—even in the presence of blood and moisture.
- The technology draws from biomimicry — that is, copying natural systems — by modeling the adhesive qualities oysters use to stick to underwater surfaces.
- In trials, Bone-02 reportedly achieved bonding strengths strong enough to handle high stress loads (over 400 pounds of force in some cases).
- Because the paste is bioabsorbable, it gradually degrades as the bone heals. This could remove the need for a second surgery to remove hardware, reducing complications and overall recovery time.
- The clinical testing so far has been promising, but it’s still early days. Wider adoption will depend on long-term safety studies, regulatory approval, and proving that it works in a broad range of fracture types.
