A breakthrough in medical materials is changing how surgeons approach bone injuries.
A research team at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea has created a handheld 3D printing device — nicknamed a medical “hot glue gun” — that can print bone-like material directly into patients during surgery. This innovation could dramatically speed up healing, reduce infection risks, and transform orthopedic procedures worldwide.
How the Device Works
The device extrudes a custom bio-ink composed of:
Hydroxyapatite — the mineral that makes up human bone.
Polymers — providing flexibility and structural stability.
Surgeons can print bone scaffolds directly into a fracture site, tailoring the material to each patient’s anatomy in real time. The bone matrix is created instantly in the operating room.
A modified “hot glue gun” for bone repair, developed in South Korea.
Why This Matters
Traditional bone repair often relies on:
Metal implants (which may require later removal)
Donor grafts (rejection/supply limits)
Long recovery times
3D-printed scaffolds can:
Integrate with the body’s own cells
Reduce healing time
Offer custom geometry for complex fractures
The Bigger Picture: 3D Printing in Medicine
Direct bone printing builds on existing use cases:
Custom prosthetics
Dental implants
Tissue-engineering scaffolds
It’s another step toward patient-specific regenerative medicine.
Material science behind printable bone matrices.
What’s Next?
Portable devices for battlefield/disaster medicine
Hybrid materials with growth factors for faster regeneration
Scalable deployment across hospitals
Key Takeaways
Handheld 3D-printing device for bone repair from South Korea
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Scientists in South Korea Develop 3D Printing “Hot Glue Gun” for Bone Repair
A modified “hot glue gun” can mend broken bones.
A breakthrough in medical materials is changing how surgeons approach bone injuries.
A research team at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea has created a handheld 3D printing device — nicknamed a medical “hot glue gun” — that can print bone-like material directly into patients during surgery. This innovation could dramatically speed up healing, reduce infection risks, and transform orthopedic procedures worldwide.
How the Device Works
The device extrudes a custom bio-ink composed of:
Surgeons can print bone scaffolds directly into a fracture site, tailoring the material to each patient’s anatomy in real time. The bone matrix is created instantly in the operating room.
A modified “hot glue gun” for bone repair, developed in South Korea.
Why This Matters
Traditional bone repair often relies on:
3D-printed scaffolds can:
The Bigger Picture: 3D Printing in Medicine
Direct bone printing builds on existing use cases:
It’s another step toward patient-specific regenerative medicine.
Material science behind printable bone matrices.
What’s Next?
Key Takeaways
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