Handheld 3D Printer Repairs Bone Like a Glue Gun — Tested in Rabbits, Planned for OR Use

A team of researchers from Korea and the U.S. has developed a handheld 3D printing device that functions like a glue gun, printing bone-like material directly onto fractures. Tested successfully in rabbits, the device aims to enable faster and more personalized bone procedures in humans. The device, made of biodegradable materials like polycaprolactone and hydroxyapatite, can be used to print bone grafts on demand during surgery, avoiding the need for pre-made implants. The technology, still in the experimental phase, has the potential to revolutionize bone defect treatment by allowing surgeons to create customized, biodegradable, and antibacterial implants directly in the operating room. Future steps include larger animal testing and preparation for human clinical trials after meeting regulatory requirements.