Researchers develop modified glue gun that can print bone — device 3D prints synthetic grafts directly onto patients’ living tissue during surgery

A research team at Sungkyunkwan University has developed a modified glue gun that can 3D print synthetic bone grafts directly onto a patient's living tissue during surgery. The device uses a composite material that acts as a scaffold for bone growth, outperforming traditional bone cement. The technique allows for customized implants to be created in real-time, reducing the need for bone grafts or metal reconstruction. The glue gun uses low-temperature printing to avoid damaging surrounding tissues, and the materials used can include antibiotics to prevent infections. While the technology shows promise for orthopedic surgeries, further development, including sterilization protocols and pre-clinical studies, is needed before it can be widely adopted.