A tool made from a modified glue gun can now repair broken bones in surgery by 3D-printing grafts directly onto them.

Bone implants have historically been made of metal, donor bone and more recently 3D-printed material.

But in cases involving irregular bone breaks, these implants need to be designed and produced prior to surgery to allow for appropriate fitting, the researchers explain.

The new tool—which has been tested on rabbits—was developed to quickly create complex bone implants without the need for any manufacturing in advance.

The team also optimized the 3D-printed bone grafts for high structural flexibility, the release of anti-inflammatory antibiotics and the promotion of natural bone regrowth at the grafting site.

"Our proposed technology offers a distinct approach by devel

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