Chinese Researchers Develop New Bone Adhesive Aimed at Replacing Plates and Screws
Orthopedic surgeons in China have developed a bone adhesive called “Bone 02”, which promises to provide a revolutionary alternative to traditional metal plates and screws in fracture surgery. The breakthrough comes after more than nine years of research, led by Professor Fan Shunwu and Dr. Lin Xianfeng of Zhejiang University.
According to the research team, the inspiration came from oysters and their natural “biocement,” which allows them to cling firmly to rocks in harsh underwater environments. By mimicking this mechanism, scientists created a material capable of chemically interacting with bone and rapidly hardening inside the human body.
The adhesive demonstrated near-instant bonding in wet, blood-soaked conditions, achieving full fixation in just 2–3 minutes. Tests showed its adhesion strength exceeds 181 kilograms of tensile force. A key advantage is its complete biodegradability—it is naturally reabsorbed by the body about six months after application, coinciding with the bone’s healing process.
Researchers highlight that “Bone 02” is especially useful for treating complex fractures with small bone fragments that are difficult to secure with conventional methods. In addition, the procedure is minimally invasive, requiring only a small incision to apply the adhesive.
The effectiveness of “Bone 02” has been confirmed through a rigorous prospective, multicenter, randomized, blinded, and parallel-controlled clinical trial involving over 150 patients. The team reported positive outcomes, with complete bonding of all fracture fragments, and plans to publish the detailed findings soon in a specialized medical journal.