Orthopedic

Injectable Bone by RegenTec

A U.K. company called RegenTec, hopes to speed up the healing process of broken bones by injecting a white toothpaste like material which seals broken bones together in minutes.

It could mend shattered bones from traffic and sports accidents and help with complex operations on the spine by replacing the need for healthy bone to be taken from the body or donated. It could also replace the need for the 1.5 million painful bone graft procedures are performed worldwide each year.

Once injected it forms a biodegradeable scaffold over which the body's own bone grows and replaces it. The original material biodegrades over six months. Prof Kevin Shakesheff, leader of the Nottingham University where it was invented, said "The best way to deliver it is to have it injected and actually flow and find the shape itself - a bit like Polyfilla. Once it hardens, it is 70 per cent air, so there's loads of space for new bone to grow."

Source: RegenTec.net