A glimpse into the future of fracture repair – an injectable biologic putty

Astonishing Fracture Repair From DARPA (OTW)
The researchers, led by doctors Mauro Ferrari and Ennio Tasciotti, with the Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, Texas, came up with an idea that could change orthopaedic surgery. Using a chemical called polypropylene fumarate they created a putty that, when applied to a broken bone, solidifies and works like a glue to bring the two parts of the fracture together. The substance not only fixes a fractured bone quickly, it also promotes its regeneration.
The material relies on small spheres of porous silicon to create the material’s unique...