Specialists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have created a powdered preparation for rapid hemorrhage control. As reported in a publication in the scientific journal Advanced Functional Materials, when the material is sprayed onto a damaged surface, it transforms into a dense hydrogel in one second, sealing the wound.
The authors of the study indicate that conventional plasters and medical sponges work well only for superficial skin injuries, but are ineffective for deep wounds or injuries with uneven edges and heavy bleeding. Furthermore, such remedies are sensitive to environmental conditions, which hinders their widespread use outside of medical facilities.
The novel material, named AGCL, is intended for emergency aid. It will be utilized in operating rooms, during disaster relief, and in field settings where ensuring the use of standard toolkits is difficult.
The powder is formed from biocompatible components, such as alginate and gellan gum. When they interact with calcium in the blood, a gel structure forms, and chitosan provides an enhancement to the hemostatic effect. This ultimately creates a robust barrier that maintains stability even under high pressure.
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