A research team at Texas A&M is creating injectable hemostatic bandages to reduce bleeding time by about 70%. The dressings are meant for deep internal bleeding where normal pressure or bandages cannot reach. Normally human blood clots in six to seven minutes, but the new materials can cut clotting to one to two minutes.
The scientists use tiny synthetic nanosilicate particles that speed clotting. These particles are based on clay minerals once used long ago, but they are made in the lab to lower infection risk.
A key challenge is keeping particles at the wound. The team developed two delivery methods: an expanding foam that reacts to body heat and micro-ribbons that curl and tangle to stay in place.
Difficult words
- hemostatic — causing blood to stop flowing
- injectable — able to be put into the body
- clot — a thick mass formed when blood becomes solidclots, clotting
- nanosilicate — very small synthetic particles like clay
- micro-ribbon — a very thin short strip of materialmicro-ribbons
- infection — disease caused by harmful germs
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you want a treatment that stops bleeding faster? Why or why not?
- Which delivery method seems better to you, the heat-reactive foam or the micro-ribbons? Why?
- How could faster clotting help a patient after an injury?
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