UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA. Researchers developed the world’s first self-propelled particles that can deliver coagulants against the blood flow to treat severe bleeding. This is a major advancement especially in trauma care scenarios.
Christian Kastrup, an assistant professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology and the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia, and his team looked and developed an effective method that can immediately stop severe bleeding. Most traditional methods are not very reliable especially when the blood loss starts inside the body like the abdomen, sinus or uterus.
The number one killer of maternal death from postpartum hemorrhage is bleeding. In fact, in poor communities, postpartum hemorrhage can reach as high as 1 in 50 births. This is one of the major concerns that the team of researchers needed to minimize. There are hundreds of agents that can clot blood but they are not effective against severe blood flow, most especially far enough upstream to reach the bleeding vessels. Kastrup’s joined forces with emergency physicians, researchers and biochemical engineers in developing a simple gas-generating calcium carbonate microparticle that can be used in powder form to halt intense bleeding that could possibly lead to death.
The powder works like antacid tablets. The particles release carbon dioxide gas to propel them to where the bleeding originates. Microparticles that are porous are formed by the carbonate. They can bind with tranexamic acid which is a clotting agent. They are transported deep into the wounds and damaged tissues.
The powder has been tested already using 2 animal models. The particles worked well even in simulated scenarios like a gunshot wound to a femoral artery. They have been very efficient in halting the bleeding.
Further development and tests are needed so that it can be used on humans. It will potentially have several uses from the treatment of combat wounds to intricate sinus operations.
| Invention | Self-Propelling Powder that Stops Bleeding in Hard to Reach Areas |
|---|---|
| Organization | University of British Columbia |
| Researcher | Christian Kastrup & Team |
| Field(s) | Biomaterials, Self-propelling particles, Emergency Medicine, Trauma Care, Surgery, Coagulation |
| Further Information | http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2015/10/05/self-propelled-powder-moves-against-blood-flow-to-staunch-bleeding-in-hard-to-reach-areas/ |
Image courtesy of pixabay.com
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