Haemostatic Bandage

Treating wounds quickly and effectively in conflict situations is crucial and can determine whether someone survives. In these cases, heavy bleeding is the main cause of death, followed by infection.  

Bandages are used to treat wounds in conflict zones because they soak up blood and help it clot. However, this can result in a significant loss of blood and increase the risk of death. When these bandages are removed, they often stick to the blood clots, reopening the wounds and leading to infections. 

But Dr Choon Hwai Yap and his colleagues found a potential solution to this problem. They invented a new material that repels blood – meaning it prevents blood loss when pressed on a wound. But despite not soaking up blood, it also works like a regular bandage to cause clotting and seal the wound. It can also be removed easily and painlessly without re-opening the wound, decreasing the chance of infection. 

This remarkable technology is published and patented. But it needed more testing before being sold and used in conflicts.  

Dr Yap’s team received a pilot grant to do more testing and improve the bandage’s properties. 

What did the researchers find? 

Dr Yap’s team made three important advancements to help them move forward with getting their bandage approved for use. 

Firstly, they figured out exactly how their nanofibrous material helps blood to clot. They found that the bandage activates a part of the blood clotting process called factor XII. This is very similar to how another material, called Kaolin, works. Kaolin has been used for centuries as a blood clotting material, and is a main component in bandages used by the US military – we know that it is safe. Finding out that the bandage has similar properties is important information for regulators that will help the new material get approved for market. 

Secondly, the researchers proved that the material is safe to use on human skin. In tests with human skin cells and tissues, they found that even large amounts of our material did not harm the cells or cause any DNA damage. 

And finally, the team found ways to make the material even more efficient at stopping bleeding. Using a method called spray coating, they added kaolin and other additives to the bandage to make it even better at clotting blood. 

What difference will this research make? 

By stopping bleeding quickly, Dr Yap’s bandage can reduce causalities and help prevent scarring in conflict situations. Scars are more likely to form when there are infections, or complications that require medical procedures. The nanofibrous material created by Dr Yap’s team helps to stop infection and keep patients healthy.  

Bringing this material to market as quickly as possible will save lives and bring us one step closer to scar free healing.