A group of researchers in Texas is working on new injectable bandages made from clay-based materials that can rapidly stop severe internal bleeding. This work comes as traumatic injury remains a leading cause of death in Texas, with uncontrolled bleeding accounting for many fatalities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation, Dr. Gaharwar and his colleagues in the biomedical engineering department have developed injectable hemostatic bandages designed to promote faster blood clotting, especially for deep internal injuries where standard compression methods are not effective.
Recent studies published in Advanced Science and Advanced Functional Materials report that these dressings can reduce bleeding time by nearly 70%. "Under normal circumstances, human blood clots within six to seven minutes," said Gaharwar. "Using these hemostatic dressings, we are able to reduce the clotting time to one to two minutes."
The team aims to create a device simple enough for self-application immediately after an injury. Dr. Taylor Ware noted: "For a self-applied or in-the-field-applied device, you can't use the fancy mechanics and apparatus that you would have in the operating room. There can't be any special tools. You have to have something that just works and works quickly."
The technology relies on clay minerals containing silicate-based particles, which have been used for wound treatment since ancient times due to their absorbency and ability to adhere to tissue. "These clay particles were being used as a hemostat in ancient civilizations in China, Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, Greece and Rome, likely owing to their absorbency and tissue adherent properties" said Gaharwar. "Ancient peoples would make a paste out of water and clay particles and apply it to wounds to stop bleeding faster."
To avoid infection risks associated with natural clays, the researchers use synthetic nanosilicate particles but face challenges delivering them effectively without causing other health risks like embolism.
One solution involves combining nanosilicate particles with an expanding foam that stays stable until injected into a wound site. Once inside the body and exposed to heat, it expands, sealing severed vessels while holding clot-promoting agents at the site of injury.
Another approach uses micro-ribbons coated with nanosilicate particles. These ribbons respond to body heat by curling up once applied; when several are present at an injury site they tangle together forming a structure similar to foam—helping keep clotting agents where needed while reducing risk of travel through blood vessels.
"If these materials get into the first aid kits in an ambulance as well as a soldier's backpack, they can save a lot of lives," said Gaharwar. "If you can save 30-40% of hemorrhagic shock victims, that is a big achievement."
