Injectable bandage promises to reduce battlefield mortality

According to the University, there is an unmet need to quickly self-administer materials that prevent fatality due to excessive blood loss.

In a recent article “Nanoengineered Injectable Hydrogels for Wound Healing Application” published in Acta Biomaterialia, Dr. Akhilesh K. Gaharwar, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University, used kappa-carrageenan and nanosilicates to form injectable hydrogels to promote the process to stop bleeding (haemostasis) and facilitate wound healing via a controlled release of therapeutics.

“Injectable hydrogels are promising materials for achieving haemostasis in case of internal injuries and bleeding, as these biomaterials can be introduced into a wound site using minimally invasive approaches,” Gaharwar said in a statement. “An ideal injectable bandage should solidify after injection in the wound area and promote a natural clotting cascade. In addition, the injectable bandage should initiate wound healing response after achieving haemostasis.”