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Protein Gel Quickly Stops Bleeding

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the hot-to-clot dept.

Stefan vd Linden writes, "An international team of scientists has discovered a substance to heal bleeding wounds within seconds. They're using a solution of protein molecules that self-organizes into a biodegradable gel. Until now they've only tested it on animals, but the tests were highly successful. From the article: 'Some surgeons are already excited about the material. "I see great potential in the eye field, the gastro-intestinal field, and in neurosurgery," says Dimitri Azar, head of ophthalmology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, US. "In the eye, even a drop of blood will blur your vision for a long time," Azar adds. "A material that would stop the bleeding could lead to a paradigm shift in how we practice surgery in the eye."'"

6 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. I already have a protein gel that stops bleeding by csoto · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's called platelets. It was invented long ago. Thank goodness, or I would have died the first time my nose bled...

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  2. as a hemophiliac by Rooked_One · · Score: 5, Insightful

    this would be great... if I cut myself shaving its a real pain in the ass... I have to doctor myself for a good hour to get some litle nicks to stop. My shots to stop bleeding cost around 1,000 bucks a pop, so its not like I can just give myself a shot for a minor nick - granted this won't help with joint bleeds, but hey, as long as they don't charge an arm and a leg for the stuff, i'll be happy.

    Now if I could just rub it on the skin to stop joint and muscle bleeds... wow... a gift from heaven?

    1. Re:as a hemophiliac by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 4, Insightful
      if I cut myself shaving its a real pain in the ass... I have to doctor myself for a good hour to get some litle nicks to stop. My shots to stop bleeding cost around 1,000 bucks a pop...

      Consider an electric razor...

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  3. Sounds like the HemCon bandage by count0 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There's a company called HemCon that makes a chitosan bandage - it's a protein gel bandage made from chitosan extracted from shrimp shells. The US Army currently uses it in Iraq & Afghanistan.

  4. Re:I already have a protein gel that stops bleedin by symes · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Indeed - superglue was invented to close wounds http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superglue#Medicine and is still used in hospitals around the world

  5. Re:I already have a protein gel that stops bleedin by nizo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How about packing helmets/vests/etc with a layer of this stuff for things that get through? I for one would prefer that the padding in a helmet be filled with this rather than plain ol' squishy gel.

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