Researchers have developed a sprayable powder that forms an instant gel barrier to stop severe bleeding, even when applied to deep, large, and irregular wounds, within seconds.

The team, which included an Army Major and scientists from KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), had designed the next-generation haemostatic agent to address excessive bleeding, a leading cause of death in combat injuries.

The powder, which is to improve survival rates by providing a rapid and effective solution for controlling bleeding, can absorb a large volume of blood and remains effective for up to two years. It was published in Advanced Functional Materials.

Known as AGCL powder, the innovation works by forming a gel barrier upon contact with blood, effectively sealing wounds and preventing further blood loss, representing a significant advancement in emergency medical care for military personnel and potentially other trauma scenarios.

The leading cause of death due to injuries in war is excessive bleeding, driving the search for faster, more reliable solutions adaptable to extreme conditions.

The project involved the direct participation of an active Army major, which influenced the technology design from the outset.

In animal experiments, researchers observed positive effects on tissue regeneration. Among the highlighted results are accelerated wound healing and the promotion of blood vessel and collagen regeneration.

Also, the powder showed superior sealing performance compared to commercial haemostatic agents with a high adhesive strength of over “40 kPa”, a level of pressure that can withstand being pressed strongly by hand.

The test results indicate a low risk of cell damage and infection when the material comes into contact with blood.

PhD candidate Kyusoon Park (Army Major), who participated in the research, stated, “The core of modern warfare is minimising the loss of human life. I started the research with a sense of mission to save even one more soldier. I hope this technology will be used as a life-saving technology in both national defence and private medical fields.”

Until now, existing powder haemostatic agents used in medical fields have had limitations in application to deep and complex wounds due to their flat structure and were sensitive to temperature and humidity, posing limits on storage and operation.

This characteristic limits long-term storage and hinders their use in demanding environments, such as military operations or areas affected by natural disasters.

The KAIST team sought to overcome these limitations by adopting a powder format, which can adapt to different wound geometries and environmental conditions. (Nigerian Tribune)