Quick heal: IIT-K develops polymer to stop bleeding

The Department of Biological Sciences and Bio Engineering of the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur has developed a polymer which when applied to a fresh wound stops the bleeding within five seconds,said researchers involved in the project.

The Department of Biological Sciences and Bio Engineering of the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur has developed a polymer which when applied to a fresh wound stops the bleeding within five seconds,said researchers involved in the project.

The researchers claimed that the Natural Polymer Sponge (NPS),which has been developed from a chemical found in crab shells,would revolutionise the medical treatment,as excessive bleeding has often been the main cause of fatalities during wars,accidents and natural tragedies.

After conducting successful experiments of the NPS on animals in the institutes laboratory,the IIT-K team is now looking forward for clinical testing of the product. It would soon apply for getting a patenting on the product. Such a polymer sponge,which could promote haemostasis (the process to prevent the flow of blood from an injured body part) has not been developed, said Ashok Kumar Kaul,Associate Professor of Bio-Sciences and Bio-Engineering Department.

According to Kaul,the haemostasis creams and ointments currently available in the market provide only partial relief. In fact,they are ineffective in controlling bleeding in major injuries, he added.

The NPS is made from a substance called chitin extracted from crab shells at minus 20 degrees Celsius using cryogelation technology. In the process,the chitin is modified into another substance called chitosan. Using dextran and other polysaccharides,chitosan is developed into NPS. The sponge has several pores which have the capacity to absorb volume of blood to promote haemostasis, said Kaul.

The biodegradable NPS is in form of a one millimetre thin sheet,whose size can vary according to requirement. Easy to carry in a First Aid Box,the NPS can withstand extreme weather conditions of India.

Since it is extremely hot in summer and extremely cold in winters in India,we have designed the NPS in a manner last it would have a similar impact in all seasons, he added.

Story continues below this ad

If required,we will look for collaboration with a foreign institute or a firm for further tests of NPS, said Kaul.

Wonder Polymer
Natural Polymer Sponge is one millimetre thin sheet of polymer made from chitin found in crab shells

How it is applied
It has to be placed on a fresh wound and pressed slightly to stop the bleeding

The NPS will absorb the blood and simultaneously act as a cover to prevent the flow of blood from the injured body part

Ashok Kumar Kaul
Associate Professor,Bio-Sciences and Bio-Engineering Department,IIT-Kanpur

Uses
Bleeding stops within five seconds of application

Story continues below this ad

Advantages
Can be carried in a First Aid Box
Doesnt get affected by extreme weather condition
Is biodegradable

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
lucknow

Loading Taboola...