Scientists at Novosibirsk State University have created and patented a hemostatic bandage based on synthetic zeolite. The development stops capillary, venous, and arterial bleeding and is free from the main drawbacks of existing analogues — dangerous tissue overheating and particle shedding.
Zeolite is a porous mineral that actively binds fluid and accelerates blood clotting. In the form of free granules, it heats up significantly upon contact with blood and can cause burns. Growing zeolite directly on the fabric was also not suitable: the method requires harsh conditions and destroys the fiber.
The researchers first synthesized zeolite crystals of a given size and shape, then prepared an aqueous suspension with a safe binding compound and impregnated the fabric base with it. After drying, the material was fixed by brief heating and rinsed with ultrasound to remove loosely held particles. As a result, a strong monolayer of zeolite remained on the fiber.
The blood plasma clotting time with the new material was comparable to a standard hemostatic agent based on natural kaolin. After rinsing and ultrasonic treatment, 90–95% of the particles remained on the fibers, and the crystal distribution was uniform and monolayer.
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