Researchers from the  Agharkar Research Institute, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed a bandage containing chitosan (a natural polymer that halts bleeding) and agonist (a substance that improves clotting) nanoparticles can rapidly minimize blood loss from wounds.

The Hemo-halt bandage can reduce blood loss before treatment, save lives, and reduce disabilities on the battlefield. It can also contribute to the reduction in hospitalization costs.

Worldwide, uncontrolled haemorrhage is the leading cause of traumatic death during accidents or injuries among the military and civilian populations. Severe bleeding triggers trauma due to shock, hypothermia, coagulopathy, tissue damage, and organ failure that often causes mortality. Therefore, efforts for early haemorrhage control are important to prevent disability or death during severe blood loss. Though critical care guidelines recommend topical hemostatic agents in the form of pads, patches, bandages, or gel applications for early control of bleeding, most of these are inadequate in halting heavy blood loss. Conventional physical hemostatic agents like bone wax and gelatin foam, biological agents such as bovine thrombin, and fibrin sealants, and synthetic agents including cyanoacrylates and glutaraldehyde, cause inflammation, viral infection and tissue toxicity. Considering these limitations, developing effective and safe dressing for haemorrhage control occupies high significance for both civilian and battlefield populations.

Chitosan, which can control bleeding due to its cationic nature and hydrogel-forming ability leads to the concentration of erythrocytes and platelets in the injury site. Commercial chitosan preparations like Celox,   wound dressings show variable performances due to a lack of stabilization of blood clots, mechanical strength, lack of porosity, and a tendency for adherence to wound surface. In the newly developed homeostatic bandage, the synergistic effects of combining chitosan and agonist nanoparticles resulted in the highly efficient blood clotting ability.

The hemostatic gauze has the added advantage of ease of removal from the injury site. The GLP studies have been undertaken for this product which will help in commercialization. The indigenous bandage will be an import substitute to foreign brands like Celox, Hem-Con, Chitoclot, etc., promoting the make-in-India effort. Hemostatic soft gels are also being developed that can be applied to soft tissues and organs.