Researchers from the Inspired Nanomaterials and Tissue Engineering Laboratory have developed an injectable bandage made of a hydrogel agent, according to a study published in the February 2018 edition of Acta Biomaterialia.
Led by Akhilesh K. Gaharwar, MD, assistant professor in the department of biomedical engineering at Texas A&M University, the study outlined the development of the injectable bandage and its benefits as a self-administered material to prevent blood loss.
"Injectable hydrogels are promising materials for achieving hemostasis in case of internal injuries and bleeding, as these biomaterials can be introduced into a wound site using minimally invasive approaches," said Gaharwar. "An ideal injectable bandage should solidify after injection in the wound area and promote a natural clotting cascade. In addition, the injectable bandage should initiate wound healing response after achieving hemostasis."
The injectable was developed from a common thickening agent called kappa-carrageenan, taken from seaweed to develop the injectable hydrogel to stimulate the structure of human tissues. When the kappa-carrageenan is mixed with clay-based nanoparticles, an injectable gelatin is produced. With the hemostatic ability of the hydrogel gained from the nanoparticles, the injectable forms a layer capable of clotting blood.
"Interestingly, we also found that these injectable bandages can show a prolonged release of therapeutics that can be used to heal the wound" said Giriraj Lokhande, a graduate student in Gaharwar's lab and first author of the paper. "The negative surface charge of nanoparticles enabled electrostatic interactions with therapeutics thus resulting in the slow release of therapeutics."
Cara joined TriMed Media in 2016 and is currently a Senior Writer for Clinical Innovation & Technology. Originating from Detroit, Michigan, she holds a Bachelors in Health Communications from Grand Valley State University.