KOREAN NET

A research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a powder-type hemostatic agent that stops bleeding on a wound within a second. Shown is a virtual image of the agent. (KAIST)

By Kim Seon Ah

A research team at the country's top science and technology university has developed a powder-type hemostatic agent that stops bleeding within a second when applied to a wound.

Effective even on irregularly shaped or deep wounds, the invention is expected to prevent deaths due to excessive bleeding at combat or disaster sites.

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, aka KAIST, on Dec. 29 announced that the team was led by Steve Park, a professor at the school's Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Jon Sangyong, a professor at the Department of Biological Sciences.

Upon contact with blood, the agent immediately hardens into a gel to seal the bleeding area. Conventional patch-type hemostatic agents are difficult to use on uneven wounds, but this new model can be applied on injuries of any shape.

To accelerate hemostasis, the team applied a material that quickly gels through reaction with ions in blood. Animal trials showed that the agent greatly reduced bleeding volume and clotting time, thus speeding up recovery.

The cell survival rate and antibacterial effects were also outstanding.

KAIST said the agent can maintain its function for two years even at room temperature and in high humidity, thus it can be immediately used at combat or disaster sites.

This study was published on Oct. 28 in Advanced Functional Materials, a global academic journal of materials and chemistry.

sofiakim218@korea.kr