This gel can stop severe bleeding in seconds
Do you sometimes wish we could treat the human body like a bathroom, plugging any problematic leaks with sealant and grout? No? Well, maybe you should.
When you’re faced with a severe, bleeding wound, the most important thing is to stop the bleeding and stop it fast. That’s exactly what Cresilon’s pre-filled syringe device Traumagel does. And yes, it does look a bit like a mini caulk gun for the human body.
The story: The FDA recently cleared the Traumagel hydrogel applicator, classifying it as a medical device. This clearance allows the device to be used to stop severe, life-threatening bleeding. A previous version of the gel was cleared last year for use with minor wounds and abrasions.
Wound treatment minimalism: Part of why this product is so exciting is that it not only works within seconds, but it doesn’t require users to apply any external pressure to stop even a severe bleed.
- And, whereas claims of being “natural” abound in the healthcare industry, Cresilon can proudly boast its product’s natural origins.
- Cresilon co-founder and CEO Joe Landolina started experimenting with the plant and fungus polymers that would eventually become Traumagel in his New York University dorm room.
“The product is like hummus that needs to be made like a vaccine,” Landolina said. “There are a lot of hummus manufacturers in the world and a lot of vaccine manufacturers, but no one was creative enough to try to do both at the same time.”
Here’s how it works:
- The user places the tip of the pre-filled syringe applicator directly into the wound, depositing the gel as they would a vaccine.
- The gel instantly sticks to the body, forming a physical barrier that keeps blood from flowing out.
In a preclinical study with the U.S. Department of Defense, the Cresilon team demonstrated that Traumagel can even plug skull-penetrating traumatic brain injuries. The gel successfully maintained vitals including intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and hemoglobin content.
What’s next for the gel?: Cresilon plans to roll out Traumagel later this year. With the severe wound clearance, the startup aims to expand the product’s market within the military and emergency medical services.
- Without the need for special storage conditions or manual preparation, the product can be used anywhere, in the blink of an eye. It can be used to stem surgical bleeds in the OR and plug gunshot wounds in the field.
- Plus, Cresilon has realized this application won’t just save human lives. Before the Traumagel clearance, the team tackled the veterinary field, too. The company’s Vetigel product is the version specifically meant for animals. It has already been used to treat over 50,000 animals around the world.