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This hemostatic avant -garde dressing, which already has three patents (one with DRD and two only by Iit Kanpur), is ready to transform trauma and emergency medicine.
Professor Vivek Verma, who directed innovation at Iit Kanpur, shared the trip and the usefulness of this advance that saves lives. (Image: News18)
Imagine a ‘magical’ dressing that can stop bleeding in less than a minute, start rapid coagulation, improve the activation and adhesion of platelets, and heal wounds faster. What seemed like a device that saves lives from a Hollywood science fiction film is now an innovative innovation developed by Iit Kanpur.
This hemostatic avant -garde dressing, which already has three patents (one with DRD and two only by Iit Kanpur), is ready to transform trauma and emergency medicine. Professor Vivek Verma, who directed innovation at Iit Kanpur, shared the trip and the usefulness of this advance that saves lives in an interview with News18.
Innovation: a sponge that stops bleeding in seconds
Researchers from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in Iit Kanpur have developed this revolutionary hemostatic dressing. It is a biodegradable sponge based on crioGel made of agarose (a polymer derived from red sea) and polypamine (PDA), which mimics the adhesive property of mussels. This bioinspire combination quickly begins blood coagulation at the wound sites and absorbs large volumes of blood, helping to prevent death from hemorrhage. Innovation, a combination of traditional Indian materials and modern science, has already assured three patents: one with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and two only Iit Kanpur.
The trip
The trip advanced when Professor Vivek Verma, a leading researcher in Materials Sciences at Iit Kanpur, collaborated with his student Dr. Kaushal R Shakya. Promoted by a vision of creating an affordable and rapid action solution to combat bleeding, a main cause of prevention death in trauma cases, were inspired by the design of nature and indigenous resources of India. They explored bioinsess materials that could accelerate coagulation and support healing, which leads them to marine organisms such as mussels and red algae. The adhesive and gel -forming property of these organisms laid the bases of the sponge. Verma and Shakyya worked tirelessly in the laboratory with agarosis and polypamine, imitating the sticky proteins found in the mussels. After months of experimentation and iteration, they developed a sponge that not only stops bleeding in seconds, but also supports healing and biodegradation. This academic challenge became a mission to offer a tool that could save life that could transform trauma care in India and beyond.
Confluence of traditional Indian materials and modern science
Professor Verma explained that sponge is a mixture of traditional Indian materials and modern science. “This hemostatic sponge combines the natural resources of India with the science of avant -garde materials. When using agar and cellulose derived from marine pastures, we have developed a biodegradable and profitable solution that can save lives while supporting sustainable medical care practices,” he said.
He added that the dressing is not only of rapid action, but also therapeutic, and says: “Our crioGel’s dressing not only stops bleeding; it has antioxidant properties that reduce inflammation and promote faster healing. It is light, easy to transport and ideal for using ambulances, field kits and remote places.”
Rapid response to trauma
In the trials, the sponge showed coagulation in 30 to 90 seconds and absorbed more than 90 percent of the blood at times. “With a swelling capacity of more than 4000 percent, it expands to contact with moisture, platelet concentration and accelerating clot formation. It has been successfully tested in rat trauma models such as tail amputation and liver puncture, stopping bleeding in just 40-53 seconds with minimal blood loss,” said Professor Verma.
On the manufacturing side, Professor Verma said that the manufacturing process is scalable and economical, which allows generalized production and deployment, especially in environments that contain resources.
Why does this matter
This innovation is crucial in a world where excessive bleeding remains one of the main causes of preventable death, particularly in trauma situations such as traffic accidents, military operations and natural disasters. While other hemostatic dressings are available, none is as efficient as the Iit Kanpur Cryogel headquarters. “Our sponge addresses these deficiencies by delivery of rapid and effective hemostasis using safe and biodegradable materials that are affordable and accessible. Its antioxidant properties reduce the risk of infection and inflammation, and its ease of use means that it can be applied without specialized training,” said Verma.
Ready for the field and focused on the future
Iit Kanpur sponge, with its soft and porous structure and exceptional absorbency, is designed for field deployment. “It is especially suitable for trauma care, emergency medical services, surgical procedures and battlefield conditions. Its light and compact shape facilitates storage and transportation, which allows it to be included in the relief of paramedic kits, and the kits of military and backpack kits, the rural health configuration backed Being limited, sponge offers an alternative alternative alternative to the blatant color alternative.
Looking towards the future, the team is working closely with doctors to evolve the product based on their needs and requirements. They are preparing other generations of the dressing, including an injectable form, which is another revolutionary product. Human essays begin soon.