Hemostatic gauzes, solution for medical emergencies and product of the future

Hemostatic gauzes: what are they?

Hemostatic gauzes are innovative medical devices developed for severe injuries. They are most notably used by military personnel in combat situations or law enforcement officers in interventions, in cases of emergencies, and to be used by non-medical personnel if needed. They are designed to treat penetrating wounds and heavy bleeding, such as gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or serious non-compressible injuries where tourniquets cannot be applied.

How do they work?

The principle behind these devices is to fill the wound with the pre-impregnated gauzes, and then apply manual pressure on the filling for a given time. This allows the product to take effect and primary hemostasis to begin. These devices are intended for temporary use.

Gauzes are now preferred to powder and are gradually replacing them. Although they rank second only to powders in terms of performance in comparative studies, they do not generate any adverse effects.

Common structure for various applications:

Gauzes are non-woven fabrics impregnated with powder that have a coagulating effect. There are many types of them: Speed Care Mineral has launched SpeedM a while ago, a hemostatic gauze impregnated with Halloysite Nano Tubes. Meanwhile, Z-Medica has launched QuikClot, made out of rayon (viscose) and polyester, and impregnated with kaolin. It is a common product commonly used by many armed forces including the French army, and recommended by American CoTCCC (Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care). Other actives can be used depending on the application, such as kaolin, chitosan, thrombin, collagen, or starch.

An opportunity for Fibroline :

With its principle of powder impregnated into non-woven fabrics for medical use, the technology of hemostatic gauzes is fully compatible with Fibroline’s dry powder impregnation solutions.

Fibroline’s technology indeed allows to impregnate a great variety of powders into given substrates, especially non-woven fabrics (for which they were developed in the first place). Using dry powder impregnation technology also significantly favors simplification of the industrial process by reducing the use of solvents and effluents and therefore diminishing energy costs linked to that step.

Fibroline is working in close collaboration with medical device manufacturers to contribute to the development and industrialization of hemostatic gauzes. Numerous projects are currently underway with various players in the medical sector. These developments are still confidential at this stage but should lead to several product launches in the coming years.

Fibroline is also part of the Optitex project in collaboration with Techtera, the French cluster for the textile industry in the AuRA region, for the DGA (Directorate General of Armament). Its goal is to develop a compressive and elastic hemostatic bandage, intended to enable the treatment and management of severely injured patients under harsh climatic conditions.

Numerous potential developments to come:

All of these projects around this growing innovative product are a testimony to Fibroline’s capacity to adapt to various subjects. Here, medical device manufacturers benefit from a technology adapted to their needs, competitive advantages that come from the use of dry powder impregnation solutions, and an expertise built over many years. With these upcoming new developments on hemostatic gauzes, Fibroline continues to expand its know-how in the medical field.

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