Efficient, biosafe and tissue adhesive hemostatic cotton gauze with controlled balance of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity

Abstract

Cotton gauze is a widely used topical hemostatic material for bleeding control, but its high blood absorption capacity tends to cause extra blood loss. Therefore, development of rapid hemostatic cotton gauze with less blood loss is of great significance. Here, we develop an efficient hemostatic cotton gauze whose surface is slightly modified with a catechol compound which features a flexible long hydrophobic alkyl chain terminated with a catechol group. Its hemostatic performance in animal injuries is superior to standard cotton gauze and Combat GauzeTM. Its biosafety is similar to cotton gauze and rebleeding hardly occurs when the gauze is removed. Here, we show its hemostatic capability is attributable to the rapid formation of big and thick primary erythrocyte clots, due to its effective controlling of blood movement through blocking effect from tissue adhesion by catechol, blood wicking in cotton, and the hydrophobic effect from long alkyl chains.

Melt electrowritten poly(caprolactone) lattices incorporated with silver nanoparticles for directional water transport antibacterial wound dressings

“…This phenomenon is related to the highly hydrophilic nature, porous structure, and capillary action among the cotton pad. 38…”

Engineered Hemostatic Biomaterials for Sealing Wounds

“…Plasma absorption is also the basic mechanism of action for mineral additives, such as silicates, alongside the above-mentioned electrostatic contributions. Conventional cotton gauzes trigger blood coagulation by wicking blood plasma fluid due to their hydrophilic porous structure . Excess blood absorption by medical gauzes, however, is associated with significant blood loss and morbidity, and therefore, hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity (e.g., by introducing long alkyl chains onto the textile surfaces) must be balanced.…”

Water-Swellable Cellulose Nanofiber Aerogel for Control of Hemorrhage from Penetrating Wounds

“…The native coagulation pathway is activated when there is bleeding but no capability to stop severe hemorrhage from deep wounds with vascular traumas. The uncontrollable bleeding can be divided into two types: bleeding from compressible wounds such as external injuries to limb and torso, and bleeding from noncompressible wounds such as traumas in the junctional areas and subdermal/internal vascular injuries. , The bleeding in compressible wounds can be stopped by using tourniquets and bandages applied with external pressure . The noncompressible wounds are commonly treated with hemostats that incorporate procoagulants to trigger active blood clotting. − However, these hemostatic materials are not amenable to penetrating wounds with deep and irregular cavities such as gunshots, shrapnel traumas, and knife wounds, whether they are compressible or noncompressible .…”