[one_half]
Inspiration for important innovations can come from many things. In this case, it was expandable kitchen sponges sold at William Sonoma, as discussed in this CNN article. RevMedx has taken that idea and turned it into the XStat™, a device that can save the lives of soldiers on the battlefield who have gun and shrapnel wounds. The device injects small compressed sponges into the wound, using a device like a syringe . The tiny sponges expand rapidly as they soak up blood, filling the wound cavity and instantly creating a barrier against further blood loss. The sponges are treated with an anti-hemorrhagic substance that contributes to the effectiveness of the device.
The product is particularly suited for wounds in parts of the body where bleeding cannot be stopped with a tourniquet. The sponges swell to as much as 10 times their initial size within 20 seconds from the time of injection, plugging the wound and providing the compression needed to stop the bleeding. This is must faster than the current treatment of applying of pads and external compression for several minutes. Bleeding out is a major cause of death on the battlefield, and the difference between life and death is a matter of minutes.
While the XStat™ is only effective for several hours, it stabilizes wounded soldiers and provides time to get them to a medical facility. This increases the chance of saving lives. It will be available for use on the battlefield later this year.
[/one_half]
[one_half_last]
The XStat injects small compressed sponges into the wound.
Before and After – Small sponges are injected into the wound, and the bleeding stops within seconds.
[/one_half_last]