A team led by McGill University researchers has developed a new method to control severe bleeding, potentially transforming emergency medicine. Called 'click clotting,' the technique uses a chemical reaction to create clots that are ten times tougher than natural ones, stopping hemorrhage in seconds.
Lead author Dr. Jianyu Li, a mechanical engineering professor at McGill, explained that existing treatments using chitosan can be brittle. Their new approach produces strong, consistent clots within 10 to 20 minutes.
Testing on rodents showed effective healing in injured livers, with 'minimal evidence' of immune reaction and no organ toxicity. The clots worked 'almost instantaneously' after application.
Further studies, including human trials, are needed before clinical use. Researchers are exploring applications in trauma care, surgeries, and wound management. The study involved experts from Harvard Medical School, UBC, and other institutions.