Chitin-glucan composite sponge hemostat with rapid shape-memory from Pleurotus eryngii for puncture wound

Efficient hemostasis is a great challenge for treating the inaccessible hemorrhage wounds. A novel shape-memory chitin-glucan hemostatic sponge (ATC-Sponge) is constructed via sequentially in-situ removal of protein and glucan from Pleurotus eryngii fruiting body, TEMPO oxidation and Ca²⁺ crosslinking. The sponge displays interconnected microporous structure with high water absorption and robust mechanical properties. The sponge at dry state shows rapid blood-triggered shape-memory, allowing easy insertion into the puncture wound in a compressed fixed-shape and the subsequent quick volume expansion to conform wound shape to stop bleeding. Compared with standard medical gauze and gelatin sponge, ATC-Sponge demonstrates superior hemostatic performance in the rat femoral artery and non-compressive liver puncture injury models. Additionally, ATC-Sponge can effectively accelerate wound healing. This multi-functional shape-memory ATC-Sponge shows high potential in controlling the bleeding of inaccessible traumas.