A contact-polymerizable hemostatic powder for rapid hemostasis.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Hemorrhage control is critical in emergencies, but current hemostatic agents lack sufficient adhesion and biodegradability.
• Existing hemostatic powders often exhibit poor tissue adhesion and limited degradation, hindering their clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel poly(ethylene glycol)-di(cyanoacrylate) (CA-PEG-CA) based hemostatic powder.
• To achieve strong tissue adhesion and controlled degradation for improved wound management.

Main Methods:

• Polymerization of CA-PEG-CA monomers upon contact with tissue/blood to form an *in situ* gel.
• Evaluation of hemostatic efficacy *in vitro* and *in vivo* using a rat model.
• Assessment of gel degradation via ester bond hydrolysis and acceleration using cysteamine solution.

Main Results:

• The CA-PEG-CA powder formed a rapidly crosslinking *in situ* gel, demonstrating strong adhesion to tissue.
• Effective hemostasis was observed *in vitro* and *in vivo*, even in rats with impaired hemostatic capacity.
• The gel exhibited rapid biodegradation, with accelerated degradation possible using cysteamine.

Conclusions:

• The CA-PEG-CA hemostatic powder provides efficient bleeding control through adhesion and *in situ* gel formation.
• Controlled degradation and on-demand removal offer advantages for subsequent surgical care.
• This multifunctional powder shows significant potential as a first-aid wound care agent.