Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026

TAPE: A Biodegradable Hemostatic Glue Inspired by a Ubiquitous Compound in Plants for Surgical Application
Published on: June 8, 2016
Hemostatic Tough Adhesives seal tissue and control hemorrhage
Daniel O Kent1,2,3, Phoebe S Kwon2, Kyle C Wu4,5
1Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Hemorrhage from internal organs remains a critical challenge in both trauma care and surgical procedures, as existing hemostatic adjuncts frequently fail to provide consistent and effective bleeding control, particularly under conditions of active bleeding or impaired coagulation. Here, we develop and evaluate a Hemostatic Tough Adhesive (HTA) in controlled preclinical models of traumatic solid organ injury and compare its performance against leading commercially available hemostatic agents. The HTA consistently outperformed its counterparts, achieving 100% hemostasis in both liver and spleen injuries within an in vivo preclinical porcine model. In contrast, existing adjuncts exhibited variable and often incomplete efficacy. Beyond immediate hemostasis, the HTA demonstrated prolonged stability and biocompatibility during the postoperative wound healing phase. Notably, the HTA exhibited tissue surface adhesion energy several orders of magnitude greater than that of current hemostatic products, indicating its potential utility for surgical and trauma-related bleeding management.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Hemostasis
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized,...
Vascular Spasm
Formation of the Platelet Plug
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis

