A superglue made from snake venom has just been developed. Applied to human organic tissues, it can stop bleeding in seconds.
- A superglue that can be applied to human tissue has been created.
- It can stop bleeding in seconds. Eventually, it could be used for road accidents or during wars
Researchers have developed a super glue that can stop bleeding in seconds. Small peculiarity: this one is made from snake venom! Concretely, this super-glue works like an adhesive that attaches itself to the organic tissues of the bleeding person, acting as a patch to prevent the blood from flowing. The product was just featured in the review Science Advances.
A small tube and artificial light to save lives
The venom used is that of lancehead snakes, which are among the most venomous in South America. This venom contains a blood-clotting enzyme – that is, an organic substance produced by living cells – called reptilase or batroxobin. To make super glue, the venom is combined with modified gelatin. The researchers pack everything into a tube and the product is ready to use! Seemingly simple, this new discovery can save lives. Indeed, it can be applied quickly after trauma, injury or critical bleeding. This requires applying the product and solidifying it by exposing it to artificial light such as that of a flashlight. Within seconds, the bleeding stops.
The superglue more powerful than that used by surgeons
Usually, surgeons use clinical fibrin – or surgical hemostat – to help stop bleeding during surgery. According to the creators of this new superglue, it would have an adhesive strength 10 times greater than clinical fibrin. On the other hand, the blood clotting time would also be much shorter: it would drop from 90 seconds for fibrin glue to 45 seconds for snake venom super glue. Coagulation is a decisive element during bleeding because it allows, by the formation of a clot, to avoid losing too much blood. This superglue has already been tested, with very good results, for deep cuts in the skin or for ruptured aortas – the largest artery in the human body. Situations considered serious because of the major bleeding they cause.
A quick solution in a war situation or during a road accident
“We envision this superglue being used to save lives on the battlefield or in other serious situations like car accidents, points out Kibret Mequanint, its main creator. The applicator (the tube) fits easily into first aid kits.” In addition, this product can also be used for surgical closure of wounds without stitches. An invention that could be very useful for firefighters or emergency workers.
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