“During trauma, injury and emergency bleeding, this ‘super glue’ can be applied by simply squeezing the tube and shining a visible light, such as a laser pointer, over it for few seconds. Even a smartphone flashlight will do the job,” says new study.
This breakthrough biotechnology means less blood loss and more life-saving. The super-sealant was evaluated in models with deep skin wounds, ruptured aortae, and badly damaged livers, all of which are considered serious bleeding scenarios.
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Kibret Mequanint, a bio-engineer from Western University, has created a variety of biomaterials-based medical devices and therapeutic innovations during the last 20 years, some of which have been licenced to medical businesses or are in the advanced stages of preclinical testing.
His most recent joint research finding is based on a blood-clotting enzyme called reptilase or batroxobin discovered in the venom of lancehead snakes (Bothrops atrox), which are among South America’s most deadly snakes.
Using this clotting characteristic, Mequanint with his international research team created a bodily tissue glue that combines the unique enzyme into modified gelatin that can be packed in a tiny tube for simple, possibly life-saving application.
During trauma, injury and emergency bleeding, this ‘super glue’ can be applied by simply squeezing the tube and shining a visible light, such as a laser pointer, over it for few seconds. Even a smartphone flashlight will do the job
explained Mequanint.
Mequanint further adds:
We envision that this tissue ‘super glue’ will be used in saving lives on the battlefield, or other accidental traumas like car crashes
The applicator easily fits in first aid kits too.
Furthermore, the novel snake venom’super glue’ may be utilised to close surgical wounds without sutures.
Snake extract-laden hemostatic bioadhesive gel cross-linked by visible light was published in the journal Science Advances.
The next phase of study which is underway is to translate the tissue ‘super glue’ discovery to the clinic
says the researcher.
