BY ROBERT VALENTI

The In Situ Self-Expanding Polyurethane Polymer

Foam

Who developed it? Why?

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

Soldiers/Hemorrhage wounds

Current technology isn’t effective on intracavitary hemorrhaging.

“Golden Hour”

How does it work?

A syringe in inserted into the body and injects a mixture of polyol and isocyanate

The polyol and isocyanate mix and form a foam that expands to approximately 30x its original size

How does it work?(Cont.)

While expanding, the foam forms to the insides of the body, filling in gaps (preferably the sources of bleeding)

Surgical incision can remove foam in minutes

Shortcomings of Modern Methods

Field dressings and pressure dressings sometimes cannot stop profuse bleeding

Tourniquets can only be used on limbs, and they have a limited time-span until amputation is then required.

Shortcomings of Modern Methods (Cont.)

Blood clotting bandages are situation dependent

Capable of blocking entire veins and arteries, which can cause worse complications than the initial injury

Testing Results

• DARPA tested the foam on the closed abdominal cavity injury of a swine. Compared to a control group (using conventional treatment methods). survival rates increased by almost 300%, and blood loss was decreased by approximately 84% while using the foam

• The foam isn’t stiff, nor does it cause burning sensations like other polymer foams

Advantages

Expedited treatment by medics

Knowledge of wound isn’t entirely necessary

Individual soldiers could carry their own syringe

Maintain fire superiority

Increased survival rates

Higher unit morale, which in turn affects efficiency

Civilian applications as well

Questions?