REAL LIFE NEWS: A SYRINGE FULL OF SPONGES THAT COULD SAVE LIVES
by Hazed
A new type of field dressing used by the military has just been cleared for use in the general population, and it aims to stem bleeding in gunshot victims, giving them more time to receive treatment.
It’s called the XSTAT 30, and it is a syringe filled with 92 absorbent sponges. These get injected deep into a wound, where they soak up blood and expand, creating a temporary barrier to slow down or even stop further blood loss. They act fast, plugging the wound in just 15 seconds.
One of the dressings can absorb about a pint of blood, and can remain in place for up to four hours.
Once the patient reaches a hospitals, doctors can take the sponges out. Each of them has a tag that can be detected using x-ray imaging, so there’s no danger any of the sponges will be left inside.
There are pictures of the dressing being used at the link below, but don’t click if you are squeamish!
The FDA approval means that ambulances are cleared to carry the dressing, which could mean the difference between life and death for patients.
On the one hand, I applaud the ingeniousness of this new invention. On the other hand, I shudder that we live in a world where it is needed.
Source: http://www.geek.com/science/sponge-filled-syringe-can-plug-a-gunshot-wound-in-15-seconds-1641838/
