One of the major sources of disability is traumatic brain injury, claiming thousands of lives every year. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have developed a hemostatic microneedle technology that can be applied like a typical adhesive bandage or patch in order to stop bleeding quickly. The biocompatible and biodegradable microneedle arrays (MNA) on the patch accelerate the clotting process by increasing the surface contact with blood.
Moreover, in order to promote wound closure, the needles also increase the adhesive properties of the patch via mechanical interlocking. These MNA patches are comparable to hydrogel technology that is currently used to treat bleeding wounds in hospitals. While the hydrogel applications require preparation and medical expertise, the microneedle patch on the other hand is pre-engineered for an immediate application, much like a…
