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Scientists at Penza State University in Russia have created an experimental collagen sponge that combines stopping bleeding, preserving blood clots, and fighting bacteria, in a promising step toward developing advanced medical materials for wound treatment.
The sponge relies on a three-dimensional collagen matrix that is lightweight and highly porous, effectively absorbing fluids and stimulating the body's natural coagulation mechanisms, which helps in the formation of blood clots.
The material contains aminocaproic acid, which limits fibrinolysis and helps stabilize the clot in its early stages, alongside the antibiotics vancomycin and ciprofloxacin, to provide a long-lasting local antibacterial effect.
Researcher Natalia Starodubova emphasized the importance of combining rapid bleeding control with clot preservation and reducing the risk of wound contamination, noting that developing a single material that efficiently combines these properties remains a medical challenge.
The prototype is manufactured through a series of stages including collagen preparation, the addition of active ingredients, and then freezing and freeze-drying, which allows for the release of the required substances from the matrix.
Laboratory tests have shown encouraging results, including evaluating the sponge's absorption capacity, the release of its active ingredients, antibacterial resistance, and interaction with red blood cells. The research team is currently continuing to refine the composition and develop a model with consistent manufacturing properties, in preparation for completing its evaluation.
The sponge is still in the experimental stage, as it requires further studies to evaluate its efficacy and safety before it can be approved for medical use.
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