Blast of sound seals wounds
This regular plaster is not as high-tech as the new form of wound dressing. A new, high-tech wound dressing can stop major bleeding in seconds. The dressing contains a tiny ultrasound device that first identifies the exact site of the bleeding and then treats the wound. Prompt closure of wounds is important to stem blood loss, but also to prevent infection.
The technology, known as the deep bleeder acoustic coagulation system, is intended initially for battlefield injuries, but the developer, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, says it could also be used in hospitals or at major incidents. When it is put on to the injury, the dressing detects the source of the bleeding before focusing ultrasound pulses on to the wound; this heats up the blood cells within the tissue until they clot, so forming a seal.
Research has shown the dressing can stop bleeding within 30 seconds.
