Inflatable Device Stops the Bleeding

Some wounds are too deep for the conventional methods of bandages and tourniquets to prevent the excessive loss of blood that can lead to death. Fortunately, a new method of inflating a balloon like as is done in angioplasty might help seal wounds and save lives. The balloon is designed to mold to fit the wound for at least long enough to get the wounded person to the operating room. The device is not without its flaws however. Moving the device into or out of the wound can further damage tissue and inflation of the device can drive shrapnel deeper into the body or into healthy tissue. Nevertheless, any treatment for areas of the body that tourniquets cannot be applied to have promise of saving lives.

This article particularly interested me since it is a very tangible way in which lives can be saved. The circulatory system is also a growing interest of mine as I learn about the complexity involved in blood delivery throughout the body. While a simple concept to understand, applying our knowledge about the circulatory system is much more difficult and it is encouraging to hear about technology like that in this article that show that progress is being made in treating injuries.

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24360/page1/