Abstract: High-pressure bleeding wounds (and other bleeding wounds) may be treated by applying direct pressure directly in the bleeding wound, such as by applying a back pressure in a confined space around and in the wound. Certain substances and articles may be inserted into the wound, and the wound may be enclosed with that substance or article (such as a hemostatic substance, which may be polymeric), by swelling on contact with molecules (such as water molecules in the blood) encountered in the wound, generates the desired pressure to stop or at least reduce the bleeding without the detrimental effects of a tourniquet. Clot-inducing substances may be introduced into the wound contemporaneously with direct pressure application directly in the wound. Compressible and non-compressible wounds are treated. Treatment stops bleeding without producing pressure injury or ischemic damage. Medical devices using this technology are provided, including removable, biodegradable, medic-administrable devices.

Abstract: High-pressure bleeding wounds (and other bleeding wounds) may be treated by applying direct pressure directly in the bleeding wound, such as by applying a back pressure in a confined space around and in the wound. Certain substances and articles may be inserted into the wound, and the wound may be enclosed with that substance or article (such as a hemostatic substance, which may be polymeric), by swelling on contact with molecules (such as water molecules in the blood) encountered in the wound, generates the desired pressure to stop or at least reduce the bleeding without the detrimental effects of a tourniquet. Clot-inducing substances may be introduced into the wound contemporaneously with direct pressure application directly in the wound. Compressible and non-compressible wounds are treated. Treatment stops bleeding without producing pressure injury or ischemic damage. Medical devices using this technology are provided, including removable, biodegradable, medic-administrable devices.

Abstract: The invention is directed to formation and use of electroprocessed fibrin as an extracellular matrix and, together with cells, its use in forming engineered tissue. The engineered tissue can include the synthetic manufacture of specific organs or tissues which may be implanted into a recipient. The electroprocessed fibrin may also be combined with other molecules in order to deliver the molecules to the site of application or implantation of the electroprocessed fibrin. The fibrin or fibrin/cell suspension is electrodeposited onto a substrite to form the tissues and organs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sealants for skin and other tissues. The sealants include an electroprocessed material. The sealants may contain more than one electroprocessed materials and may contain additional substances. The invention further relates to methods of making and using such sealants.

Abstract: The invention is directed to formation and use of electroprocessed fibrin as an extracellular matrix and, together with cells, its use in forming engineered tissue. The engineered tissue can include the synthetic manufacture of specific organs or tissues which may be implanted into a recipient. The electroprocessed fibrin may also be combined with other molecules in order to deliver the molecules to the site of application or implantation of the electroprocessed fibrin. The fibrin or fibrin/cell suspension is electrodeposited onto a substrate to form the tissues and organs.

Abstract: Provided is a tourniquet having two opposing and pivotally movable plates. The plates comprise a clamp that pinches an elastomeric cord. The plates are pivotally biased together by a spring. The cord is attached to a back end of the clamp. A free end of the cord is squeezed by the plates such that a loop of cord is provided. The cord can be pulled from the clamp to reduce the size of the loop. The clamp comprises a safety lock that prevents movement of the plates and slipping of the cord. The safety lock can comprise a button disposed between the plates in the back end of the clamp, preventing the plates from moving together in the back portion, and therefore from moving apart in a front portion that grips the cord. Also, the tourniquet clamp can comprise a dual-sided press connector mechanism for fast release of tourniquet tension.

Abstract: Platelet contractile force and/or clot elastic modulus measurements are used to identify patients at risk for atherosclerosis or for bleeding during surgical procedures or other applications. Measurements which are elevated are indicative of atherosclerosis, and measurements which are reduced are indicative of a bleeding risk.

Abstract: Blood clot analysis instrumentation used to evaluate platelet function and clot structure by monitoring force development during clot retraction or upon application of a known amount of force can have a calibration check automatically performed by using a top member with a known amount of mass which is detachable from the instrumentation, and preferably is a disposable component. The calibration check is performed by monitoring force or displacement on a holding member with and without the top member attached. If the difference measured is within a preferred tolerance range, then the instrumentation can be deemed to be within the specifications deemed best suited for the instrument. The top member may also be modified to allow for mixing reagents with the clot, thereby avoiding the need to pre-mix blood with reagents before measurement.

Abstract: The performance of platelets can be best understood by monitoring both the force development and the elastic modulus of the blood clot during both clotting and dissolution of the blood clot. Intermittent application and removal of a compressive force on a blood sample (8) positioned between a pair of plates (12 and 14) throughout clot formation and dissolution provides a standard for using voltage output from a transducer (22) to determine force and elastic modulus parameters. Force development arises from the internal actions of the platelets during clot retraction. Elastic modulus provides a measure of the stiffness of the clot. Clotting can be measured as an increase in force development and clot elastic modulus. Clot dissolution can be determined by a dramatic decrease in force development and in elastic modulus.

Abstract: The compression elastic modulus of a blood sample is determined by compressing a blood sample (12) between plates (14 and 16) and comparing the voltage signal (32) output from the transducer (22) with a displacement calibration constant C.sub.d. The compression elastic modulus is determined on the same sample as the platelet mediated force development.

Abstract: Experiments have been conducted which demonstrate that gel optical density is a linear function of the fibrin fiber mass/length ratio (.mu.) and that the slope of the linear function is dependent on the concentration of fibrinogen in the sample. Once the linear function is known, knowledge of a gel optical density at one wavelength is adequate to determine .mu.. Such measurements allow quantitative monitoring of fibrin structure, and are clinically relevant.

Abstract: Experiments have been conducted which demonstrate that gel optical density is a linear function of the fibrin fiber mass/length ratio (.mu.). Once the linear function is known, knowledge of a gel optical density at one wavelength is adequate to determine .mu.. Such measurements allow quantitative monitoring of fibrin structure, and are clinically relevant.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the internal force characteristics of a blood sample (12) during clotting has been developed. The blood sample (12) is held between a cup (10) and a plate (16). The plate (16) is connected to a force displacement transducer (22). As the clot forms, platelets contract and exert an inward pulling force on the plate (16). This inward pulling force is sensed by the transducer (22) which outputs a corresponding voltage signal. The voltage signal is amplified (24) and recorded on strip chart paper (28). The voltage signal (32) can be directly translated into force parameters by first calibrating the instrument with standard weights. It has been found that the maximum force measurements are obtained under controlled temperature, ionic strength and calcium concentration conditions which approximate those of the blood while in the body. A particular feature of the invention includes a water jacket (14) which is used to maintain the temperature of the blood sample (12) at 37.degree. C.