Venom from a deadly South American snake could soon be the new go-to to stop life-threatening bleeding in seconds.
Western University bioengineer Kibret Mequanint and a team of researchers at the University of Manitoba and Army Medical University in China have developed a body tissue adhesive using a blood clotting enzyme found in the venom of the poisonous lancehead snake.
“During trauma, injury and emergency bleeding, this ‘super-glue’ can be applied by simply squeezing the tube and shining a visible light, such as a laser pointer, over it for few seconds. Even a smartphone flashlight will do the job,” said Mequanint.
Researchers found this new glue is ten times stronger than clinical fibrin glue, the current industry gold standard tissue sealant for clinical and field surgeons. In addition to sticking longer, the snake venom adhesive cut clotting time in half, from 90 second to just 45 seconds.
That quicker seal means less blood loss in emergency situations where there are deep wounds.
“We envision that this tissue ‘super-glue’ will be used in saving lives on the battlefield, or other accidental traumas like car crashes,” said Mequanint. “The applicator easily fits in first aid kits too.”
Mequanint also believes the adhesive could be used for suture-free, surgical wound closures.
Researchers used models of deep skin cuts, ruptured aortae, and severely injured livers to test the super-sealant. The next step will include human trials before the glue can be approved for use in clinical settings.
The new adhesive study was published this week in the journal Science Advances.
