Silica Nanofiber Combat Hemostat (SINCH)

摘要

We screened a panel of nanomaterials and identified high aspect ratio silica nanofibers (>100) as the best promoter of coagulation in vitro. These materials require combination with a carrier in order to provide adequate handling characteristics. We evaluated a panel of carrier material candidates for their ability to improve handling, act as a bulking agent, and improve hemostatic performance. Preliminary tests identified a combination of silica nanofibers and glass microspheres (SiNCH1) as our best performing material in vitro. SiNCH1 produced faster clotting than zeolites (as measured on a thromboelastograph) with no measurable exothermic reaction. Initial small animal wound models to evaluate SiNCH1 further demonstrated its hemostatic capabilities, showing clotting rates equivalent to those for quikclot, but without the exothermic reaction. The nanofibers were designed to dissolve within 2 weeks both in vitro and in vivo, however the non-nanofiber carrier portion of SiNCH1 was not rapidly resorbed and further work will be required to identify or modify carriers to allow rapid resorption.