Hemostatic compositions and methods for controlling bleeding

Abstract

The invention provides hemostatic compositions useful to promote hemostasis at active bleeding wound sites. The hemostatic compositions typically include an article containing cellulose, e.g., cotton gauze, and a polysaccharide covalently linked to the cellulose, or a polysaccharide ionically cross-linked and in association with the article. Methods of making and using the hemostatic compositions are also provided.

1 . A method for controlling bleeding at an active bleeding wound site of an mammal, said method comprising applying a hemostatic composition to said active bleeding wound site, said hemostatic composition comprising an article comprising cellulose and a polysaccharide covalently linked to said cellulose.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of dextran, starch, and alginate.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said polysaccharide is dextran.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said dextran is covalently cross-linked.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the molecular weight of said dextran is from about 10,000 to about 2,000,000.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the molecular weight of said dextran ranges from about 20,000 to about 100,000.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said covalently linked polysaccharide has a molecular weight exclusion limit greater than about 30,000 Daltons.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said article comprising cellulose is selected from the group consisting of a bandage, suture, dressing, gauze, gel, foam, web, film, tape, or patch.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said article comprising cellulose comprises cotton.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said article comprising cellulose is cotton gauze.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein prior to said application of said hemostatic composition, said active bleeding wound site bleeds at a rate from about 0.5 ml/min to about 1000 ml/min.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein after application of said hemostatic composition, said active bleeding wound site bleeds at a rate of less than 0.03 ml/min.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said rate of less than 0.03 ml/min is achieved from about 2 to about 20 minutes after application of said bandage.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said hemostatic composition further comprises a second polysaccharide covalently linked to said cellulose.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said hemostatic composition further comprises a second polysaccharide, wherein said second polysaccharide is cross-linked dextran having a molecular weight from about 800,000 to about 2M, wherein said second polysaccharide is covalently linked to said cellulose.  
     
     
         16 . A method for controlling bleeding at an active bleeding wound site of an animal, said method comprising applying a hemostatic composition to said active bleeding wound site, said hemostatic composition comprising an article comprising cellulose in association with ionically cross-linked alginate.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said alginate is ionically cross-linked with a cation selected from the group consisting of: Mg2+; Ni2+; Ca2+; Sr2+; Ba2+; Zn2+; Cd2+; Cu2+; Pb2+; Fe3+; and Al3+.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising a second polysaccharide covalently linked to said cellulose, wherein said second polysaccharide is cross-linked dextran.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said alginate is further covalently linked to said cross-linked dextran.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammal is a human.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said covalently cross-linked dextran is in the form of beads.