Hemostatic compositions, devices, and methods

Abstract

Compositions that include a clay such as kaolin dispersed in a liquid such as water may be useful for promoting the clotting of blood. The compositions may be in a liquid, gel, paste, foam, or another form. Uses may include treating a traumatic injury such as in injury caused by a bullet, an explosive, a blade etc., or an injury caused during a medical procedure such as surgery.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A blood-clotting agent comprising:
 a composition comprising clay dispersed in a liquid medium, wherein the clay is less than about 10% by weight of the composition;   wherein an appreciable amount of the clay particles does not settle from the liquid upon standing for at least about 1 hour; and   wherein the composition including the liquid medium and clay has a viscosity of about 100,000 cP or less.   
     
     
         2 . The hemostatic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the clay comprises kaolin. 
     
     
         3 . The hemostatic composition of  claim 2 , wherein at least 50% of the kaolin has a particle size in the range of about 1 nm to about 1000 nm. 
     
     
         4 . A hemostatic composition comprising:
 a clay dispersed in an aqueous medium;   wherein the composition is a liquid which is substantially free of visible clay particles such that an appreciable amount of the clay particles does not settle from the liquid upon standing for at least 12 hours;   wherein at least about 50% of the clay comprises particles with a particle size between about 1 nm and 10 μm; and   wherein the composition is sterilized.   
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the clay is kaolin;   wherein the composition is flowable;   wherein at least 50% of the kaolin has a particle size in the range of about 1 nm to about 1000 nm.   
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 4 , having a viscosity in the range of about 0.1 cP to about 100,000 cP. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 4 , having a viscosity in the range of about 0.2 cP to about 1000 cP. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the composition is isotonic. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the aqueous medium further comprises a sugar, an alkali salt, a halide salt, or glycerin. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the aqueous medium further comprises an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the aqueous medium further comprises a gelling agent. 
     
     
         12 . A hemostatic device comprising:
 a container comprising a bottle, vial, canister, tube, or reservoir with an interior enclosure which contains the composition of  claim 4 ; and   a dispensing component in fluid communication with the container;   wherein the device is configured so that the dispensing component is capable of dispensing the hemostatic composition form the container directly to a bleeding area of an animal or person.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the device is configured to dispense the composition at a pressure that is slightly higher than that of exiting blood from the bleeding area of the animal or person. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , the dispensing component comprises a foam producing component; wherein the device is configured so that the dispensing component is capable of dispensing the hemostatic composition from the container to a bleeding area of an animal or person in a form comprising a foam. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the dispensing component is capable of dispensing the hemostatic composition from the container to a bleeding area of an animal or person in a form comprising a gel, wherein the gel is configured to allow the composition to obstruct communication between an internal injured area and an area outside a body of the animal or person. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the dispensing component is capable of dispensing the hemostatic composition from the container to a bleeding area of an animal or person in a form comprising a spray. 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating a penetrating wound comprising:
 exposing a bleeding area of an animal or human being to the hemostatic composition of  claim 4 .   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the penetrating wound is a wound from a bullet. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the composition is provided in a container comprising:
 a bottle, vial, canister, tube, or reservoir with an interior enclosure which contains the composition of  claim 4 ; and   a dispensing component in fluid communication with the container;   wherein the device is configured so that the dispensing component is capable of dispensing the hemostatic composition form the container directly to a bleeding area of an animal or person.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the dispensing component is capable of dispensing the hemostatic composition from the container to a bleeding area of an animal or person in a form comprising a gel, wherein the gel is configured to allow the composition to obstruct communication between an internal injured area and an area outside a body of the animal or person.