Abdominal injuries are among the most difficult, and it is necessary to stop internal bleeding as quickly as possible whether on the battlefield or at the stabilization point. The health, and often the life, of a person depends on whether the first aid kit has high-quality first aid products.
Researchers from the Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, Lviv Polytechnic National University, set out to create such a product. Recently, their project «Development of hydrogel medical supplies for emergency medical services in case of penetrating abdominal trauma within the creation of a research center for new polymeric materials for medicine» won the National Research Foundation of Ukraine’s competition «Research Infrastructures for Advanced Research».
The project will be implemented by a professional team, including experienced (Doctor of Chemical Sciences Volodymyr Samaryk, Doctor of Chemical Sciences Serhii Varvarenko, Doctor of Technical Sciences Nataliia Nosova) and young researchers.
What kind of product do the scientists plan to create as part of the project? What experience do they have in this area?
The researcher said that the team has been working on hydrogels for over 15 years. Based on their development, the production of hydrogel therapeutic reinforced dressings was launched in 2014, and in March 2024, the semi-industrial production of Aquior hydrogel dressings was launched.
A sterile-coated wound dressings are small, but in the spring of 2022, they helped save lives. As early as March 2022, these dressings were used in hospitals in Lviv and Kyiv, and in the summer – in healthcare facilities in twelve regions of Ukraine, including Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv. Heads of medical services in military units asked to send these products to the combat areas.
In two and a half years, the researchers began to produce unique items: hydrogel sheets (40 x 100 cm) to provide emergency care for large burn injuries; masks to help with facial burn injuries; hydrogel bandages and dressings.
Scientists have also developed analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory hydrogel dressings.
Now the team is planning to move on, expand the range and respond to the needs of military doctors. Military surgeons need the highest quality emergency care products, and as they say, «preferably for yesterday». Statistics on combat injuries show that the mortality rate from penetrating abdominal wounds is about 9–12 per cent. And, unfortunately, the proportion of such injuries is growing. It takes time to transport a wounded person to the surgical unit, and to extend this time, emergency equipment is needed.
With the grant funding, the team plans to purchase equipment, as many of issues cannot be solved without modern devices. «After that, we will be able to significantly increase our publication activity, which will allow us to apply for a NATO grant», explained the scientist. «For scientists there never have been enough funding, materials and equipment. We have a lot of ideas, and without funding it is impossible to implement them».
The full text of the article is available on the website of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine.