Shape Memory Foam Dressings to Stop Bleeding after Injury
Official title: Shape Memory Polymer Foams for Hemorrhage Control in Traumatic Wounds
Funded at Texas Engineering Experiment Station · NIH-11390597 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A promising foam dressing made from shape memory polymers is being developed to quickly stop bleeding from traumatic wounds, even in remote settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Engineering Experiment Station NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $522,319 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HL168180-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11390597 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with traumatic wounds at risk of heavy bleeding and potential for post-injury care in prehospital or remote settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with wounds unlikely to be treated by this dressing or when bleeding sources are not controllable by topical dressings may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a new foam dressing that expands and conforms to wounds to control bleeding. It uses animal-based and simulated human injury models to understand how the material performs under realistic conditions. The goal is to create an inexpensive, easy-to-use dressing that can be stored and deployed with minimal training, improving survival after trauma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with traumatic wounds could have faster, more reliable bleeding control, potentially saving lives before reaching hospital care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed the material reduced blood loss and improved survival in controlled injury models, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Engineering Experiment Station
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Monroe, Mary Beth — Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Study coordinator: Monroe, Mary Beth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.