Expansion-clotting chitosan fabrics based on unidirectional fast-absorption fibers for rapid hemorrhage control

Abstract

The rapid absorption of water from the blood to concentrate erythrocytes and platelets, thus triggering quick closure, is important for hemostasis. Herein, expansion-clotting chitosan fabrics are designed and fabricated by ring spinning of polylactic acid (PLA) filaments as the core layer and highly hydrophilic carboxyethyl chitosan (CECS) fibers as the sheath layer, and subsequent knitting of obtained PLA@CECS core spun yarns. Due to the unidirectional fast-absorption capacity of CECS fibers, the chitosan fabrics can achieve erythrocytes and platelets aggregate quickly by concentrating blood, thus promoting the formation of blood clots. Furthermore, the loop structure of coils formed in the knitted fabric can help them to expand by absorbing water to close their pores, providing effective sealing for bleeding. Besides, They have enough mechanical properties, anti-penetrating ability, and good tissue-adhesion ability in wet conditions, which can form a physical barrier to resist blood pressure during hemostasis and prevent them from falling off the wound, thus enhancing hemostasis synergistically. Therefore, the fabrics exhibit superior hemostatic performance in the rabbit liver, spleen, and femoral artery puncture injury model compared to the gauze group. This chitosan fabric is a promising hemostatic material for hemorrhage control.