We’ve come up with easier ways to take care of small wounds like cuts or scrapes over the years by using gauze, bandages, and even tourniquets in more dire situations. While these are great techniques, what happens to those of us that find ourselves in more life-threatening situations? What about when applying more gauze simply won’t cut it? When you’re severely wounded and rapidly losing blood, even just a few seconds could mean the difference between life and death.

A device has been designed to withstand Bleeding from combat wounds when the methods available until now are too slow or insufficient. XStat 30 was successful in its first documented use in the field, according to the parent company, RevMedx.

Why Was XStat 30 Invented?

XStat’s original use was for the battlefield. It was key in saving multiple lives by essentially stopping the blood flow at the source of a wound, such as a gunshot, and giving the doctors enough time to get the wounded to better care. This syringe full of little Sponges took on a big challenge, and succeeded in war zones all over the world. Once there was enough data to conclude that this device could also help in civilian cases, RevMedx sought approval by the FDA. According to the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, 30 to 40 percent of civilian deaths by traumatic injury are the result of hemorrhaging. Of those deaths, 33 to 56 percent occur before the patient reaches a hospital.

“When a product is developed for use in the battlefield, it is generally intended to work in a worst-case scenario where advanced care might not be immediately available,” William Maisel, acting director of the Office of Device Evaluation at the FDA said in a statement. “It is exciting to see this technology transition to help civilian first responders control some severe, life-threatening bleeding while on the trauma scene.”

How Can XStat 30 Save a Gunshot Victim?

The device is a lightweight single-use syringe filled with small sponges. To use XStat 30, simply insert the syringe into the wound and release the sponges from its chamber. When the small sponges come in contact with the bleeding, they expand up to 15 times their size. Their expansion helps the sponges seal the wound within fifteen seconds and apply pressure that will stop the bleeding. Once the patient reaches the hospital and receives appropriate care, the sponges can be removed easily.

What’s Next for This Type of Medical Innovation?

While XStat 30 and RevMedx have overcome a great challenge and worked to get this product to everyday people who find themselves in extraordinary situations, it doesn’t stop there. RevMedx has begun developing and testing new products. One product is a device specifically for post-partum hemorrhages, known as XStat-PPH. Another is a special gauze that is embedded with the same type of sponges as Stat 30, which would be ideal for excessive bleeding in larger injuries. The company is also creating special kits that will allow first responders to treat injuries that are caused by bombs called the SharkBite Trauma Kit.

The future of trauma medicine is upon us, and companies like RevMedx are taking the lead. As long as the government is choosing to see the great progress made with these innovative medical developments, we will continue to see amazing strides made as time goes on.