---
title: "Plug a Gunshot Wound Quickly With This Sponge-Filled Syringe"
description: "Once in contact with blood, the sponges expand to 10 times their original size, filling the cavity in 20 seconds and forming a blockage for 4 hours."
date: "2015-12-11"
modified: "2015-12-17"
authors:
  - name: "Miguel Santos"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/heymigstwitter-com"
url: "https://futurism.com/plug-gunshot-wound-quickly-sponge-filled-syringe"
categories:
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "emergency response"
  - "medical"
  - "sponge syringe"
---

# Plug a Gunshot Wound Quickly With This Sponge-Filled Syringe

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sponges-syringe_1024.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="http://www.revmedx.com" target="\_blank"\>RevMedx\</a\>\</em\>*

##### The Breakthrough

Oregon-based technology company [RevMedx](<http://www.revmedx.com/>) developed XSTAT 30, a $100-device that has been successfully employed by US military since April this year to prevent fatalities due to traumatic injury. It works by stopping serious blood flow by using a syringe that, oddly enough, is filled with sponges that expand upon release.

Now, the FDA had just approved the device for public use, saying[ in a press statement](<http://www.sciencealert.com/this-sponge-filled-syringe-can-plug-a-gunshot-wound-in-20-seconds>), "XSTAT 30 is cleared for use in patients at high risk for immediate, life-threatening, and severe hemorrhagic shock and non-compressible junctional wounds, when definitive care at an emergency care facility cannot be achieved within minutes."

It may not be terribly applicable to a vast majority of us, as most probably don't plan on getting shot anytime soon; however, it cannot be denied that this is a handy device to keep around, just in case of an emergency. And sadly, with the ever increasing number of mass shootings, it may be a good idea for organizations to keep a few of these devices close at hand.

##### The Details

The XSTAT 30 is a 30 mm-diameter syringe that is filled with 92 compressed cellulose sponges covered in an absorbent coating and coagulant. Each tablet-shaped sponge is 9.8 millimeters in diameter and can absorb up to 3 milliliters of blood (or other body fluid).

Once in contact with blood, the sponges expand to *10 times* their original size, filling the cavity in approximately 20 seconds, forming a temporary blockage. RevMedx says that the device stops bleeding for up to four hours. For more severe wounds, up to 3 applicators can be used at once.

CEO and President of RevMedx said, "We designed the XSTAT with direct input from military medics and first responders to provide a unique solution to the issue of junctional hemorrhage." Learn more in the video that is embedded below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkh842bxW54

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