This is a actually a pretty good idea. Later on the maybe can impregnate the balloon with helpful molecules… I’m struggling to think right now what would be most appropriate. Pro-thrombotic molecules might work but might also have negatives (eg clot adhesion).
One comment said charging is a big downside; I don’t really agree. It could just as easily be corded or hand-powered. We use hand powered balloons all the time (eg in angioplasty), admittedly not as large but also likely at far higher pressures than would be required for simple hemostasis.
The (potentially very big) problem is that wounds are not always circular or even ovoid like a balloon might be. With gauze you can pack down into whatever shape you are presented with and fill the space, causing hemostasis. With a ballon, you probably cannot. That difference could actually be very important. Think of it as the space-filling resolution of the technique. It also doesn’t take that long to pack a wound, so I don’t think that is a huge advantage with this device.
Thanks. Always good to have an insider's perspective on things. It's what's great about HN. Sure most of us can spend 10 minutes getting up to speed on the very basics of even complex topics, but the community also attracts lots of people with actual deep knowledge in areas outside of what you'd expect from a community ostensibly geared towards startup tech & culture.
One comment said charging is a big downside; I don’t really agree. It could just as easily be corded or hand-powered. We use hand powered balloons all the time (eg in angioplasty), admittedly not as large but also likely at far higher pressures than would be required for simple hemostasis.
The (potentially very big) problem is that wounds are not always circular or even ovoid like a balloon might be. With gauze you can pack down into whatever shape you are presented with and fill the space, causing hemostasis. With a ballon, you probably cannot. That difference could actually be very important. Think of it as the space-filling resolution of the technique. It also doesn’t take that long to pack a wound, so I don’t think that is a huge advantage with this device.