It seems great to know that sponge-filled syringe to treat gunshot wounds has now been approved to treat civilians too, which has already been approved for military use in 2014. The unique syringe can become lifesaver for gunshot wounds in just 20 seconds by restraining domestic gunshot fatalities that have been increased tremendously over the years. The syringe, called XSTAT 30, squirts out 92 tiny, compressed cellulose sponges coated with a blood-sopping absorbent.

The biggest challenge that comes in treating gunshot victims is to stop bleeding. According to FDA, 40% of civilians die from a traumatic injury because of hemorrhage or escape of blood from vessels.

Of those deaths, 33 to 56% occur before patient reaches the hospital. According to Gun Violence Archive, there have been 49,095 incidents of gun violence in US in 2015, which resulted in 25,105 injuries and 12,430 deaths. William Maisel, director of Device Evaluation in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said that XSTAT 30 is designed specifically to stop blood flow from an open wound.

The syringe exerts sufficient pressure required to stop the bleeding by acting as temporary barrier to blood flow. It works by controlling the severe bleeding, especially in areas where tourniquet, such as groin or armpit, cannot be placed.

The most important feature of XSTAT 30 syringe is that it can work for four hours, offering sufficient time for patient to seek medical aid from hospital.

Though XSTAT is not cleared for use in certain parts of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, when appropriate, up to three sponge-packed devices can be used on a single patient with a life-threatening wound.