"Band-Aids are for boo-boos," says Sergio Finkielsztein, president of Marine Polymer Technologies. "The RDH is all about trauma." Finkielsztein is referring to his company's 4- by 4-inch Rapid Deployment Hemostat, a bandage that stops bleeding in seconds. The RDH is supercharged with a polysaccharide produced by unicellular algae, or diatom, cultured in sealed bioreactors in the firm's Danvers, Massachusetts, labs. The polysaccharide attracts platelets and red blood cells and accelerates clotting. Bleed time is cut by two-thirds. Currently, only cardiac and kidney dialysis patients and hemophiliacs use the algal bandages, but Finkielsztein wants to extend its reach into uncontrolled trauma settings such as battlefields and mountain bike trails, where injuries are common and help is far away. Marine Polymer is negotiating with the Feds to market a soldier-friendly RDH kit, and is developing the Prodein Patch for sports enthusiasts. Sounds great, but starting at $30 a pop, don't look for it on supermarket shelves next to the Toy Story variety.
ELECTRIC WORD
Convertible Goop
Patchwerk
Art and Artery
Mother Lode
Algae-Aid
Monomania
