No bandage needed: electrical impulses to major nerve help stop bleeding
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03330-4
By Max Kozlov
A new technique using electrical stimulation near the ear might help reduce bleeding without the need for bandages or gauze. Known as the “neural tourniquet,” this method activates platelets by stimulating the vagus nerve, which helps the spleen release clot-forming cells faster. In trials on pigs and mice, blood loss was reduced by up to 50%, and the technique may offer a promising solution for surgeries, childbirth, and conditions like hemophilia. While human trials are underway, this treatment could be a game-changer for emergency rooms and trauma care in the future.