The Science of AllaQuix®

High Performance Stop Bleeding Gauze™

AllaQuix® High Performance Stop Bleeding Gauze™ is a professional-grade hemostat.
  • Sterile, topical, active hemostatic, wound dressing
  • Cleared by FDA for OTC use for the management of minor cuts, minor scalds and first-degree burns, abrasions, and lacerations
  • Not for medical emergencies, serious wounds, or persistent bleeding
  • Made from medical-grade chitosan: a naturally occurring, biocompatible polysaccharide

Chitosan

A Nearly Five-Decade History
Chitosan has a long history as a hemostat. Early work on using chitosan in medical applications, specifically for hemostasis started with Malette and Quigley in the 1980s. In the four decades since, there have been numerous published studies on the safety and efficacy of chitosan as a hemostat. This research and the positive findings have led to the introduction of several chitosan-based hemostats in use by medical professionals. Chitosan-based hemostats have been prevalent in surgical and trauma settings, where severe bleeding needs to be controlled quickly. In addition, the US military has used chitosan-based hemostats, with one branch of the military including a chitosan-based hemostat in their improved first aid kits, and has even been carried aboard Air Force One.

Beyond Hemostasis
Chitosan is a widely used hemostat because it exhibits many beneficial properties in medicine including:
  • Rapid control of bleeding or hemostasis
  • Bacteriostatic activity
  • Stimulation of wound healing

Hemostasis Independent of the Clotting Cascade
A key advantage of chitosan as a hemostat is that it acts independently of the clotting cascade. It is this property of chitosan that allows it work even for people who have genetic conditions that cause bleeding or clotting disorders and those people on medications that interfere with the clotting mechanism, such “blood thinners” or anti-coagulants therapy, such as Coumadin, Warfarin, Eliquis, Pradaxa, Clopidogrel.

The hemostasis caused by chitosan is initiated independently of platelets or coagulation factors. Chitosan can form a stable coagulum with blood in the absence of fibrin.



In this micrograph, the heparinized blood has formed a bond with the fibers of the chitosan to form a stable coagulum. These results have been duplicated in several studies. It has been shown that chitosan can induce hemostasis with washed red blood cells alone.
Hemostasis induced by chitosan is attributed to the physical interaction between chitosan and the cell membranes of red blood cells. There is an interaction between the positively charged chitosan polymer and the negatively charged cell membrane of the red blood cell. This ionic interaction is responsible for coagulum formed by chitosan.

Scientific References

Acheson EM, Kheirabadi BS, Deguzman R, Dick EJ Jr, Holcomb JB. Comparison of hemorrhagic control agents applied to lethal extremity arterial hemorrhage in swine. J Trauma. 2005; 59:865-75.

Alam HB, Uy GB, Miller D, et al. Comparative analysis of hemostatic agents in a swine model of lethal groin injury. J Trauma. 2003; 54:1077–82.

AllaQuix® High Performance
Stop Bleeding Gauze™

AllaQuix® is designed to work for everyone. The chitosan fibers of AllaQuix® High Performance Stop Bleeding Gauze™ are designed to aggregate platelets along the fiber to accelerate clot formation, even when anticoagulation therapies are used. Once the chitosan dressing is on the wound, the positive charge of the chitosan fibers of AllaQuix® attract red blood cells, which have a negative charge. When the red blood cells bind to the AllaQuix® dressing, a seal over the wound and a tight, stable clot at the site of the wound are created. This seal and clot at the wound control the bleeding.
Advantages of AllaQuix® High Performance Wound Dressing™
AllaQuix® is what healthcare professionals and patients want in a wound dressing. AllaQuix® is easy-on/easy-off, and can be used with or without an adhesive or secondary dressing. AllaQuix® effectively controls bleeding, even if the body has trouble controlling bleeding itself. AllaQuix® does not cause irritation, burning, or stinging at the wound site. AllaQuix® is soft and flexible, and can be rolled or cut to size. AllaQuix® is economical, as other professional-grade hemostats can cost 3x to 4x more.

Safety
The processing of the chitosan fibers of AllaQuix® neutralizes and purifies the source, designed to eliminate any potential clinical complications. Processing of the chitosan includes deacetylation, which effectively removes all animal protein, which may cause an allergic reaction. The final step in our post-packaging procedure is gamma irradiation to ensure a sterile chitosan pad. AllaQuix® is not for medical emergencies, serious wounds, or persistent bleeding.

AllaQuix® High Performance Stop Bleeding Gauze™ is made from chitosan, which is derived from shellfish. The processing of the chitosan includes deacetylation which effectively removes all animal protein. However, individuals with known shellfish allergies should exercise caution in the use of any product containing chitosan. A study published in Military Medicine (176, 10:1153, 2011) evaluating “Safety of Chitosan Bandages in Shellfish Allergic Patients” concluded that all patients with a documented shellfish allergy tolerated the bandage without allergic reactions.
Military Medicine, 176, 10:1153,2011 | LTC Kirk H. Waibel, MC USA*; CPT Brian Haney, MC USA*, Lt Col Merrideth Moore, USAF MC†; Bonnie Whisman, MS†, Robert Gomez, BS†
Safety of Chitosan Bandages in Shellfish Allergic Patients
A study was published in Military Medicine evaluating “Safety of Chitosan Bandages in Shellfish Allergic Patients” which concluded that all patients with a documented shellfish allergy tolerated the chitosan bandage without allergic reactions.

“We found that all subjects tolerated the bandage without reaction.”

“The results from this study are encouraging and consistent with two previous studies
demonstrating the safety of other chitin-derived products in patients allergic to shellfish.”
Ease of Use
AllaQuix® requires no preparation or mixing and no special storage conditions. AllaQuix® is a direct- from-the-shelf, rapid deployment hemostasis pad. There are no contraindications and no age restrictions.

Order AllaQuix® FOR YOUR CLINIC BELOW

  • Trial Pack - AllaQuix® High-Performance Stop Bleeding Gauze (2in 3-pack)
    $17.00
    FREE
  • AllaQuix High-Performance Stop Bleeding Gauze (LG 2in)
    $7.00
    $7.00
  • AllaQuix High-Performance Stop Bleeding Gauze (XL 4in)
    $11.00
    $11.00
  • AllaQuix High-Performance Stop Bleeding Gauze (XXL 6in)
    $14.00
    $14.00
    • AllaQuix® is for OTC use for the management of minor cuts, minor scalds and first-degree burns, abrasions, and lacerations


    CAUTION

    For medical emergencies, serious wounds, or if bleeding persists, seek immediate professional medical help. Does not replace stitches – seek medical attention if stitches needed. Do not use on visibly infected wounds – seek medical attention.

    Longer compression time may be necessary for patients who have high blood pressure or are overweight.

    AllaQuix® is made from chitosan, which is derived from shellfish. Individuals with known shellfish allergies should exercise caution in the use of any product containing chitosan.
    Please read full Instructions for Use before using any AllaQuix® products.

    This document does not replace the advice and instructions of a healthcare professional.

    When in doubt, seek the advice a medical professional.

    Please note that all mentions of AllaQuix® in this document refer to AllaQuix® High Performance Stop Bleeding Gauze™ unless otherwise noted. The full product name was shortened to improve readability.