The Science of AllaQuix™

AllaQuix™ is a professional-grade hemostat.  AllaQuix™ is a sterile, topical, active hemostatic, wound dressing.

AllaQuix™ has been cleared by FDA for over the counter (OTC) use for management of minor topical bleeding wounds such as minor abrasions and minor skin lacerations

AllaQuix™ is made from medical-grade chitosan.  Chitosan is a naturally occurring, biocompatible polysaccharide.

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 three 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.

Chitosan is a widely used hemostat because it exhibits many beneficial properties in medicine including:

    • The rapid control of bleeding or hemostasis
    • Antimicrobial activity and the
    • Stimulation of wound healing

A key advantage of chitosan as a hemostat is that it acts independent of the clotting cascade.  It is this property of chitosan that allows it work even in people that have genetic conditions that cause bleeding or clotting disorders and those people on medications that interfere with the clotting mechanism, such as anticoagulants.

The hemostasis caused by chitosan is initiated independent 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.

AllaQuix™ is designed to work in everyone.  The chitosan fibers in AllaQuix™ are processed with a patent-pending, proprietary technology.  The advanced surface-treated fiber is designed to aggregate platelets along the fiber to accelerate clot formation even when anticoagulation therapies are used.  Once the AllaQuix™ hemostatic pad is on the wound, the chitosan fibers in AllaQuix™ attract the red blood cells.  When the red blood cells bind to the AllaQuix™ hemostatic pad, a seal over the wound and a tight, stable clot at the site of the wound are created. This tight, stable clot seals the wound and controls the bleeding

AllaQuix™ is what patients are looking for in a product to control bleeding:

  • AllaQuix™ effectively controls bleeding, even if the body may have trouble controlling bleeding itself
  • AllaQuix™ is easy-on/easy-off and can be used with or without adhesive
  • AllaQuix™ causes no irritation, burning, or stinging at the site of the wound
  • AllaQuix™ requires no preparation or mixing and no special storage conditions
  • AllaQuix™ is a direct- from-the-shelf, rapid-deployment hemostasis pad

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AllaQuix™ is for management of minor topical bleeding wounds such as minor abrasions and minor skin 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.

There have been no known allergic reactions or adverse events reported as a result of using Inspiration Medical Technology, Inc. chitosan products since distribution began.

Read full Instructions for Use before using AllaQuix™.

 

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