Several synthetic clotting products have been generated for use in emergency medicine. A hemostatic agent known as QuikClot, which is made from an engineered form of the mineral zeolite, is able to quickly stop bleeding. The engineered zeolite material contains cations (positively charged ions) that serve as cofactors in the activation of clotting proteins. The material also induces clot formation by trapping and concentrating blood proteins. QuikClot is used primarily to stop bleeding from exposed wounds. Scientists are investigating the use of synthetic platelets to stop bleeding internally and to target the site of vessel injury specifically. One approach to ...(100 of 3465 words)