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Battlefield Injuries Healing By Light:

A Green Flashlight To Heal Wounds

The immediate treatment of wounds is highly important on the battlefield as it can be the difference between life and death. A new method to heal wounds by using light in a quick, convenient and safe way has started testing, with funds by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. This test was carried out by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and finished a pilot test to find out the effectiveness of light bonding compared to the conventional stitching method. In addition, this research included patients who had skin wounds removed and needed stitches. According to this research, it is stated that a pink dye zapped with green light can seal a wound instantly. This process is called photochemical tissue bonding, and it can repair skin wounds or even reconnect nerves and blood vessels without using traditional stitches, staples and glues. This method procedure is applies a unique pink dye to the skin around a wound and scans it with a green light. Moreover, the pink dye called “Rose Bengal” is also used to diagnose eye damage by absorbing the lights and exciting electrons. 

This method is better than the traditional stitching method as the electrons can form chemical bonds between collagen fibres and the collagen can link together across opposite sides of wound and act as a tiny seal. This is a more effective and safer seal due to it being water-tight as compared to traditional stitches. Moreover, this method also does not puncture healthy tissues with a needle and thread, thus resulting in less scar formation. Furthermore, glues and proteins that are involved in the conventional stitching method which may lead to irritation and inflammation are not found in this new method. It is also good to know that this process can be used to reconnect nerves and blood vessels.

Thoughts And Views

Even though this test was carried out by The Air Force, we believe that this technique can be applied for injuries in civilian use. In my opinion, I believe that in the near future wounds may be healed by light as it is backed by the US Air Force. I also agree that this invention is a huge contribution to battlefield medicine and medicine as a whole. Even though this method is developed for the battlefield, I think it is not just limited to battlefield only. For instance, this effective and safe light healing method also can be used when you are cutting an apple and the knife accidentally runs through your hand. In a nut shell, I appreciate this invention and agree that light healing wounds method would help humanity as it can help save the lives of soldiers, and potentially civilians as well.

 

Rebecca Boyle, (2010). Air Force Tests Method for Using Light to Heal Battlefield Injuries. [online] Available at: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-05/using-light-heal-battlefield-injuries [Accessed 12 Nov. 2015].

Written by: Lee Sin Yee

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                                                                                                                               Publish date: 6.11.2015 15:40

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