OpMed Seal: Engineering a Rapid-Response Biodegradable Device for Hemorrhage Control and Infection Prevention in Abdominal Trauma

Author

Paula M. Cabrera, University of MississippiFollow
Wesley Stephen Murphy, University of MississippiFollow

Date of Award

Summer 5-10-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Biomedical Engineering

First Advisor

Troy Drewry

Second Advisor

Tanner Hudson

Third Advisor

Sushil Mishra

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Abdominal gunshot wounds are amongst the deadliest injuries encountered in combat and remote emergency settings. For military medics and first responders, the challenge lies in controlling internal bleeding and preventing infection before patients can reach surgical care-often within a narrow window of time known as the “golden hour”. Currently available field treatments are either too slow, not designed for internal wounds, or fail to provide antimicrobial protection. To address this gap, our team developed OpMed Seal: a compact, dual-syringe delivery system that deploys a biodegradable, antibiotic-infused hydrogel directly into abdominal injuries. The system is designed for rapid hemorrhage control, localized infection prevention, and field-friendly use by medics with minimal training. From initial research through material testing and prototype development, every decision will be guided by usability, biocompatibility, and effectiveness in severe conditions. This paper outlines the design evolution of OpMed Seal, the clinical needs that shaped its features, and the development pathway toward battlefield readiness.

Recommended Citation

Cabrera, Paula M. and Murphy, Wesley Stephen, "OpMed Seal: Engineering a Rapid-Response Biodegradable Device for Hemorrhage Control and Infection Prevention in Abdominal Trauma" (2025). Honors Theses. 3265.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3265

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.