Beacon Medical Unveils New Chest Seal Dressing

Beacon Medical LLC, a Bloomington, IL based manufacturer of medical products, is excited to introduce the Beacon Chest Seal Dressing to the wider public. The advanced occlusive wound dressing is designed to treat open chest wounds, mainly penetrating injuries to the chest, one of the leading causes of preventable death on the battlefield.

These seals are made using high-grade materials, such as medical grade hydrogel adhesive, which is capable of adhering to skin that is exposed to blood, sweat, hair, sand or water. Available in both vented and non-vented versions, this product is among the most advanced battlefield dressing products on the market.

According to Beacon Medical, the seal is already being used by police, fire, EMS, military and a variety of other professionals who are likely to encounter penetrating chest wounds. The product meets CoTCCC preferred features for chest seals. This means it is FDA 510(k) exempt, features large release tabs for easy application and removal, is effective in extreme heat and conforms to all body surfaces. The product meets all the requirements for a high end chest seal to be used by individuals in professions where chest trauma is not uncommon.

Chest injuries on the battlefield can often result in a condition called Tension Pneumothorax. This occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall, creating a pressure buildup that collapses the lung and restricts breathing. If not treated promptly, the condition can progress rapidly — and easily lead to death. This is why it is important to treat open chest wounds quickly, as failure to do so can often lead to fatal consequences.

The Beacon Chest Seal works differently depending on which of the two versions are used. The vented version allows air trapped in the chest cavity to escape while preventing air from outside the cavity from entering the body. The non-vented version of the Beacon Chest Seal completely seals off the wound, which prevents air from outside entering the chest cavity while also preventing trapped air from escaping.

There are a number of advantages associated with the product, with the prevention of tension pneumothorax being one of the more notable examples. In addition to improving the chances of an injured individual’ survival, the chest seal also provides a certain amount of relief (as sealing an open chest wound can prevent further damage or air leakage). A sealed wound is not exposed to outside bacteria and can begin healing without any concerns surrounding infection or issues caused by foreign bodies entering the cavity. The Beacon Chest Seal Dressing is also designed to be easy to apply.

In situations where the product would typically be utilized, ease of use can mean the difference between life and death. The Beacon Chest Seal can be applied fairly easily even with very little training.

The first step is to clean the area around the wound in order to get rid of any dirt that could lead to the wound being infected. Once the area is clean, the next step is to grip the Beacon Chest Seal tab and remove the clear liner before pressing the dressing centered over the wound (with the adhesive side down). Finally, the dressing is pressed down to ensure that it is totally sealed and that foreign objects cannot get in. The tab can be used to assist with lifting, removal and placement of the Beacon Chest Seal dressing. Removal of the dressing follows standard dressing removal protocol.

"Every second counts when someone has an open chest wound,” says a representative of Beacon Chest Seal. “Tension pneumothorax can take a life in minutes, and in the chaos of an emergency, it isn’t always possible to reach medical professionals in time. That's where the Beacon Chest Seal comes in. It's a simple tool, easy to use even by bystanders, that can buy the injured party precious time by sealing the wound and preventing that deadly air leak. We've seen it save lives on battlefields, in car crashes, even out on hiking trails. It's not just a dressing, it's a lifeline. And when you hold that seal in your hand, knowing it might mean the difference between life and death, that's a responsibility we don't take lightly."

Interested parties may visit the chest seal manufacturer’s website for more information. Alternatively, they may contact the company’s office directly to speak with a knowledgeable representative.