View source for Biofoam

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Pageimage|Biofoam-thumbnail.jpg}}
[[File:H4FUD-BiofoamProp1.jpg|x250px|thumb|A front view of the biofoam prop used in ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''.]]
'''Biofoam''' (short for '''biomedical foam'''){{Ref/Novel|HNB|Chapter=8}}{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/biofoam|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Biofoam|D=27|M=10|Y=2015}} is a self-sealing, space-filling coagulant and an antimicrobial, tissue-regenerative foam polymer used by the [[United Nations Space Command]] as a form of medical first aid. This foam keeps damaged organs in place and helps stop bleeding and hemorrhaging. The medicinal compound is morphophetamine in a polyethyltriphosphate liquid medium dispensed with nitrous oxide. When applied, the polyethyltriphosphate and nitrous oxide mix to create a foaming effect that can encapsulate, disinfect, and numb wounds.{{Ref/Novel|Id=TRP5|TRP|Chapter=5}} Within the [[Unified Earth Government]], biofoam is an [[Wikipedia:Over-the-counter|OTC-legal product]] and can be purchased legally "over-the-counter."{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}

==Overview==
===Contents===
Prior to application, biofoam consists of two substances: nitrous oxide and morphophetamine-infused liquid polyethyltriphosphate,{{Ref/Reuse|TRP5}} with the latter incorporating [[MediGel]], a product of [[Optican]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P29|Enc22|Page=29}}

===Usage and effects===
[[File:Biofoam 02.png|250px|thumb|Biofoam being applied.]]
Biofoam is generally contained within a cylindrical canister or bottle with a deployable nozzle used to apply the mixture directly to the affected area of a patient.{{Ref/Level|Id=Kikowani|H3ODST|Kikowani Station}} Sealed combat armour such as [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR exoskeletons]] or [[vacuum suit]]s may have ports on them to allow for the injection of biofoam into the suit without having to remove it. If injected in this manner, the medic must use a small plunger to feed the substance into the wound.{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Chapter=25}}

When applied and exposed to air, the nitrous oxide and liquid polyethyltriphosphate mix and produce a foaming reaction.{{Ref/Reuse|TRP5}} The foam strongly adheres to tissues and simultaneously releases encapsulated medical compounds that advances clotting, disinfects the wound, and eventually numbs pain. After a short duration of time, the foam applied will set and become a semi-rigid, porous mass internally, which forms a hardened skin on regions of the body exposed to air.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} In some cases, additional medical tape, bandages,{{Ref/Novel|Id=FOR19|HTFoR|Chapter=19}} or needlework may be required to close up the injury and ensure the foam does not leak out.{{Ref/Novel|DW|Chapter=13}} The standard dosage is 10 centiliters (10cL) or 3.38 fl. oz.{{Ref/Game|H3ODST|{{File link|UNSC-Biofoam-logo1.jpg|Biofoam canister label texture}}}}

Despite biofoam's painkilling properties,{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR6|HSoR|Chapter=6}} for the first few seconds after its application to an open wound it is known to be very painful,{{Ref/Reuse|TRP5}} to the point of overpowering the pain of the original wound.{{Ref/Novel|EOD|Chapter=35}} This effect has been described as feeling like "''burning ants crawling around the wound''"{{Ref/Novel|HTFoR|Chapter=10}} and "''thousands of tiny knives''" stabbing the recipient.{{Ref/Novel|HFS|Chapter=2}} Biofoam does not seem to have this kind of painful reaction when applied to an unwounded area, as during the [[Battle of Mombasa]], [[Jonathan Doherty]] was seen spraying a small amount onto his uninjured fingers and did not react in pain.{{Ref/Level|H3ODST|H3ODST:Mombasa Streets}} To counter the pain of the biofoam, medics may use [[polypseudomorphine]] on their patients.{{Ref/Anthology|Evo|Dirt}}

The effects of biofoam are temporary, and after a few hours, it simply breaks down. Therefore, it is normally a form of first aid, used only as a temporary sealant until proper medical attention can be sought.{{Ref/Reuse|TRP5}}{{Ref/Reuse|FOR19}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=OB10|Oblv|Chapter=10}} In extremely rare cases, allergic reactions to biofoam have been documented. [[Wikipedia:Edema|Edema]] is a rare side effect of biofoam, caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} In some cases, application of the foam may fail, resulting in the foam coagulating into several smaller solid chunks that remain moving inside the wound, which can cause further pain and exacerbate the injury.{{Ref/Reuse|SoR6}} In other cases, biofoam may set wrong, resulting in the biofoam hardening and setting a broken limb at the wrong angle.{{Ref/Anthology|Evo|Blunt Instruments}}

===Applications===
Biofoam is often used as a medical option when there are no [[Hospital Corpsman|medical personnel]] available. Bottles of biofoam can be found in [[health pack]]s.{{Ref/Novel|HTF|Chapter=3}}{{Ref/Novel|HFS|Chapter=13|Quote=William retrieved a can of biofoam from the rover and inserted the tip into the tiny injection port in his armor—pushed it through the skin between his fourth and fifth ribs. He filled his abdominal cavity with the space-filling coagulant/antibacterial/tissue-regenerative polymer.}}{{Ref/Reuse|OB10}} UNSC medics will use it as a sealing agent during treatment in the field.{{Ref/Reuse|TRP5}} The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR Mark VI]],{{Ref/Book|Dr. Halsey's personal journal|Page=January 7, 2535}} [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|MJOLNIR GEN2]],{{Ref/Novel|HRet|Chapter=25}}{{Ref/Book|OSFM|Page=28}} and [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN3)|MJOLNIR GEN3]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR5|HSoR|Chapter=5}} armors contain automatic biofoam injectors, which negate the need for their [[SPARTAN programs|Spartan]] wearers to use health packs.

==Trivia==
The closest equivalent in the modern world to biofoam is Quikclot combat gauze, which utilizes kaolin nanoparticles impregnated into gauze. It is designed to stop moderate to severe bleeding and stabilize a combat casualty. However, it is not a foam, and as gauze, it must be packed into the wound. An [https://www.darpa.mil/program/wound-stasis-system experimental foam] developed in late [[2012]] by [[Wikipedia:DARPA|DARPA]] also bears many similarities to biofoam, as it is capable of packing combat wounds and halting internal bleeding.

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
<gallery>
File:BioFoam.jpg|Biofoam being used in ''[[Halo: Landfall]]''.
File:BiofoamCanister.png|A render of a biofoam canister in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
File:UNSC-Biofoam-logo1.jpg|Biofoam packaging container label.
File:Biofoam-thumbnail.jpg|Biofoam being applied to Romeo in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
File:Biofoam_03.png|Biofoam exuding out of Romeo's damaged chest plate.
File:Biofaom-large.jpg|Mickey holding a biofoam canister.
File:Sullivan_biofoam.jpg|The [[John-117|Master Chief]] applies biofoam to [[Michael Sullivan]]'s wound in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''.
File:H4FUD-BiofoamProp2.jpg|A back view of the biofoam prop.
File:H4FUD-BiofoamProp3.jpg|The biofoam prop with its nozzle extended.
File:H4FUD-BiofoamProp4.jpg|The biofoam prop with its top section detached.
File:HW2 Gruss Artwork.png|[[Hospital corpsman|Corpsman]] [[Helena Gruss]] holding a biofoam canister.
File:HINF Mr Bones Chest Icon.png|The "Mr. Bones" chest attachment for the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VII|MJOLNIR Mark VII]] armor core in ''[[Halo Infinite]]'', featuring a biofoam canister.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
{{Columns|content=
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
**''[[Dirt]]''
**''[[Blunt Instruments]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
**''[[Halo: Blood Line Issue 5]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
**''[[Into the Fire]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
**''[[Season 03: Echoes Within]]''
*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo: Empty Throne]]''
*''[[Halo: Edge of Dawn]]''
}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

[[Category:Medicine]]