Biofoam: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Biofoam is rubbed into the skin or injected deeper into the body. It is very painful to use, at least initially, described as feeling like "burning ants crawling around the wound" and "thousands of tiny knives" stabbing the recipient. However, biofoam has been described as being able to numb pain.<ref name="h2sg"></ref><ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page ???''</ref> <ref group="note">The ''Halo 2 Strategy Guide's'' description of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI MJOLNIR armor]] describes biofoam as being able to numb pain. In ''[[Halo: The Flood|The Flood]]'', biofoam is said to numb [[M. Fitzgerald|Fitzgerald]]'s [[Type-33 | Biofoam is rubbed into the skin or injected deeper into the body. It is very painful to use, at least initially, described as feeling like "burning ants crawling around the wound" and "thousands of tiny knives" stabbing the recipient. However, biofoam has been described as being able to numb pain.<ref name="h2sg"></ref><ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page ???''</ref><ref group="note">The ''Halo 2 Strategy Guide's'' description of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI MJOLNIR armor]] describes biofoam as being able to numb pain. In ''[[Halo: The Flood|The Flood]]'', biofoam is said to numb [[M. Fitzgerald|Fitzgerald]]'s [[Type-33 Needler|Needler]] wound.</ref> It is likely that only the application is painful, and that the biofoam quickly numbs the wound after settling. Biofoam does not seem to have this kind of painful reaction when applied to an unwounded area, as [[the Rookie]] is seen spraying a small amount on his uninjured fingers and does not react in pain. It is often used as a medical option when there are no [[Hospital Corpsman|medical personnel]] available. Bottles of biofoam are found in [[health pack]]s.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 91''</ref><ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 123'' (''"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> Often UNSC medics will use it as a sealing agent during treatment in field hospital. While exploring the abandoned [[New Mombasa]] by himself, the Rookie used civilian biofoam canisters, with the brand name [[Optican]], to heal his wounds, as no military medical supplies were available. | ||
The effects of biofoam are temporary, and after a time, usually 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. | The effects of biofoam are temporary, and after a time, usually 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. | ||
The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR Mark VI]] and [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|MJOLNIR GEN2]] armors contain automatic biofoam injectors, which negate the need for their [[SPARTAN | The [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR Mark VI]] and [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|MJOLNIR GEN2]] armors contain automatic biofoam injectors, which negate the need for their [[SPARTAN programs|Spartan]] wearers to use health packs.<ref name="h2sg">'''[[Halo 2: The Official Strategy Guide|Official Strategy Guide]]'''</ref> | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*Despite the insertion process being rather painful, when biofoam is applied to [[Kojo Agu|Romeo's]] wound in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', he sighs with relief, rather than showing signs of discomfort. This might result from his rigorous ODST training, or be due to his relief that he can breathe properly again. | *Despite the insertion process being rather painful, when biofoam is applied to [[Kojo Agu|Romeo's]] wound in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', he sighs with relief, rather than showing signs of discomfort. This might result from his rigorous ODST training, or be due to his relief that he can breathe properly again. | ||
*In ''Halo 3: ODST'' biofoam is applied by inserting part of the canister into the wound. In ''Halo: Landfall'' however, biofoam is applied like shaving cream (which is most likely what was used in the scene) meaning biofoam works internally and externally. | *In ''Halo 3: ODST'' biofoam is applied by inserting part of the canister into the wound. In ''Halo: Landfall'' however, biofoam is applied like shaving cream (which is most likely what was used in the scene) meaning biofoam works internally and externally. | ||
*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 [http://www.technewsdaily.com/15895-foam-injection-soldiers-bleeding.html experimental foam] developed in late 2012 by [[ | *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 [http://www.technewsdaily.com/15895-foam-injection-soldiers-bleeding.html 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== | ==Gallery== | ||
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*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' | *''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]'' | *''[[Halo: Landfall]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'' | |||
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' | *''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' | ||
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'' | |||
**''[[Pariah]]'' | |||
**''[[Dirt]]'' | |||
**''[[Blunt Instruments]]'' | |||
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'' | *''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'' | ||
== | ==Note== | ||
<references group="note"/> | <references group="note"/> | ||
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<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Medicine]] | [[Category:Medicine]] | ||
Revision as of 23:56, November 20, 2014
Biofoam is a self-sealing, space-filling coagulant and an antibacterial, 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 foaming medium dispensed with nitrous oxide. The standard dosage is 10 centiliters (10cL) or 3.38 fl. oz.[1]
Overview
Biofoam is rubbed into the skin or injected deeper into the body. It is very painful to use, at least initially, described as feeling like "burning ants crawling around the wound" and "thousands of tiny knives" stabbing the recipient. However, biofoam has been described as being able to numb pain.[2][3][note 1] It is likely that only the application is painful, and that the biofoam quickly numbs the wound after settling. Biofoam does not seem to have this kind of painful reaction when applied to an unwounded area, as the Rookie is seen spraying a small amount on his uninjured fingers and does not react in pain. It is often used as a medical option when there are no medical personnel available. Bottles of biofoam are found in health packs.[4][5] Often UNSC medics will use it as a sealing agent during treatment in field hospital. While exploring the abandoned New Mombasa by himself, the Rookie used civilian biofoam canisters, with the brand name Optican, to heal his wounds, as no military medical supplies were available.
The effects of biofoam are temporary, and after a time, usually 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.
The MJOLNIR Mark VI and MJOLNIR GEN2 armors contain automatic biofoam injectors, which negate the need for their Spartan wearers to use health packs.[2]
Trivia
- Despite the insertion process being rather painful, when biofoam is applied to Romeo's wound in Halo 3: ODST, he sighs with relief, rather than showing signs of discomfort. This might result from his rigorous ODST training, or be due to his relief that he can breathe properly again.
- In Halo 3: ODST biofoam is applied by inserting part of the canister into the wound. In Halo: Landfall however, biofoam is applied like shaving cream (which is most likely what was used in the scene) meaning biofoam works internally and externally.
- 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 experimental foam developed in late 2012 by DARPA also bears many similarities to biofoam, as it is capable of packing combat wounds and halting internal bleeding.
Gallery
Biofoam packaging container label.
Biofoam being used in Halo: Landfall.
Biofoam exuding out of an ODST's damaged chest plate.
The Master Chief applies biofoam to Michael Sullivan's wound in Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn.
Render of the biofoam canister from Halo 3: ODST.
List of appearances
- Halo: The Fall of Reach (First appearance)
- Halo: The Flood
- Halo: First Strike
- Halo: Landfall
- Halo: The Cole Protocol
- Halo 3: ODST
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
Note
- ^ The Halo 2 Strategy Guide's description of the Mark VI MJOLNIR armor describes biofoam as being able to numb pain. In The Flood, biofoam is said to numb Fitzgerald's Needler wound.
Sources
- ^ Halo 3: ODST biofoam texture graphic file
- ^ a b Official Strategy Guide
- ^ Halo: The Flood, page ???
- ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 91
- ^ Halo: First Strike, page 123 ("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.")
