UPMC will test a new suspended state technology on trauma patients.

UPMC Presbyterian sent waves across the science and medical communities when it announced it would begin testing a “suspended state” technology in the treatment of patients who’ve suffered gunshots or knife wounds.

The technology, which will involve replacing the patient’s blood with a cooling saline solution, is designed to give doctors and surgeons more time to treat these traumatic injuries. Cooling the body slows down cell activity, effectively suspending life and placing the patient in a state between life and death.

UPMC will test the technology on 10 patients. Read more about it in New Scientist.

Matthew Wein is a local writer, editor, blogger, storyteller and proud native Pittsburgher. Once described as "a man of things," he covers city design, spirits and craft beer for NEXT, where he keeps all of the editorial meetings light-hearted and interesting. His interests include sorting books, looking at old things and candles which smell like old-growth pine forests.