HemCon Medical Technologies

Tricol Biomedical, formerly known as HemCon Medical Technologies, operates as a specialized medical device company focused on hemostatic and wound care management. The company was originally founded in 2001, with HemCon's co-founders including Dr. William "Bill" Wiesmann and Kenton Gregory. Dr. Wiesmann, a former U.S. Army medical researcher, leveraged his extensive experience in combat casualty care to spearhead the development of the company's core technology. His work was driven by the long-standing military need for a solution to control severe bleeding on the battlefield.

The company's history is rooted in a partnership with the U.S. Army, which began in 2001 to design a life-saving hemostatic dressing. This collaboration led to the creation of the HemCon bandage, which was released in 2003 and became the first advanced dressing of its kind used for rapid hemorrhage control in combat situations. The technology was recognized as one of the U.S. Army's "Top 10 Greatest Inventions" for its impact. In April 2016, the assets of HemCon Medical Technologies, including the brand name and product line, were acquired by Tricol International Group Ltd., and the company began operating as Tricol Biomedical, Inc. This acquisition was intended to merge Tricol's expertise in chitosan materials with HemCon's established presence in the wound care market, aiming for growth in surgical and chronic wound care sectors.

Tricol Biomedical develops, manufactures, and markets its products, which serve medical professionals in hospitals, military organizations, first responders, and consumers. The business model involves direct sales and partnerships with distributors, such as a significant 2021 agreement with Medline Industries, to broaden the reach of its product families across North America. The company's core product offering is based on its proprietary Chito+ technology, which utilizes chitosan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide derived from shrimp shells. The polycationic (positive) charge of the chitosan facilitates a strong bond with negatively charged tissues and blood cells, which helps to quickly seal wounds and control bleeding independently of the body's natural clotting process. The material also serves as an antibacterial barrier. The product portfolio is segmented into three main categories: Trauma Management for battlefield and pre-hospital settings; Procedural Care for controlling bleeding in clinical and surgical environments; and Consumer Self-Care for home use. Products are marketed under brand names including HemCon®, OneStop™, and m.doc®.

Keywords: hemostatic dressing, wound care management, bleeding control technology, chitosan bandage, trauma care, surgical supplies, medical device, hemorrhage control, battlefield medicine, advanced wound care, pre-hospital hemostasis, procedural care, consumer wound care, Chito+, wound closure, antibacterial barrier, military medical supplies, first responder equipment, Tricol Biomedical, HemCon