A new clot-busting nanocapsule has been devised that developers say could “revolutionize stroke and heart attack treatment.”

The capsule, developed by the University of Melbourne and the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Australia, can target activated clotting platelets with clot-busting drugs used to treat cardiovascular problems, Medical News Today reports.

In an article published in the journal Advanced Materials, the researchers said it could potentially be administered to stroke and heart attack victims by paramedics without the need for specialist equipment.

"”We've created a nanocapsule that contains a clot-busting drug. The drug-loaded nanocapsule is coated with an antibody that specifically targets activated platelets, the cells that form blood clots," said Christoph Hagemeyer, a professor in vascular biotechnology at Baker IDI.

"We are effectively hijacking the blood clotting system to initiate the removal of the blockage in the blood vessel."

Every year, 1.5 million Americans have a heart attack or stroke.