Apparatus and method for cooling the brain, brain stem and associated neurologic tissues
US6030412A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2007/101
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A portable apparatus and corresponding method is provided for treating or preventing at least one of brain, brain-stem and associated nervous tissue injuries in a mammal suffering from decreased blood flow to the brain. The apparatus includes a flexible enveloping member for enveloping a head, neck and upper back of a mammal. The enveloping member includes outer and inner shells with at least one cavity intermediate the outer and inner shells for holding a coolant fluid within the at least one cavity. A coolant source is provided in communication with the enveloping member. The coolant source is capable of instantaneously providing a coolant fluid chilled to a temperature sufficient to slow the metabolism of the brain, whereby when the coolant source is activated, the enveloping member becomes instantly chilled rapidly cooling the brain to a temperature sufficient to slow the metabolism of the brain a sufficient amount so that the mammal remains neurologically intact while efforts are made to restore regular blood flow to the brain of the mammal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.