Methods and devices for brain cooling for treatment and/or prevention of epileptic seizures

Abstract

Passive prosthetic devices for focally cooling a brain and methods for inhibiting seizures are disclosed. The prosthetic devices replace a thermally insulating bone flap with a thermally conductive insert having an inner surface that contacts the relatively warm meninges or brain and an outer surface that contacts the relatively cool scalp. In an embodiment, the prosthesis is unitary; in another, a biocompatible casing is filled with a highly conductive core; in another, a filled polymer block is attached to a plate; and in another, the bone flap is filled with a conductive polymer. In one embodiment, a filled polymer containing elements that exhibit the magnetocaloric effect provide heat transfer that can be enhanced by application of a suitable magnetic field. Focal cooling as low as 1.2° C. has been found effective at inhibiting seizures.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.