Apparatus for preventing brain damage during cardiac arrest, CPR or severe shock
OwnerEric W. Braderinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for cooling the extracranial area including the face and, optionally, also including the mandible, during emergency care of cardiac arrest or severe shock; the method is preferably implemented by means of a head cooling apparatus which includes a watertight shroud for the head and which needs no refrigeration. The head cooling apparatus contains the unreacted constituents of an endothermic reaction, such as pellets of ammonium nitrate (NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3) stored adjacent a selectively avaiable reservoir of water, and thus needs no external coolants or refrigeration. Preferably, the head-cooling apparatus comprises a portable, self-contained system which is suitable for storage, transport and/or use anywhere.
Claims14
An apparatus for cranial cooling, comprising:
- a watertight shroud having a permanent shape by which said shroud is adapted to extend over the forehead, face and neck as well as the top, back and sides of the head of a patient but leave uncovered the eyes, nasal airway and the mouth of the patient, said shroud including fastening means for fastening adjacent sections of said watertight shroud in the area of the face of a patient;
- an endothermic reactant reservoir containing a quantity of a reactant which reacts endothermically with water;
- and
- a water reservoir containing water, said water reservoir comprising a structural tank adjacent said shroud and above said endothermic reactant reservoir, said structural tank and said endothermic reaction reservoir having at least one valve therebetween;
- wherein said combined watertight shroud, structural tank and endothermic reactant reservoir contain means for fluid communication therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.