Patent ID: 6030412
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A portable apparatus 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, comprising:a flexible enveloping means for enveloping a head, neck and upper back of a mammal, the enveloping means including 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 in communication with the enveloping means, the coolant source 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 means 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.