Item of headwear for cooling the head

Headwear for cooling the neurocranium region of a user's head and thereby the user's brain. In particular, the headwear provides selective cooling to specific areas of the parietal region, the frontal region, the temporal region and the occipital region of the cranium associated with the drainage system of the brain following a traumatic injury.

1. PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application Number GB1617149.8 filed on Oct. 10, 2016.

2. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to headwear for cooling the neurocranium region of a user's head and thereby the user's brain. In particular, the headwear provides selective cooling to specific areas of the parietal region, the frontal region, the temporal region and the occipital region of the cranium associated with the drainage system of the brain following a traumatic injury.

3. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide cooling to areas of the body that have suffered from violent trauma, particularly during contact sports, such as rugby union, boxing, equine sports, or cycling for example. Typically, this cooling is provided pitch-side before further treatment can be provided if necessary. This is achieved by the use of packs, which comprise frozen liquid or chemicals selected to produce endothermic reactions. Prior art first-aid brain cooling devices comprise helmets with cooling material spread substantially evenly across the entirety of the neurocranium, encompassing the entirety of the parietal region and the majority of the frontal and occipital regions. These devices are focussed on cooling the brain as a whole, and do not concentrate that cooling specifically on the drainage system. As a result, the regions of the brain covered by prior art devices do not extend over the full area of the skull that corresponds with the drainage system.

4. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has identified that preventing a build-up of blood and cerebro-spinal fluid in the brain helps to prevent further damage to the brain. When the brain swells, fluid cannot leave the brain to balance the fluid going into the brain. This occurs as tissue becomes engorged and compresses vessels. This compression restricts the drainage of the brain and hence increases intra-cranial pressure.

Cooling of the drainage system can reduce the resistance to fluid leaving the brain, thereby allowing the pressure to equalise naturally. The drainage system extends as far forward as theglabella(brow line) and as far back as the 5thand 6thcervical vertebrae (the lower neck). Importantly, there is a confluence of the sinuses at the internal occipital protuberance, and further drainage vessels at the occipital/C1, C1/C2, C2/C3, and C3/C4 junctions.

The inventor has established that advantageous effects can be achieved by cooling that is targeted to the circulatory system of the brain and, in particular, the drainage of the circulatory system. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the selective cooling can set up temperature gradients to direct the flow of heat and thereby more effectively reduce, or prevent the increase of, intra-cranial pressure.

Accordingly, there is provided headwear as defined by claim1.

Additionally, there is provided headwear as defined by claims25and27.

For convenience, the user's skin has been omitted inFIGS.3and4. The user's skull has also been omitted inFIG.4.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1depicts an item of headwear in accordance with the invention. As shown inFIG.5, the headwear1is comprises three major layers12,13,14. Two of the layers are support layers12,14, and the third is a cooling layer13. The cooling layer13is sandwiched between the first and second support layers12,14.

In use, as depicted inFIGS.2and3, the headwear1extends over a substantial part of the user's cranium. Preferably, the cooling layer13extends over the frontal bone until just above the ocular arches. The cooling layer13preferably extends to cover the malar(zygomatic)/frontal junction, the greater wings of the sphenoid, the temporal squamae and both temporo mandibular joints. This protects the trigeminal ganglia. The cooling layer13extends over the ears of the user and the angle of the mandible.

The cooling layer13covers (but, as explained below, does not necessarily cool) all of the parietal bone and extends past the lambda and bregma landmarks. Preferably, the cooling layer13covers (but does not necessarily cool) all of the parietal, frontal and occipital bones.

The front of the cooling layer13preferably extends as far forward as the glabella (brow line) in order to cover the full frontal extent of the superior saggital sinus.

The back of the cooling layer13preferably extends towards the clavicle, covering the base of the occiput. Preferably, the back of the cooling layer13covers the base of the occiput. More preferably, the back of the cooling layer13covers the atlanto-occipital membrane. Even more preferably, the back of the cooling layer13covers the vertebral venous plexus between the mastoids.

A bottom portion of the cooling layer13extends down over the cervical spine to the 4thcervical vertebrae in order to cover the confluence of drainage vessels. More preferably, the bottom portion of the cooling layer13extends down over the cervical spine past the 6thcervical vertebrae. The base of the headwear1is located at the vertebral prominence of the 7th cervical/1st thoracic junction.

The headwear1thus forms a neurocranial portion and a neck portion. The neurocranial portion is substantially dome-shaped, with a central cavity for receiving the wearer's skull. An opening is provided in a front portion that corresponds substantially to the wearer's facial skeleton. Preferably, the opening has two curved arches at the front edge of the headwear1for the wearer's eye region.

The headwear1encapsulates the entire neurocranium and the two lateral aspects and the posterior aspect of the cervical spine. The headwear1is provided with an attachment portion in the neck (cervical) area, preferably near the 5thor 6thcervical vertebrae. Preferably, the attachment portion comprises a band2of material extending in a segment of a circle, which may extend, for example, up to 270° around the rear of the neck. The band2preferably has a frontal opening for the user's neck for putting the headwear1on.

The band2may be pre-stressed with a bias to return to its original shape. In this manner, the band2secures the headwear1to the user. The band2may be formed in different sizes, such that different headwear may better fit different users. As the swelling subsides, the band2resizes with the user's neck. The headwear1may further comprise an additional means to secure the headwear in place. This may take the form of clips, Velcro or other similar attachments. For example, a chin strap or the like.

The first layer14of the headwear1contacts with the user's head and covers the regions identified above. The third layer12of the headwear1is substantially the same shape as the first layer14. In preferred embodiments it is manufactured from the same material as the first layer14.

The third layer12may be formed of, or comprise, one or more of: neoprene, silicone, and/or polyurethane.

The second layer13of the headwear1comprises the cooling structure3of the headwear1. The structure3comprises a network of interconnected cooling portions, preferably formed as vessels4which are filled with a cooling agent. The network4is configured to provide selective cooling of the wearer's head and so does not extend completely through the second layer13. That is, certain locations of the second layer13will not hold any cooling agent. For example, the headwear1may completely cover the wearer's parietal region of the cranium, but structure3will not cool the entire surface area of the parietal region.

While the present embodiment is described with first and second support layers12,14and a cooling layer13, the headwear1may be formed of any number of layers. In particular, the headwear1could comprise a cooling layer formed of first and second outer layers, with a network of interconnected vessels4therebetween. However, it is preferred to provide additional layers for comfort and structured strength.

The cooling agent may be any suitable chemical, but preferably it will be a fluid, and preferably will not lose motility when exposed to low temperatures. The cooling agent may comprise, for example, Bluelce®, aqueous glycerol, and/or saline solution (for example, of around 33% salt).

The network of vessels4may be formed between two layers of elasticised material to form the cooling layer13. These layers of material may be joined together, for example, by crimping or by any other fluid-tight means, at various points so as to contain the cooling agent.

In preferred embodiments, the network of vessels4of the cooling structure3is a closed system. In such embodiments, the cooling structure can be pre-cooled by storing it at a low temperature. Alternatively, the cooling agent may generate an endothermic reaction. Such cooling agents are well known in the field. This allows the headwear to be used pitch-side in sports situations.

The network of vessels4comprises one major vessel6and two minor vessels7extending from the attachment band2towards the front edge of the headwear1. The major vessel6and minor vessels7may be interlinked with a number of connecting vessels8. In particular the embodiment depicted in the drawings shows two connecting vessels8.

This network of vessels4is aligned with the brain vessels which form the major drainage areas of the brain. Preferably, this includes the entire surface area of the venous sinus system. The major vessel6extends along a centreline of the headwear1. As shown inFIG.2, the major vessel6is substantially aligned with the superior sagittal sinus of the user in order to provide cooling to this sinus.

The front of the major vessel6preferably extends as far forward as theglabella(brow line) in order to cover the full frontal extent of the superior sagittal sinus. Preferably, major vessel6covers the internal occipital protuberance. More preferably, the major vessel6covers the base of the occiput. Even more preferably, the major vessel6covers the vertebral venous plexus. The major vessel6most preferably extends down over the cervical spine to the 4th cervical vertebrae in order to cover the confluence of drainage vessels, and in some embodiments as far as the 6th cervical vertebrae.

The two minor vessels7are substantially aligned with the confluence of the sinuses, transverse sinuses, the sigmoid sinuses, and the internal jugular veins of the of the users, in order to provide cooling to these sinuses. The two minor vessels7are arranged to meet the major vessel6at a location on the headwear1that will—in use—substantially cover the confluence of the underlying sinuses.

The connecting vessels8are substantially aligned with the transverse sinuses in order to provide cooling to these sinuses. Preferably, the connecting vessels8extend from the major vessel6at approximately 40% of its length from the band2. Preferably, the connecting vessels8extend from the major vessel6in a substantially perpendicular direction (that is, the tangents of the connecting vessels8and the major vessel6are perpendicular at their intersection). Preferably, each of the connecting vessels8extend from the major vessel6to the corresponding minor vessel7by a distance of from 70 mm to 90 mm, most preferably 80 mm.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the network of vessels is a single continuous system. However, each vessel may be sealed as an independent system and/or each vessel may be formed of multiple independent cooling vessels.

Venous blood and Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF) leaves the brain via these sinuses. In cases of trauma to the brain, the passage through these sinuses may become inhibited. By providing selective cooling to these areas, swelling may be reduced. This results in a reduction of the compression of the vessels, the brain stem, spinal cord and the expansive tissue in the neck. The areas not covered by the cooling vessels are not cooled and hence the side effects associated with complete neurocranial cooling can be avoided

This cooling effect allows improved drainage from vital components of the brain, reducing “pressure conus”, interstitial edema, cytotoxic waste and possible cerebellar tonsilar ectopia. Additionally, the flow of oxygenated arterial blood back into the brain is increased. This reduces the blood pressure build up and reduces considerably the possible effects of stroke and physiologic shock.

The above description has been given with reference to sinuses that are not themselves part of the item of headwear. However, the description given will be understood by the Skilled Person who knows how to configure the vessels6,7,8to cover the sinuses when the item of headwear is worn by a user.

In a typical embodiment, the length of the major vessel will be in the range of 430 mm to 480 mm. The connecting vessels will extend over a length in the range of 140 mm to 160 mm. The connecting vessels will extend from a point distanced from the bottom (neck end) of the major vessel in the range of 80 mm to 130 mm. The minor vessels will extend from the connecting vessels toward and away from the neck band of the headwear. In particular, they will extend away from the connecting vessel in the direction away from the neckband by a length in the range of 140 mm to 160 mm.

The vessels4are sized to be at least 30% wider than the brain vessels which they are aligned with. Typically the major vessel is between 50 mm and 60 mm wide, the minor vessels are between 50 mm and 60 mm wide, and the connecting vessels are between 50 mm and 60 mm wide. This ensures that the relevant brain vessels are sufficiently covered for cooling by the headwear1.