Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Thermal applicators
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-18
2001-02-06
Dvorak, Linda C. M. (Department: 3739)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Thermal applicators
C607S108000, C607S112000, C607S110000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183501
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to the field of head, neck, and spine medical treatment, and more particularly, to a cooling device for the brain and spinal cord of an individual with a brain or spinal cord injury for reducing trauma to those areas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with brain and spinal cord treatment, as an example.
The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system (CNS), the body's chief controlling and coordinating centers. The brain, which is housed in the skull, is the major organ of the body for control of all the body's voluntary and involuntary activities. The principal parts of the brain are the brain stem, the diencephalon, the cerebrum, and the cerebellum. Cranial bones and the cranial meninges protect the brain and cerebrospinal fluid serves as a shock absorber for the brain and circulates nutritive substances from the blood to the brain. A large round hole called the foramen magnum is located at the bottom of the skull. It is through the foramen magnum that the spinal cord passes down from the brain into the spine. The spine is a bony column which serves as a protective surrounding for the spinal cord.
When an area of the body collides with an external source in its surroundings, severe trauma and swelling of the tissue may occur in the injured area. To reduce swelling, treatment often consists of lowering the temperature of the injured area.
Lowering temperature is often achieved by applying a cold element or substance to the injured area. In some instances, the treatment has been as simple as applying ice to the location of the injury. More sophisticated methods have included applying cold packs to the injury. Heretofore, in this field, cold therapy has generally been limited to the limbs of the body including the leg (particularly the knee), the arm, and the shoulder. Treatment of this type has generally been applied most consistently in situations involving athletic injuries. Cold therapy has also been used for aesthetic purposes such as applying cold packs to the face to reduce bags under the eyes and for purposes of reducing the pain of headaches. Therapy has generally required refrigeration of the packs.
When the brain or spinal cord is traumatized due to injury, the extent of the trauma to the brain or spinal cord is not always readily apparent. The collision of an individual's head with external surroundings causes the brain to collide with the individual's skull, which may produce welling of the brain. Swelling can restrict the flow of fluids that normally circulate around the brain and, potentially, cause the fluids to accumulate and therefore compress the brain down into the floor of the skull and cervical bone of the spine. The collision of the individual's head or body with external surroundings may cause injury to the spinal cord and result in swelling. To reduce the effects of this secondary trauma, the present invention can be placed over the head, neck, and spinal regions to lower the temperature in those areas and help reduce swelling. The reduced swelling of the brain reduces the potential for more serious injury to the individual.
Therefore, there is a need for a device that may be easily transported and applied in emergency situations but may also be used in rehabilitative environments. Also, there is a need for a device that requires no special storage conditions such that implementation of such a device requires extensive redesign of, or requires, additional space for storage facilities. Furthermore, there is a need for a device that may be flexibly and easily adapted to a individual at the scene of an accident while not adding additional stress or pressure on the individual.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention disclosed herein is a cooling system that includes a head and neck device which can be cooled to reduce trauma to the brain. The cooling device facilitates cooling of the head and neck which reduces swelling of the brain. Reduction of swelling of the brain helps to decrease both short and long term damage to the brain of a patient.
In one embodiment, the cooling system includes a head device and a neck brace. The head device has a front panel and a back panel; each panel capable of housing a cold element to facilitate cooling. The front panel may include a plurality of fastening devices to secure the head device to the head of the individual. The front panel may also include a plurality of orifices to facilitate access to the ears of the individual. The back panel of the head piece may include a plurality of fastening devices and a bottom appendage; the fastening device being positioned to come into contact with the plurality of fastening devices located on the front panel for complete coverage of the head and over the carotid arteries. The back panel may be elongated by attaching a back panel strip that covers the back along the spinal cord for cooling.
The cooling system may also include a neck brace having front and back brace members and a chin support. The neck brace may further include a plurality of orifices that allow air to circulate to reduce heat buildup which may cause sweating and discomfort of the individual. The neck brace may also have a hole for, e.g., facilitating a tracheotomy to assist the individual in breathing, if necessary. The neck brace may also include a fastening device to secure the neck brace to the individual and to support the head device.
In another embodiment, the cooling system of the present invention may be a one-piece head device. The head device includes an opening for facial exposure and is capable of housing a cooling element. The head device further includes a flexible material.
In yet another embodiment, the cooling system of the present invention comprises a cooling device and a cooling element system. The cooling element system includes a connecting mechanism whereby the cooling element may enter the cooling device, a storage device for housing said cooling element, and a release system.
The present invention allows Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel to monitor bleeding of the individual, if any. The present invention also facilitates management of the airway by allowing for tracheotomy treatment. Because of the facial opening of the present invention, the eyes, nose and mouth of the individual may be monitored.
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Burr Matthew E.
Dvorak Linda C. M.
Gardere & Wynne, L.L.P.
Latham Jeffrey W.
Ram Jocelyn D
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