Cervical Collar with Integrated Cooling for Therapeutic Hypothermia

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cervical collars lack the capability to induce therapeutic hypothermia effectively in pre-hospital settings, which is crucial for treating conditions like strokes and head/neck injuries, as they often require invasive procedures or whole-body cooling methods that can have side effects.

Innovation Solution

A cervical collar with an integrated cooling device that targets the carotid arteries and cerebral vasculature, using a bladder to circulate cooling fluid and an indicator to monitor temperature, allowing for non-invasive and localized cooling or warming of the brain area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional cervical collars are used for immobilization, then head and neck stabilization is achieved, but the capability to induce therapeutic hypothermia is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic hypothermia capabilityVSAvoidfunctional versatility of cervical collar

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the immobilization function of the cervical collar with the therapeutic hypothermia induction function by integrating a cooling device into the collar structure. The cooling device includes a bladder positioned to contact the patient's neck and a fluid circulation system, merging two previously separate medical interventions into a single integrated device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cervical collar is designed to perform multiple functions: immobilization of the head and neck, and induction of therapeutic hypothermia through targeted cooling. This multi-functional design allows a single device to address both mechanical stabilization and thermal therapy needs, particularly beneficial in pre-hospital stroke treatment scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If whole-body cooling methods are used for therapeutic hypothermia, then cooling effect is achieved, but side effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrain temperature reductionVSAvoidside effects of cooling

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device is designed to apply cooling locally to the neck region where carotid arteries are accessible, rather than cooling the entire body. The bladder is positioned to contact the anterior neck, and the fluid circulation system delivers cooling fluid specifically to this region, achieving brain cooling through localized application while avoiding systemic side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling device uses the carotid arteries as an intermediary pathway to deliver cooling effect from the neck surface to the brain. By placing the cooling bladder on the neck and circulating cooling fluid through this region, the system utilizes the blood flow in carotid arteries as a natural heat exchange medium to cool brain tissue without direct brain intervention or whole-body cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If invasive procedures are used for therapeutic hypothermia, then cooling precision is improved, but procedural complexity and risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling precisionVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical procedures (such as intravascular catheters or surgical interventions) with a non-invasive cooling system. The cooling device uses external fluid circulation through a bladder positioned on the neck surface, eliminating the need for surgical insertion while maintaining therapeutic cooling precision through controlled fluid temperature and flow rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables effective induction of therapeutic hypothermia in pre-hospital settings, reducing the risk of tissue injury and side effects by selectively cooling the brain, thus improving patient outcomes in conditions like strokes and head/neck injuries.

Implementation Method 1

a bladder disposed on an interior of the outer shell, wherein the bladder selectively targets blood flowing through cerebral circulation arteries thereby changing a temperature of the blood flowing through the cerebral circulation arteries to a patient's brain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an indicator that changes color based on a change in a measurable event, wherein the bladder is the indicator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromism

Data Source

PatentUS10426658B2Cervical collar

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 NEURORESCUE INC

AI summary

A cervical collar that facilitates therapeutic hypothermia is provided and includes an outer shell having a front portion and a back portion fixedly coupled to the front portion on one side and removably coupled to the front portion on an opposite side. A fastening device removably couples the back portion to the front portion on the opposite side. At least one cooling device is provided on an interior of the outer shell to induce hypothermia in a patient. A sensor is provided that measures a physical characteristic of the patient.