Cisterna Magna CSF Cooling for Rapid Brain Hypothermia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cooling the brain during conditions of interrupted intracranial circulation, such as cardiac arrest or exsanguination, are inefficient, risky, and time-consuming, often leading to irreversible brain damage within minutes, necessitating a rapid and safe method to induce deep hypothermia and prevent brain death.
Innovation Solution
A system for directly cooling cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by inserting a needle into the cisterna magna, using ultrasound guidance and a temperature-sensitive alloy tip to prevent tissue damage, combined with a recirculating cooling method that includes convection cooling and a closed sterile system for rapid brain temperature reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling methods (cardiopulmonary bypass, subclavian artery cooling) are used to cool the brain, then brain temperature can be reduced to prevent ischemic damage, but the procedure is time-consuming and requires complex surgical intervention that may not be feasible within the critical time window
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the systemic circulation system and places it directly into the cerebrospinal fluid system. By inserting a catheter into the cisterna magna and infusing cooled saline directly into the subarachnoid space, the cooling action is separated from the complex cardiopulmonary bypass system, enabling rapid localized brain cooling without requiring systemic surgical intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cooled saline as an intermediary substance to transfer thermal energy from the cooling device to the brain tissue. The saline acts as a heat sink that absorbs heat from the brain through the cerebrospinal fluid, enabling indirect cooling that is both rapid and controllable without direct contact between the cooling device and brain tissue
2Duration of action of moving object
If deep hypothermia is induced rapidly to protect the brain during circulatory arrest, then brain function can be preserved for extended periods, but the risk of tissue damage from rapid cooling and needle insertion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions to ensure safety before the main cooling procedure. Ultrasound guidance is used to pre-identify the optimal insertion path and avoid critical structures. The needle is inserted under real-time imaging control, and the cooling infusion rate is gradually increased to allow tissue adaptation, preventing thermal shock and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback control through real-time monitoring of brain temperature using thermocouples or temperature-sensitive indicators visible under ultrasound. This feedback allows dynamic adjustment of the cooling saline flow rate and temperature to maintain the brain within the optimal hypothermic range (10-20°C) without causing freezing or excessive cold damage to surrounding tissues
3Reliability
If mild to moderate hypothermia (33°C) is used to treat ischemic brain damage, then some brain protection is achieved, but the protection is insufficient for extended circulatory arrest and systemic complications still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from mild-moderate hypothermia (33°C) to profound hypothermia (10-20°C) by controlling the temperature of the infused saline and the duration of infusion. This parameter change transforms the level of protection from insufficient to adequate for extended circulatory arrest, while the localized application method allows this extreme cooling without causing systemic complications
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 rapid induction of deep hypothermia, protecting the brain from death by maintaining it in a state of suspended animation for up to one hour, allowing time for medical intervention and reducing the risk of systemic complications.
Implementation Method 1
using ultrasound guidance and a temperature-sensitive alloy tip to prevent tissue damage
Implementation Method 2
combined with a recirculating cooling method that includes convection cooling and a closed sterile system for rapid brain temperature reduction
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, and apparatus used to prevent brain death by use of rapid and safe cooling of the brain is disclosed. The cisterns magna is accessed through a patient's neck and cooled artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) is circulated about spaces within the brain and in a subarachnoid space surrounding the brain by entering the cisterna magna with an entry through the neck of the patient with a specially designed needle/cannula which allows the flow of cooled aCSF about the brain. aCSF exits from an opening in the skull where a temperature/pressure sensor is placed. Data is sent to a computer-controlled motorized system that pumps cooled aCSF to the needle/cannula placed in the cisterna magna. The pumping of aCSF is controlled to maintain a predetermined temperature and/or pressure of the exiting aCSF.