Jugular Compression Headgear for Brain Impact Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries occur due to high impact forces causing brain tissue and blood vessel damage, despite the use of helmets, as they fail to prevent the brain from colliding with the skull, leading to bruising and tearing.
Innovation Solution
A headgear with pressure-applying pads is designed to restrict blood flow from the internal jugular veins, increasing intracranial blood volume and pressure to act as a brain cushion, reducing acceleration and shock loads during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a helmet is used to protect the skull, then skull fracture prevention is improved, but brain acceleration and collision with the skull is not prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (blood) and manipulates its properties (volume and pressure) to serve as a protective medium between the brain and skull. By restricting venous outflow through the jugular veins, blood accumulates in the cranial cavity, creating a pressurized fluid cushion that prevents direct brain-skull contact during acceleration events.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the blood within the cranial cavity by restricting venous drainage, thereby increasing blood volume and pressure. This parameter change transforms the blood from a passive circulatory fluid into an active protective cushion that resists brain acceleration and collision forces.
2Reliability
If pressure is applied to restrict blood flow from internal jugular veins, then intracranial blood volume and pressure increase to reduce brain movement, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device leverages the body's own physiological systems to achieve protection. By applying external pressure through the headgear to restrict jugular vein outflow, the body's circulatory system automatically provides the protective blood cushion effect. The biological system serves itself as the protective mechanism, eliminating the need for complex mechanical brain support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by manipulating blood (a fluid) pressure and volume within the closed cranial cavity. By restricting venous outflow, the system creates a pressurized fluid environment that provides mechanical support to the brain, similar to how pneumatic or hydraulic systems use pressurized fluids for support and protection.
3Stress or pressure
If blood flow from internal jugular veins is restricted, then intracranial pressure increases to cushion the brain, but outflow from cranial cavity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies preliminary counter-action by restricting venous outflow before impact occurs. This preliminary action builds up intracranial blood pressure and volume in advance, creating a pre-conditioned protective state that resists subsequent acceleration forces and brain-skull collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by continuously maintaining restricted venous outflow during non-impact periods, thereby continuously building and maintaining the protective blood cushion. This preliminary preparation ensures that the protective mechanism is already in place before any impact event occurs.
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
The headgear effectively minimizes the effects of impact forces by reducing brain movement and pressure within the skull, thereby minimizing brain tissue and blood vessel damage, and mitigating injuries to the inner ear and olfactory functions.
Implementation Method 1
Pressure pads secured to the pad members may be deployed to apply pressure against the internal jugular veins
Implementation Method 2
The blood pressure and blood volume within the cranial cavity may be elevated to effectively, and generally provide a brain cushion inside the skull
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for minimizing the effects of impact forces to the skull, a headgear may be worn to restrict blood flow from one or more of the draining veins in the neck. Pressure applying pad members movably connected to the headgear may be deployed to apply pressure against the veins of the neck.