Portable Head-and-Neck Cooling Device for Rapid Hypothermia

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current patient temperature management devices are not portable, require specialized training and equipment, take too long to achieve target temperatures, are limited to ICU settings, and fail to simultaneously cool the carotid and vertebral arteries, leading to complications and restricted use in patients with blood coagulation issues.

Innovation Solution

A portable device that quickly mounts to a patient's head and neck, using CO2-cooled liquid to create turbulent flow in compartments covering the carotid and vertebral arteries, achieving rapid therapeutic hypothermia in 30-60 minutes, with compartments and tubing for efficient cooling and re-cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current temperature management devices are used, then therapeutic hypothermia can be achieved, but the devices are not portable and require ICU settings

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components including a cooling unit, a delivery system with tubing, and a head/neck covering with compartments. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be separated from complex ICU equipment, enabling portability while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A liquid coolant serves as an intermediary medium to transfer thermal energy from the cooling unit to the patient's head and neck arteries. This intermediary approach simplifies the direct cooling mechanism, making the device more portable and easier to use outside ICU settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If current temperature management devices are used, then cooling can be provided, but placement takes more than 30 minutes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement speedVSAvoidtime to achieve target temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The head and neck covering with cooling compartments is pre-assembled and ready for immediate use. The modular design allows for rapid donning similar to other emergency medical equipment, significantly reducing placement time compared to traditional devices that require complex assembly and positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If current temperature management devices are used, then whole body cooling can be achieved, but complications such as pneumonia occur due to long treatment times

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomplicationsVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies cooling locally to the head and neck region, specifically targeting the carotid and vertebral arteries, rather than cooling the entire body. This localized approach achieves neuroprotective effects while minimizing systemic side effects and complications associated with whole-body hypothermia.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If current temperature management devices are used, then cooling can be provided, but they do not cover the two carotid arteries and the two vertebral arteries simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveartery coverageVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The head and neck covering is divided into multiple compartments, each designed to contact and cool specific arteries (carotid and vertebral arteries). This segmented compartment design enables simultaneous cooling of all four arteries through a single device application without requiring complex multi-component assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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, portable therapeutic hypothermia outside ICU settings, reducing brain injury risk and complications, improving survival and brain function in emergencies like cardiac arrest and stroke, with minimal training and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

using CO2-cooled liquid to create turbulent flow in compartments covering the carotid and vertebral arteries

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

CO2-cooled liquid to create turbulent flow in compartments covering the carotid and vertebral arteries, achieving rapid therapeutic hypothermia

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

source of solid CO2 cooled liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20250325399A1Patient targeted temperature management device and method

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 BHINDER VIKRAM SINGH

AI summary

A medical device and method used for patient temperature management, wherein the device is designed to cool the patient's head and blood flow to the head and neck including the two carotid and the two vertebral arteries of a patient after trauma in order to prevent inflammation and reduce swelling in the brain. It is portable with a rapid cooling capability feature, does not require an ICU setting, eliminates certain complications that could affect the patient otherwise, and can be quickly and easily placed on the patient with little training or expertise.