Brain cooling apparatus and method for cooling the brain

摘要

An apparatus and corresponding method are provided for treating or preventing at least one of brain, brain-stem and associated nervous tissue injuries in a mammal suffering from decreased or compromised blood flow to the brain. The apparatus includes a helmet configured to rest unsupported on the head of a mammal. The helmet includes outer and inner shells with at least one cavity intermediate the outer and inner shells for holding a coolant fluid within the at least one cavity, and a coolant source in communication with the helmet, the coolant source instantaneously providing a coolant fluid chilled to a temperature sufficient to slow the metabolism of the brain. When the coolant source is activated, the helmet becomes instantly chilled rapidly cooling the brain to a temperature sufficient to slow the metabolism of the brain a sufficient amount so that the mammal remains neurologically intact while efforts are made to restore regular blood flow to the brain of the mammal.