APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING BRAIN DAMAGE DURING CARDIAC ARREST, CPR, OR SEVERE SHOCK

摘要

Apparatuses and methods for the cooling of the cranial and extracranial portions of a patient in need thereof The apparatuses and methods of the present invention preferably employ ahead cooling apparatus which includes a watertight shroud for the head and which needs no refrigeration In certain preferred embodiments, the apparatuses of the present invention are collapsible and possess a reduced profile In some presently preferred embodiments, the present invention includes a hammock that supports the head In some embodiments, the present invention includes a shroud that lies behind the head with optional portions that may be drawn over the patient's neck and cranial area The apparatuses and methods of the present invention also provide an improved mechanism for cooling the cranial and extracranial areas through the use of a novel distribution of endothermic solids (e g ammonium nitrate)