Cooling the brain during trauma  

It seems to be generally accepted by the medical profession that in the event of a heart attack, stroke or brain trauma it significantly improves the prognosis for the patient if the brain can be cooled at the earliest possible opportunity.

Currently there is a European-wide well funded project (approx 9 million Euro) into the whole area of improving prognosis for victims of stroke, heart attacks and brain trauma (visit: www.eurohyp.org)

Eurolec Instrumentation Ltd, in conjunction with its sister company Oriel Medical Devices have recently had a patent granted for its Cool Brain instrument which has been designed to cool (with the option to heat) the brain at the earliest possible opportunity.

The instrument cools liquid within a closed loop system and temperature is regulated by a PID controller. Operating from its own rechargeable batteries, a 12V paramedic vehicle battery or mains power, it applies localised, non-invasive cooling to the head utilising an insulated helmet. This concept avoids other critical body organs being affected and the different power sources permit the operation of the instrument from the earliest possible opportunity all the way through to intensive care in hospital.

Other attachments can also be used where cooling/heating is important for other applications e.g.

• Soft tissue injuries may benefit from heating/cooling wraps for sports people and race horses etc

• There is potential for the transport of more carefully temperature regulated harvested human organs for re-implantation, when they can be warmed to the appropriate temperature prior to re-implantation.

In house tests have been very positive said Tom Mears, Managing Director of Eurolec, who particularly wanted to thank Horseware, in Dundalk, Ireland for their input into the design of a head covering for use with the Cool Brain device. A research team led by Professor Shane O’Mara, of the Department at Trinity College, Dublin are also conducting a further evaluation project of the device; they are using EEG technology with motor and cognitive speed testing to evaluate the efficacy of the instrument.

The Patent application was made by co-patentees Ian Pointer and Tom Mears who were both students at Trinity College in the 1960's: "At that time with knocks received from playing football, we might well have benefitted from this device! " Tom reflected.

Oriel Medical Devices Ltd invite enquiries/proposals from organisations/companies which have an interest in the future commercialisation of this exciting, versatile new instrument system.

Visit www.orielmedicaldevices.com for more details.