Methods and devices to reduce the likelihood of injury from concussive or blast forces

• US 10,413,303 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2015
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tbi Innovations LLC, Thornhill Research Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tbi Innovations LLC
• Inventors: Smith, David W., Vititoe, Kevin John, Float, Jamison Joseph, Leeder, Chad Michael, Fisher, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holwerda, Kathleen S
• Application Number:
  US14/863,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20160157870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0015 Sports garments other than provided for in groups A41D13/0007 - A41D13/088
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/018 inflatable automatically
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/05 protecting only a particular body part ear protectors A61F11/06
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0568 with straps
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0587 Integral with the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2600/102 Motorcycling
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/16 Collar-shields
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/18 Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/185 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1325 with means for applying local pressure pressure pads A61F5/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1327 Tensioning clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/30 Pressure-pads corn-pads, corn-rings A61F13/06; tourniquets A61B17/132
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/32 Adjustable pressure pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/34 Pressure pads filled with air or liquid valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; valves per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/1291 for the neck

Abstract

A method and device for reducing the damaging effects of radiant energy, blast, or concussive events includes applying pressure to at least one jugular vein to reduce the egress of blood from the cranial cavity during or before the incidence of the imparting event. Reducing blood outflow from the cranial cavity increases intracranial volume and/or pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury and injuries to the spinal column. Reducing blood outflow further increases the intracranial pressure and volume, and thereby increases the pressure and volume of the cochlear fluid, the vitreous humor and the cerebrospinal fluid to thereby reduce the risk of injury to the inner ear, internal structure of the eye and of the spinal column. In addition, increasing intracranial pressure and volume reduces the likelihood of brain injury and any associated loss of olfactory function.

Claims

1. A method for preventing or reducing the severity of a concussion in a subject exposed to a concussive force comprising applying an externally-applied pressure of about 15 mm Hg to about 80 mm Hg to one or more outflow vessels of the subject'"'"'s cranium.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure is applied to two or more outflow vessels of the subject'"'"'s cranium.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the two or more outflow vessels comprises an internal jugular vein.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the two or more outflow vessels comprises an external jugular vein.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more outflow vessels comprises an internal jugular vein.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more outflow vessels comprises an external jugular vein.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the concussive force is an impact.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the concussive force is a blast wave.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure is applied to the one or more outflow vessels of the subject'"'"'s cranium prior to and during exposure to the concussive force.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure is applied by a device worn about the neck of the subject, the device comprising a collar having one or more inwardly-directed structures positioned to partially or totally occlude the one or more outflow vessels of the subject'"'"'s cranium.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more outflow vessels comprises an internal jugular vein.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more outflow vessels comprises an external jugular vein.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the device comprises two or more inwardly-directed structures positioned to partially or totally occlude two or more outflow vessels of the subject'"'"'s cranium.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the collar is sized to fully encircle the neck of the subject.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the collar further comprises a breakaway release mechanism.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the collar is sized to partially encircle the neck of the subject.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more inwardly-directed structures are non-inflatable.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more inwardly-directed structures are inflatable.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the collar further comprises a pressure release valve.