Devices and systems to mitigate traumatic brain and other injuries caused by concussive or blast forces

Inventors: David W. Smith (Richmond, IN); Kevin John Vititoe (Westerville, OH); Jamison Joseph Float (Galloway, OH); Chad Michael Leeder (New Albany, OH); Joseph A. Fisher (Thornhill, CA); John Stites (Sallisaw, OK)

Assignees: TBI INNOVATIONS, LLC; THORNHILL RESEARCH, INC.

A61B17/1325 A61B17/1327 A61B17/135 A61H39/04 F41H1/00 A61B2017/00017 A61B2017/00221 A61B2017/00778

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12702425
App. No.: 15/151,948
Granted: Aug 11, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A system 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 (30)

1 . A system comprising:

a semi-circumferential collar adapted to be worn on a neck of a human subject,

wherein the semi-circumferential collar comprises a resilient arcuate band having a general C, V, or U-shape and sized to encircle a majority of the neck of the subject and a pair of rigid or semi-rigid side members integral to the resilient arcuate band and having two or more inwardly-directed protuberances that are integral to the semi-circumferential collar; and

a garment with a semi-circumferential flap around a neck opening,

wherein the semi-circumferential flap is adapted to fold over the semi-circumferential collar to conceal the semi-circumferential collar with the inwardly-directed protuberances positioned to apply pressure to one or more neck veins of the subject,

wherein the semi-circumferential flap and the semi-circumferential collar are both adapted to be open at the laryngeal prominence when the garment and collar are worn by the subject and the semi-circumferential flap is folded over the collar, and

wherein the resilient arcuate band is configured so that when the collar is applied to the neck, the resilient arcuate band is expanded and spring tension from the expanded resilient arcuate band causes a compressive force that maintains the collar in place on the neck and applies sufficient pressure via the inwardly-directed protuberances to the one or more neck veins of the subject to restrict blood flow egressing from the head of the subject through the one or more neck veins.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the semi-circumferential flap has an upper attachment device and lower attachment device, wherein the semi-circumferential flap forms a sleeve enclosing the collar when the upper attachment device and the lower attachment device are engaged with each other.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the upper attachment device and the lower attachment device comprise a hook-and-pile system.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more neck veins comprises an internal jugular vein.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more neck veins comprise an external jugular vein.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the collar is adapted to exert a pressure on the one or more neck veins equivalent to a fluid pressure within the range of 10 mm Hg to 80 mm Hg.

7 . A system comprising:

a semi-circumferential collar adapted to be worn on the neck of a human subject,

a garment with a semi-circumferential sleeve around a neck opening of the garment,

wherein the semi-circumferential sleeve is adapted to removably receive the semi-circumferential collar to conceal the semi-circumferential collar in the semi-circumferential sleeve with the inwardly-directed protuberances positioned to apply pressure to one or more neck veins of the subject,

wherein the semi-circumferential sleeve and the semi-circumferential collar are both open at the laryngeal prominence when worn by the subject and when the semi-circumferential sleeve removably receives the semi-circumferential collar, and

wherein the resilient arcuate band is configured so that when the semi- circumferential collar is applied to the neck, the resilient arcuate band is expanded and spring tension from the expanded resilient arcuate band causes a compressive force that maintains the semi-circumferential collar in place on the neck and applies sufficient pressure via the inwardly-directed protuberances to the one or more neck veins of the subject to restrict blood flow egressing from the head of the subject through the one or more neck veins.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more neck veins comprises an internal jugular vein.

9 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more neck veins comprise an external jugular vein.

10 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the semi-circumferential collar is adapted to exert a pressure on the one or more neck veins equivalent to a fluid pressure within the range of 10 mm Hg to 480 mm Hg.

11 . A system comprising:

a garment having a neck opening and a flap around the neck opening, the garment being configured to be worn by a user so that a neck of a user passes through the neck opening; and

a semi-circumferential collar adapted to be worn on the neck over a layer of fabric of the flap with a remaining portion of the flap being adapted to fold over the semi-circumferential collar to conceal the semi-circumferential collar,

wherein the flap and the semi-circumferential collar are both open at a laryngeal prominence of the user when worn by the subject and when the flap is folded over the semi-circumferential collar, and

wherein the resilient arcuate band is configured so that when the semi-circumferential collar is applied to the resilient arcuate band is expanded and spring tension from the expanded resilient arcuate band causes a compressive force that maintains the semi-circumferential collar in place on the neck and applies sufficient pressure via the inwardly-directed protuberances to the one or more neck veins of the subject to restrict blood flow egressing from the head of the subject through the one or more neck veins.

12 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising an attachment device that secures the flap in position folded over the semi-circumferential collar.

13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the flap forms a sleeve enclosing the semi-circumferential collar.