Cervical immobilization collar with arterial cooling elements and method of using the same
A kit and method for cooling the carotid arteries includes cervical immobilization collar includes a substantially annular support structure having an extended axial length, a chin rest, at least two cheek support structures having an extended vertical length, and an anterior opening that may be covered with an anterior removable door. The door has a body-facing surface and an outward-facing surface, the body-facing surface on which the pressure member is secured. The kit and method also includes a cooling element that may be disposed within the anterior opening and can be secured to the substantially annular support structure by placing the cooling element between the anterior portion of a patient's neck and the pressure member located on the door.
1. A method for selective cooling of the brain of a patient comprising the steps of:
determining a size of a cervical immobilization collar for the patient, the cervical immobilization collar comprising a substantially annular support structure having an extended axial length, a chin rest, and an anterior opening that is coverable with an anterior door;
applying the cervical immobilization collar to the patient with the door in an open position;
activating a first cooling element;
placing the first cooling element within the anterior opening of the substantially annular support structure; and
securing the first cooling element to the patient by closing the door.
2. A method for selective cooling of the brain of a patient comprising the steps of:
determining a size of a cervical immobilization collar for the patient, the cervical immobilization collar comprising a substantially annular support structure having an extended axial length, a chin rest, and an anterior opening that is coverable with an anterior door;
applying the cervical immobilization collar to the patient with the door in an open position;
activating a first cooling element;
placing the first cooling element within the anterior opening of the substantially annular support structure;
securing the first cooling element to the patient by closing the door; and
activating a second cooling element and replacing the first cooling element with the second cooling element within about 15 to about 30 minutes of the time the first cooling element was activated.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the immobilization collar further comprises at least two cheek support structures having an extended vertical length.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the wherein the door comprises a first edge portion and second edge portion and the anterior opening comprising a first edge portion and a second edge portion, wherein the first edge portion of the door is attached to the substantially annular support structure at the first edge portion of the anterior opening with a hinge.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the door further comprises a body-facing surface and an outward-facing surface, the body-facing surface having two foam members disposed on the body-facing side of the door.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the activation step includes breaking a liquid-filled packet and shaking the first cooling element for about 15 to about 20 seconds.
7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the method further includes providing a sensor on the annular support structure of the cervical immobilization collar.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the method further includes monitoring the sensor to assess a health-related parameter of the patient.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the health-related parameter includes oxygen saturation, pulse rate, blood pressure, and blood temperature.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the health-related parameter includes thermal performance of the cooling element.
11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the method further includes the step of measuring a pulse rate of the patient manually by temporarily displacing the cooling element from the anterior opening of the cervical immobilization collar.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further includes the step of activating a second cooling element and replacing the first cooling element with the second cooling element within about 15 to about 30 minutes of the time the first cooling element was activated.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the immobilization collar further comprises at least two cheek support structures having an extended vertical length.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wherein the door comprises a first edge portion and second edge portion and the anterior opening comprising a first edge portion and a second edge portion, wherein the first edge portion of the door is attached to the substantially annular support structure at the first edge portion of the anterior opening with a hinge.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the door further comprises a body-facing surface and an outward-facing surface, the body-facing surface having two foam members disposed on the body-facing side of the door.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the activation step includes breaking a liquid-filled packet and shaking the first cooling element for about 15 to about 20 seconds.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further includes providing a sensor on the annular support structure of the cervical immobilization collar.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the method further includes monitoring the sensor to assess a health-related parameter of the patient.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the health-related parameter includes oxygen saturation, pulse rate, blood pressure, and blood temperature.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the health-related parameter includes thermal performance of the cooling element.