Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
  • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
  • A41D13/0512—Neck or shoulders area
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels or umbilical cord
  • A61B17/132—Tourniquets
  • A61B17/1322—Tourniquets comprising a flexible encircling member
  • A61B17/1325—Tourniquets comprising a flexible encircling member with means for applying local pressure
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
  • A61B17/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels or umbilical cord
  • A61B17/132—Tourniquets
  • A61B17/135—Tourniquets inflatable
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
  • A63B2225/62—Inflatable
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
  • A63B71/081—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions fluid-filled, e.g. air-filled
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
  • A63B71/10—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the head
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
  • A63B71/12—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the body or the legs, e.g. for the shoulders
  • A63B71/1291—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the body or the legs, e.g. for the shoulders for the neck

Definitions

• the present disclosure is generally related to methods and devices for restricting blood flow from the head, thereby reducing SLOSH energy absorption and neural tissue damage.
• Traumatic brain injury continues to be one of the most common causes of death and morbidity in persons under age 45, even in western societies. A reported 1.7 million people suffer from TBI annually in the United States alone, resulting in an estimated per annum total cost of over $60 billion. Historically, prevention of skull and brain injury has focused on the use of helmets as external cranial protection. This approach is
• the skull and spinal canal contains only nervous tissue, connective tissue and fat cells and their interstitium, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These fluid contents do not completely fill the rigid container delimited by the skull and bony spinal canal, leaving a
• 'reserve volume' The change in volume inside a container for a given change in pressure is termed 'compliance'. Increases in volume of the contents of the skull and bony spinal canal, within the range of reserve volume, occur at low container pressures (due to the high compliance of the system). In the presence of reserve volume, as is seen in a normal physiologic state, acceleration to the skull can result in a differential acceleration between the skull and its contents. As a consequence, the brain and fluids collide with themselves and the inside of the skull. Considering the semi-solid properties of the mammalian brain, this effect is referred to as "slosh".
• helmets While helmets are effective in preventing the infrequent penetration or fracture of the skull, they have little ability to limit slosh effects. Mitigating slosh by filling the reserve volume (exhausting compliance) can, therefore, significantly reduce the propensity for differential motion between the skull and its contents, and between the various contents of the skull. By mitigating slosh, an accelerating force to the skull would tend to move the skull and its contents in unison, preventing collisions amongst intracranial contents and, therefore, avoiding brain kinetic, acoustic, thermal, and vibrational energy absorption.
• the single intracranial compartment that is most amenable to rapid, reversible change in volume and pressure is the blood space.
• the simplest and most rapid means of increasing the blood compartment is to inhibit its outflow by mechanically obstructing the draining veins in the neck.
• DHA docosahexaenoic acid
• Traumatic brain injury remains a devastating condition for which traditionally extra-cranial protection has been utilized in the form of helmets.
• headgear is effective in preventing the most devastating intracranial injuries, penetrating injuries, and skull fractures, it is limited in its ability to prevent concussions.
• the internal jugular vein (UN) is mildly occluded to increase cerebral blood volume and decrease the intracranial compliance. This results in a reduction of the differential acceleration between the skull and its contents, less propensity for brain and fluid movement inside the skull, resulting in less shearing and tearing forces and less energy absorption by the contents, all resulting in less traumatic axonal and glial injury.
• One aspect of the disclosure therefore, encompasses embodiments of a device to reduce SLOSH energy absorption in an animal or human subject by reducing the flow of one or more neck veins by compressing at least one of said vessels, wherein the device can comprise a collar configured to at least partially encircle the neck of an animal or human subject, and at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck when encircled by the collar, thereby applying a localized pressure to a neck vein.
• the at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck can be selected from the group consisting of: a protuberance, a stud, and a thickened region of the collar, and wherein the protuberance, the stud, and the thickened region of the collar can be rigid, semi-rigid, or inflatable.
• the at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck can be disposed on said collar to exert pressure in the area of an internal jugular vein when the neck of an animal or human subject is inserted in said collar.
• the collar can be elastic.
• the collar size and tension thereof can be adjustable.
• the device can further comprise one or more breakaway release mechanisms.
• the device can further comprise a monitoring device, a recording device, a communicating device, or any combination thereof.
• At least one region of the device inwardly directed to contact the neck of a subject can be formed by inflation of a region of the collar, and wherein the device optionally further comprises a pump to inflate the inflatable protuberance, or any region of said device, and optionally a source of pressurized gas or fluid for inflation thereof.
• the device can further comprise a release valve to regulate the pressure in said collar.
• Another aspect of the disclosure encompasses embodiments of a method of increasing the intracranial pressure of an animal or human subject comprising: (i) encircling the neck of an animal or human subject with a collar, wherein said collar has at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck of an animal or human subject; (ii) positioning the at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck on a region of the neck overlying a neck vein carrying blood from the intracranial cavity of the subject; and (iii) applying pressure to the neck vein by pressing the at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck onto the surface of the neck, thereby restricting blood flow egressing the intracranial cavity of the subject, thereby increasing the intracranial pressure and or volume of the subject.
• the method can further comprise the step of increasing the pC02 of the intracranial cavity, thereby reducing the effect of intracranial sloshing on the blood of the animal or human subject.
• Fig. 1 is a graph illustrating the change in intracranial pressure (ICP) as a consequence of IJV compression, p-value ⁇ 0.01.
• Fig. 2 is a graph illustrating the change in intraocular pressure (IOP) as a consequence of IJV compression, p-value 0.01.
• Fig. 3 is a graph showing a representative tracing of physiologic change seen in intracranial pressure (ICP) and intraocular pressure (IOP) over a fifteen minute period caused by the application (arrow on left) and removal of IJV compression (arrow on right).
• ICP intracranial pressure
• IOP intraocular pressure
• Fig. 4A is a digital image of corticospinal tracts stained for APP post-injury without application of the IJV compression device according to the disclosure.
• Fig. 4B is a digital image of corticospinal tracts stained for APP post-injury with application of the IJV compression device according to the disclosure.
• Fig. 5 is a graph illustrating the effect of IJV compression on axonal injury as indicated by APP staining, p-value ⁇ 001.
• Fig. 6 is a graph illustrating blood LDH levels in blood samples at 0, 1 , 12, 24, and 48 hrs after gas blast exposure. Vials containing 8ml (Control, One-half Full) and 16ml (Full) of heparinized blood were subject to a single 15ml C0 2 blast, and a One-half Full vial containing 8ml of heparinized blood was subject to a double 15ml C0 2 blast.
• Fig. 7 is a graph illustrating blood potassium levels in blood samples at 0, 1 , 12, 24, and 48 hrs after gas blast exposure. Vials containing 8ml (Control, One-half Full) and 16ml (Full) of heparinized blood were subject to a single 15ml C0 2 blast, and a One-half Full vial containing 8ml of heparinized blood was subject to a double 15ml C0 2 blast.
• Fig. 8 is a graph illustrating blood methemoglobin levels in blood samples at 0, 1 , 12, 24, and 48 hrs after gas blast exposure. Vials containing 8ml (Control, One-half Full) and 16ml (Full) of heparinized blood were subject to a single 15ml C0 2 blast, and a One-half Full vial containing 8ml of heparinized blood was subject to a double 15ml C0 2 blast.
• Embodiments of the present disclosure will employ, unless otherwise indicated, techniques of medicine, organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, and the like, which are within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature.
• compositions comprising, “comprising,” “containing” and “having” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law and can mean “ includes,” “including,” and the like; “consisting essentially of or “consists essentially” or the like, when applied to methods and compositions encompassed by the present disclosure refers to compositions like those disclosed herein, but which may contain additional structural groups, composition components or method steps (or analogs or derivatives thereof as discussed above).
• compositions or methods do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the compositions or methods, compared to those of the corresponding compositions or methods disclosed herein.
• Consisting essentially of or “consists essentially” or the like when applied to methods and compositions encompassed by the present disclosure have the meaning ascribed in U.S. Patent law and the term is open-ended, allowing for the presence of more than that which is recited so long as basic or novel characteristics of that which is recited is not changed by the presence of more than that which is recited, but excludes prior art embodiments.
• the oscillation of a fluid caused by external force termed "sloshing" occurs in moving vessels containing liquid masses, such as trucks, aircraft, and liquid fueled rockets. This sloshing effect can be a severe problem in energy absorption, and vehicle stability and control.
• the present disclosure encompasses methods and apparatus for reducing slosh effects in living creatures, and in particular in the intracranial regions of the animal or human subject.
• Blast or energy absorption in an organism can be viewed as a collision of bodies and thus be defined by a transfer of energies through elastic or inelastic collisions.
• the mechanisms for biological fluids and molecules to absorb energy can thus be identified and the resultant means to mitigate that absorption can be achieved through several SLOSH reducing techniques. Dissipation of energies post blast is also potentiated through these techniques.
• An effort to reduce the available space for movement of the brain by increasing cerebral blood volume can serve the purpose of mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), red cell injury, or increasing orthostatic or G-tolerance through SLOSH mitigation at a cellular level (micro SLOSH) or organ level (macroSLOSH).
• TBI Traumatic Brain Injury
• red cell injury or increasing orthostatic or G-tolerance through SLOSH mitigation at a cellular level (micro SLOSH) or organ level (macroSLOSH).
• RBC Red blood cells
• erythrocytes are highly distensible and have a "sloshable" volume to surface area of only 60 percent. Distending or stiffening these erythrocytes can reduce SLOSH within the individual cells at a cellular (micro SLOSH) level and thus reduce energy absorption upon collision.
• Molecules themselves have a three dimensionality and can have a lack of cross-bridging providing for floppy conformational changes that can promote SLOSH.
• Several mechanisms disclosed can safely and reversibly alter the conformational state of certain structures, cells and molecules in the circulatory system that will then reduce energy absorption through SLOSH at a molecular (molecular SLOSH) level.
• Co-elevating of the local C0 2 and hence lowering the pH environment of an organism can also serve to mitigate SLOSH.
• Raised inspired C0 2 hypercapnia
• Each of these physiology changes allows a better passage of imparted forces through the blood and brain tissues with less of the energy being absorbed.
• hypercapnia can potentiate to more closely approximate elastic collisions of cells and thus reducing the blast or collision energy absorption.
• a hypercapnic state can also potentiate the collisions of all the hemoglobin molecules present in the cranium and body to be more elastic, thus reducing blast or collision energy absorption.
• Hemoglobin is made up of four iron containing heme components and four globins that surround (pocket) each heme, and in essence waterproof these hemes. If the blast energies are absorbed by fluids and blood cells, they are preferentially absorbed by hemoglobin which is then conformationally altered to allow water to enter the heme-pocket leading to a rapid, catalytic oxidation to methemoglobin and superoxide. Superoxide is oxygen with an extra electron; methemoglobin is merely an oxyhemoglobin devoid of a superoxide.
• methemoglobinemias It safely and dramatically facilitates the reductive pathways of methhemoglobin back into hemoglobin.
• Hypercapnia not only pushes methylene blue into erythrocytes where it can be functional, but it also appears to actually drive methemoglobin reductase to more quickly convert methemoglobin back to hemoglobin.
• the anti-oxidants ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and riboflavin are also driven into the erythrocyte by hypercapnia; These antioxidants are not useful for post blast or energy absorption outside of erythrocytes.
• a soldier or athlete can be given physiologic daily doses of Vitamin C, Riboflavin and methylene blue (not a vitamin) and upon triggering a need, hypercapnia will drive these cofactors into the erythrocyte where they can mitigate the after effects of blast energy absorption.
• the present disclosure encompasses embodiments of a method to reduce SLOSH energy absorption through reduction of inelastic collisions in a fluid-containing organism wherein the method is one or more of reversibly increasing pressure, or volume within the organs or cells, or reversibly altering vascular, molecular, or cell wall stiffness or
• One embodiment of a method to increase the volume and/or pressure within the cranium can be by temporarily raising the pC0 2 in the body of the organism by way of altering the fractional percentage of C0 2 inspired by the organism or reducing its C0 2 elimination below that of C0 2 production by the body. Such a method can maintain the above hypercapnic inspired C0 2 levels to exceed baseline levels.
• the C0 2 is actively and instantly pumped into erythrocytes and after the external C0 2 delivery stops, the intracellular C0 2 levels may take hours to return to normal.
• the circuit could be one or more of a non- breathing circuit, a breathing circuit mask, or a breathing circuit capable of organizing exhaled gas so as to modulate the fractional percentage of C0 2 inspired by the organism (a range from 0.05 to 100% could be utilized) or net reduction of C0 2 elimination below that of C0 2 production by the body.
• the circuit can include a customizable re-breathing circuit whose dead space is adjustable based on an individual's weight and estimated tidal volume, and desired or optimized level of hypercapnia (a pC0 2 rise of at least 2 mm Hg above baseline levels would be optimum).
• the mask or vessel can incorporate one or several dead space channels or tubes that provide an inhale and exhale pathway that superimpose each other and thereby create mixing of inspired and expired gases.
• a source of fresh gas, potentially containing C0 2 can be supplemented when capnography
• a re-breathing respiratory circuit may have one or more of the following: a mask or collecting vessel acting as an interface between the breathing circuit and the breathing passages which has one or multiple channels or tubes whose length or volume is rapidly adjustable to regulate the amount of dead space containing previously exhaled gas that an individual will re-breath for the express purpose of raising or modulating their local C0 2 level within their blood stream.
• the circuit may also contain a physiologically insignificant amount of C0 2 in communication with a valve to be delivered to the patient, a fresh gas reservoir in communication with the source of fresh gas flow for receiving fresh gas during exhalation, and a reserve gas supply containing C0 2 in communication with the exit port through the valve.
• a non- rebreathing circuit can be comprised of one or more of the following: a non-rebreathing valve preventing gas exhaled from the subject flowing into the circuit, a fresh gas source operative to supply a fresh gas containing physiologically insignificant amount of carbon dioxide to the subject through the non-rebreathing valve, and a reserved gas source operative to supply a reserved gas having a predetermined partial pressure of carbon dioxide to the subject, also through the inspiratory port of the non-rebreathing valve.
• Blood from various parts of the body is mixed in the heart (mixed venous blood) and pumped into the lungs via the pulmonary artery.
• the blood vessels break up into a net of small capillary vessels surrounding tiny lung sacs (alveoli).
• the vessels surrounding the alveoli provide a large surface area for the exchange of gases by diffusion along their concentration gradients. After a breath of air is inhaled into the lungs, it dilutes the C0 2 that remains in the alveoli at the end of exhalation.
• a concentration gradient is then established between the partial pressure of C0 2 (pC0 2 ) in the mixed venous blood (pvC0 2 ) arriving at the alveoli and the alveolar pC0 2 .
• the C0 2 diffuses into the alveoli from the mixed venous blood from the beginning of inspiration (at which time the concentration gradient for C0 2 is established) until equilibrium is reached between the pC0 2 in blood from the pulmonary artery and the pC0 2 in the alveoli at some time during breath.
• the blood then returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins and is pumped into the arterial system by the left ventricle of the heart.
• the pC0 2 in this gas is the end-tidal pC0 2 (PETC0 2 ).
• the arterial blood also has a pC0 2 equal to the pC0 2 at equilibrium between the capillaries and alveoli.
• V E The rate of breathing, or ventilation (V E ), usually expressed in L/min, is exactly that required to eliminate the C0 2 brought to the lungs and establish an equilibrium between the alveolar PC0 2 ( PAC0 2 ) and that in the arterial blood (PaC0 2 ) of approximately 40 mm Hg (in normal humans).
• V E The rate of breathing, or ventilation
• several paper or thin walled tubes or channels can extend away from the enclosed mouth and nose portion of the device and/or several regions can be placed sequentially along the channels or tubing as perforations or weakening points so as the individual will be able to tear, cut, or break off a predetermined amount of the tubing and thus precisely alter the remaining dead space of the circuit.
• Demarcations and identifiers placed along the channels/tubing can help the individual decide at which perforation or weakened zone to tear, cut, or remove. Again, these can be determined as follows: Tidal volume can be estimated by measuring one's weight in kilograms and multiplying by 7, the result would be in cm 3 of tidal volume.
• the amount of dead space to add to the outflow tract of the mask one need only take the resultant tidal volume and add a corresponding percentage of the tidal volume (say 33%) to the outflow tract of the mask.
• Each incremental increase in dead space added to the outflow tract would cause an incremental increase in final pC0 2 .
• the weight of the individual is 120kg then the estimated tidal volume would be 840 cm 3 .
• This added volume of dead space would be expected to increase the pC0 2 by approximately 7-8 mm Hg.
• monitoring the end tidal C0 2 and driving the export valve to open or close to alter the source of the next inspired breath may be utilized in settings whereby precise knowledge of end tidal C0 2 may be required. For example, if an end tidal C0 2 desired range is 45 mm Hg, then upon noting the end tidal C0 2 being only 35 mm Hg, the valve would be directed to close requiring the individual to take the next breath from the adjustable dead space reservoir/tubing that a previous breath had been collected into. This expiration typically has 4-5% C0 2 within it allowing a greater inspired C0 2 on the next breath. A reservoir can act as a buffer to store extra C0 2 gas. Even when ventilation increases, the subject breaths the accumulated gas with elevated C0 2 allowing pC0 2 to rise to the desired level.
• a circuit to maintain normal C0 2 can include a non-rebreathing valve, a source of fresh gas, a fresh gas reservoir and a source of gas to be inhaled, such as from the increased dead space region or a reservoir of higher concentration of C0 2 .
• the method of controlling pC0 2 in a patient at a predetermined desired level can be provided comprising a breathing circuit/mask which is capable of increasing the C0 2 to enable an increase in cerebral blood flow and resultant cerebral blood pressure and volume. With increased cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood velocity, and intracranial pressure and volume there remains less space for intracranial tissues to move in relation to each other, thus brain pulsitility and SLOSH is diminished.
• the brain and its components would be less prone to slosh around within the cranium and in relation to each individual component (thus better approximating elastic collisions).
• an elevated C0 2 would even serve to optimize the healing environment of the brain tissue itself by reducing the systemic inflammatory response and maximizing flow of oxygen rich hemoglobin which is more capable of delivering its oxygen due to high levels of C0 2 through the reduction of oxygen affinity of the hemoglobin.
• the human erythrocyte is very distensible and, as such, is particularly capable of absorbing energies imparted into it by suffering inelastic collisions.
• Mathematical analysis of Newton's Cradle shows that inelastic collisions absorb energy as acoustic, vibrational, heat and kinetic energy whereas elastic collisions serve to allow the forces to pass through without imparting as much energy.
• triggering an increase in pC0 2 in the blood and serum resulting in erythrocytes pumping the C0 2 into the cytoplasm
• the walls of erythrocytes that have been exposed to higher levels of C0 2 have been shown to be less distensible; and also if swollen, they should facilitate more elastic collisions when forces are imparted into them. While not wishing to be bound by any one theory, it is likely that chloride shifts in response to C0 2 and bicarbonate movement will also serve to conformationally tighten the hemoglobin molecule, reducing energy absorption, and thereby better mitigating damage from SLOSH in the red blood cells and the tissues. Even after the mechanism that supplies extra C0 2 has been removed, it will take hours for the cells to equilibrate back to pre-hypercapnia levels.
• vascular, molecular, or cell wall configuration within the organism to reduce SLOSH energy absorption.
• the configuration of the cell wall can be reversibly altered to increase membrane stability and decrease membrane fluidity.
• DHA and Magnesium oxide can be used to alter erythrocyte cell wall configuration. Typical DHA supplementations would be in the order of 50-3000 mg orally a day and MgO of 50-1000 mg orally a day.
• the configuration of hemoglobin can also be reversibly altered by altering one or more of pH (to a pH of about 7.0 to7.5), pC0 2 (to pC0 2 of about 25 to 80 mm Hg) or blood levels of 2,3- Bisphosphoglycerate (to about 6.0 to 1000 pmo!/mL) within the organism to decrease hemoglobin elasticity and fluidity.
• 2,3- Bisphosphoglycerate levels may be increased by methods such as phosphate loading.
• SLOSH absorption may also be reduced by reversibly increasing pressure or volume within the organs or cells of the organism.
• the intracranial volume and pressure can be reversibly increased by a device that reduces the flow of one or more outflow vessels of the cranium of said organism.
• One embodiment of such a device would compress the outflow vessels enough to cause an increase in venous resistance, yet not surpass arterial pressure of approximately 80 mm Hg.
• Intracranial volume can also be reversibly increased by increasing the pC0 2 in the arterial blood or by the delivery of one or more medicaments to facilitate an increase in intracranial volume or pressure including but not limited to
• Minocycline insulin-like growth factor 1 , Provera, and Vitamin A.
• One aspect of the disclosure therefore, encompasses embodiments of a
• the compression device that when applied to the neck of a subject animal or human to reduce the likelihood of energy absorption to the brain through raising intracranial and intraocular volume and pressure by applying pressure to the outflow vasculature and/or cerebral spinal fluid of the brain. The result would be an increase in the structure's coefficient of restitution (r) by attaching a cinch or collar around the neck of the individual or organism.
• the compression device can be of any design including, but not limited to, a band or cord. Such a compression device could be worn preferably before, in anticipation of and during events with SLOSH and traumatic brain injury risks.
• the compression device of the disclosure further includes at least one protuberance or thickened region of the device that may be positioned over an underlying neck vein to apply a localized pressure thereto.
• Embodiments of the collar of the disclosure therefore, comprise a collar that can encircle completely or partially the neck of a subject animal or human, and is sized such that the collar can apply an external pressure over the regions of the neck overlying the internal jugular veins. It is contemplated that this pressure may be due to the internal dimension of the collar being less than the neck diameter resulting from the size of the collar or the elasticity thereof, or the result of decreasing the internal diameter of the collar by any method such as inflating the collar, a region thereof, or of at least one protuberance thereof.
• the external pressure applied to the internal jugular vein will result in a restriction of blood flow through the vein.
• the collar of the device therefore, includes at least one protuberance, stud, thickened or expandable region directed inwardly and disposed on the surface of the collar that is proximal to the skin when applied to a neck so as to be positioned directly over a region of a neck vein.
• the at least one protuberance, stud, thickened or expandable region can be a fixed protuberance or stud resistant to deformation when applying pressure to a neck, or may be enlarged by inflation of an inflation device connected thereto.
• An inflatable protuberance may be positioned over a neck vein and then inflated to apply pressure to the underlying blood vessel.
• the at least one protuberance may be non-inflatable but disposed on an inflatable collar.
• the collar of the disclosure and/or inflatable protuberance(s) disposed thereon may be operably connected to an inflation means such as, but not limited to, a powered pump, or a hand-compressible pump whereby a liquid, air or a gas can be applied to the collar.
• an inflation means such as, but not limited to, a powered pump, or a hand-compressible pump whereby a liquid, air or a gas can be applied to the collar.
• the collar may further comprise a pressure sensor operably linked to the inflation means whereby the degree of inflation of the collar and/or protuberance(s) thereof may be regulated as to the extent and duration of the pressure applied to an underlying neck vein.
• the protuberance(s) of the collar of the disclosure may be configured to apply pressure to an area approximately the diameter of an internal jugular vein, greater than said diameter, and may be of any shape that can provide partial restriction of the blood flow through the neck vein, including a pointed protuberance, a stud, a thickened region of the collar, and the like.
• the compression device may be of any material including, but not limited to, elastic materials.
• Elastic materials can be any material which when stretched will attempt to return to the natural state and can include one or more of textiles, films (wovens, non-wovens and nettings), foams and rubber (synthetics and natural), polychloroprene (e.g.
• NEOPRENE.RTM NEOPRENE.RTM
• elastane polyurethane- polyurea copolymers
• compression device could be partially constructed, coated, or constructed of one or more protecting materials such as Kevlar (para-aramid synthetic fibers), Dyneema (ultra-high- molecular-weight polyethylene), ceramics, or shear thickening fluids.
• Kevlar para-aramid synthetic fibers
• Dyneema ultra-high- molecular-weight polyethylene
• ceramics or shear thickening fluids.
• the device may encompass circumferentially the entire neck or just partially around the neck, yet still providing partial or total occlusion of one or more of the outflow vessels on the neck, specifically, but not limited to the internal and external jugular veins, the vertebral veins, and the cerebral spinal circulation.
• the device may encompass horizontally, the entire neck or just partially up and down the neck.
• One embodiment of the compression device may be preformed for the user in a circular construct. This one size fits all style can have a cinch of sorts that allows one to conform the device to any neck size.
• the compression device may have a first end and a second end which are connected by a fastener.
• a fastener may be a hook and ladder attachment, a hook and loop attachment, a snap, a button or any of a number of attachment mechanisms that would be known to one skilled in the art.
• a compression device with a fastener could have a breakaway release mechanism whereby the device can break open or apart at a predetermined force to prevent the collar from inadvertently being snagged or compressing too tightly.
• One quick release or automatic release embodiment would be the applying of small amounts of hook and ladder attachments within the circumferential ring which would shear apart upon too much force being applied to the compression device.
• Another embodiment of the device could fasten such that the user would be able to pull one end of the collar (like a choker collar for a dog) and the force exerted by the user effectually decreases the length or circumference of the device.
• the desired neck compression is no longer needed (such as between football plays) the user could then release the compression by a second gentle tug or by a separate release mechanism also positioned on the device.
• the protuberances that can apply a compressive pressure to an internal jugular vein are compressible pads or solid forms sized to apply pressure substantially only to internal jugular vein. It is contemplated that at least one pad or rigid form may be connected to one or both opposing ends of a resilient arcuate connector that conforms to a predetermined configuration such that the opposing ends of the connector may be displaced to allow the pad(s) or rigid form(s) thereon to be disposed on the neck to apply pressure to the underlying internal jugular vein.
• the compression device may have one or more protuberances, or otherwise not be of consistent thickness or width.
• One such embodiment may have thicker protruding regions to be aligned with the internal jugular veins to preferentially apply a compressive pressure to these veins as the collar is tightened.
• Another embodiment may utilize inflatable
• the compression device may also have one or more monitoring, recording, and/or communicating devices attached or embedded.
• One such embodiment of the invention would be to embed a transceiver and/or receiver to allow communications between soldiers on a battlefield or even between coaches and players.
• cardiac monitors could include heart rate or plethysmography monitors that could provide real time evaluation of cardiophysiology while the compression device is in place.
• the compression device can also have a pocket or pouch attached depending on the height of the compression device used. Certainly, advertising can be imprinted or emblazoned onto the device.
• One such embodiment of the invention would have a wider segment of the collar on which to print a commercial design or brand name.
• One other means of restricting blood flow within the neck vasculature would be to incorporate one or more segments of inflatable bladders within the collar to alter the circumference or pressure the collar is exerting.
• One such embodiment could utilize a bulb pump placed in connection to the bladders whereby the user would compress the bulb one or multiple times until the desired pressure of air or fluid is retained within the bladder of the collar.
• Another embodiment may utilize pressurized gas or fluid which is connected to the bladders.
• Another embodiment would have a pressure release valve in communication with the bladders such that once a predetermined pressure is reached within the bladder, any successive pumping actions would merely divert the air or fluid pressure to the ambient air or the pump itself would simply no longer inflate (an existing correlate example would be the historical "Reebok Pump”).
• An embodiment with a pressure release valve could prevent overinflation of bladders and allow for a very precise degree of pressure delivery to the vasculature.
• the cranial blood volume increases from 10 to 30 per cent with this neck pressure (Kitano ef al., (1964) J. Nuc. Med. 5: 613-625).
• the cerebral spinal fluid pressure responds on compression of the individual jugular veins. Jugular compression increases cerebral blood flow to a new plateau in as little as 0.5 seconds (Kitano et al., (1964) J. Nuc. Med. 5: 616; Gilland ef al., (1969) Am. J. Roet. 106: 369).
• This degree of cranial blood volume and pressure increase is advantageous in SLOSH mitigation. Although lesser cranial pressure and volume increases may still have beneficial effects, an increase of 3cm 3 volume and 5 mm Hg is a baseline goal. However, if pressure is distributed along the length of the veins, much less pressure, for example, as little as 1-10 mm Hg is sufficient to increase flow resistance in the veins.
• EEG electroencephalographic
• One aspect of the disclosure therefore, encompasses embodiments of a device to reduce SLOSH energy absorption in an animal or human subject by reducing the flow of one or more neck veins by compressing at least one of said vessels, wherein the device can comprise a collar configured to at least partially encircle the neck of an animal or human subject, and at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck when encircled by the collar, thereby applying a localized pressure to a neck vein.
• the at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck can be selected from the group consisting of: a protuberance, a stud, and a thickened region of the collar, and wherein the protuberance, the stud, and the thickened region of the collar can be rigid, semi-rigid, or inflatable.
• the at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck can be disposed on said collar to exert pressure in the area of an internal jugular vein when the neck of an animal or human subject is inserted in said collar.
• the collar can be elastic. In some embodiments of this aspect of the disclosure, the collar size and tension thereof can be adjustable.
• the device can further comprise one or more breakaway release mechanisms.
• the device can further comprise a monitoring device, a recording device, a communicating device, or any combination thereof.
• the at least one region of the device inwardly directed to contact the neck of a subject can be formed by inflation of a region of the collar, and wherein the device optionally further comprises a pump to inflate the inflatable protuberance, and optionally a source of pressurized gas or fluid for inflation thereof.
• the device can further comprise a release valve to regulate the pressure in said collar.
• the device can further comprise a compressible pad or rigid form sized for applying pressure substantially only to a internal jugular vein when disposed against a neck surface, wherein said pad or form is disposed at one end of a resilient arcuate connector.
• the device can further comprise a plurality of compressible pads or rigid forms sized for applying pressure substantially only to a internal jugular vein, wherein at least one pad or form is disposed at each opposing end of the resilient arcuate connector.
• Another aspect of the disclosure encompasses embodiments of a method of increasing the intracranial pressure of an animal or human subject comprising: (i) encircling the neck of an animal or human subject with a collar, wherein said collar has at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck of an animal or human subject; (ii) positioning the at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck on a region of the neck overlying a neck vein carrying blood from the intracranial cavity of the subject; and (iii) applying pressure to the neck vein by pressing the at least one region inwardly directed to contact the neck onto the surface of the neck, thereby restricting blood flow egressing the intracranial cavity of the subject, thereby increasing the intracranial pressure of the subject.
• the method can further comprise the step of increasing the pC0 2 of the intracranial cavity, thereby reducing the effect of intracranial sloshing on the blood of the animal or human subject.
• the method can further comprise applying to the animal or human subject a device configured to receive exhaled breath from the subject and to recirculate the exhaled breath back to the subject, thereby increasing the pC0 2 of the intracranial cavity.
• the device configured to receive exhaled breath from the subject and to recirculate the exhaled breath back to the subject can comprise a source of C0 2 and a means to deliver the C0 2 to the inhaled breath of the subject
• the method can further comprise increasing the concentration of C0 2 in the inhaled breadth of the subject by providing an external supply of C0 2 to the recirculated breath of the subject.
• ratios, concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used for convenience and brevity, and thus, should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited.
• a concentration range of "about 0.1 % to about 5%” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited concentration of about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, but also include individual concentrations (e.g., 1 %, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and the sub-ranges (e.g., 0.5%, 1.1 %, 2.2%, 3.3%, and 4.4%) within the indicated range.
• the term "about” can include ⁇ 1 %, ⁇ 2%, ⁇ 3%, ⁇ 4%, ⁇ 5%, ⁇ 6%, ⁇ 7%, ⁇ 8%, ⁇ 9%, or ⁇ 10%, or more of the numerical value(s) being modified.
• Marmarou impact acceleration injury model in rats Anesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane using a modified medical anesthesia machine. Body temperature was controlled during the approximately 10 min. procedures using a homeothermic heating blanket with rectal probe, and adequate sedation was confirmed by evaluation of response to heel tendon pinch. The animals were shaved and prepared in sterile fashion for surgery, followed by subcutaneous injection of 1 % lidocaine local anesthetic into the planned incision site. A 3 cm midline incision in the scalp was made, and periosteal membranes separated, exposing bregma and lambda. A metal disk 10 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick was attached to the skull with cyanoacrylate and centered between bregma and lambda.
• the animal was placed prone on a foam bed with the metal disk directly under a plexiglas tube.
• a 450-g brass weight was dropped a single time through the tube from a height of 2 meters, striking the disk.
• the animal was then ventilated on 100% oxygen while the skull was inspected, the disk removed, and the incision repaired. When the animal recovered spontaneous respirations, anesthesia was discontinued and the animal was returned to its cage for post -operative observation.
• Buprenorphine was used for postoperative analgesia.
• IOP Intraocular Pressure
• TonoLab rebound tonometer (Colonial Medical Supply, Franconia, NH) as described in the literature. IOP measurements were taken after induction of anesthesia in all animals and a second time in the experimental group following application of the novel IJV compression device. Following application of the IJV compression device in the experimental injury group, IOP readings were taken every 30 sees while the compression device was in place.
• the entire brain, brainstem, and rostral spinal cord were removed and immediately placed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 24 hours. Following 24 hours fixation, the brain was blocked by cutting the brainstem above the pons, cutting the cerebellar peduncles, and then making sagittal cuts lateral to the pyramids. The resulting tissue, containing the corticospinal tracts and the mediallenmisci, areas shown previously to yield traumatically injured axons, was then sagitally cut on a vibratome into 50 micron thick sections.
• the tissue underwent temperature controlled microwave antigen retrieval using previously described techniques.
• the tissue was pre-incubated in a solution containing 10% normal serum and 0.2% Triton X in PBS for 40 mins.
• APP amyloid precursor protein
• the tissue was incubated in polyclonal antibody raised in rabbit against beta APP (#51-2700, Zymed, Inc., San Francisco, CA) at a dilution of 1 :200 in 1 % NGS in PBS overnight.
• tissue was washed 3 times in 1 % NGS in PBS, then incubated in a secondary anti-rabbit IgG antibody conjugated with Alexa 488 fluorophore (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR), diluted at 1 :200 for two hours.
• the tissue underwent a final wash in 0.IM phosphate buffer, and then was mounted using an antifade agent and cover-slipped. The slides were sealed with acrylic and stored in the dark in a laboratory refrigerator.
• Fluorescent Microscopy and Image analysis The tissue was examined and images acquired using a Olympus AX70 fluorescence microscope system (Olympus; Tokyo, Japan). Ten digital images were obtained from the tissue of each animal and images were then randomized. Individual injured axons were independently counted and data was stored in a spreadsheet (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA). Differences between group means were determined using paired t-tests and considered significant if the probability value was less than 0.05.
• Stereological Quantification of axonal injury A stereo logical method was used to determine an unbiased estimate of the number of APP positive axons per cubic mm in the corticospinal tract and medial lemniscus.
• the optical fractionator technique utilizing a Stereoinvestigator 9.0 (MBF Bioscience, Inc., Williston, VT) and a Olympus AX70 microscope with 4x and 40x objectives was performed. Sagittal APP stained specimens were examined with low magnification and regions of interest were drawn incorporating the corticospinal tract and medial lemniscus. The software then selected random 50 micron counting frames with depth of 15 microns, and APP positive axons were marked. The volume of the region of interest (ROI) was determined using the Cavalieri method, the volume of the sum of the counting frames was calculated, the sum total of injured axons within the counting frames was calculated, and an estimate of the number of APP positive axons per cubic mm was calculated.
• ROI region of interest
• ICP Volume Intracranial Pressure
• TBI- Impact Acceleration Model None of the animals died from the head trauma. Animals tolerated collar application without any observed untoward effects for the duration of the experiment. Specifically, there were no outward or visible signs of discomfort, intolerance, or respiratory difficulty. All recovered without complication and exhibited normal behavioral and feeding habits up until the day of sacrifice. At necropsy, the brains were grossly normal in appearance.
• IJVs internal jugular veins
• IOP intraocular pressure
• IJV compression reduces Slosh-mediated brain injury by increasing intracranial blood volume and reducing the compliance and potential for brain movement within the confines of the skull.
• the immunohistochemical assay used in the studies of the present disclosure is specific for axonal damage and results in a reliable range of measured damaged neurons.
• the Marmarou model of acceleration-deceleration injury is an accepted and well- studied methodology by which to quantify the extent of TBI.
• the reduction in damaged axons, as evidenced by a marked reduction in APP counts, in the experimental group with the IJV compression device is highly statistically significant (p ⁇ 0.01 ).
• the change in ICP was measured after applying the collar in five rats. The results show that every study rat had a reduction in axonal injury greater than the 95% confidence interval of the control group.

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