Importance

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Abstract

A portable apparatus and corresponding method is provided for treating or preventing at least one of brain, brain-stem and associated nervous tissue injuries in a mammal suffering from decreased blood flow to the brain. The apparatus includes a flexible enveloping member for enveloping a head, neck and upper back of a mammal. The enveloping member includes outer and inner shells with at least one cavity intermediate the outer and inner shells for holding a coolant fluid within the at least one cavity. A coolant source is provided in communication with the enveloping member. The coolant source is capable of instantaneously providing a coolant fluid chilled to a temperature sufficient to slow the metabolism of the brain, whereby when the coolant source is activated, the enveloping member becomes instantly chilled rapidly cooling the brain to a temperature sufficient to slow the metabolism of the brain a sufficient amount so that the mammal remains neurologically intact while efforts are made to restore regular blood flow to the brain of the mammal.

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First Claim