Theoretical Evaluation of the Feasibility of Inducing Brain Hypothermia Using a Torso Cooling Pad

Abstract

Injuries to the brain and spinal cord are common in traumatic injury involving accidents. Clinical and animal studies have demonstrated the protective mechanisms of cooling the brain and spinal tissue for minimizing secondary tissue damage following the initial injury.1 Our previous theoretical study illustrates the feasibility of significantly reducing the temperatures of the spinal cord using a simple torso cooling pad, and the spinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord by approximately 3.5°C within 30 minutes. Since the spinal fluid connects with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain hemisphere, brain hypothermia may be possible as the cold spinal fluid constantly replaces part of the warm CSF.