Aug 11, 2026

US12702425 - Devices and systems to mitigate traumatic brain and other injuries caused by concussive or blast forces

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

Assignee: TBI INNOVATIONS, LLC THORNHILL RESEARCH, INC.
Inventors: David W. Smith, Kevin John Vititoe, Jamison Joseph Float, Chad Michael Leeder, Joseph A. Fisher, John Stites
Filing date: 2016-05-11

The patent describes a system designed to mitigate traumatic brain injuries by using a semi-circumferential collar that applies pressure to the neck veins, thereby increasing intracranial pressure and volume during concussive or blast events. This collar is integrated with a garment that conceals it while ensuring proper positioning to restrict blood flow from the head, potentially reducing the risk of various injuries.

Claim 1

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. 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.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12702425

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12702425