Localized Brain Hypothermia Device:
Under contract to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Neurosciences Department,
SMT has developed a prototype device that provides for rapid cooling of the brain (localized hypothermia)
as a means of minimizing secondary brain damage from injuries resulting from closed or penetrating head
injury, stroke, and other hypoxic or ischemic events.
The device functions by diverting arterial blood flow through an external cooling unit and then
re-infusing the cooled blood into the carotid artery.
SMT has produced a scaled-down version of its localized hypothermia device designed to facilitate
experimental studies in animal models of head injury. In preliminary studies, the device has been
shown to provide rapid cooling of the brain without altering core body temperature.
If SMT's device proves effective in preventing the loss of neurons and other cells following acute
head injury, SMT intends to develop the unit for human use under FDA medical device regulations.
