Pro2Cool
Pro2cool® is the first ever FDA-designated Breakthrough Device for post-concussion cooling therapy.
What is pro2cool®
The pro2cool® system was designed to bring relief to athletes following a concussion. It provides selective cooling of the head and neck in an effort to reduce the effects seen in concussions. pro2cool® is a well-tolerated, low-risk device that unlike other cooling technologies, does not require ice. This portable system is easy to use in almost any environment. pro2cool®’s high-tech software cools the patient to the appropriate temperature and holds them there for the duration of the two 30-minute treatments. pro2cool® is the only device offering substantial clinical data around concussion care.
How Does pro2cool® Help Concussions?
TecTraum developed pro2cool® to be the first FDA-cleared treatment for concussions. Once approved and after a concussion is suspected, a trainer, sports medicine coach, or health care professional will be able to turn on the pro2cool® unit and attach the device to the injured patient’s head. The therapy applies selective cooling to the head and neck, which in turn reduces the clinical signs and symptoms of concussion.
— Sam Williams
Reduce Long-Term Effects
By introducing an effective therapy treatment for concussions, we are also hoping for a much lower amount of time that those injured deal with the side effects of brain injuries. Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome include physical, cognitive, and emotional problems. While the average brain injury resolves within six weeks, some people still deal with the symptoms longer than this. At TecTraum, we take pride in our goal of conducting a trial that may help people recover from a concussion, and spend less time dealing with the side-effects.
Signs of a Concussion
The signs of a concussion can be tricky when symptoms coincide with other sports-related injuries or general tiredness. The most distinct sign of a concussion is loss of consciousness, but that does not often occur. Other symptoms can include excessive drowsiness, blurry vision, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, mental confusion, or a change in behavior. The health care community continues to learn about the effects of concussions and what the ‘best-practices’ are for intervention.
Are Concussions Common?
Concussions, particularly in athletes, are extremely common. In the United States, nearly 3.8 million concussions occur yearly from sports-related injuries alone. Many misconceptions lie around the dangers of concussions and its lasting effects on the brain. Some people might excuse mild head injuries when they are described as ‘just a ringing in the ear’ but concussions are much more serious, and the mismanagement can lead to prolonged symptoms and long-lasting effects.
Previous Recovery
There is no known treatment for concussions beyond prescribed brain rest. Recovery from a concussion is a complex process and not treating or managing it properly, can lead to an even longer recovery time. Traditionally, physical and mental rest within the first 48 hours has been the most appropriate way to help your brain heal. Today, parents of athletes around the world are holding trainers, coaches, and teams accountable to provide information and research surrounding concussions. pro2cool® is being developed as a proactive solution to improve post-concussion outcomes.
TecTraum publication 2021
Check out our original research published in the March issue of the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine entitled “Preliminary Safety and Efficacy of Head and Neck Cooling Therapy After Concussion in Adolescent Athletes: A Randomized Pilot Trial.” In this pilot study, our objective is to determine the safety and efficacy of head and neck cooling when applied eight days after concussion among adolescent athletes ages 12-17 years old diagnosed within one week of injury.
The Future of pro2cool®
pro2cool® is designed to mitigate both short- and long-term symptoms associated with concussions, also known as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Cooling therapy has been used to treat various medical conditions and even prevent death in newborns. Most commonly, cooling gels or ice packs can relieve aching muscles, joints or pain associated with arthritis. Cryotherapy is the newest intervention to treat a variety of health issues. pro2cool® is the only cooling therapy specifically designed to treat and reduce the clinical signs and symptoms of concussions.