PolarCool AB (publ), a Swedish medical device company focusing on treatment of sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) and whiplash, has submitted a 510(k) pre-market notification to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the PolarCap System.

This submission follows the publication of statistically significant clinical results in the scientific journal Concussion, suggesting benefits for use of the PolarCap System in the treatment of concussions among players of 15 elite Swedish Ice-Hockey teams in the Swedish Hockey Leagues (SHL).

“With this important FDA submission, we are paving the way for the first-ever sports-related TBI treatment model. Supported by robust clinical evidence enabling players to safely return to play much earlier, our 510(k) submission is the first step in the FDA review process. We look forward to this review and are confident that speedy clearance for the PolarCap System is on the horizon.”

— Martin Waleij, PolarCool Chairman of the Board

The study, led by investigators from Lund University at Skåne University Hospital in Lund, Sweden, Luleå University of Technology in Luleå, and BrainCool AB, suggests statistical benefits of therapeutic cooling using the PolarCap System head and neck cooling technology.

“Publication of these study results in the journal Concussion marks a significant milestone for sports medicine around the globe. We are eager to proceed with larger studies and to partner with academic medical centers and professional sports organizations to further validate the benefits of this medical cooling technology–with the ultimate goal of improving both short- and long-term safety for players of all contact sports.”

— Erik Andersson, Chief Executive Officer of PolarCool, maker of the PolarCap System that was used in the Lund study

“It is very positive that we can constitute that the introduction of the Polar Cap has meant fewer long time absences among players that were treated by cooling directly after a concussion, with this treatment we have another tool to use (against head injuries).”

— SHL Sports Director & Vice CEO Johan Hemlin

Head-Neck Cooling Versus Standard

Fifteen teams from elite ice-hockey leagues for males in Sweden were given the option to participate in the intervention group (receiving selective head-neck cooling after a sports-related concussion) or the control group (standard sports-related concussion management). Selective head-neck cooling was initiated at a mean of 12.3 ± 9.2 min after the concussion in 29 players, and 52 SRC controls received standard management.

Results suggest significant benefits of cooling in treating concussions with a median time to return to play for the players who underwent cooling of 7 days, versus 12 days for those who did not. The study also suggests promising reduction in the proportion of long-term absence, which can be as long as 3 weeks or more, among treated players.

[Source(s): King + Company, EurekAlert]