I found an interesting interview with Dr. Michael Leong, Clinic Chief at the Stanford Pain Medicine Center, by Collin J. Liotta over at www.thesportshero.com. Dr. Leong offers his expert opinion on Bane's mask, possible injury, and anesthetics:
Colin J. Liotta: WHAT TYPE OF INJURY (OR SURGERY) MIGHT LEAVE THIS KIND OF SCAR?
Dr. Michael Leon: This scar looks like the types of surgical closures that we see after a cervical laminectomy or extensive cervical fusion. Hence, it looks like Bane has had significant trauma to his cervical spine and corrective surgery to stabilize the area, perhaps causing residual chronic pain.
CJL: "LOOKING AT HIS VEST, IS THERE A WAY IT COULD ACT IN UNISON WITH HIS MASK?"
ML: "The vest does have regions that look like pockets or bag-like regions that might have some sort of concentrated gas or other compound. Nevertheless, it could be merely armor such as what Batman wears already."
CJL: "LOOKING AT BANE’S MASK FROM TWO DIFFERENT ANGLES, CAN YOU SPECULATE ON HOW IT MIGHT WORK?"
ML: "Bane’s mask looks like it funnels whatever the compound from the rear of the headpiece; from the central supply at the back of the skull to conduits that rise over the top of his head and feed the intakes over the nose and mouth. The rear portion does look circular and may provide a “dial up” switch so that he can dial up the amount of gas that he needs to inhale during the duration of battle."
CJL: "COULD THE WIRE, CIRCLED BELOW, ACT AS THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE VEST AND MASK?"
ML: "This “wire” or tube could be connected to the mask but also looks similar to intrathecal or intraspinal catheters that anesthesiologists and pain medicine specialists use to inject pain alleviating medicines that circulate in the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain."
That’s not all, Dr. Leon speculated about the type aerosolized drugs in the world today, and the type that Bane may be using, definitely worth a read!
“From a true medical standpoint, many of these compounds discussed above are used in clinical practice. Aerosolized opioids (morphine) and steroids have been used in treating pain and intractible asthma. Toxin compounds are injected near the spine for pain relief with intraspinal drug delivery systems underneath the skin. A drug called Ziconotide (Prialt) is an N type Calcium Channel blocker that is derived from a sea snail toxin, Conus Magus, that treats cancer and noncancer pain resistant to other therapies. Movies, such as ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, may have some sensational pictures but often have some key elements from medicine that exist right at this moment.” –Dr. Michael Leong
I find it very interesting that Bane's mask and anesthetic do indeed appear to be influenced from real world technology. Hopefully you enjoyed this interview as much as I did!