Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for measuring blood volume of a living being using fluorescent dye. The present invention greatly simplifies the performance of a blood volume measurement by utilizing a novel fluorescent tracer. An injection and sampling kit for the performance of an indicator dilution measurement, comprising a) a labelled fluorescent injectate, and b) a plurality of collection cassettes, and a calibration kit comprising a plurality of calibrated standard cassettes of identical conformation to the cassettes in b), corresponding to known dilutions of the injectate (a).

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods are presented for creating a ternary structure involving a fluorescent molecule, an intermediate carrier molecule, and a larger protein or polymer with a binding site receptive to the intermediate molecule or fluorescent/intermediate complex. The resulting ternary system improves the binding stability of the fluorescent dye to the protein, both in-vivo and in-vitro. This improved stability results in a longer half-life in medical use, enabling improved qualitative and quantitative use of the dye.

Abstract: An orthopedic cast removal apparatus comprises a housing having a portion that can be gripped by an operator during use. A motor is located inside the housing. A blade is operatively connected to and driven by the motor via a drive mechanism, the blade defining a cutting edge having cutting teeth located thereon. The drive mechanism according to this aspect has a driven element with an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a surface of an orthopedic cast when it is cut. The blade is connected to the driven element at a connection point that moves periodically around the axis of rotation. As a result, the cutting edge of the blade engages material of the orthopedic cast in a galloping fashion.