Abstract: A method of modulating a physiological parameter of a patient by percutaneously or transcutaneously disabling one or more pre-aortic ganglion cells within a pre-aortic ganglion via the anterior abdominal wall and improving the physiological parameter is provided. The pre-aortic ganglion cells may be disabled by applying radiofrequency, high intensity or low intensity focused ultrasound.

Abstract: A non-invasive method of treating cerebral ischemia, involving the use of non-inhaled, intra-nasally delivered carbon dioxide (CO2), alone or in combination with other gases to augment cerebral perfusion and improve outcome following a stroke is provided. A vasodilator gas is delivered intranasally, alone or in combination with a second gas, for prolonged periods of time without systemic absorption. The second gas may be selected from NO, hydrogen, xenon, anesthetic gases, oxygen, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, or air. The treatment selectively increases cerebral perfusion and provides neuroprotection in the treatment of cerebral ischemia.

Abstract: A method of modulating a physiological parameter of a patient is provided. The method includes disabling one or more pre-aortic ganglion cells within a pre-aortic ganglion trans-venously and improving the physiological parameter. The method further includes destroying a pre-aortic ganglion cell trans-venously to prevent regeneration.

Abstract: A method of ablating the sympathetic ganglionic cell bodies in the thoracic paravertebral space is provided. The method includes ablating the sympathetic ganglionic cell bodies in the thoracic paravertebral space through a posterior, non-invasive or minimally invasive approach for the treatment of resistant hypertension. The ablation may additionally involve various permutations of the gray and white rami and the dorsal root ganglion in addition to the sympathetic chain ganglionic cell bodies, all located in the triangular paravertebral space.

Abstract: A method of modulating a physiological parameter of a patient is provided. The method includes disabling one or more pre-aortic ganglion cells within a pre-aortic ganglion and improving the physiological parameter. The method further includes destroying a pre-aortic ganglion cell to prevent regeneration.

Abstract: A system for improving outcome following cerebral ischemia is provided. The system includes a source of nitric oxide and an elongate tubular member for insertion into a nose including at least one orifice thereon. The tubular member is coupled to the source of nitric oxide and the elongate tubular member configured for delivering the nitric oxide into a nasal cavity through the at least one orifice for absorption into a cerebral vasculature through a nasal vasculature. A means for controlling flow of the gas, a concentration of the nitric oxide in the gas, or both, is also provided.

Abstract: A method for improving outcome following cerebral ischemia is provided. The method includes delivering nitric oxide into the nasal cavity for absorption into the brain through the nasal vasculature and preventing the inhalation of nitric oxide into the lungs to prevent pulmonary vasodilatation.

Abstract: A method for improving outcome following cerebral ischemia is provided. The method includes delivering nitric oxide into the nasal cavity for absorption into the brain through the nasal vasculature and maintaining the nitric oxide in the nasal cavity.

Abstract: A system for improving outcome following cerebral ischemia is provided. The system includes a source of nitric oxide and an elongate tubular member for insertion into a nose including at least one orifice thereon. The tubular member is coupled to the source of nitric oxide and the elongate tubular member configured for delivering the nitric oxide into a nasal cavity through the at least one orifice for absorption into a cerebral vasculature through a nasal vasculature. A means for controlling flow of the gas, a concentration of the nitric oxide in the gas, or both, is also provided.

Abstract: A method for cerebral and systemic cooling by providing a nebulized liquid having a boiling point of 38-300° C. The nebulized liquid is delivered as a mist or a spray via the nasal and/or oral cavities of a patient. The mist causes cooling by direct heat transfer through the nasopharynx and hematogenous cooling through the carotids and the Circle of Willis. Compositions and medical devices for cerebral and systemic cooling are also provided. Cooling assemblies, and methods of use, are also provided that include flexible balloon assemblies that are inserted to various locations in a patient's body. The flexible balloons are then infused with a liquid having a temperature between about ?20° C. and about 37° C. The flexible balloon assemblies can be inserted into the nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat, stomach, and other locations to effect cerebral cooling.

Abstract: Methods for treating a migraine by cooling a patient's nasopharyngeal cavity are described. In one method, a cooling assembly is inserted into a nasal cavity through a patient's nostril. The cooling assembly includes a flexible balloon defining a chamber and a first elongate tubular member having a lumen in fluid communication with the chamber. A liquid having a temperature between about ?20° C. and about 37° C. is infused through the lumen of the first elongate tubular member into the chamber, wherein the flexible balloon expands to place it in contact with the nasal cavity. In another method, an elongate member having a plurality of ports is inserted into the nasal cavity. A perfluorocarbon spray and a gas are then delivered onto a surface of the nasal cavity through the plurality of ports.

Abstract: A method for cerebral and systemic cooling by circulating a cold liquid through a nasal catheter looped through the patient's nasal cavities and around the nasal septum. The nasal catheter is inserted into the patient's first nostril, advanced through the nasal cavity, around the nasal septum and out of the patient's second nostril. A cold fluid having a temperature between about ?20° C. and about 37° C. is flowed though a lumen in the nasal catheter to cool the nasal cavity. The nasal catheter may have one or more flexible balloons mounted on the catheter such that when the catheter is looped around the nasal septum, the balloon(s) are positioned in a portion of the patient's first and second nasal cavities. When a cold liquid is circulated through the catheter lumen, the flexible balloons expand to a contact the inner walls of the nasal cavities and provide direct cooling of the nasal cavities.

Abstract: A method for administering an ocular analgesic is described. The method includes the steps of providing a topical analgesic that includes a neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog and applying the topical analgesic to the ocular tissue in a dose of about 0.0001 to about 5 mg, alternatively about 0.0001 to about 3 mg, alternatively about 0.0005 to about 1.2 mg, alternatively about 0.0005 to about 1.0 mg, alternatively about 0.00075 to about 1.0 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 1.0 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 0.8 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 0.7 mg, alternatively about 0.001 mg to about 0.6 mg. Methods of administering a topical analgesic containing a neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog are also described. The topical analgesic can be administered in a patch, gel, lotion, spray, or mist.

Abstract: Ocular analgesics for topical administration are described. The topical ocular analgesic includes a neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog. The topical ocular analgesic may alternatively include a buffered salt solution, a local anesthetic solution, a tissue penetrating agent, and/or an opiate. The neo-tryptophan-containing neurotensin analog may be present in a dose of about 0.0005 to about 1.2 mg.

Abstract: Methods are described for augmenting cerebral blood flow and altering sympathetic nerve firing and catecholamine release by cooling a part of the body. In particular localized cooling of the nose or mouth is used to augment cerebral blood flow and alter sympathetic nerve firing. By cooling a localized area such as nose or mouth, release of norepinephrine after an ischemic event is inhibited. The methods described may be applied to augment cerebral blood flow and alter catecholamine release, particularly in treatment of stroke, heart attack and transient ischemic event.

Abstract: Methods are described for augmenting cerebral blood flow and altering sympathetic nerve firing and catecholamine release by cooling a part of the body. In particular localized cooling of the nose or mouth is used to augment cerebral blood flow and alter sympathetic nerve firing. By cooling a localized area such as nose or mouth, release of norepinephrine after an ischemic event is inhibited. The methods described may be applied to augment cerebral blood flow and alter catecholamine release, particularly in treatment of stroke, heart attack and transient ischemic event.

Abstract: Methods for treating a migraine by cooling a patient's nasopharyngeal cavity are described. In one method, a cooling assembly is inserted into a nasal cavity through a patient's nostril. The cooling assembly includes a flexible balloon defining a chamber and a first elongate tubular member having a lumen in fluid communication with the chamber. A liquid having a temperature between about ?20° C. and about 37° C. is infused through the lumen of the first elongate tubular member into the chamber, wherein the flexible balloon expands to place it in contact with the nasal cavity. In another method, an elongate member having a plurality of ports is inserted into the nasal cavity. A perfluorocarbon spray and a gas are then delivered onto a surface of the nasal cavity through the plurality of ports.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for treating pain. For example, this document provides methods that involve administering a neurotensin receptor (NTR) agonist and an opioid receptor agonist to a mammal (e.g., a human). Compositions containing an NTR agonist in combination with an opioid receptor agonist also are provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for filtering blood. The devices generally comprise a mesh for filtering blood flowing within a blood vessel, particularly within an artery such as the aorta, a structure adapted to open and close the mesh within the blood vessel, and a means to actuate the structure. The methods generally include the steps of introducing a mesh into a blood vessel to entrap embolic material, and removing the mesh and the entrapped foreign matter from the blood vessel.

Abstract: Methods for treating a migraine by cooling a patient's nasopharyngeal cavity are described. In one method, a cooling assembly is inserted into a nasal cavity through a patient's nostril. The cooling assembly includes a flexible balloon defining a chamber and a first elongate tubular member having a lumen in fluid communication with the chamber. A liquid having a temperature between about ?20° C. and about 37° C. is infused through the lumen of the first elongate tubular member into the chamber, wherein the flexible balloon expands to place it in contact with the nasal cavity. In another method, an elongate member having a plurality of ports is inserted into the nasal cavity. A perfluorocarbon spray and a gas are then delivered onto a surface of the nasal cavity through the plurality of ports.