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.

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: 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: A method for providing and adjusting cerebral cooling in response to changes in a physiological parameter. A spray having a boiling point between 38-300° C. is delivered to the surface of a patient's nasal cavities. The spray causes cooling by direct heat transfer through the nasopharynx and hematogenous cooling through the carotids and the Circle of Willis. A physiological parameter, such as cerebral temperature, changes in cerebral blood flow or brain oxygenation is monitored. The delivery rate of the spray is adjusted in response to the physiological parameter.

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: A method for improving the success of resuscitation efforts following cardiac arrest is provided. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rates following cardiac arrest is directly related to the coronary perfusion pressure during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Selective cooling of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oral cavity, oropharynx, retrotonsillar space, mouth, neck face, and/or throat of a patient suffering from cardiac arrest, significantly increases the coronary perfusion pressure which improves ROSC rates. Cooling may be initiated before or during resuscitation efforts including chest compressions, defibrillation and/or administering a vasoconstrictor.

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: 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: Methods for pharyngeal and cerebral cooling by delivering an ice slurry, slush or super-cooled gel to a patient's nasal cavity, oral cavity and/or throat 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 ice slurry having a temperature between about ?5° C. and about 5° C. is delivered 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 expandable member is inserted through the patient's oral cavity and positioned such that when expanded it forms a low pressure seal substantially isolating the nasal and oral cavities from the patient's trachea. An ice slurry is delivered directly to the patient's nasal cavity.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A balloon arterial cannula and methods for filtering blood. The devices generally include 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, a means to actuate the structure, and a balloon occluder which typically includes a flexible material enclosing a chamber. The methods generally include the steps of introducing a mesh into a blood vessel to capture embolic material, adjusting the mesh, if necessary, during the course of filtration, inflating the balloon occluder to occlude the vessel upstream of the mesh, and thereafter deflating the balloon occluder and removing the mesh and the captured foreign matter from the blood vessel. Additionally, visualization techniques are used to ensure effective filtration.

Abstract: A method for treating both sessile and mobile aortic atheroma is described. A radially expanding device, such as a stent or compliant cast, comprising a generally cylindrical member expandable between a compressed state and an enlarged state is provided. The cylindrical member has a proximal opening, a distal opening, a lumen therebetween, and at least one side opening in the wall of the generally cylindrical member. The methods comprise imaging the aorta to identify position and extent of atheroma. The stent is then advanced into the aortic arch and positioned so that the at least one side-opening is aligned with the takeoff of one or more of the right brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid artery, or the left subclavian artery. The stent is expanded into contact with the endoluminal surface of the aorta and atheroma is trapped between the stent and the endoluminal surface of the aorta.

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.