Abstract: An external fixator for mounting to a patient's leg or other anatomy to stabilize bones in the patient's leg or other anatomy includes a first ring including a first plurality a slots therein and a second ring including a second plurality of slots therein. A foot-plate has a generally U-shape and a third plurality of slots therein. A first strut is mounted between the first ring and the second ring. The first strut includes an upper tube, a lower tube, a first telescoping element securing the upper tube to the lower tube and first and second end fittings secured to ends of the upper and lower tubes, respectively. The first end fitting secures the first strut to the first ring and the second end fitting secures the first strut to the second ring.

Abstract: An external fixator for mounting to a patient's leg or other anatomy to stabilize bones in the patient's leg or other anatomy includes a first ring including a first plurality a slots therein and a second ring including a second plurality of slots therein. A foot-plate has a generally U-shape and a third plurality of slots therein. A first strut is mounted between the first ring and the second ring. The first strut includes an upper tube, a lower tube, a first telescoping element securing the upper tube to the lower tube and first and second end fittings secured to ends of the upper and lower tubes, respectively. The first end fitting secures the first strut to the first ring and the second end fitting secures the first strut to the second ring.

Abstract: A medical device includes a heat-generating region and a thermally conductive body thermally and mechanically coupled to the heat-generating region. The conductive body encloses a cavity that is filled with thermal ballast. The cavity ideally extends along at least 50% of the length of the conductive body. The thermal ballast may be a phase-change material.

Abstract: Provided, among other things, is a method of treating, in an animal, an injury that is stroke, traumatic brain injury including traumatic surgical brain injury, brain hemorrhage other than stroke, spinal cord traumatic injury including spinal cord surgical trauma, infection, ischemia caused by surgical intervention, CNS injury caused by cardiac arrest, encephalitis or encephalomyelitis not due to infection, comprising: (a) creating a flow pathway, with an instillation catheter and an effluent catheter, that provides liquid flow in the vicinity of the injury; (b) instilling into the flow pathway an cerebrospinal perfusion fluid having a temperature from (i) 4° C. as a lower temperature to (ii) 4° C. below normal temperature of the animal; and (c) maintaining perfusion through the flow pathway for at least 12 hours of the cerebrospinal perfusion fluid having a temperature, at the point of instillation, from (i) 4° C. as a lower temperature to (ii) 4° C. below normal temperature of the animal.

Abstract: Provided is a method of delivering a physiologically acceptable liquid into the cerebral spinal pathway at high flow rates: initiating flow into a ventricular catheter, through a cerebral spinal pathway, and out a lumbar outflow catheter with the patient in a supine position and using a first flow rate, wherein a positive first value for an outlet pressure is maintained in plumbing from the lumbar outflow catheter; and increasing flow to a second flow rate greater than the first in conjunction with decreasing the outlet pressure to a second, negative value.

Abstract: Devices and kits for intracranial and other perfusions and methods of using the same including a container having a top and bottom including a flexible bag adapted to be suspended in top to bottom orientation and to hold, in a main chamber, a solution, suspension or emulsion filled up to a fill line, a first opening to the bag located below the fill line and adapted to be fitted to conduit, a second opening located below the fill line and adapted to be fitted to conduit, and a first fluid pathway incorporated into the bag adapted to conduct fluid pumped into the second opening from below the fill line to an outlet within the bag located above the fill line.

Abstract: An infusion/aspiration apparatus including a base member and first and second cassettes including a base member and first and second cassettes releasably connected to a base member. The first cassette forms an aspiration passageway and a collection area, and the second cassette includes a body and an infusion tube. Preferably, the base member and the second cassette form a vacuum passageway in fluid communication with the aspiration passageway. In operation, an aspiration tube is connected to an inlet of the aspiration passageway, and an outlet of the vacuum passageway is connected to a source of vacuum pressure. An infusion fluid is conducted through the infusion tube and to a surgical site, and that site is aspirated via the aspiration tube. The aspirated materials are drawn into the aspiration passageway and thence into the collection area.

Abstract: A vacuum system and a method of operating a vacuum system. The system comprises a vacuum line, a pump, a pump motor, a pressure adjusting assembly, a pressure sensor and a control means. The pump is connected to the vacuum line for drawing fluids therefrom, and the motor is connected to the pump to drive the pump. The pressure adjusting assembly is connected to the vacuum line for conducting fluid into that line at an adjustable rate. The pressure sensor is connected to the vacuum line to generate a pressure signal representing the pressure in the vacuum line. The control means receives the pressure signal and generates a system control signal that is used to adjust the pressure in the vacuum line. The specific manner in which the pressure in the vacuum line is adjusted depends on the value of that pressure, and in particular, whether that pressure is in a first range or a second range.

Abstract: A vacuum system and a method of operating a vacuum system. The system comprises a vacuum line, a pump, a pump motor, a pressure adjusting assembly, a pressure sensor and a control device. The pump is connected to the vacuum line for drawing fluids therefrom, and the motor is connected to the pump to drive the pump. The pressure adjusting assembly is connected to the vacuum line for conducting fluid into that line at an adjustable rate. The pressure sensor is connected to the vacuum line to generate a pressure signal representing the pressure in the vacuum line. The control device receives the pressure signal and generates a system control signal that is used to adjust the pressure in the vacuum line. The specific manner in which the pressure in the vacuum line is adjusted depends on the value of that pressure, and in particular, whether that pressure is in a first range or a second range.