Abstract: A heating pad having at least one heating element positioned within an encapsulation layer. Each heating element has a carbon fiber tape layer and a conductive sheath surrounding the carbon fiber tape layer. Within each heating element, an insulation layer can be positioned between the carbon fiber tape layer and the conductive sheath. The carbon fiber tape layer of each heating element can have opposing ends to which electrodes can be secured. Systems and methods of using and making the heating pad are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a dynamic, reconfigurable virtual reality environment with in-environment access to external data and resources. Implementations of these systems also provide an external mechanism for modifying other aspects of the virtual reality experience with no need to recode or compile the experience. This can alter the primary flow of the experience, change its behavior based on the specific user accessing it and add branded or customer-specific aspects to the application. The same level or environment can provide drastically different experiences for various users from beginners through experts, even allowing the option of random or ordered events, controllable by an instructor or administrator, through simple configuration.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a dynamic, reconfigurable virtual reality environment with in-environment access to external data and resources. Implementations of these systems also provide an external mechanism for modifying other aspects of the virtual reality experience with no need to recode or compile the experience. This can alter the primary flow of the experience, change its behavior based on the specific user accessing it and add branded or customer-specific aspects to the application. The same level or environment can provide drastically different experiences for various users from beginners through experts, even allowing the option of random or ordered events, controllable by an instructor or administrator, through simple configuration.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a dynamic, reconfigurable virtual reality environment with in-environment access to external data and resources. Implementations of these systems also provide an external mechanism for modifying other aspects of the virtual reality experience with no need to recode or compile the experience. This can alter the primary flow of the experience, change its behavior based on the specific user accessing it and add branded or customer-specific aspects to the application. The same level or environment can provide drastically different experiences for various users from beginners through experts, even allowing the option of random or ordered events, controllable by an instructor or administrator, through simple configuration.

Abstract: A heating pad having at least one heating element positioned within an encapsulation layer. Each heating element has a carbon fiber tape layer and a conductive sheath surrounding the carbon fiber tape layer. Within each heating element, an insulation layer can be positioned between the carbon fiber tape layer and the conductive sheath. The carbon fiber tape layer of each heating element can have opposing ends to which electrodes can be secured. Systems and methods of using and making the heating pad are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a dynamic, reconfigurable virtual reality environment with in-environment access to external data and resources. Implementations of these systems also provide an external mechanism for modifying other aspects of the virtual reality experience with no need to recode or compile the experience. This can alter the primary flow of the experience, change its behavior based on the specific user accessing it and add branded or customer-specific aspects to the application. The same level or environment can provide drastically different experiences for various users from beginners through experts, even allowing the option of random or ordered events, controllable by an instructor or administrator, through simple configuration.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a dynamic, reconfigurable virtual reality environment with in-environment access to external data and resources. Implementations of these systems also provide an external mechanism for modifying other aspects of the virtual reality experience with no need to recode or compile the experience. This can alter the primary flow of the experience, change its behavior based on the specific user accessing it and add branded or customer-specific aspects to the application. The same level or environment can provide drastically different experiences for various users from beginners through experts, even allowing the option of random or ordered events, controllable by an instructor or administrator, through simple configuration.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a dynamic, reconfigurable virtual reality environment with in-environment access to external data and resources. Implementations of these systems also provide an external mechanism for modifying other aspects of the virtual reality experience with no need to recode or compile the experience. This can alter the primary flow of the experience, change its behavior based on the specific user accessing it and add branded or customer-specific aspects to the application. The same level or environment can provide drastically different experiences for various users from beginners through experts, even allowing the option of random or ordered events, controllable by an instructor or administrator, through simple configuration.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a dynamic, reconfigurable virtual reality environment with in-environment access to external data and resources. Implementations of these systems also provide an external mechanism for modifying other aspects of the virtual reality experience with no need to recode or compile the experience. This can alter the primary flow of the experience, change its behavior based on the specific user accessing it and add branded or customer-specific aspects to the application. The same level or environment can provide drastically different experiences for various users from beginners through experts, even allowing the option of random or ordered events, controllable by an instructor or administrator, through simple configuration.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a dynamic, reconfigurable virtual reality environment with in-environment access to external data and resources. Implementations of these systems also provide an external mechanism for modifying other aspects of the virtual reality experience with no need to recode or compile the experience. This can alter the primary flow of the experience, change its behavior based on the specific user accessing it and add branded or customer-specific aspects to the application. The same level or environment can provide drastically different experiences for various users from beginners through experts, even allowing the option of random or ordered events, controllable by an instructor or administrator, through simple configuration.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a dynamic, reconfigurable virtual reality environment with in-environment access to external data and resources. Implementations of these systems also provide an external mechanism for modifying other aspects of the virtual reality experience with no need to recode or compile the experience. This can alter the primary flow of the experience, change its behavior based on the specific user accessing it and add branded or customer-specific aspects to the application. The same level or environment can provide drastically different experiences for various users from beginners through experts, even allowing the option of random or ordered events, controllable by an instructor or administrator, through simple configuration.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for a dynamic, reconfigurable virtual reality environment with in-environment access to external data and resources. Implementations of these systems also provide an external mechanism for modifying other aspects of the virtual reality experience with no need to recode or compile the experience. This can alter the primary flow of the experience, change its behavior based on the specific user accessing it and add branded or customer-specific aspects to the application. The same level or environment can provide drastically different experiences for various users from beginners through experts, even allowing the option of random or ordered events, controllable by an instructor or administrator, through simple configuration.

Abstract: A needle shield remover for removing a needle shield covering a needle on a syringe includes a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration in response to opposite movement of the proximal portion. The distal portion includes an internal opening for receiving and at least partially surrounding a needle shield therein. An anchor extends inwardly from the distal portion into engagement with the needle shield when the distal portion is in the contracted configuration to secure the body to the needle shield. A sleeve is in fixed axial arrangement with the proximal portion of the body. The axial engagement maintains the distal portion of the body in the contracted configuration such that force applied to the sleeve away from the body removes the needle shield and body from a syringe.

Abstract: Stereotactic systems and implantation methods that can be designed for use with a specific species and further customized for use with an individual within the species are provided. The stereotactic system can include an implant jig that can model a tissue or organ in which a target tissue area is located. A neurocap can be coupled to the implant jig for pre-planning and pre-placement of implants. A stencil can be used to determine the location for placement of the neurocap on the individual, so that the implants can be precisely targeted at the desired location. Pre-surgical information and data can be obtained from an individual and used to customize components of a stereotactic system, which can improve accuracy of implant placement.

Abstract: A needle shield puller has a deformable tubular body including a proximal end having a proximal opening and a distal end. An opening extends from the proximal opening toward the distal end. The opening is shaped to accommodate a portion of a needle shield. The body has initial and tension states and the opening diameter is greater in the initial state. A cinch is secured to the body at the proximal opening to secure the needle shield puller to the needle shield. The cinch biases the cinch diameter to a relaxed cinch diameter less than the needle shield diameter. A handle at a distal end of the body allows a user to place the body in the tension state. An installation aid comprises an arm releasably engageable with the cinch and the proximal opening to expand the cinch diameter toward a maximum cinch diameter greater than the needle shield diameter.

Abstract: A stereotactic system with customizable and interoperable components for implantation of intracranial implants is provided. The stereotactic system can include a NeuroHat stereotactic device that attaches directly to the skull of an animal subject to protect chronic intracranial implants without interfering with the normal activities of the animal subject. The stereotactic system can also include a drill guide for accurate placement of burr holes and implant shuttles designed to be interoperable with other components of the NeuroHat stereotactic device for accurate placement and secureability.

Abstract: A needle shield puller has a deformable tubular body including a proximal end having a proximal opening and a distal end. An opening extends from the proximal opening toward the distal end. The opening is shaped to accommodate a portion of a needle shield. The body has initial and tension states and the opening diameter is greater in the initial state. A cinch is secured to the body at the proximal opening to secure the needle shield puller to the needle shield. The cinch biases the cinch diameter to a relaxed cinch diameter less than the needle shield diameter. A handle at a distal end of the body allows a user to place the body in the tension state. An installation aid comprises an arm releasably engageable with the cinch and the proximal opening to expand the cinch diameter toward a maximum cinch diameter greater than the needle shield diameter.

Abstract: Stereotactic systems and implantation methods that can be designed for use with a specific species and further customized for use with an individual within the species are provided. The stereotactic system can include an implant jig that can model a tissue or organ in which a target tissue area is located. A neurocap can be coupled to the implant jig for pre-planning and pre-placement of implants. A stencil can be used to determine the location for placement of the neurocap on the individual, so that the implants can be precisely targeted at the desired location. Pre-surgical information and data can be obtained from an individual and used to customize components of a stereotactic system, which can improve accuracy of implant placement.

Abstract: A needle shield remover for removing a needle shield covering a needle on a syringe includes a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration in response to opposite movement of the proximal portion. The distal portion includes an internal opening for receiving and at least partially surrounding a needle shield therein. An anchor extends inwardly from the distal portion into engagement with the needle shield when the distal portion is in the contracted configuration to secure the body to the needle shield. A sleeve is in fixed axial arrangement with the proximal portion of the body. The axial engagement maintains the distal portion of the body in the contracted configuration such that force applied to the sleeve away from the body removes the needle shield and body from a syringe.

Abstract: Stereotactic systems and implantation methods that can be designed for use with a specific species and further customized for use with an individual within the species are provided. The stereotactic system can include an implant jig that can model a tissue or organ in which a target tissue area is located. A neurocap can be coupled to the implant jig for pre-planning and pre-placement of implants. A stencil can be used to determine the location for placement of the neurocap on the individual, so that the implants can be precisely targeted at the desired location. Pre-surgical information and data can be obtained from an individual and used to customize components of a stereotactic system, which can improve accuracy of implant placement.