X-Message-Number: 1463
From:  (Nick Szabo)
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics
Subject: Re: Skull removal during suspension
Message-ID: <>
Date: 17 Dec 92 11:39:40 GMT
References: <>

>[ (Keith Lofstrom) suggests
> removing much skull to perfuse brain from outside]

Hi, Keith!  Interesting idea.  Another possibility [nb: these
are brainstorms, not recommendations] for more directly 
perfusing the brain is inserting catheters through the carotid 
artery into the brain.  Besides delivering perfusant these might 
also deliver oxygen, glucose, barbituates, etc. directly into the 
brain's bloodstream.   We again have a risk of brain inury, but it 
involves control of the catheter, not extra care in transporting 
the exposed-brain patient.  The two techniques might be synergistic; 
skull removal to perfuse the outside brain surface and carotid catheter 
to perfuse the inside.  The time needed to remove skull or insert 
catheter must be taken into account; perhaps its longer than the extra 
time needed for indirect perfusion to work its way into the brain.

An advanced, big-$$$ technique might involve putting perfusant
in liposomes.  These drug-bubbles would, once beside or inside
the target brain cells, burst and spill their payload of 
cryoprotectants, free-radical eaters, etc.

Are anything like these techniques used for resuscitation of
desparate cases in hospital emergency rooms?   Resuscitation and 
cryonics preparation have similar goals, keeping the brain alive.  
I've imagined the day when a patient, being pronounced legally dead 
and prepared for suspension, wakes up instead!

Nick Szabo				

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