This document discusses the preparation and experimental protocol for studying isolated blood vessels, specifically the middle cerebral artery. Key points: - The system allows for the isolation of small blood vessels and study of their structure and response to various pharmacological and physiological stimuli. - Phosphate buffered saline (PSS) solutions are prepared to properly maintain and superfuse the isolated vessels. - Middle cerebral arteries are isolated from rats using anesthesia, decapitation, and incubation in oxygenated PSS solution. - An experimental protocol applies increasing pressure gradients and tests responses in the presence or absence of various inhibitors and vasoactive drugs. - Statistical analysis of data uses repeated measures two-way ANOVA.