All The Claims

1. A bone screw comprising:
a thread section of elongated tubular construction with an outer wall and having a first end and a second end;
a tip at the first end; and
an elongated holding element connected to the thread section at the second end, the holding element comprising a first section for connection to the second end of the thread section and an elongated rod-like second section having a longitudinal length and a free end opposite the first section;
wherein the tubular thread section further comprises a bone thread on the outer wall and the outer wall of the thread section contains a plurality of recesses forming a mesh-like open network; and wherein the bone screw is dimensioned such, that the bone screw can be fully immersed in the opening created when screwing in.
2. A bone screw according to claim 1, further comprising a stop for limiting a distance of insertion of the holding element into the thread section.
3. A bone screw according to claim 1, wherein the thread section further comprises a first internal thread section at its second end and the first section of the holding element comprises an external thread for cooperation with the first internal thread section.
4. A bone screw according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the thread section and the first section of the holding element are structured and arranged to cooperate for connection in the form of an interference fit.
5. A bone screw according claim 1, further comprising an engagement element at the free end of the holding element for cooperation with a screw-in tool.
6. A bone screw according to claim 1, wherein the holding element further comprises a stop located between the first section and the second section to prevent further penetration of the holding element into the thread section.
7. A bone screw according to claim 5, wherein the stop comprises a shoulder.
8. A bone screw according to claim 1, wherein the thread section further comprises a stop located on the inside of the outer wall to prevent further penetration of the holding element into the thread section.
9. A bone screw according to claim 1, further comprising a nut, and wherein the rod-like section of the holding element further comprises a second external thread at the free end for cooperation with the nut.
10. A bone screw according to claim 1, wherein the thread section further comprises a second internal thread section at the first end.
11. A bone screw according to claim 1, wherein the first internal thread section extends over the whole length of the thread section and the tip is structured and arranged to cooperate with the first internal thread section.
12. A bone screw according to claim 1, wherein the first internal thread section comprises a metric or an inch thread.
13. A bone screw according to claim 1, wherein the tip is structured and arranged as a self-tapping tip.
14. A bone screw according to claim 1, wherein the tip comprises a cannula.
15. A bone screw according to claim 14, wherein the holding element comprises a cannula.
16. A bone screw according to claim 1, wherein the holding element comprises a cannula.
17. A bone screw comprising:
a thread section of elongated tubular construction with an outer wall and having a first end and a second end, the outer wall containing a plurality of recesses forming a mesh-like open network;
a tip at the first end; and
an engagement element at the second end capable of cooperating with a screw-in tool;
wherein the thread section further comprises:
a bone thread on the outer wall and having a first length;
an adjoining section free of bone thread and having a second length, the adjoining section comprising the second end of the thread section; wherein the diameter of said section free of bone thread is dimensioned such that the bone screw can be fully immersed in the opening created when screwing in.
18. A bone screw according to claim 17, wherein the engagement element comprises an internal thread section at the second end that cooperates with a screw-in tool.
19. A bone screw according to claim 17, wherein the engagement element comprises an internal thread section at the second end, and the bone screw further comprises a driving element that cooperates with the engagement element and further cooperates with a screw-in tool.
20. A bone screw according to claim 17, wherein the engagement element comprises an internal thread section at the second end, and the bone screw further comprises a fixation element that cooperates with the engagement element for fixing the bone screw.
21. A bone screw according to claim 17, wherein the second length of the adjoining section is the same as or greater than the first length of the bone thread section.
22. A bone fixation device comprising a bone screw according to claim 1, a plate for fixation of a bone, the plate comprising a recess through which the free end of the rod-like section of the holding element can be passed, and a nut for cooperating with the holding element to fix the plate.
23. A bone fixation device comprising a bone screw according to claim 1 and a marrow nail for fixing a bone, the marrow nail comprising a recess through which the free end of the rod-like section of the holding element can be passed.
24. A holding element for cooperation with a bone screw, wherein the bone screw comprises an elongated tubular construction having a first end, a second end, a tip at the first end and a connecting element at the second end for connection to the holding element, the holding element comprising a first section for connection to the bone screw and an elongated rod-like second section having a length; and wherein the holding element is dimensioned such that it can be at least partly introduced in the opening created by the bone screw when screwing in.
25. A holding element according to claim 24, further comprising a stop for limiting a distance of insertion of the holding element into the bone screw.
26. A holding element according to claim 24, wherein the bone screw comprises an internal thread section at its second end and the first section of the holding element comprises an external thread for cooperation with the internal thread section.
27. A holding element according to claim 24, wherein the connecting element and the first section both are structured and arranged to cooperate to provide and interference fit between the bone screw and the holding element.
28. A method for repairing a bone having a fracture, the method comprising:
providing a bone screw in accord with claim 1;
fully introducing the bone screw into the bone and positioning the bone screw at the place of fracture; and
attaching a fixation device to the holding element.
29. A method according to claim 28, further comprising shortening the holding element to avoid unnecessary protrusion beyond the fixation plate.
30. A method according to claim 28, wherein before attaching the fixation device, the method further comprises:
removing the holding element from the bone screw;
applying a filler material into the interior of the thread section of the bone screw; and
reconnecting the holding element to the thread section.
31. A method according to claim 28, wherein the fixation device comprises a plate or a marrow nail.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for monitoring a patient and graphically representing ST-segment deviations, the method comprising:
acquiring electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from a plurality of leads, each ECG signal including a sequence of ST-segments between a QRS complex and a T wave;
determining a baseline ST-segment deviation from an isoelectric value for each of the plurality of leads;
determining a current ST-segment deviation from the isoelectric value for each of the plurality of leads;
displaying a graph comprising:
a first linear axis representing ST-segment deviation values; and
a second linear axis representing the plurality of leads, wherein each of the plurality of leads is associated with a respective location along the second linear axis;

displaying a first set of graphic indicia representing the baseline ST-segment deviations, wherein each graphic indicia in the first set is displayed with respect to one of the locations corresponding to a respective lead and is aligned relative to the first linear axis based on the baseline ST-segment deviation for the respective lead; and
displaying a second set of graphic indicia representing the current ST-segment deviations, wherein each graphic indicia in the second set is displayed with respect to one of the locations corresponding to a respective lead and is aligned relative to the first linear axis based on the current ST-segment deviation for the respective lead.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the first set of graphic indicia and the second set of graphic indicia comprises:
for the first set of graphic indicia, displaying a first bar graph at each of the locations along the second linear axis corresponding to a respective lead, wherein each first bar graph graphically represents the baseline ST-segment deviation for the respective lead; and
for the second set of graphic indicia, displaying a second bar graph at each of the locations along the second linear axis corresponding to a respective lead, wherein each first bar graph graphically represents the current ST-segment deviation for the respective lead.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein displaying each first bar graph comprises:
displaying the first bar graph between a first value relative to the first linear axis and a second value relative to the first linear axis, wherein the first value corresponds to the isoelectric value, and wherein the second value corresponds to the baseline ST-segment deviation for the respective lead.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein displaying each second bar graph comprises:
displaying the second bar graph between the second value relative to the first linear axis and a third value relative to the first linear axis, wherein the third value corresponds to the current ST-segment deviation for the respective lead.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein a width of the second bar graph in the direction of the second linear axis for a particular lead is narrower than the width of the first bar graph in the direction of the second linear axis for the particular lead.
6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
highlighting, at each of the locations along the second linear axis, at least one of the first bar graph and the second bar graph to visually distinguish the first bar graphs from the second bar graphs.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the highlighting comprises one or more graphical elements selected from the group comprising shading and coloring.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
displaying one or more threshold lines substantially parallel to the second linear axis, each threshold line representing a threshold ST-segment deviation value;
determining that at least one of the second bar graphs intersects one of the threshold lines; and
in response to the determination, changing the highlighting of the at least one second bar graphs that intersects one of the threshold lines.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the graph comprises:
displaying a first portion of the graph in a first window, the first portion corresponding to a first subset of leads; and
displaying a second portion of the graph in a second window, the second portion corresponding to a second subset of leads.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first subset of leads includes limb leads and the second subset of leads includes precordial leads.
11. A patient monitoring system for graphically representing ST-segment deviation, the system comprising:
a receiver to acquire electrocardiogram (ECG) signals through a plurality of leads, the ECG signals including an ST-segment between a QRS complex and a T wave;
a processor to process the ECG signals to determine, for each of the plurality of leads, baseline ST-segment deviations from an isoelectric value and current ST-segment deviations from the isoelectric value;
a display device for displaying a user interface; and
a display module for displaying a graph in the user interface, the graph comprising:
a first linear axis representing ST-segment deviation values; and
a second linear axis representing the plurality of leads, wherein each of the plurality of leads is associated with a respective location along the second linear axis;
wherein the display module displays a first set of graphic indicia representing the baseline ST-segment deviations, each graphic indicia in the first set being displayed with respect to one of the locations corresponding to a respective lead and being aligned relative to the first linear axis based on the baseline ST-segment deviation for the respective lead; and
wherein the display module displays a second set of graphic indicia representing the current ST-segment deviations, each graphic indicia in the second set being displayed with respect to one of the locations corresponding to a respective lead and being aligned relative to the first linear axis based on the current ST-segment deviation for the respective lead.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the display module is further configured to:
for the first set of graphic indicia, display a first bar graph at each of the locations along the second linear axis corresponding to a respective lead, wherein each first bar graph graphically represents the baseline ST-segment deviation for the respective lead; and
for the second set of graphic indicia, display a second bar graph at each of the locations along the second linear axis corresponding to a respective lead, wherein each first bar graph graphically represents the current ST-segment deviation for the respective lead.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the display module is further configured to:
display the first bar graph between a first value relative to the first linear axis and a second value relative to the first linear axis, wherein the first value corresponds to the isoelectric value, and wherein the second value corresponds to the baseline ST-segment deviation for the respective lead; and
display the second bar graph between the second value relative to the first linear axis and a third value relative to the first linear axis, wherein the third value corresponds to the current ST-segment deviation for the respective lead.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein a width of the second bar graph in the direction of the second linear axis for a particular lead is narrower than the width of the first bar graph in the direction of the second linear axis for the particular lead.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the display module is further configured to:
highlight, at each of the locations along the second linear axis, at least one of the first bar graph and the second bar graph to visually distinguish the first bar graphs from the second bar graphs.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the highlighting comprises one or more graphical elements selected from the group comprising shading and coloring.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the display module is further configured to:
display one or more threshold lines substantially parallel to the second linear axis, each threshold line representing a threshold ST-segment deviation value;
determine that at least one of the second bar graphs intersects one of the threshold lines; and
in response to the determination, change the highlighting of the at least one second bar graphs that intersects one of the threshold lines.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein the display module is further configured to:
display a first portion of the graph in a first window, the first portion corresponding to a first subset of leads; and
display a second portion of the graph in a second window, the second portion corresponding to a second subset of leads.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first subset of leads includes limb leads and the second subset of leads includes precordial leads.
20. A patient monitoring system for graphically representing ST-segment deviation, the system comprising:
means for acquiring electrocardiogram (ECG) signals through a plurality of leads, the ECG signals including an ST-segment between a QRS complex and a T wave;
means for processing the ECG signals to determine, for each of the plurality of leads, baseline ST-segment deviations from an isoelectric value and current ST-segment deviations from the isoelectric value;
means for displaying a user interface; and
means for displaying a graph in the user interface, the graph comprising:
a first linear axis representing ST-segment deviation values; and
a second linear axis representing the plurality of leads, wherein each of the plurality of leads is associated with a respective location along the second linear axis;
wherein the means for displaying displays a first set of graphic indicia representing the baseline ST-segment deviations, each graphic indicia in the first set being displayed with respect to one of the locations corresponding to a respective lead and being aligned relative to the first linear axis based on the baseline ST-segment deviation for the respective lead; and
wherein the means for displaying displays a second set of graphic indicia representing the current ST-segment deviations, each graphic indicia in the second set being displayed with respect to one of the locations corresponding to a respective lead and being aligned relative to the first linear axis based on the current ST-segment deviation for the respective lead.

1. A method comprising:
identifying a flow of packets sent from a server device over a TCP network via a gateway device to at least one endpoint device, the endpoint device accessing the TCP network via the gateway device over a wireless access network, such that the endpoint device communicates with the server device via the gateway device;
caching a series of the packets to facilitate sending a copy of at least one of the series of packets to the endpoint device;
identifying a message to be sent from the endpoint device to the server device via the gateway device, wherein the message communicates an error condition relating to at least one packet in the flow;
predicting that the error condition is based, at least in part, on a non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network;
filtering the message to exclude communication of the error condition to the server device based on the prediction that the error condition is based, at least in part, on the non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network; and
when the error condition identifies a loss of at least one packet in the flow of packets, identifying a particular lost packet from the message, retrieving a copy of the particular lost packet from the caching, and sending the co of the s articular lost packet to the endpoint device.
2. A method comprising:
identifying a flow of packets sent from a server device over a TCP network via a gateway device to at least one endpoint device, the endpoint device accessing the TCP network via the gateway device over a wireless access network, such that the endpoint device communicates with the server device via the gateway device;
identifying a message from the endpoint device to the server device via the gateway device communicating an error condition relating to at least one packet in the flow;
predicting that the error condition is based, at least in part, on a non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network; and
filtering the message to exclude communication of the error condition to the server device based on the prediction that the error condition is based, at least in part, on the non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network; and
when the error condition identifies a loss of at least one packet in the flow of packets, identifying a particular lost packet from the message, requesting a copy of the particular lost packet from the server device, and forwarding the copy of the particular lost packet to the endpoint device.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising when the error condition is predicted to be based, at least in part, on lossy conditions within the wireless access network, allowing the error condition to be forwarded to the server device.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising when the error condition is predicted to be based, at least in part, on lossy conditions within the wireless access network, allowing the error condition to be forwarded to the server device.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
attempting to remedy the error condition; and
monitoring communication between the endpoint device and the server device following attempting to remedy the error condition.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising revising the prediction, based on the monitoring, to predict that the error condition is based on a congestion-related condition.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying a particular portion of the wireless access network corresponding to the error condition.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein a particular base station within the wireless access network is identified corresponding to the error condition.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting error data from the message for use in statistical analysis of the wireless access network.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the statistical analysis is based on a plurality of TCP messages, each message in the plurality of TCP messages communicating a respective error condition within the wireless access network.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
using results of the statistical analysis to generate a policy for the wireless access network; and
routing subsequent data flows within the wireless access network according to the generated policy.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein predicting that the error condition is based, at least in part, on a non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network includes identifying at least two TCP duplicate ACK messages for a particular lost packet in the flow sent from the endpoint device.
13. A non-transitory media encoded with logic that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:
identifying a flow of packets sent from a server device over a TCP network via a gateway device to at least one endpoint device, the endpoint device accessing the TCP network via the gateway device over a wireless access network, such that the endpoint device communicates with the server device via the gateway device;
caching a series of the packets to facilitate sending a copy of at least one of the series of packets to the endpoint device;
identifying a message to be sent from the endpoint device to the server device via the gateway device, wherein the message communicates an error condition relating to at least one packet in the flow;
predicting that the error condition is based, at least in part, on a non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network;
filtering the message to exclude communication of the error condition to the server device based on the prediction that the error condition is based, at least in part, on the non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network; and
when the error condition identifies a loss of at least one packet in the flow of packets, identifying a particular lost packet from the message, retrieving a copy of the particular lost packet from the caching, and sending the copy of the particular lost packet to the endpoint device.
14. A system comprising:
at least one processor device;
at least one memory element; and
a TCP message manager configured, when executed by the at least one processor device, to:
identify a flow of packets sent from a server device over a TCP network via a gateway device to at least one endpoint device, the endpoint device accessing the TCP network via the gateway device over a wireless access network, such that the endpoint device communicates with the server device via the gateway device;
cache a series of the packets to facilitate sending a copy of at least one of the series of packets to the endpoint device;
identify a message to be sent from the endpoint device to the server device via the gateway device, wherein the message communicates an error condition relating to at least one packet in the flow;
predict that the error condition is based, at least in part, on a non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network;
filter the message to exclude communication of the error condition to the server device based on the prediction that the error condition is based, at least in part, on the non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network; and
when the error condition identifies a loss of at least one packet in the flow of packets, identify a particular lost packet from the message, retrieve a copy of the particular lost packet from the cache, and send the copy of the particular lost packet to the endpoint device.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the gateway device includes the TCP message manager.
16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a TCP messaging analysis engine, configured when executed by the at least one processor device to:
identify a plurality of TCP messages sent from devices over the wireless access network;
determine characteristics of the wireless access network based on the plurality of TCP messages; and
define at least one policy based on the determined characteristics, wherein subsequent data flows are routed within the wireless access network according to the at least one policy.
17. A non-transitory media encoded with logic that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:
identifying a flow of packets sent from a server device over a TCP network via a gateway device to at least one endpoint device, the endpoint device accessing the TCP network via the gateway device over a wireless access network, such that the endpoint device communicates with the server device via the gateway device;
identifying a message from the endpoint device to the server device via the gateway device communicating an error condition relating to at least one packet in the flow;
predicting that the error condition is based, at least in part, on a non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network;
filtering the message to exclude communication of the error condition to the server device based on the prediction that the error condition is based, at least in part, on the non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network; and
when the error condition identifies a loss of at least one packet in the flow of packets, identifying a particular lost packet from the message, requesting a copy of the particular lost packet from the server device, and forwarding the copy of the particular lost packet to the endpoint device.
18. A system comprising:
at least one processor device;
at least one memory element; and
a TCP message manager configured, when executed by the at least one processor device, to:
identify a flow of packets sent from a server device over a TCP network via a gateway device to at least one endpoint device, the endpoint device accessing the TCP network via the gateway device over a wireless access network, such that the endpoint device communicates with the server device via the gateway device;
identify a message from the endpoint device to the server device via the gateway device communicating an error condition relating to at least one packet in the flow;
predict that the error condition is based, at least in part, on a non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network;
filter the message to exclude communication of the error condition to the server device based on the prediction that the error condition is based, at least in part, on the non-congestion-related condition within the wireless access network; and
when the error condition identifies a loss of at least one packet in the flow of packets, identifying a particular lost packet from the message, requesting a copy of the particular lost packet from the server device, and forwarding a copy of the particular lost packet to the endpoint device.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A portable cooler assembly, comprising:
(a) a base; and
(b) an insulated container subassembly including,
(i) an inflatable wall, and
(ii) a valve for inflating said wall;

(c) wherein said insulated container is removably coupled to said base;
(d) wherein said base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of said insulated container subassembly is received;
(e) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, said inflatable wall is inflated and extends outwardly from the container receiving recess;
(f) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, said inflatable wall is deflated and is completely received within the container receiving recess in a collapsed condition; and
(g) wherein said base includes a peripheral wall that at least partially defines the container receiving recess, at least a portion of said peripheral wall extending above said insulated container subassembly when the portable cooler assembly is in the second configuration.
2. A portable cooler assembly, comprising:
(a) a base; and
(b) an insulated container subassembly including,
(i) inflatable sidewalls,
(ii) at least one valve for inflating said sidewalls, and
(iii) a rim attached to a top of said inflatable sidewalls;

(c) wherein said insulated container subassembly is removably coupled to said base;
(d) wherein said base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of said insulated container subassembly is received;
(e) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration,
(i) said inflatable sidewalls are inflated and extend outwardly from the container receiving recess, and
(ii) said rim is not received within the container receiving recess;

(f) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration,
(i) said inflatable sidewalls are deflated and are received within the container receiving recess in a collapsed condition, and
(ii) at least a portion of said rim is received within said container receiving recess; and

(g) wherein said base includes a peripheral wall that at least partially defines the container receiving recess, at least a portion of said peripheral wall extending above said insulated container subassembly when the portable cooler assembly is in the second configuration.
3. The portable cooler assembly of claim 2, wherein said insulated container subassembly further includes a bottom wall that extends between and connects said inflatable sidewalls.
4. The portable cooler assembly of claim 2, wherein said sidewalls include non-pleated, smooth exterior surfaces.
5. The portable cooler assembly of claim 3, wherein said insulated subassembly further includes a lid received on said rim, and wherein said inflatable sidewalls, said bottom wall, said rim, and said lid collectively define an insulated container having an interior, insulated space for storing food items.
6. The portable cooler assembly of claim 5, wherein the portable cooler assembly further comprises a drain conduit defining a passageway in fluid communication with a lower portion of the interior, insulated space for draining liquid from the interior, insulated space to an exterior of the portable cooler assembly.
7. The portable cooler assembly of claim 2, wherein said insulated container subassembly is attached to a floor of the container receiving recess of said base by a plurality of fasteners.
8. The portable cooler assembly of claim 7, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises snap fasteners.
9. The portable cooler assembly of claim 2, wherein said rim of said insulated container subassembly is rigid, non-inflatable, and coextensive with a top of said inflatable sidewalls, and wherein an outer peripheral edge of said rim is at least partially received within the container receiving recess when the portable cooler assembly is in the second configuration.
10. The portable cooler assembly of claim 9, wherein said sidewalls are attached to said rim by a first plurality of fasteners whereby said rim is removable from said sidewalls.
11. The portable cooler assembly of claim 10, wherein said first plurality of fasteners comprises snap fasteners.
12. The portable cooler assembly of claim 10, wherein said insulated container subassembly is attached to a floor of the container receiving recess of said base by a second plurality of fasteners whereby said insulated container subassembly is removable from said base.
13. The portable cooler assembly of claim 12, wherein said second plurality of fasteners comprises snap fasteners.
14. The portable cooler assembly of claim 2, further comprising a pump for inflating said inflatable sidewalls.
15. The portable cooler assembly of claim 5, wherein said insulated container subassembly further comprises a hand pump removably mounted to an exterior surface of said lid, said hand pump being configured for mating engagement with said at least one valve for inflating of said inflatable sidewalls.
16. The portable cooler assembly of claim 15, wherein said hand pump is removably mounted within a recess in, and at least lies substantially flush with, an exterior surface of said lid.
17. A portable cooler assembly, comprising
(a) a base; and
(b) an insulated container subassembly including,
(i) an inflatable wall,
(ii) a valve for inflating said wall,
(iii) a rim connected to a top of said inflatable wall and defining a top opening of said insulated container subassembly, and
(iv) a lid arranged on said rim to cover the top opening;

(c) wherein said insulated container subassembly is removably coupled to said base in fixed disposition relative to said base;
(d) wherein said base includes a peripheral wall that at least partially defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of said insulated container subassembly is received;
(e) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration,
(i) said inflatable wall is inflated and extends outwardly from the container receiving recess, and
(ii) said rim and lid are located above the container receiving recess and said peripheral wall of said base; and

(f) wherein, when the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration,
(i) said inflatable wall is deflated and is completely received within the container receiving recess in a collapsed condition, and
(ii) said rim and lid collectively are at least partially received within the container receiving recess.
18. The portable cooler assembly of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of said peripheral wall extends above said insulated container subassembly when the portable cooler assembly is in the second configuration.
19. The portable cooler assembly of claim 1, wherein said insulated container subassembly defines an insulated interior space for storing food items, and wherein the portable cooler assembly further comprises a drain conduit defining a passageway in fluid communication with a lower portion of the insulated interior space for draining liquid from the insulated interior space to an exterior of the portable cooler assembly.
20. The portable cooler assembly of claim 17, wherein said insulated container subassembly defines an insulated interior space for storing food items, and wherein the portable cooler assembly further comprises a drain conduit defining a passageway in fluid communication with a lower portion of the insulated interior space for draining liquid from the insulated interior space to an exterior of the portable cooler assembly.