Abstract: The invention provides a bowl. The bowl is provided with at least one grip ring, which grip ring is in the form of a first groove formed into the surface of the bowl and a second groove formed into the surface of the first groove, and a resiliently deformable or elastic band which fits into the second groove such the surface of the band is flush with or slightly proud of the surface of the first groove.

Abstract: Provided is a method for treating a liquid, the method including: receive a liquid; passing the liquid through a generator to cut and shear the liquid and releasing the resultant liquid for use. Also provided is a liquid treatment system including: a source of liquid; a generator in fluid communication with the liquid source which cuts and shears the liquid; a pump which produces liquid flow through the system; and an outlet through which the treated liquid flows.

Abstract: A detonator includes a substrate, a controller mounted to the substrate, and a sensor coupled to the controller to measure a temperature, pressure, acceleration or other environmental parameter of the detonator. The controller is configured to transmit the measured environmental parameter from the detonator to a remote master controller, execute an action in response to a value of the measured environmental parameter, and/or prevent or modify at least one detonator function in response to the value of the measured environmental parameter.

Abstract: A reversing flow apparatus comprising a chamber having a series of two or more sequential rings mounted on a shaft extending axially through the chamber, the rings being separated by a space, each ring comprising a circumference and one or more S-shaped members extending from a point in the circumference to another point in the circumference and across a center of the ring, the two or more sequential rings being mounted along the shaft in a twist arrangement such that at least one ring In the apparatus has its S-shaped member in a forward-facing position and at least one ring in the apparatus has its S-shaped member in a reverse-facing position.

Abstract: A method of treating a liquid, the method including: receiving a chemically treated liquid; passing the chemically treated liquid through a nanobubble generator to produce a nanobubble-containing liquid; treating the nanobubble-containing liquid with disinfecting radiation to produce a resultant liquid; and releasing the resultant liquid for use.

Abstract: A nanobubble generator, a nanobubble-containing liquid solution comprising a substantially high concentration of nanobubbles, a system and methods of producing the nanobubble-containing liquid solution. The nanobubble generator includes an inflow portion for receiving a source liquid solution, a series of at least two sequential cavitation zones and shear planes to treat the source liquid solution and producing nano-bubble containing liquid solution, and an outflow portion for releasing the nanobubble-containing liquid solution.

Abstract: A method of treating a liquid, the method including: receiving a chemically treated liquid; passing the chemically treated liquid through a nanobubble generator to produce a nanobubble-containing liquid; treating the nanobubble-containing liquid with disinfecting radiation to produce a resultant liquid; and releasing the resultant liquid for use.

Abstract: A nanobubble generator, a nanobubble-containing liquid solution comprising a substantially high concentration of nanobubbles, a system and methods of producing the nanobubble-containing liquid solution. The nanobubble generator includes an inflow portion for receiving a source liquid solution, a series of at least two sequential cavitation zones and shear planes to treat the source liquid solution and producing nano-bubble containing liquid solution, and an outflow portion for releasing the nanobubble-containing liquid solution.

Abstract: A method for verifying the modulation depth of a digital radiographic read out system. The system reads a radiation image by line-wise scanning a photostimulable phosphor screen that has been exposed to the radiation image. The radiation image includes an image of a phantom that has at least one x-ray opaque grating with parallel lines and a stepwise evolving spatial frequency. SWR values are determined by analyzing the x-ray image of the phantom. These SWR values are compared with acceptance values and the results of the comparison are used to adjust the scanning read out system.

Abstract: In reproducing medical images which are supplied in digital form and which vary in size, a web-like reproducing material is used. The reproducing material is cut at variable lengths in correspondence with the sizes of the images.

Abstract: A method for quantitative verification of line-wise scanning geometry in a digital radiographic read out system. An x-ray transparent phantom substrate with an embedded ruler having a number of equidistant parallel strips that are opaque on top of a photostimulable phosphor screen so that the ruler is parallel with the direction of line-wise scanning. After x-ray exposure and scanning, the position in the scanning direction of the center of each ruler strip is computed. At least one of the following parameters is determined: average pixel sampling distance, geometric distortion value, and total scanned width.

Abstract: A radiographic image read out system having on-line performance verification. A number of parameters to be used in a test program are stored together with (a) limiting value(s) for (a) characteristic value(s) resulting from application of the test program. An image signal of a phantom is processed according to the test program to determine at least one characteristic value. At least one limiting value for each determined characteristic value is retrieved from storage and a hard copy of the image of the phantom along with the at least one characteristic value in relation to the limiting value(s) is produced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accelerating the coagulation of blood and the components thereof uses the injection of an additive and gas to trigger coagulation. The appartus is designed to include a disposable multi-cell pack for minimizing manual handling of the blood and for minimizing exposure thereof to foreign surfaces with each cell containing a specimen of blood disposed above, but separated from, a predetermined amount of additive by means of a releasable cap. The cell pack containing the multiplicity of cells is inserted over a corresponding multiplicity of gas injection nozzles which effect the release of the caps in each cell for injecting the additive and the gas into the blood. As the gas passes through the blood, bubbles that are continually formed in the space above the blood burst and blood transported therein refluxes back into the blood below until coagulation occurs.

Abstract: A system for determining the coagulation time of blood and components thereof, the amount of anticoagulant to be injected before and during surgery, and the amount of additive required to neutralize the anticoagulated blood during and after surgery. With collected samples of anticoagulated blood inserted into the system coagulation of the blood is accelerated through the controlled injection of a neutralizing additive by a corresponding injection of regulated gas. Failsafe means determine if gas is being injected into the sample and detection means detect the event of coagulation and indicate the elapsed time for coagulation. Before surgery, an anticoagulant is added to the patient's blood in a quantity necessary to avoid coagulation during surgery. The system responsive to the parameters of the patient's sex, height, and weight and/or pump volume and blood volume determines the amount of anticoagulant to be injected.