Abstract: For use in a microwave oven, an invertible microwave-oven oven is provided which includes; a first heating member which has a first surface to heat a food in contact therewith; a second heating member which has a second heating surface to heat a food in contact therewith; connector means which engages with the first and second heating members and which keeps the first and second members in engagement while the apparatus is inverted; a cooking chamber defined by, at least, the first heating member and said second absorptive heating member; a microwave-absorptive substance for each of the heating surfaces, adapted to become hot when exposed to microwave energy and to heat the heating surfaces; and optionally, by auxiliary metal pan members for use within the steam-confining chamber. The connector means may include a microwave-reflective band disposed to adjust the amount of microwave energy directly entering the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A nutrient composition includes at least two oligopeptides of amino acids having in the N-terminal position of at least one oligopeptide a residue of glycine and having in the N-terminal position of at least one oligopeptide a residue of L-alanine, L-lysine or L-arginine. The aqueous compositions may also contain free amino acids and may contain other nutrient substances such as fats, oligosaccharides, minerals, trace elements, vitamins and free amino acids. The compositions are intended for oral or parenteral use with mammals. Compositions having dipeptide concentrations higher than prior art compositions are disclosed. Compositions containing elevated concentrations of total protein greater than heretofor proposed employ both the described oligopeptides and also free amino acids.

Abstract: Mammal skin having wrinkles can be treated to remove wrinkles by abrading elevated portions of the epithelial layer with an ultrasonic surgical tool adapted to abrade soft tissue. The subcutaneous tissue in the selected region is medicated by subcutaneous injection of anaesthetic, vaso constrictor and spreading factor in effective quantities.

Abstract: A microscope has a voice activated control system which permits precise location of the microscope and precise focusing by means of voice commands uttered by the microscope operator. When the microscope is in a movement mode, the movement is terminated by any sound exceeding a pre-established acoustic threshold level. Any microscope location can be identified and appropriate data is stored in a memory drive to permit the microscope to return to an identified location with a single voice command. The microscope is combined with a screen monitor and/or an acoustic speaker to provide visible and/or acoustic responses from the control system. The system is practical for retrofitting existing remotely controllable microscopes.

Abstract: A cell harvester tray formed from lightweight plastic for holding scintillation vials. In one embodiment the tray has a plurality of parallel, aligned wells, each well being adapted to support one scintillation vial. In an alternative embodiment the tray is provided with generally parallel aligned bores extending through a top surface and adapted to press-fit a scintillation vial whereby all of the top edges of the scintillation vials are maintained in a common level. Guide means are molded into the block for aligning the block in a cell harvester.

Abstract: A normally closed clamp is provided which is formed from two extruded elements which are connected together in their midregion by means of a non-circular cam on a base element and a corresponding non-circular cam surface on a clamping element. In the normally closed position, the cam and cam surface urge the device into a jaw-closed position with the handles being spaced-apart. When the handles are brought together, the jaw members separate and the relative position of the cam surface and the cam member is altered. The device may be used as a tissue separator. Two of the devices may be assembled together as a tendon approximator.

Abstract: An assembly of elements is provided for cooking food in a microwave oven. A heat generating member, a chamber forming member, a collector member and optionally a pan member are provided for assembly in various combinations and sub-combinations. The heat generating member has a metal grilling plate and a coating of microwave absorptive material on one surface and is mounted in a microwave transmissive vessel having an upper sealing rim. A microwave transmissive bowl has a rim engageable with the sealing ring to establish a chamber which will sustain superatmospheric pressures. A collector element having a microwave transmissive pot, a metal pot engaged with the microwave transmissive pot and a perforated metal plate engaged with the metal pot can be combined with the heat generating element as a food heating combination, e.g., a steak cooker. A flared sleeve can be added to provide a popcorn baker assembly.

Abstract: An assembly of elements is provided for cooking food in a microwave oven. A heat generating member, a chamber forming member, a collector member and optionally a pan member are provided for assembly in various combinations and sub-combinations. The heat generating member has a metal grilling plate and a coating of microwave absorptive material on one surface and is mounted in a microwave transmissive vessel having an upper sealing rim. A microwave transmissive bowl has a rim engageable with the sealing ring to establish a chamber which will sustain superatmoshperic pressures. A collector element having a microwave transmissive pot, a metal pot engaged with the microwave transmissive pot and a perforated metal plate engaged with the metal pot can be combined with the heat generating element as a food heating combination, e.g., a steak cooker. A flared sleeve can be added to provide a popcorn baker assembly.

Abstract: A replacement cover is provided for a wall mounted, circular thermostat. The replacement cover engages the rotatable sub-assembly of a wall mounted, circular thermostat and provides a transparent convex lens for enlarging the appearance of temperature indications. In a preferred embodiment a lamp is mounted in the replacement cover to illuminate the temperature indications for easier reading. The lighting circuit includes a battery, a lamp bulb and a normally open switch which can be closed by the operator/viewer of the thermostat.

Abstract: A marking device provides a circular mark on the skin of the breast of a patient concentric with the areola of the patient's breast. The device is a cylindrical tubular member having an open circular end which is the marking element and having a pair of cross markings at the other end on an optically transparent wall to permit optical centering of the device with respect to the breast areola prior to skin marking. A preferred embodiment includes a pair of markers in a common cylindrical tubular member having one circular diameter at one end and a different circular diameter at the other end.

Abstract: A cooking kit which is useful in cooking food in a microwave oven chamber and also can be employed in thermal ovens and on a cooking range. The kit includes an imperforate outer metal pot, a perforated inner metal pot which nests in the outer metal pot. The perforated bottom surface of the inner metal pot is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the outer metal pot to provide a metal shielded drainage collection chamber between the two pots. A microwave transmissive cover fits on the nested metal pots and forms a cooking chamber which includes at least the perforated inner metal pot. The outer metal pot is preferably coated with porcelain enamel which functions as a thermal and electrical insulator.

Abstract: A method for treating animals having diabetic tendencies to improve the glucose metabolism of the animal by oral administration of therapeutically effective amounts of pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone. The treatment lowers Glucose Tolerance Test Values and lowers Fasting Blood Glucose Test values.

Abstract: A method for desulfurizing molten steel in a ladle employs high MgO content calcium-aluminate synthetic slag. A preferred slag composition contains 0.1-3.0% by weight of vanadium oxide. A particularly preferred composition is the slag obtained from the production of vanadium or ferrovanadium by aluminum reduction of vanadium oxides.

Abstract: An improved protective mouthguard blank is adapted for in situ custom-fitting by an athlete/patient. A method for in situ custom-fitting is disclosed. The resulting in situ custom-fitted mouthpiece provides superior retention and protective characteristics. The protective mouthguard blank has a generally V-shaped channel corresponding to a normal dental arch and is formed from thermoplastic substances which have a softening, moldable temperature in the range of 120-160 degrees F. The protective mouthguard blank has outer side walls which are longer than the labial vestibule and the buccal vestivules of the athlete/patient. The resulting in situ custom-formed protective mouthguard consequently has an outer side wall which substantially entirely fills the athlete/patient's buccal vestibules and labial vestibule.

Abstract: A gas/solids contacting device provides a light-weight, easily installed unit for contacting gases with particulate solids and permits the removal of spent solids and introduction of replacement solids. A solids contacting chamber is maintained between a pair of generally parallel foraminous surfaces which are inclined at an angle greater than the angle of repose of the particulate solids to be confined in the solids-containing chamber. The devices may be connected in parallel or in series and will function with the gas flowing upwardly or downwardly through a bed of particulate solids within the solids-containing chamber. Gas distributor means are provided to promote uniform low velocity gas flow through the solids bed. Retractable or removable support legs may be included.

Abstract: A microsurgery tool for use in anastomosis of small vessels has a thin shaft with a pair of forwardly projecting tines defining a throat for receiving the pointed end of a suture needle. The microsurgery tool is inserted between confronting ends of vessels into engagement with the inner wall of one vessel for receiving a suture needle point passing through the outer wall of the vessel and thereafter is withdrawn from the space between the vessels to engage the outer surface of the other vessel where it receives the pointed end of the same suture needle passing through the inner wall of the other vessel.

Abstract: A method for reducing the weight gain in an animal by orally administering ver a prolonged period a therapeutically effective amount of dihydroxyacetone to which may be added riboflavin. The method also includes administering dihydroxyacetone and/or pyruvate in therapeutically effective amounts to increase the glycogen store in the liver.

Abstract: A microsurgery tool for use in anastomosis of small vessels has a thin arcuate shaft or tube with a tubular distal end having its tubing cut away to define a trough for receiving the pointed end of a suture needle. The microsurgery tool is inserted between confronting ends of vessels into a first vessel for receiving a suture needle point passing through the outer wall of the first vessel. Thereafter the tool is withdrawn from the space between the vessels and the convex outer surface of the trough engages the outer surface of the second vessel where it supports the wall of the second vessel while the point of the same suture needle is passed through the inner wall of the second vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for quickly shimming a tubular supermat to function in several different environments which create unique impurity gradients to interfere with uniformity of the electromagnetic field from the supermagnet. Non-magnetic tubes are secured to the supermagnet casing for receiving non-magnetic shim supporting rails. The shim supporting rails carry magnetic material masses, usually steel, for precise location on the periphery of the supermagnet casing. Holes may be cut into the supermagnet shroud for introducing and withdrawing the shim support rails. Arcuate aesthetic covers for the shroud holes are provided to restore the aesthetic appearance of the shroud.

Abstract: A premelted synthetic slag for ladle desulfurizing molten steel and a related method for desulfurizing molten steel employ high MgO content calcium-aluminate synthetic slag. A preferred slag composition contains 0.1-3.0% by weight of vanadium oxide. A particularly preferred composition is the slag obtained from production of vanadium or ferrovanadium by aluminum reduction of vanadium oxides.