Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and locking a hypodermic needle hub inserted therein includes a container with a cavity and a top cover with ports. A hypodermic needle cannula and hub may be inserted into each port. Each port has a dimension smaller than the largest cross-sectional dimension of a respective hub. Hub engaging and locking components are secured adjacent the top cover for engaging each hub inserted into a port.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling components or subassemblies of equipment at one or more locations comprises one or more first and one or more second reactors, remote from said equipment, each reactor containing a complex compound of a polar refrigerant and a metal salt a first heater in said first reactor and a second heater in said second reactor for heating the complex compound therein, respectively, a condenser, remote from said equipment, for converting gaseous refrigerant to a liquid phase, and means for cooling said condenser with ambient air, a plurality of one or more evaporators, each in independent heat exchange communication with one or more of said components or subassemblies within said equipment, valve means cooperating with first conduit means for alternately directing polar refrigerant from said first and said second reactors, respectively, to said condenser, and second conduit means for directing ammonia from said condenser to said evaporators and third conduit means for directing ammonia from said eva

Abstract: A device for compacting hollow aluminum or plastic containers comprising a base having a concave arc-shaped surface having a first radius, an arm having a convex arc-shaped surface having a second radius, substantially equal to or smaller than the first radius, and a hinge for hingedly securing a first end of the arm adjacent to a first end of the base whereby the arm is pivotally movable on the hinge relative to the base between a closed position in which the convex surface is received and nested in the radius of the concave surface recess and the concave and convex surfaces are substantially parallel along their respective arcs.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a plurality of two or more reaction chambers, each having a different compound therein comprising a solid reactant adsorbent and a gaseous reactant adsorbed thereon, each of said compounds having a different gaseous refrigerant vapor pressure, substantially independent of the concentration of the gaseous reactant, and having an ascending order of gaseous reactant vapor pressure wherein the adsorption temperature of a lower vapor pressure compound at adsorption temperature of a lower vapor pressure compound at adsorption pressure is at least 8.degree..degree.C.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for staging solid-vapor complex compounds comprises heat exchange means for transferring heat from super-heated refrigerant vapor from a desorbing reactor to cooled refrigerant vapor directed to an adsorbing reactor. In another embodiment a liquid subcooler is used to cool liquid refrigerant passing from a condenser to an evaporator with cold refrigerant gas directed to an adsorbing reactor from the evaporator.

Abstract: A continuous method of removing volatilizable organic composition from particulate mineral composition comprises heating the organic composition contaminated mineral particles in a rotating drum and exposing the particles to said hot gases to volatilize the organic composition from the mineral particles while advancing the particles counter-current to the direction of hot gas flow, removing a gaseous composition from the drum comprising a mixture of the gases of combustion, volatilized organic composition and airborne fine mineral particles, separating the fine mineral particles from the hot gases and volatile volatilized organic composition returning the separated fine mineral particles into the drum near the hot end, mixing the fine particles with the coarse mineral particles advancing toward the hot drum end, continuing to heat the mixture of fine and coarse mineral particles until the concentration of volatilizable organic composition is less than about 100 parts per million, and recovering a mixture of c

Abstract: A device for being implanted in a blood vessel for carrying out continuous in vivo plasma separation comprises an elongated, axial header and at least one elongated microporous fiber having a hollow interior, said fiber being dimensioned to be received within a blood vessel without significantly obstructing fluid flow through said blood vessel, the pore size of said fiber being sufficient to allow plasma to diffuse through said pores into said hollow interior of said fiber but not sufficient to allow cellular components larger than plasma to diffuse therethrough, said one or more fibers extending laterally relative to the axis of said header and in fluid communication with said header.

Abstract: A tool for crimping a substantially straight filing shaft of an endodontic file comprising a device having a first and a second jaw for being urged toward nesting engagement and for forming the bends of the shaft inserted between the jaws, the first jaw having a first crimp forming surface having a convex arch-shaped ridge and the second jaw having a concave arch-shaped cavity opposite the ridge.

Abstract: A discectomy apparatus comprises an elongated sleeve member having receiving means therein for an endoscope, receiving means for securing and suction and irrigation channel means, all secured and extending along the interior length of the sleeve. The apparatus is especially suitable for performing a laparoscopic lumbar discectomy. In another embodiment, an elongated sleeve member is provided with means for receiving an endoscope and means for removably receiving selected elongated surgical instruments.The invention also includes an improved method for performing laparoscopic lumbar discectomy.

Abstract: An improved absorption cycle apparatus and system using aqueous solutions of metal salts selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, nitrites, and alkaline earth and transition metal hydroxides, halides, thiocyanates, and mixtures thereof between about 14% and about 30%, by weight, of said metal salt, of an organic compound selected from the group consisting of alcohols, glycerol, glycols, polyglycols, alkaline glycol ethers, aliphatic amines and alkanol amines.

Abstract: A portable cooling apparatus comprising a thermally insulated container having a cooling chamber therein, a lid providing access to the chamber, an evaporator including a heat exchange surface exposed in the cooling chamber, a reactor assembly secured adjacent the container comprising one or more reactors containing an ammoniated complex compound or coordinative complex compound of other suitable polar refrigerant, heating means for heating the complex compound, and a valved conduit for directing refrigerant between the reactor and the evaporator assembly. In another embodiment, the cooling apparatus comprises an inside reactor assembly, replacing the evaporator, and an outside reactor assembly each assembly containing a different complex compound.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording analysis of a reagent test strip having a plurality of color blocks for testing different constituents of a fluid, comprises a reference panel having a plurality of visually distinguishable and calibrated color areas or spots, a plurality of first lights for designating the testing of a different constituent or parameter, a plurality of second lights each located adjacent a different color spot, a cavity or space adjacent groups of color spots, detection optical detector for detecting the presence of the reagent strip positioned in the space, and a microcomputer for recording and storing test results and having means for directing sequential testing of the different parameters and for turning the lights on and off during the sequential testing. The apparatus includes switches for signaling the microcomputer to record and store the test data and for turning the apparatus on and off. The invention includes a process for operating the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for being detachably connected to a chemical or refrigeration system for selectively receiving and dispensing a gaseous refrigerant or chemical from and to that system, respectively, including a vessel having a chamber capable of maintaining a pressurized gas therein, gas inlet means for directing the gas to and from the chamber, and connection means for connecting the gas inlet to a refrigeration or chemical system; a plurality of heat exchange conduits exposed in the chamber for directing heat exchange fluid therethrough and fluid inlet and outlet means communicating exteriorly of the vessel for directing the fluid to and from the conduits, respectively; and a solid adsorbent capable of alternately adsorbing and desorbing the gaseous refrigerant or chemical and positioned in thermal communication with each of the heat exchange conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of rapidly cooling or freezing a composition comprising a walled housing member having a cooling chamber and a door for accessing the cooling chamber from the exterior of the housing, an evaporator and a blower for circulating cold air from the evaporator to the cooling chamber, first and second reactors each containing a complex compound consisting of a metal salt and ammonia adsorbed thereon, heaters in the reactors for heating the complex compound, and valves and conduits for directing ammonia from the evaporator to the reactors, from the reactors to the condenser, and from the condenser to the evaporator, and control means for sequentially operating the heaters for alternately heating the complex compounds in the reactors, operating the air handling means and one or more of the valves, and switching means for turning the apparatus on and off.

Abstract: An improved system for delivering oxygen on demand to a user comprises a pressure transducer for sensing pressures during the breathing cycle of a user and for creating an electrical signal proportional to said sensed pressures, an electronic amplifier for amplifying the signal to at least 10,000 times the original signal strength, electronic filters for regulating the amplitude of the signal and for correcting the point of the signal where expiration stops and inspiration begins to correspond to zero respiratory pressure, an on/off switching circuit and cooperating valve drive circuit for switching to an on condition in response to a preselected first pressure and to an off condition in response to a preselected second pressure, and a valve driven by the valve drive circuit means for directing oxygen from an oxygen source to a user.

Abstract: An improved method of disposing of radioactive or hazardous liquid hydrocarbon compositions comprises placing the liquid hydrocarbons in a container and adding an organic ammonium montmorillonite in ratios of between about 1:2 and 3:1, by volume, respectively. The organic ammonium montmorillonite has at least 10 carbon atoms. A polar organic compound having between 1 and about 10 carbon atoms is also preferably added with the montmorillonite. Where the liquid waste material includes 5% or more of water in addition to the liquid hydrocarbon a minus 200 mesh sodium montmorillonite is also preferably added.

Abstract: An improved method of disposing of radioactive or hazardous liquids comprises placing the liquids in a container and adding a sodium montmorillonite over intervals until the composition is substantially solid in the container.

Abstract: An improved method of disposing of radioactive or hazardous liquid aqueous waste compositions having a substantial amount of dissolved solids comprises mixing the liquid under a high mechanical shear with a clay selected from the group consisting of attapulgite, sepiolite, and mixtures thereof. Water soluble or miscible organic liquids as well as liquid hydrocarbon mixtures thereof may also be solidified by utilizing the aforesaid clays together with an organic ammonium montmorillonite having at least 10 carbon atoms, the amount of montmorillonite used being proportional to the amount of liquid hydrocarbon present.

Abstract: An improved heat exchange system incorporates the cooling created by using a metal salt/ammonia ligand complex compound which is alternately heated and cooled to alternately desorb and adsorb, respectively, the ammonia creating useful cooling or refrigeration in the temperature range of between -65.degree. C. to 15.degree. C.