Abstract: A exit chute for a pharmaceutical tablet press machine comprising a first exit chute portion having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is adapted to be secured to the tablet press for receiving tablets formed thereby. A second exit chute portion is provided that has a first end and a second end and the first end is adapted to be removably secured to the second end of the first exit chute portion to form an extended tablet pathway, and the second chute portion includes an aperture therein whereby rejected tablets can be diverted to pass therethrough and accepted tablets will be allowed to pass through the second exit chute portion and out of the second end thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for use in surgery. More specifically, it relates to a spinal fixation device which is adapted to engage a spinal body (e.g. vertebra, or sacrum) and to grip an elongate part, which may be a rod, bar, wire or the like. for convenience. Two or more such devices may engage respective vertebrae and grip a common rod, which may act to improve a spinal defect, such as ankylosing spondylitis, lumbar scoliosis or spondylolisthesis. The invention also relates to surgical instrumentation for use with such a spinal fixation device.

Abstract: In combination an automated blend waste reclaim apparatus and a pharmaceutical tablet compression machine to facilitate reintroduction of blend into the tablet compression machine and comprising a filter operatively connected to the bulk material container of the tablet compression machine which serves to collect excess blend being pneumatically removed from the tablet compression machine. A blast of compressed air serves to periodically remove blend from the filter, and the blend is then caused to be reintroduced into the bulk material container of the pharmaceutical tablet compression machine.

Abstract: A medicament carrier for use in a dry powder inhalator device wherein the medicament carrier has at least one carrier screen portion. The carrier screen portion defines a plurality of interstices therein and carries a powdered medicament which is loaded onto the carrier screen portion surface such that the interstices of the carrier screen portion at least partially open and free of the dry powdered medicament.

Abstract: An automated biological cell harvesting apparatus including a fluid dispensing head adapted to move to a lowered position and dispense fluid from a plurality of spray ports, a fixed upper tray positioned beneath the fluid dispensing head for supporting a biological filter plate of the type defining a plurality of fluid permeable wells therein, a vertically movable lower tray adapted to move from a lowermost position to a raised position in engagement with the upper tray. A controller is provided for dispensing fluid from the fluid dispensing head into the wells of the filter plate, and raising the lower tray into its raised position in engagement with the upper tray and then creating a vacuum between the lower tray and the upper tray to draw the fluid from the filter plate supported on the upper tray into the lower tray for collection in a microplate with a corresponding number of wells or, in the absence of a microplate, for removal of the fluid from the lower tray to a remote common waste collection vessel.

Abstract: A method for preparing biological specimens, such as cells and soft tissues, for electron microscopy, preferably scanning electron microscopy. The method is free of detrimental effects on the protective ozone layer of the earth, as the method comprises air drying the specimens with a fluorinated carbon fluid that has an ozone depletion potential of 0. Suitably, the fluorinated carbon fluid is also inert, thereby obviating any potential health hazards to the technicians performing the method and other nearby persons. The fluorinated carbon fluid employed needs to have a fairly low surface tension, less than about 10 dynes/cm at 25.degree. C., and a fairly low boiling point, less than 35.degree. C., so that the material will readily evaporate from the specimen via air drying. A suitable material is the perfluorinated carbon fluid of the empirical formula, C.sub.5 F.sub.12.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-site dressing and truing of rubber-covered cylinders mounted within sanding machines. The grinding apparatus comprises a base having a pneumatic cylinder mounted thereon for imparting oscillating or reciprocating movement to an abrasive plate which extends back and forth along the length of the rubber-covered cylinder during the dressing and truing procedure. The grinding apparatus removes the necessary amount of rubber compound from the rubber-covered cylinder upon which it acts until the rubber-covered cylinder is perfectly round, and the grinding apparatus is then removed from the sanding machine. In this fashion, the apparatus and method of the invention provide for on-site dressing and truing of rubber-covered cylinders of sanding machines without the necessity for conventional removal of the rubber-covered cylinders for dressing and truing.

Abstract: A magnetic stirring device which also provides for simultaneous heating/cooling of samples. The magnetic stirring apparatus comprises a plurality of wells into which respective vessels can be placed and continuously stirred by motivating a magnetic stirring bar therein with a three phase frequency controller. Simultaneously, the temperature of the vessels can be maintained at a predetermined temperature either above or below room temperature by means of thermoelectric elements in contact with a heat conducting block within which the wells are located.

Abstract: A dog toy for providing an unpredictable bounce to a ball and comprising a ball target base element with a generally cylindrical circumference. The top surface of the ball target base element is formed from a multiplicity of planar target areas wherein each planar target area defines a different plane than the other planar target areas. The multiplicity of planar target areas includes a plurality of upwardly inclined planar target areas extending generally toward the central portion of the ball target base element and a plurality of generally downwardly inclined planar target areas and a horizontal planar target area defined by the lowermost edges of the inclined planar target areas in the central portion of the top surface of the ball target base element.

Abstract: A multi-function exercise machine which makes use of the body weight of an exerciser and has a base frame and a user support frame pivotably mounted thereon. A lever arm mechanism for pivotably raising and lowering the user support frame against the user's weight is provided and comprises a handle bar having a lever arm depending therefrom and carrying a roller on the lower end thereof. An arcuate track is adjustably mounted to the base frame so as to provide an adjustable arcuate pathway for the lever arm roller to travel upon as the user pivotably motivates the handle bars and lever arm secured thereto in order to raise and lower the user support frame. Pushing and pulling exercises may be performed according to the selected position of the arcuate track.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and reorienting an object having an internally accessible axially extending opening, such as a pipe or a roll of plastic. The apparatus has an elongated shaft and a tapered probe attached at the lower portion thereof. A plurality of gripping members or dogs are provided for engaging the inside surface of the internal opening of the object with a force corresponding to the weight of the object so that the apparatus may be employed for lifting and reorienting the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to diver-to-diver communication apparatus. There is provided a communication apparatus (2) for diver to diver communication, the apparatus comprising a waterproof casing (4), power supply means (52), ultra acoustic transmission means (72), ultra acoustic reception means (72, 74), control means (56) for the ultra acoustic transmissions, monitoring means (56) for the ultra acoustic reception, and means (16) to actuate the transmission means (72); whereby upon actuation of the transmission means (72) a predetermined signal is transmitted by the transmission means (72) suitable for reception by the reception means (72, 74) of another diver using similar apparatus (2).

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method for real-time multi-dimensional blood flow imaging with enhanced sensitivity to lateral blood flow. The apparatus constitutes an improvement on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the type wherein an ultrasonic pulse beam is repeatedly transmitted into the subject under examination at a fixed pulse rate and the reflected echoes are picked up, amplified and displayed. The improvement comprises an ultrasonic transducer means comprising a phased array transducer which is electronically and/or mechanically divided into two or more independently controlled sub-apertures and adapted for transmitting ultrasonic pulse beams from one of the two or more sub-apertures and for receiving the reflected echoes with at least two of the two or more sub-apertures.

Abstract: Described is a method of treating diarrhea in a warm-blooded vertebrate animal, and a composition therefor. The method involves administering to the animal an effective amount of a methylamine, such as betaine. Also described is the use of a composition for the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diarrhea in a warm-blooded vertebrate animal, wherein the composition contains an effective amount of a methylamine, such as betaine.

Abstract: A solid-state fringe effect capacitive proximity sensor is described which lends itself to use for surface mounting and other space constrained applications. The sensor comprises an insulating substrate having a plurality of sensing electrodes formed thereon and without any screen elements therebetween. The electrodes are adapted to measure the proximity distance of a target object (conductive or non-conductive) by means of the fringe capacitance effect created between the electrodes. Capacitance measurement processing circuitry is electrically connected to the plurality of sensory electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of alkylaryl polyether alcohol polymers as antioxidants to suppress certain oxidant chemical reactions that cause tissue injury and disease in mammals. Disclosed is a method of inhibiting oxidants using alkylaryl polyether alcohol polymers. More particularly, disclosed is a method for the treatment of mammalian disease entities related to overproduction of partially reduced oxygen species comprising administering to a mammal a treatment effective amount of an alkylaryl polyether alcohol polymer. The mammalian disease entities include, but are not limited to, myocardial infarction, stroke, adult respiratory distress syndrome, oxygen toxicity of the lung, lung injury from asbestos, Parkinson's disease, thermal and solar burns of the skin, and injury to the gastrointestinal tract from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

Abstract: A process for forming a medicament carrier for use in a dry powder inhalator device wherein the medicament carrier has at least one carrier screen portion. The carrier screen portion defines a plurality of interstices therein and carries a powdered medicament, applied in a suspension and the suspending agent then evaporated off, which is substantially loaded onto the screen portion surface such that the interstices of the carrier screen portion are at least partially open and free of the dry powdered medicament.

Abstract: A method of therapeutically administering certain BZ.sub.1 specific trifluorobenzodiazepines in order to maximize the BZ.sub.1 effects and minimize the BZ.sub.2 effects on the human central nervous system in order to maximize the anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant and hypnotic effects and minimize the ataxic and incoordination effects of the drug. Also, a method of sublingual administration of trifluorobenzodiazepines and certain other compounds, such as propoxyphene and nefazodone, in order to decrease unwanted metabolites.

Abstract: A combination bookmark and holder for a writing instrument including an elongated, flexible bookmark strip having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is of sufficient length so as to fit between the pages of a book in the direction parallel to the spine of the book and the lower portion defines an elongated, flexible pouch therein parallel to the upper portion for releasably holding a writing instrument. In the preferred embodiment, the bookmark is formed from a knit stretch material such that it may be easily folded or compressed into a small bundle when the writing instrument is removed for easy storage on the person of the user.

Abstract: A new tire sealant and inflator composition is described which utilizes a sealant having superior performance, presented in a water-based carrier, and with an inflator composition consisting of mainly dimethyl ether, modified by trichloroethylene and nitrogen gas. The composition comprises a terpolymeric latex sealant emulsion, prevented from coagulating or vulcanizing in the dispenser by the addition of additives, and made more potent by the inclusion of certain wood flours having selected particle size distributions. Other ingredients, such as propylene glycol, a surfactant, triethanolamine and ammonia, confer special attributes; for example, softening the wood flour particles and keeping them dispersed in the aerosol can, while causing them to pack down into a sealing matrix once added to a tire having a puncture.