Abstract: A subcutaneously placed abdominal band for waistline reduction and methods related thereto, wherein an abdominal band is subcutaneously wrapped around a person's waistline underneath the subcutaneous fat and adjacent to a facia and a muscle, the abdominal band being tightened and secured to the body by an adjustment mechanism actuatable remote from the person's body thereby tightening the person's abdominal wall and reducing the person's waistline.

Abstract: The case assembly for a ceramic tile die includes a die cavity assembly formed by an insert support member and a plurality of inserts mounted on the upper surfaces of the insert support member. The inserts are preferably formed of tungsten carbide and may be universally mounted on the insert support member to provide a plurality of usable wear surfaces. A rigid frame surrounds the die cavity assembly, and mounting means are provided to permit limited, pressure induced movement between the die cavity assembly and the rigid frame. This minimizes the tensile stress to which the walls of the die cavity assembly are subjected.