Abstract: An improved vitrectomy probe for removing vitreous and cutting mechanism therefore. A hollow elliptically flared cutting blade is reciprocated within a smooth-bore hollow needle of a microsurgical vitrectomy probe across a cutting edge of the outer needle slicing the fibrous material of the vitreous. The cutting blade is configured to provide a more even contact of the cutting surfaces as the cutting blade is reciprocated across the cutting edge of the probe needle. A pressurized fluid source, diaphragm and spring cooperate to provide for the reciprocation of the blade.

Abstract: For collecting fragments obtained on crushing stones in body cavities of living humans or animals, a gelatin solution is introduced into the body cavity. The gelatin solution which is fluid at body temperature, is hardened during shattering of the stones by rinsing with a cooling fluid.

Abstract: A device for fragmentation of the nucleus of an eye lens, in vivo, including a working tip adapted to be passed through a limbal incision in the eye and beneath the nucleus of the lens, in vivo, and includes a hollow tubular portion for guiding an elongated member, a platform portion extending from the hollow tubular portion and one or more points or tines at the extreme end of the platform portion all adapted for immobilizing the nucleus while the elongated member is advanced into and removed from the nucleus, guided by the hollow tubular portion, causing its fragmentation. A modified syringe embodiment is described in which the elongated splitting member is coupled with and manipulated by means of a syringe plunger.

Abstract: Cutting edges, for cutting a continuous cigarette rod at right angles to the longitudinal direction thereof, protrude from a rotating head which is tilted with respect to the travelling direction of the continuous cigarette rod. A fixed guide member, is provided in a cutting position to the continuous cigarette rod, so that the guide member is located on the upper-course side of the cutting edge with respect to the travelling direction of the continuous cigarette rod. An inner surface is provided at the guide member for the guidance of the cutting edges, so that the cutting edges slide on the surface without vibration. As the rotating head rotates, the cutting edge cuts the continuous cigarette rod.

Abstract: Cutting edges, for cutting a continuous cigarette rod at right angles to the longitudinal direction thereof, protrude from a rotating head which is tilted with respect to the travelling direction of the continuous cigarette rod. A pair of fixed guide members face each other in cutting positions for the continuous cigarette rod. The guide members are spaced so that the cutting edge may pass between them without oscillation. As the rotating head rotates, the cutting edge cuts the continuous cigarette rod.

Abstract: Suture tying forceps of improved construction are disclosed which materially reduce a suture being flexed therein from breaking. The suture typing forceps include a pair of members mounted in the free ends of a pair of gripping arms integrally joined at one end. The members terminate in a pair of suture tying tips, respectively featuring a pair of complementary mating surfaces serving as suture clamping surfaces. For the most part, the suture clamping surfaces are designed to clamp a suture segment which is about ten times the thickness of the suture. The suture clamping surfaces further are designed to define a flexing angle transversely thereof which is less than a right angle.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a composite filler which is to be draped into a web of cigarette paper has a rotary wheel-shaped conveyor with a series of pockets which are provided in its peripheral surface and are connected to a suction generating device which draws into the pockets shreds of tobacco or other smokable fibrous material issuing from the outlet of a pneumatic conduit which receives metered quantities of fibrous material from a belt conveyor. The inclination of the stream issuing from the outlet with reference to the peripheral surface of the rotary conveyor is such that fibrous material which advances from the outlet toward and into successive pockets has a component of movement in the direction of rotation of the rotary conveyor, i.e., the particles of fibrous material do not travel radially of the rotary conveyor.

Abstract: A composite tobacco stream which contains different types of tobacco is formed by converting fibrous material of a first type into a first succession of discrete batches and by converting fibrous material of a second type into a second succession of discrete batches. The two types of batches are thereupon shuffled in such a way that the resulting stream contains alternating batches consisting of first and second fibrous materials. The stream is equalized, draped into a web of cigarette paper and subdivided into cigarettes of unit length or multiple unit length. The shuffling step can be carried out on a rotating wheel-shaped conveyor or on a foraminous belt conveyor.

Abstract: The device disclosed comprises at least two optical detectors, each of which having two optical assemblies, diametrically opposed in relation to the rod exiting from a cigarette making machine, and a light-sensitive component consisting of an array of charge-coupled devices of the type used for scanning images. With each scan, the detectors emit signals reflecting the transverse dimensions of the rod which are first compared with a threshold signal reflecting the nominal diameter of the rod, and then utilized in conjunction with stepping motors to control devices which correct the transverse dimensions of the rod.

Abstract: A treadmill assembly of the type including a frame, an endless generally horizontally disposed belt positioned generally at the base of the frame, a motor for driving the belt at varying speeds and a handle at the front end of and spaced above the belt so that a user running on the motorized belt may grasp the handle with his hands. A safety harness is provided for use with the treadmill assembly and includes a pair of straps adapted to be supported from support means over the treadmill and each including a loop portion at its lower end adapted to pass through the groin of the user. The safety harness further includes a catch band extending transversely between the rear sections of the loop portions of the straps at a vertical location such as to position the band behind the user generally in the central region of the user's back.

Abstract: A cigar or cigarette holder capable of receiving a cigar or cigarette and for filtering smoke generated from the cigar or cigarette. The holder has three chambers. The first chamber defined by the space between a perforated tubular member, concentrically situated around a perforated inner tubular member, and the inner tubular member. The first chamber is substantially filled with a filter material. The second and third chambers are within the inner tubular member, substantially coaxially aligned and separated by a wall having an aperture to transfer ash from the second chamber to the third chamber.

Abstract: Tobacco shreds are drawn from a magazine by a pneumatic conveyor pipe which delivers the shreds into the lower chamber of an air separator whose upper chamber is separated from the lower chamber by an air-permeable partition and is connected with the inlet of a suction generating device serving to draw an air stream through the pneumatic conveyor pipe. The velocity of the air stream in the pipe is maintained at a constant value by a flow restrictor which is installed in the inlet of the suction generating device and is adjustable by hand or by a servomotor receiving signals from a device which ascertains the velocity of air in the pipe by comparing the velocity of air in the second chamber with the velocity of air in the inlet of the suction generating device. The air separator has an outlet for periodical admission of batches of tobacco shreds from the first chamber into a duct which delivers the shreds into the distributor of a cigarette rod making machine.

Abstract: High temperature processes and thermophilic organisms for use in those processes for reducing the levels of certain nitrogen-containing compounds in tobacco materials. Tobacco materials are contacted with at least one thermophilic organism characterized by an anaerobic, dissimilatory, metabolic pathway for denitrification of tobacco materials under anaerobic and high temperature conditions that promote such metabolism. Tobacco materials treated in accordance with these high temperature processes and thermophilic organisms, when incorporated into a smoking product, deliver a significantly reduced amount of oxide of nitrogen in smoke. Moreover, such tobacco materials also afford the product of other tobacco products having lower amounts of nitrates and other nitrogen-containing compounds.

Abstract: A smoking apparatus which efficiently removes harmful impurities from the smoke does so by improving contact between the smoke and a washing liquid. This is accomplished by placing small stones and small floating pieces in a water pipe to increase the distance of the flow path of the smoke through the water, and to decrease the size of the smoke bubbles passing through the water.

Abstract: A wooden-shoe to treat hyperlordosis and lipodystrophia comprising: a top member (21) the upper surface of which has generally an orthopedic shape and serves to rest directly thereon the sole of the foot of the user, while under surface (26) is substantially flat and provided with short front and back end stretches (28, 28'), respectively, which are light bent upwards; a bottom member (22) forming the sole of this shoe and so shaped that its upper surface (25) fits together with the solidly connected under surface (25) of top member (21) of wooden-shoe (20), while its under surface has an intermediate substantially flat portion extended from a short light bent upwards rear stretch (30) to the so-called front metatarsal arc (29) and proceeds then forwards up to the tip of the wooden-shoe forming a gradually increasing rise from said front metatarsal arc (29) to tip (31) in respect to the deambulation plan (s) of the wooden-shoe (20), through the front end stretch (30a) of the shoe, which is highly arcuated upw

Abstract: A process for manufacturing reconstituted tobacco from tobacco stems and tobacco fines includes treating the tobacco stems to a fibrous form, and mixing the fibrous tobacco stems with tobacco lamina fines. The mixture is then deposited on a moving mesh screen whereon it is formed into a felt-like mat or sheet of generally uniform thickness. The reconstituted tobacco sheet is then removed from the mesh screen for further processing to produce a tobacco smoking article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for temporarily anesthetizing localized regions of living tissue. The device includes a substantially disc-shaped flat body with an aperture therein and a shank for supporting the flat body. The flat body is placed on the surface of the living tissue to be anesthetized and pressure applied thereto with the shank. A puncture device may be inserted into the tissue through the aperture while the tissue is temporarily anesthetized.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke mouthpiece including a smoke impervious plug member having an upstream smoke inlet end and a downstream smoke outlet or mouth end with groove(s) in the periphery of the plug member extending from the inlet end to the mouth end, the plug member being blocked adjacent the inlet end so that the groove(s) forms the path for smoke flow from inlet end to mouth end of the plug member.

Abstract: A cervical collar having front and rear halves removably connected together provides for the possibility of a tracheotomy via an opening in the front half so as to permit access to a person's trachea. The collar provides sufficient support so as to restrict the cervical region without hyperextension of the neck thereby avoiding further injury.

Abstract: A cigarette filter element comprising at least one duct extending from one end to the other of the element, which element is operated on by a heated former moving relatively to it in a rotary fashion. The heated former serves to provide a cavity or annular groove through filtration material of the element. The cavity or groove also extends through a section of the duct to provide a ventilation channel. The duct at least one may be of a smoke-impermeable nature and may be provided by one or more bores or thermoplastic tubes.