Abstract: A self-extinguishing cigarette includes a cigarette body, a deformed sleeve made of vinyl plastics for slidably moving around the cigarette body, and an annular stopper attached on one end of a cigarette filter, whereby, upon moving the sleeve to a flame position of a lit end of the cigarette body, the lit cigarette is immediately extinguished by being squeezed and wrinkled by the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the differential diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in an individual in need of such diagnosis, comprising the steps of: measuring the levels of complement C3 and complement factor B in the cerebrospinal fluid of the individual; and determining whether that individual has bacterial menigitis based on the levels of complement C3 and complement factor B in the cerebrospinal fluid of that individual. Also provided is a method for the differential diagnosis of bacterial menigitis in an individual in need of such diagnosis, comprising the steps of: measuring the levels of complement factor B in a sample from the individual; and determining whether that individual has bacterial menigitis based on the levels of complement factor B in the sample from that individual.

Abstract: Successive tubular wrappers of cigarette paper, which are conveyed sideways in the peripheral flutes of ail indelible rotary conveyor, receive elongated batches of smokable material during intervals of dwell at a filling station. The batches are introduced by an elongated channel-shaped implement which is reciprocable with a batch into, and without a batch out of, a wrapper at the filling station. The wrappers are propped by the concave surface of a pivotable holder during introduction of batches and the batch-receiving open ends of the wrappers are calibrated by causing them to move axially into a cylindrical portion of a passage in a mouthpiece at the filling station immediately prior to introduction of the batches.

Abstract: A device for dispensing doses of powdered material comprises a housing which houses a cylindrical container. The container has a number of helically arranged compartments each of which contains a respective dose of powdered material. In order to dispense the material from a compartment, that compartment is moved into registry with an airway in the device by means of an indexing mechanism, and the user sucks on a mouthpiece of the housing, which mouthpiece communicates with an air inlet via the airway. The flow of air through the airway ejects the dose of material. The container can constitute a replaceable cartridge. The device is particularly suitable for use as an inhaler for dispensing powdered medicament.

Abstract: A tracheostoma valve includes a shut-off valve member (1) capable of shutting off the valve in response to an egressive air thrust. The valve includes a blow-off valve member (2) of a design such that the valve can open in response to an overpressure in the trachea which exceeds a given value. This blow-off valve member limits the maximum achievable overpressure behind the valve. Coughing is possible without prior operation of the valve and leakage due to excessive overpressure in the trachea is prevented. The valve may contain a tissue connector and a housing to be connected thereto.

Abstract: A control system where the clinician can have manual control of the state for various alarms, generally volume alarms and apnea alarms. The control is interactive, that is, while the clinician can manually set the state in a variety of settings, the control system automatically overrides the clinician's selection to activate both the volume and apnea alarms wherever the mechanical ventilator is turned on. In addition, there is another override where a breath is detected by the ventilator to turn all of the alarm systems from both being inactive to both alarms being active.

Abstract: An inhaler indicator for a dispenser of an inhaled medicament, for example an asthma medicine. An inhaler body is releasably attached to the dispenser and includes a port through which air is drawn when a user of the inhaler inhales preparatory to the administration of a dose of the medicament as is required for proper administration of such medicaments. The flow of air through the port activates an audio or visual signal generator, such as a whistle or a flag, that signals to the user that the user is inhaling and that conditions are appropriate for the administration of the medicament. In an alternative embodiment, an indicator for releasable attachment to a conventional metered dose inhaler includes a passageway through which air is drawn during an inhalation of a user prepatory to the discharge of medicament. A whistle in the passageway creates an audible tone when the conditions are appropriate for discharge of the medicament. The indicator is useful as a trainer of proper technique.

Abstract: A table top game where attempts are made to propel a ball or other playing piece into a container or cup with the aid of a game board. A dual use game board has a generally square portion oppositely opposed to a generally rectangular portion. Present in the square and rectangular portions are two oppositely opposed tabs. Each of the tabs may fit into a container or cup, preferably a large soda pop cup. When the tab of the square portion is fitted into the cup, the cup may be stood upright so that the square portion forms a backboard. When the tab of the rectangular portion is fitted into the cup, the cup may be stably rested upon its side so that the rectangular portion forms a ramp. A first embodiment of a game piece has a flexible slat with a central spring, a post, and a bail. A ball or other projectile may be placed into the bail so that when the slat is flicked, the ball is propelled towards the upright cup with its backboard.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide indicator in an exhaust port of a resuscitator assembly. The carbon dioxide indicator is preferably in a removable insert for ease of maintenance and replacement. Breath-to-breath indications are provided by either exposing the indicator to the ambient air at the exhaust port, or diverting a portion of the fresh air or gases provided to the patient.

Abstract: A method of wrapping products, whereby gripping assemblies, each for receiving a respective product and a respective sheet of wrapping material, are fed successively in steps and in a given traveling direction along a path extending through a loading station where each assembly is supplied with a respective sheet of wrapping material; and whereby, at each step, two assemblies, located one behind the other along the path, are brought into the loading station and arrested in respective loading positions to simultaneously receive respective sheets of wrapping material, which are fed to the respective loading positions along respective supply paths located side by side.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition, kit, and method of forcing the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo while controlling plasma LDL concentrations is provided. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a multiplicity of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol for a treatment period. The method optionally includes the step of periodically assaying plasma LDL concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, and adjusting the administration in response to the profile. The large liposomes are dimensioned larger than fenestrations of an endothelial layer lining hepatic sinusoids in the liver so that the liposomes are too large to readily penetrate the fenestrations. The therapeutically effective amounts are in the range of about 10 mg to about 1600 mg phospholipid per kg body weight per dose.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting cigarette smoke, ashes and cigarette ends is provided with a water path tube 5 disposed below a base plate 2 and has an appropriate inclination angle. Ash tray sections 3 are disposed on the upper surface of the base plate 2 at appropriate intervals. A water circuit includes a water tank 6 disposed at the downstream side of the water path tube 5, a pump 7 for feeding water in the water tank 6 to the upstream side of the water path tube 5 and a water feeding tube 8 connecting the pump 7 and the upstream side of the water path tube 5. A water splash prevention section 9 is fitted on the upper end of the water tank 6. A suction port 10 is disposed on the upper surface of the water path tube 5, a suction tube 11 communicates with the suction port 10, and a suction section 12 consisting of a blower is connected to the suction tube 11 for sucking smoke into the water path tube 5.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating the seam consisting of an adhesive layer between the longitudinally extending overlapping marginal portions of a running tubular wrapper for tobacco or tobacco filter material has an adjustable elongated infrared heater disposed at a level above and extending in parallel with the path for the wrapper, and a heatable heat transfer member which contacts the seam of the running wrapper. A mirror surrounds the infrared heater and reflects radiant energy toward the heat transfer member. The heater is adjustable in dependency upon the temperature of the seam and/or in dependency upon the speed of the wrapper.

Abstract: A basketball goal is movable from a position wherein ball may be played to an out-of-play position wherein the ball may not be played. A locking mechanism, operable from the ground, maintains the goal in either the play or out-of-play positions.

Abstract: For preventing a patient from being administered an erroneous anaesthetic, an incorrect concentration of anaesthetic or a mixture of anaesthetics, an anaesthetic system is equipped with a device capable of identifying anaesthetics in the anaesthetic system. A device for simple and reliable identification of anaesthetics does so by having a thermal element which varies the temperature of at least some of the anaesthetic to cause it to undergo a change in physical state, e.g., condensation from the gaseous state to the liquid state. A transition temperature at which the change in physical state occurred is determined and the anaesthetic is identified from the determined transition temperature. The condensation point temperature can be determined by sensing the capacitance between two conductors or sensing changes in the resonant behavior of an oscillating crystal.

Abstract: A method of cutting and removing a wrapping from an intraocular lens implant within the eye. The method employs either a laser beam to effect the curing or an ultrasonic vibratory probe to effect the cutting. Once cut, the lens is free to unroll within the eye. The wrapping is then removed from the eye.

Abstract: Successive block-shaped arrays of cigarettes are advanced by one or more pushers on an endless conveyor through an elongated channel, defined by a stationary guide, on their way into a receptacle of a wrapping unit for the arrays. The pusher or pushers are decelerated during advancement through the discharge end of the channel, and the arrays are braked during such deceleration to maintain them in uninterrupted contact with the pusher or with the respective pushers until the arrays complete their movement into a predetermined portion of the receptacle. For example, the arrays can be braked by one or more mechanical devices and/or by one or more pneumatic devices.

Abstract: A disposable flavored filter attachable to the mouth end of a cigarette comprises an insertion end and a mouth end. A first interior portion of the filter, at and adjacent to the insertion end, defines a void space of the filter, while a second interior portion of the filter, at and adjacent to the mouth end, defines one or more segments. In a single-segment embodiment of the invention, flavorant is injected into, or a flavor-containing capsule is inserted into, the single segment. In a two-segment embodiment of the invention, the flavorant is injected into, or the flavor-containing capsule is inserted into, that segment disposed between the void space and the segment at the mouth end of the filter.

Abstract: This invention provides a smoking article having reduced sidestream smoke in the inter-puff period. A smoking article according to the invention may comprise segments of a high level of tobacco-containing material interconnected by segments of low level of tobacco-containing material which are capable of maintaining smoulder in the inter-puff period and re-igniting the segments of a high level of tobacco-containing material in the puff period. Alternatively, a smoking article according to another aspect of the invention may comprise a lengthwise, axially extending, tobacco-containing fuse portion which sustains smoulder in the inter-puff period when surrounding tobacco material is substantially extinguished and which re-ignites the extinguished material on puffing of the smoking articles.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for interactive psychotherapy in which information produced during a patient's therapy is categorized according to data type. The information is then stored to a series of interconnected databases stored in a computer. Empirical Data and Historical Data are developed first, and stored. Then Generalizations (patterns) are derived from this Data, and stored. After Generalizations have been stored, Hypotheses (Explanations of Generalizations) are developed and stored. The Hypotheses are evaluated and tested to determine their truth or falsity. Simultaneously with the derivation of Hypotheses, Goals are derived from the Generalizations, and stored. These Goals are periodically evaluated to assess the patient's progress. Finally, possible Actions to accomplish the Goals are Derived, each Action being based on a Hypothesis. The patient and therapist are provided with simultaneous access to the computer for entry and retrieval of information.