Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining urinary continence in normally incontinent individuals. The present invention involves the non-surgical implantation of a bolus of ferromagnetic material into the bladder. The bolus of ferromagnetic material may comprise a biocompatible membrane, containing a ferromagnetic material. The bolus will normally rest at the juncture between the bladder and the urethra and will prevent the flow of urine from the bladder into the urethra. Essentially, the bolus serves as a seal between the urethra and the bladder. When it is desired to void the bladder, the ferromagnetic bolus is moved out of the intersection between the bladder and the urethra by positioning a magnet along the external surface of the person's body and manipulating the magnet until the desired movement of the bolus is accomplished. Movement of the magnet is sufficient to displace the bolus such that flow may be initiated from the bladder into the urethra.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of materials having different physical properties when one of the materials is a fluid. The invention does not rely on flocculation, sedimentation, centrifugation, the buoyancy of the materials, or any other gravity dependent characteristic, in order to achieve its desired results. The methods of the present invention provide that a first acoustic wave is progpagated through a vessel containing the materials. A second acoustic wave, at a frequency different than the first acoustic wave, is also propagated through the vessel so that the two acoustic waves are superimposed upon each other. The superimposition of the two waves creates a beat frequency wave. The beat frequency wave comprises pressure gradients dividing regions of maximum and minimum pressure. The pressure gradients and the regions of maximum and minimum pressure move through space and time at a group velocity.

Abstract: A hand-held centrifuge apparatus for sedimenting a fluid suspension in a sample tube, the sample tube being subjected to centrifugation at an acute angle to the axis of rotation. An electronic circuit activates an electric motor for a preselected time period as a function of voltage supplied by a battery to the motor to provide a predetermined degree of centrifugation to the sample. A voltage tester periodically tests the voltage in the circuit to assure that adequate voltage is being supplied by the battery. A deactivation circuit is actuated if inadequate voltage is sensed and a disabling circuit disables the electronic circuit until adequate voltage is again available. The disabling circuit is masked during acceleration to preclude deactivating the circuit when the motor is in acceleration.

Abstract: An artificial sphincter apparatus and method, the artificial sphincter including a pair of parallel, coaxially mounted rings with at least one ring rotatable relative to the other. Optionally the rings are capable of being split open at their circumference and reclosed for mounting about a living tissue conduit for which surgical severing is not recommended. A plurality of circumferentially mounted tie members extend between the rings and are drawn laterally toward the center of the sphincter, narrowing a passageway therethrough, upon relative rotation between the rings. This action is capable of gently constricting a living tissue conduit within the passageway using a combination of rotational and circumferentially localized discrete radially compressive forces to control the flow of biological materials within the living tissue conduit. A cell impervious thin flexible tubular membrane envelopes the sphincter to isolate it from the immediate environment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymethylmethacrylate bone cement that is premixed and frozen so as to arrest the polymerization reaction at a suitable point. The frozen bone cement is treated by electromagnetic radiation to insure sterility. In use, the bone cement is warmed until it reaches a temperature and consistency suitable for use. The bone cement may be prepackaged in a syringe, or may be molded for use in connection with a particular prosthesis, or may be packaged unitarily with a prosthesis.

Abstract: An artificial sphincter apparatus and method, the artificial sphincter including a pair of parallel, coaxially mounted rings with at least one ring rotatable relative to the other ring. A plurality of tie members mounted circumferentially to the rings extend between the rings and are angularly moved relative to the axis of the artificial sphincter upon relative rotation between the rings so as to selectively occlude or open a bowel engaged by the artificial sphincter. An actuator mechanism mounted on the artificial sphincter permits the artificial sphincter to be operated externally even when the artificial sphincter is implanted.

Abstract: A method of purifying aqueous solutions of iso-.alpha.-acids by removing .beta.-acids therefrom comprises first bringing the solution to an iso-.alpha.-acid concentration of 0.5% to 10% .sup.w /w, particularly 0.5% to 5% .sup.w /w, then reducing the pH to a value in the range 7 to 10, preferably 8 to 9, so as to form an easily filtered precipitate of .beta.-acids. Preferably pH reduction is effected by bubbling carbon dioxide through the solution. The separated iso-.alpha.-acid solution may be concentrated to an extent that a phase separation takes place into two aqueous phases one of which has a higher iso-.alpha.-acid concentration than the other. The recovered iso-.alpha.-acid solution is suitable for direct addition to beer without haze formation.

Abstract: A method of making an aqueous composition containing iso-.alpha.-acids by isomerizing .alpha.-acids, preferably obtained by extracting hops with liquid carbon dioxide or organic solvents, in an aqueous alkaline medium is characterized by providing one or more salts in solution in the isomerized reaction mixture at a molar equivalent concentration greater than that of the iso-.alpha.-acids, whereby the reaction mixture separates into an oily phase and an aqueous phase, the oily phase containing a higher concentration of iso-.alpha.-acids than the aqueous phase, and recovering an aqueous composition containing iso-.alpha.-acids by separating the oily phase from the aqueous phase. The preferred salt is potassium carbonate which also provides a suitable pH for isomerization.