Abstract: A method is provided for curing tobacco. The method includes steps of wilting, bruising, aerating, and drying tobacco, where each of the steps is measured in hours or days rather than months. In some aspects, aeration may take two to twelve hours or less. In some aspects, the entire curing method may be completed in 24 hours or less.

Abstract: A method of thermally processing a tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) mixing a tobacco material, water, and an additive selected from the group consisting of lysine, glycine, histidine, alanine, methionine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, phenylalanine, valine, arginine, di- and trivalent cations, asparaginase, saccharides, phenolic compounds, reducing agents, compounds having a free thiol group, oxidizing agents, oxidation catalysts, plant extracts, and combinations thereof, to form a moist tobacco mixture; (ii) heating the moist tobacco mixture at a temperature of at least about 60° C. to form a heat-treated tobacco mixture; and (iii) incorporating the heat-treated tobacco mixture into a tobacco product.

Abstract: A method is provided for curing tobacco. The method includes steps of wilting, bruising, aerating, and drying tobacco, where each of the steps is measured in hours or days rather than months. In some aspects, aeration may take two to twelve hours or less. In some aspects, the entire curing method may be completed in 24 hours or less.

Abstract: A method of thermally processing a tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of (i) mixing a tobacco material, water, and an additive selected from the group consisting of lysine, glycine, histidine, alanine, methionine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, phenylalanine, valine, arginine, di- and trivalent cations, asparaginase, saccharides, phenolic compounds, reducing agents, compounds having a free thiol group, oxidizing agents, oxidation catalysts, plant extracts, and combinations thereof, to form a moist tobacco mixture; (ii) heating the moist tobacco mixture at a temperature of at least about 60° C. to form a heat-treated tobacco mixture; and (iii) incorporating the heat-treated tobacco mixture into a tobacco product.

Abstract: The magnetic instrument bar comprises a rounded top elongated horizontal bar with a flat bottom and ends consisting of three layers of material, the outer most layer is a durable rubber material, the middle layer is a durable magnetic material, with the inner most layer is a durable stainless steel material. All materials used have the integrity to withstand repeated sterilization. Thus, creating a smooth rounded flat bottom magnetic instrument holder. It safely maintains instruments in an upright position allowing easy identification and accessability for passing instruments during all procedures.

Abstract: The self-retaining vaginal retractor comprises an inverted-U-shaped slotted base plate. A top and pair of cooperating side vagina retracting blades are selectively, removably and adjustably secured to the base plate. Each blade comprises a curved tongue portion and an integral slotted handle portion. The blades are secured by adjustably tensionable fasteners extending through the slots. The blades are adjustable both horizontally and vertically. An optional bag is selectively removably secured to snap fasteners mounted on the base. The bag comprises a top portion and a pair of side portions coinciding with the base. A lower portion extends downward from the side portions defining a pouch to hold the blades and fasteners, and catch debris and fluid. Preferably, the fastener comprises a carriage bolt indexed to a slot in the base, extending through a slot in a blade handle and a wing nut.