Abstract: A method and device for testing artificial or natural venous valves. The device comprises chamber (10) a sample for mounting a test valve (V) on a liquid flow path and a muscle pump component (16) and/or respiratory pump component (50) and/or capacitance reservoir (58) and/or vertical hydrostatic column component (102) fluidly connected to the flow path to mimic the muscle pump, respiratory pump, capacitance and hydrostatic impedance effects on venous circulation in the mammalian body. Included in the invention are methods of testing venous valves by mimicking known hemodynamic flow conditions within a mammalian body.

Abstract: A method and device for testing artificial or natural venous valves. The device comprises (a) a fixture for mounting a sample valve on a liquid flow path, (b) a muscle pump component and/or (o) respiratory pump component and/or (d) capacitance reservoir component and/or (e) vertical hydrostatic column component, all of the components being fluidly connected to the flow path to mimic the muscle pump, respiratory pump, capacitance and hydrostatic impedance effects of actual in situ venous circulation in the mammalian body. The invention includes methods of testing venous valves by mimicking known hemodynamic flow conditions within a mammalian body.

Abstract: A method for reducing the aqueous dispersion present in the amalgam being fed to a mercury cell which comprises reducing the velocity of amalgam stream at one or more stations along the amalgam flow where the amalgam enters a substantially static pool of amalgam which is itself covered by a layer of an aqueous phase, e.g., at lutes located at the exit of the cell, the exit of the denuder, the entry to a pump tank or pump, and the entry to a wash box feeding to the cell. The invention is advantageous for reducing chloride entrainment in the amalgam fed to the denuder and for reducing the build-up of thick mercury deposits on the baseplate of a mercury cell.