Abstract: A point-of-care seed stranding device for automating assembly of brachytherapy seed strands for implantation in patients. The device includes a number of features to reduce the potential for mistakes by the user, as well as to reduce the potential for damaging the radioactive seeds during the stranding process. Tactile feedback may be provided to prevent exertion of too much force in the packing step of the stranding process, as well as to indicate that the seed and/or strand cartridges are empty and need to be replaced. The device may also include a mechanism for holding seeds or spacers in place to allow automated packing of seeds or spacers having corresponding geometries. The device may also be provided with a seed counter which can be employed to preset the number of seeds in a strand and which disables the device from dispensing or packing additional seeds once the preset number of seeds has been packed into the strand.

Abstract: A point-of-care seed stranding device for automating assembly of brachytherapy seed strands for implantation in patients. The device includes a number of features to reduce the potential for mistakes by the user, as well as to reduce the potential for damaging the radioactive seeds during the stranding process. Tactile feedback may be provided to prevent exertion of too much force in the packing step of the stranding process, as well as to indicate that the seed and/or strand cartridges are empty and need to be replaced. The device may also include a mechanism for holding seeds or spacers in place to allow automated packing of seeds or spacers having corresponding geometries. The device may also be provided with a seed counter which can be employed to preset the number of seeds in a strand and which disables the device from dispensing or packing additional seeds once the preset number of seeds has been packed into the strand.

Abstract: A point-of-care seed stranding device for automating assembly of brachytherapy seed strands for implantation in patients. The device includes a number of features to reduce the potential for mistakes by the user, as well as to reduce the potential for damaging the radioactive seeds during the stranding process. Tactile feedback may be provided to prevent exertion of too much force in the packing step of the stranding process, as well as to indicate that the seed and/or strand cartridges are empty and need to be replaced. The device may also include a mechanism for holding seeds or spacers in place to allow automated packing of seeds or spacers having corresponding geometries. The device may also be provided with a seed counter which can be employed to preset the number of seeds in a strand and which disables the device from dispensing or packing additional seeds once the preset number of seeds has been packed into the strand.

Abstract: In a method of making glass or the like, wherein the batch materials are liquefied in a distinct zone from the refiner, the liquefied material is heated in an intermediate stage before being fed to the refiner, and a composite barrier of a cooled frame with graphite inserts is employed to restrict passage of material from the intermediate stage.

Abstract: A pulverulent batch stream is fed into a liquefying vessel by means of an angled feed tube so as to direct the stream tangentially onto side wall portions. The tube may be rotated so as to change the location onto which the batch stream is impinged.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for liquefying material such as glass batch, primary thermal protection for the vessel is provided by a lining of the batch material, with secondary protection being provided by a partial refractory lining on the interior of the vessel in regions where the primary protection is irregular.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for liquefying material such as glass batch, primary thermal protection for the vessel is provided by a lining of the batch material, with secondary protection being provided by forced cooling of a minor portion of the vessel in regions and at times when the primary protection is irregular.

Abstract: A cylindrical ribbon engaging device is rotated about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the direction of ribbon flow to positively exert lateral forces to an elongated substantial continuum of the marginal edge portion of the ribbon. Provisions are made to maximize lateral forces while minimizing longitudinal forces.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for attenuating a ribbon of float glass in a temperature region below 1500.degree. F. (815.degree. C.) to diminish undesirable longitudinally oriented optical distortions. A cylindrical ribbon engaging device is rotated about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the ribbon surface and the direction of ribbon flow to positively exert a plurality of outwardly directed lateral forces to an elongated substantial continuum of the marginal edge portion of the ribbon. Ribbon engaging elements are disposed about the circumferential surface of the cylindrical device in elongated helical paths, and the cylindrical device is rotated at an angular velocity such that the product of the angular velocity and the pitch of the helical paths equals the longitudinal velocity of the ribbon flow while the device acts upon the ribbon surface.