Abstract: Brushes such as toothbrushes are recycled in an apparatus having an inner, steam chamber and a brush restraining holder mounted over an outlet from the steam chamber. The brush holder has a mold cavity communicating with the steam chamber outlet and having an opening for allowing at least partial insertion of the bristle part of a toothbrush to be recycled into the cavity. The cavity has a cross-sectional periphery of shape and dimensions substantially matching the cross-sectional periphery of the bristle part of a brush to be recycled.

Abstract: Brushes such as toothbrushes are recycled in an apparatus having a mold chamber of shape and dimensions substantially matching that of the bristle part of the brush when new and unused. The mold chamber is mounted over a steam orifice of a steam chamber. The steam chamber has a heater for heating water in the chamber to produce steam. Steam entering the mold chamber softens the bristles into a moldable condition, after which the supply of steam is turned off and the bristles are allowed to cool in the mold chamber for a sufficient time for them to harden into a configuration substantially matching that of the mold chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying and alleviating semantic memory deficiencies. An electroencephalogram signal is detected from the scalp of a subject to produce a signal representative of evoked response potentials. The subject is instructed to perform a semantic memory task in response to a stimulus. The amplitude of the most positive-going peak of the evoked response potential signal during the 270-550 ms period following the stimulus is measured. To determine whether the subject suffers from early Alzheimer's disease, the amplitude of the signal is compared to a standard determined by applying the same method to normal subjects. The amplitude of the signal may also be used to provide a feedback signal to the subject for training the subject to improve the subject's semantic memory skills. An apparatus is provided for implementing these steps using digital signal processing, and for providing a biofeedback signal to the subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying and alleviating semantic memory deficiencies. An electroencephalogram signal is detected from the scalp of a subject to produce a signal representative of evoked response potentials. The subject is instructed to perform a semantic memory task in response to a stimulus. The amplitude of the most positive-going peak of the evoked response potential signal during the 270-550 ms period following the stimulus is measured. To determine whether the subject suffers from early Alzheimer's disease, the amplitude of the signal is compared to a standard determined by applying the same method to normal subjects. The amplitude of the signal may also be used to provide a feedback signal to the subject for training the subject to improve the subject's semantic memory skills. An apparatus is provided for implementing these steps using digital signal processing, and for providing a biofeedback signal to the subject.