Abstract: Ischemia in a hollow internal organ can be detected in its incipient stages by obtaining a CO.sub.2 sample from within the organ of interest, measuring the partial pressure of CO.sub.2 sample, measuring the bicarbonate concentration of an arterial blood sample, and on the basis of these two measurements calculating the pH of the wall of the organ. The value of the pH is an indicator of the onset of ischemia in the organ. The CO.sub.2 sample is obtained by a novel catheter, multiple embodiments of which are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for determining the vitality or adequacy of oxygenation of the whole body, or a solid internal organ, by the measurement of the pH of venous blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an vitro device for the removal of ionized substances from a membrane sample without mechanical penetration, which device comprises:(a) a positive electrode;(b) a negative electrode, and(c) electrical insulation between subpart (a) and (b), wherein the positive electrode, and the negative electrode, and electrical insulation are positioned on the same side of the membrane sample.The present invention also relates to a device for the removal of or delivery of ionized substances to a mammal through intact skin or mucosal membrane without mechanical penetration, which device comprises: (a) a positive electrode, (b) a negative electrode, and (c) an electrically insulating material between subpart (a) and (b), wherein the positive electrode, negative electrode and insulating material are physically positioned so that each present a common surface of the device for contact with the same surface of the skin or mucosal membrane of the mammal.

Abstract: A last-in-first-out coin store comprises a tubular housing (21) in which a coin stack support (22) is driven upwardly or downwardly by an endless belt (28) driven from a motor (23). A coin dispensing mechanism comprises a bar (37) positioned above the tubular housing (21) between a pair of beams (A, B) of light mutually normal, axially displaced along the coin store axis by half the width of a coin, and crossing the center of the coin stack. A control circuit (80) raises and lowers the coin support (22) automatically so as to maintain the uppermost coin at a position where one, but not both, of the light beams are broken so that a coin is ready to be dispensed by the bar (37). A count is kept of the number of coins by a counter circuit (90) responsive to an encoder on the drive belt (28). Useful in gaming machines or change giving coin freed machines.

Abstract: In a coin handling apparatus, a single sensor (30) detects impacts of the coin at different positions within the apparatus, and uses the output to determine the route taken by the coin through the apparatus, and the speed of the coin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an vitro device for the removal of ionized substances from a membrane sample without mechanical penetration, which device comprises:(a) a positive electrode;(b) a negative electrode, and(c) electrical insulation between subpart (a) and (b), wherein the positive electrode, and the negative electrode, and electrical insulation are positioned on the same side of the membrane sample. The present invention also relates to a device for the removal of or delivery of ionized substances to a mammal through intact skin or mucosal membrane without mechanical penetration, which device comprises: (a) a positive electrode, (b) a negative electrode, and (c) an electrically insulating material between subpart (a) and (b), wherein the positive electrode, negative electrode and insulating material are physically positioned so that each present a common surface of the device for contact with the same surface of the skin or mucosal membrane of the mammal.

Abstract: A foldable-screen room divider in combination with a curio cabinet, wherein the room divider is defined by at least three screen sections, the central or intermediate screen section having a curio cabinet mounted thereon, so as to allow ornamental objects or articles to be stored and displayed. The curio cabinet can be mounted in two modes. In one arrangement, the cabinet is hinged to the center screen section for access to the section having a transparent panel. In the other arrangement, the curio cabinet is fixed to the screen section which has a hinged door provided with a transparent panel for viewing the interior of the curio cabinet. The side screen sections are hinged to the central section and can be adapted with ornamental panels.

Abstract: A frame-positioning device for mounting and stretching canvas and like materials that must be stretch-mounted to a supporting stretcher-frame structure, generally comprising a four-sided wooden frame member, whereby the canvas is stapled thereto. The frame-positioning means includes a pair of stretcher bar holders which are arranged to be slidably received on the structural-beam member of a canvas-stretching-and-mounting apparatus, so as to be adjustable in vertical and horizontal planes along the beam to accommodate various sizes of frames.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching canvas and like materials that must be stretch-mounted to a supporting stretcher-frame structure generally comprising a four-sided wooden frame member, whereby the canvas is stapled thereto. The apparatus comprises an elongated, horizontal, tubular, structural-beam member affixed at both ends to vertical supports; and has an elongated, biased, clamping bar member hingedly mounted along the full length of the upper surface of the structural-beam member, the clamping bar being provided with a canvas-securing keeper located thereon to engage, under tension, one edge of the canvas when the canvas is positioned between the clamping bar and the beam member. The operation of the clamping bar is provided by a spring-loaded handle and a trigger-release device, the trigger-release device being adapted to be adjustably positioned on either side of the canvas-stretcher frame during the operation thereof.