Abstract: A method for preparing a cold water infusing leaf tea. Green tea leaves are macerated, treated with tannase, fermented in the presence of hydrogen peroxide in an amount that is sufficient to activate endogenous peroxidases to oxidise gallic acid and other compounds that are liberated by the tannase treatment, and then dried. The final product is a black leaf tea that infuses in hot or cold water to give good flavour and colour.

Abstract: A handle is provided for a medical instrument comprising at least one movable grip element and a coupling portion through which a shaft is or can be connected with the handle. The movable grip element is or can be joined with a force transmission element axially movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft to translate motion of the at least one movable grip element into linear motion of the force transmission element. The coupling portion is pivotal relative to a handle axis about at least one pivot axis running transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In addition, the movable grip element is or can be joined with the force transmission element through a lever arrangement comprising at least two double-arm levers. The first lever is pivotal about an axis fixed to the handle and the second lever is pivotal about an axis fixed to the coupling portion. The two levers are frictionally joined with one another and are pivotal with respect to one another about the first pivot axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retractor for use in endoscopic surgery, comprising a shaft (1) having a hand piece (2) arranged on the proximal end thereof and whose distal end can be moved out of an initially extended and straight position, whereby the adjustable distal end consists of several link elements (4) that can be moved into a ring-shaped structure and said ring-shaped structure can be bent in relation to the shaft (1). In order to produce a retractor which can be used atraumatically and can be handled in a highly hygienic manner, it is also proposed in accordance with this invention that the distal end of the shaft (1) should be moved into the closed ring structure and the closed ring structure be bent in a continuous manner at an angle of up to 90 degrees. The invention also relates to a medical instrument for introducing a retractor into a human or animal body and to a method for the use of a retractor in endoscopic surgery.

Abstract: A handle is provided for a medical instrument having a tubular shaft. The handle comprises at least one movable grip element as well as a coupling portion through which the tubular shaft is connected or can be connected to the handle. The movable grip element is or can be connected to a force transmission element axially movable in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. Motion of the at least one movable is translated into an axial motion of the force transmission element. The coupling portion is pivotal and lockable relative to a handle axis about a pivot axis running transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tubular shaft. A control element formed as a dual-arm lever is provided whose one lever arm is connected to the movable grip element and whose other lever arm is connected to the force transmission element, such that motion of the movable grip element causes rotation of the control element, which is translated into an axial movement of the force transmission element.

Abstract: Tea products, particularly black leaf tea and tea powder, derived from green tea leaf are manufactured by a process involving addition of zeolite, preferably a synthetic sodium or potassium zeolite, for reaction with tea ingredients present or subsequently produced to generate red colour species. The tea products produce beverages having enhanced colour characteristics, in terms of colour properties and speed of colour generation, compared with conventional products.

Abstract: A continuous flow method of determining the quantitative isotopic composition of hydrogen comprised in a compound is disclosed, together with apparatus for carrying out the method. The method involves introducing the sample to be analysed into a flow of carrier gas which does not contain hydrogen, the carrier gas then being arranged to flow through a heated catalytic reactor which contain a chromium-based catalyst. The sample is pyrolysed in the catalytic reactor so as to form molecular hydrogen which is then analysed mass-spectrometrically. Preferably a gas chromatrograph is disposed before the catalytic reactor so that one or more components or a mixture may be separately analysed.

Abstract: A frequency counter employs a temperature sensitive oscillator mounted in proximity to a master crystal oscillator to provide an output frequency which varies appreciably with changes in ambient temperature and the frequency of the temperature sensitive oscillator is periodically counted and compared to a table of correction factors stored in memory to select a correction factor which is applied to the counted frequency of an input signal to provide a temperature corrected frequency count.