The present invention comprises a food triturating device with a first extension, a second extension and a hinge device therebetween. A slush ice of nonfrozen liquid and ice particles is produced and ice formation on the conduit in which the liquid mix flows is avoided. The tool may also include an imaging device for radiating energy onto the chest of the patient and receiving energy as it is reflected from the chest region to produce an image signal. The process facilitates isolation of C2-4 alkanes, because the boiling point difference of these alkanes is significantly lower than that of the C2-4 alcohols.