I was in the Habitat ReStore the other day, and they had a "what is it?" on the front counter. I got the chance to demonstrate that I'm a knowledgeable guy by explaining tube patch clamps. This is the fanciest one I've ever seen. The "base" has a metal cap with the "cheese grater" bumps used for roughing up the tube. Unscrewing it reveals a round cavity that I suspect held patches.
I tried to buy it, so I could take pictures (and then donate it back - this is not one of the things I gather up), but the guy who set prices wasn't there. If someone here does collect this kind of thing, let me know, and I'll call and see what they're asking. I might be over there next week.