Abstract: A piezoelectric sensor is fixed to a detection object and detects distortion of the detection object includes first and second principal surfaces, and extends in the lengthwise direction. The piezoelectric sensor includes a piezoelectric body whose polarization axis extends in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction, and first and second detecting electrodes that are provided on a surface of the piezoelectric body and that extend in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction. Distortion of the detection object is detected based on electric output corresponding to shear stress of the piezoelectric body.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a surgical system that includes, for example, a patient-side cart (also referred to as a surgical robot) and a console apparatus. The patient-side cart includes an endoscope apparatus that includes three or more endoscope arms. The console apparatus manipulates the patient-side cart. In the endoscope apparatus, for example, feature points of respective images obtained by respective imaging devices of the three or more endoscopes are used to join the respective images together to generate a composite image, and the composite image is displayed on a display screen. The composite image generated from the images in three visual fields to be provided to an operator ensures providing an image in a wide range, and allows the operator to confirm various sites by a visual check during surgery (ensuring an endoscopic surgery while having a large visual field as in a laparotomy) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A particle detection method in which particles in a sample are detected includes: a mounting step of mounting, on a stage portion, a fluid device including a channel through which the particles can move; an irradiation step of irradiating the channel with illumination light; and a detection step of detecting scattered light generated from the particles by irradiation with the illumination light. In the irradiation step, the illumination light is converged such as to enter the channel by passing through, among side surfaces of the channel, only the first side surface that faces an illumination light incident direction.

Abstract: A spool, including a substantially cylindrical flange portion and a substantially cylindrical front end portion which is thinner than the flange portion and whose center axis is substantially coincident with the center axis of the flange portion, is provided in a manner capable of slidingly moving in a cavity formed in a casing. The flange portion is inserted in a first cavity which has a center axis substantially coincident with the center axis of the casing and which has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of the flange portion in length. The front end portion is inserted in a second cavity which is formed with its center axis being substantially coincident with the center axis of the casing, and which has an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the front end portion and less than the inner diameter of the first cavity in length.

Abstract: An adhesive applied to an inner side of a bottom surface of a plate having a substantially hollow cylindrical shape with a closed bottom fixes one end of the filter material and the plate to each other. A plurality of projections located at different positions in a circumferential direction are formed on the plate, and a leading end of each of the projections comes into contact with the filter material.

Abstract: A spool, including a substantially cylindrical flange portion and a substantially cylindrical front end portion which is thinner than the flange portion and whose center axis is substantially coincident with the center axis of the flange portion, is provided in a manner capable of slidingly moving in a cavity formed in a casing. The flange portion is inserted in a first cavity which has a center axis substantially coincident with the center axis of the casing and which has an inner diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of the flange portion in length. The front end portion is inserted in a second cavity which is formed with its center axis being substantially coincident with the center axis of the casing, and which has an inner diameter greater than the diameter of the front end portion and less than the inner diameter of the first cavity in length.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.

Abstract: A particle detection method in which particles in a sample are detected includes: a mounting step of mounting, on a stage portion, a fluid device including a channel through which the particles can move; an irradiation step of irradiating the channel with illumination light; and a detection step of detecting scattered light generated from the particles by irradiation with the illumination light. In the irradiation step, the illumination light is converged such as to enter the channel by passing through, among side surfaces of the channel, only the first side surface that faces an illumination light incident direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sensor is fixed to a detection object and detects distortion of the detection object includes first and second principal surfaces, and extends in the lengthwise direction. The piezoelectric sensor includes a piezoelectric body whose polarization axis extends in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction, and first and second detecting electrodes that are provided on a surface of the piezoelectric body and that extend in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction. Distortion of the detection object is detected based on electric output corresponding to shear stress of the piezoelectric body.

Abstract: A displacement member with a driving element that includes first and second side surfaces that extend in a first direction and top and bottom surfaces that extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The driving element is a piezoelectric element that expands and contracts in the second direction when a pulsed voltage is applied. Further, an elastic conversion element is provided that contains the driving element and includes a first portion that is disposed adjacent the top surface of the driving element and that includes a displacement portion that is displaced downwardly and upwardly in the first direction when the driving element expands and contracts in the second direction, respectively.

Abstract: An adhesive applied to an inner side of a bottom surface of a plate having a substantially hollow cylindrical shape with a closed bottom fixes one end of the filter material and the plate to each other. A plurality of projections located at different positions in a circumferential direction are formed on the plate, and a leading end of each of the projections comes into contact with the filter material.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.

Abstract: A displacement member with a driving element that includes first and second side surfaces that extend in a first direction and top and bottom surfaces that extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The driving element is a piezoelectric element that expands and contracts in the second direction when a pulsed voltage is applied. Further, an elastic conversion element is provided that contains the driving element and includes a first portion that is disposed adjacent the top surface of the driving element and that includes a displacement portion that is displaced downwardly and upwardly in the first direction when the driving element expands and contracts in the second direction, respectively.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by projecting a pattern image onto the substrate through a liquid. The exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system by which the pattern image is projected onto the substrate, and a movable member which is movable relative to the projection optical system. A liquid-repellent member, at least a part of a surface of which is liquid-repellent, is provided detachably on the movable member, the liquid-repellent member being different from the substrate.

Abstract: A latch is disposed turnably on a side door and becomes in a state of engaging with a striker disposed on a vehicle body. A ratchet engages with the latch by an engaging operation, and releases the engaging state by a disengaging operation. An open lever performs a door opening operation by the opening operation of an operating handle. A lever member is in contact with the latch in the engaging state, and excessively oscillates the latch in the direction of a closing operation, by which the engaging state between the latch and the ratchet is released during the time from the opening operation of the operating handle to the disengaging operation of the ratchet.