Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub to provide a wash space, a first rack located inside the tub to receive a washing object and a second rack located below the first rack, a flow path tower provided at the second rack to eject wash water to the first rack, an ejection arm including a chamber for introduction of wash water, a first flow path in communication with the chamber, and second and third flow paths in communication with the chamber to eject wash water to the second rack and separated from each other, a tower separable coupler provided inside the ejection arm to connect the first flow path to the flow path tower when wash water is supplied to the first flow path, and a flow path switcher provided inside the chamber to selectively open the first, second and third flow paths according to a pressure inside the chamber.

Abstract: Diverter valves and associated dishwashers with continuous calibration are provided. An example dishwasher includes a diverter valve assembly. The diverter valve assembly is configured to output a signal having a plurality of pulses. Each of the plurality of pulses has an activation time indicative of movement of the diverter valve assembly into one of a plurality of positions. The dishwasher performs operations including receiving the signal from the diverter valve assembly and determining a current activation time associated with the most recent pulse exhibited by the signal. The operations include determining a current position of the plurality of positions based at least in part on the current activation time and a plurality of average activation times respectively associated with the plurality of positions.

Abstract: A control method for a dishwasher that includes a spray arm, a sump configured to provide a space where washing water is stored and to collect washing water sprayed from the spray arm, a housing configured to connect the sump and the spray arm, a heater located in the housing, an impeller located in the housing and above the heater, and a motor configured to rotate the impeller, is described. The control method includes the actions of supplying washing water to the sump; rotating the impeller by supplying electricity to the motor; measuring an amount of electric current supplied to the motor during the rotating of the impeller; and heating washing water located in the housing by operating the heater based on the amount of electric current supplied to the motor during the rotating of the impeller being greater than or equal to a preset reference amount.

Abstract: A household appliance, such as dishwasher, includes a bulk unit-dose dispenser configured to hold multiple unit doses of treating chemistry and dispense the treating chemistry at the appropriate time in a cycle of operation. The bulk unit-dose dispenser can include a multiple compartments moveable along a track, and the compartments can be sequentially moved into registry with a dispensing opening of the appliance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including apparatus (21) for capturing and processing a color video of an interior of a body of a human subject (20). The apparatus (21) includes a medical scope imaging device (22) configured to capture the video, and a medical image processing system (24), which includes a memory (26) and a processor (28). The memory (24) stores a color-reduction table (30), which specifies a plurality of low-occurrence-rate colors. The processor (28) is configured to use the color-reduction table (30) to identify for replacement one or more of the low-occurrence-rate colors in at least one of the frames of the video, and to replace one or more instances of each of the identified low-occurrence-rate colors with a replacement color. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system for advancing an instrument along an arbitrary path includes a flexible and steerable instrument and an electronic memory configured to store a three-dimensional model of the path, the three-dimension model being generated based on signals from the instrument as it traverses along the path. The system further includes an electronic motion controller logically coupled to the electronic memory, wherein the electronic motion controller is configured to automatically control the instrument to traverse the path based on the three dimensional model.

Abstract: A control unit that includes a braking system for fixing the position of an endoscope tip is provided. The control system includes an up-down control knob and a right-left control knob. The brakes are engaged by rotating the control knob itself counter-clockwise from a free wheeling position. After the brakes have been engaged, a sufficient amount of force applied to the control knobs will move the endoscope tip slightly in the corresponding direction, allowing for fine tuning of tip position after braking.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient. The steering device comprises a flexible tube; a plurality of spaced-apart elements positioned along at least a portion of the tube; wherein the plurality of spaced-apart elements and the tube form a single integrated unit; and at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing through the spaced-apart elements and at least a portion passing within the tube. According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering device for use in a body lumen of a patient, comprising: a flexible tube; at least two steering wires having at least a portion passing within the flexible tube; at least two spring-like sleeves; each spring-like sleeve at least partially enclosing a steering wire respectively; wherein the spring-like sleeve has a variable pitch along its length; such that the flexible tube comprises at least two portions having different bending properties.

Abstract: An articulating mechanism for use in a medical device, such as an endoscope or a catheter, includes a series of stacked links disposed adjacent to one another and movable with respect to each other. Each link includes a front face tapered to a pair of pivot points and a rear face defining a wedge shaped recess for receiving the pivot points of the adjacent link. Pull-wires provide tension and hold the staked links together while also allowing for controlled bending of the distal portion by movement of one or more of the pull-wires.

Abstract: Three-dimensional detection of an interior space of a body is performed by an endoscope in which a projection device projects a color pattern onto a region of the interior space and a detecting device detects an image of the color pattern projected onto the region. The projection and detection devices are positioned at least in part in a distal end region of an elongate endoscope extent. The distal end region can be angled up to 180° in relation to the original elongate endoscope extent. Active triangulation can be used in evaluating 3D images of the region to simply and effectively enlarge the 3D images. Such endoscopes can be used particularly advantageously in minimally invasive surgery or in industrial endoscopy.

Abstract: An object insertion system includes an insertion portion, a first information generator, a storage unit, a second information calculator and an output unit. The first information generator includes at least one sensor and is configured to generate first information indicating at least one of an insertion state and an operation state of the insertion portion in a body cavity. The second information calculator is configured to calculate second information based on the first information generated by the first information generator and at least one of third information and fourth information stored by the storage unit, the second information being operation support information to insert the insertion portion to perform a predetermined work. The output unit is configured to output the second information.

Abstract: An imaging unit at a tip end portion of an insertion section has a board on which the image pickup device is installed, a cable through which a signal is input to and output from the board, and a ground bar which is provided so as to protrude from the surface of the board and is connected to a ground of the board. In a distal portion of the cable on the imaging unit side, a shield part is connected to the ground of the board through the ground bar and a core line is directly assembled on the board. The ground bar supports the cable on the board such that the height of the cable in the vicinity of a board-mounting portion of the cable becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A gas supply and liquid supply apparatus includes a first fluid pipe which is provided in an endoscope, the first fluid pipe supplying a first fluid, a second fluid pipe which is provided in the endoscope together with the first fluid pipe, the second fluid pipe supplying a second fluid, and a confluence pipe which is provided in a substantially cylindrical distal end part of an insertion part of the endoscope. The confluence pipe includes a first communication part which is communicated with the first fluid pipe and has a bent shape, a second communication part which is communicated with the second fluid pipe and has a bent shape, and a confluence part in which the first communication part and the second communication part are brought together.

Abstract: An endoscope objective optical system comprises: a front group having a negative refractive power, a brightness diaphragm, and a back group having a positive refractive power in order from an object side, wherein the front group is composed of a first group, which is a first lens which is a single lens and a second group, which is a single lens or a cemented lens having a negative refractive power; 1<Iw/ft<1.8 0.6<Ia/Iw<0.95 |DL1/RL1a|<0.4 ?3<fL1/ft<?1 where Iw is a maximum image height in underwater observation, ft is a focal distance of an entire objective optical system in observation in the air, Ia is a maximum image height capable of transmitting a principal ray in the observation in the air, and DL1, RL1a, and fL1 are an outer diameter, a radius of curvature of an object side surface, and a focal distance, respectively of the first lens.

Abstract: A trial frame includes a trial frame body and at least one measurement subject having a visual invariant geometric characteristic. The trial frame body has at least one key parameter. The measurement subject is disposed on the trial frame body and collaborates with a measurement method. A two-dimensional image of the measurement subject is recorded by an image capturing device when the trial frame body fits to a user, and the key parameter is deduced from the two-dimensional image of the measurement subject.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus (2) for measuring an ocular function in a non-contact manner, comprising two or more independent Z alignment detection systems (11, 12) for projecting an alignment light to an eye to be examined and detects a Z alignment position of the eye to be examined based on a reflection light from the eye to be examined and a control unit (56) for controlling an alignment, wherein the two or more Z alignment detection systems are adapted to have different magnifications, wherein the two or more Z alignment detection systems project the reflection light from the eye to be examined to a common photodetection element (36) and the control unit is adapted to execute a coarse Z alignment based on a signal obtained by a Z alignment detection system with a low magnification among the signals obtained from the photodetection element and to execute a precise Z alignment based on a signal obtained by a Z alignment detection system with a high magnification.

Abstract: In an OCT system, the autocorrelation signal depends only on the strength of the signal in the object arm scattered back from a patient's retina and is a result of different reflections from different layers of the retina interfering with each other. The strength of the autocorrelation signal depends on how well focused the system is. Normally the autocorrelation signal is treated as noise. However by removing the reference path signal, the autocorrelation signal is easily measured and analyzed. The optimal focus can the then be found by adjusting the focus value until the autocorrelation signal is maximized.

Abstract: Methods for performing a surgical procedure using optical coherence tomography (OCT) are provided.

Abstract: The invention teaches a method, apparatus and system for measuring bio-medical attributes of the eye, such as internal or intraocular pressure. The invention enables taking measurements of the relative location of various surfaces of components of the eye under different conditions. The invention provides for applying a pressure disturbance to the eye acoustically and, using non-invasive optical techniques to perform measurements of vibrations or measurements of the time varying relative location of one or more surfaces or structures in a manner correlated with the pressure disturbance.

Abstract: A wrist-worn device monitors movements of a user. A sensor assembly of the wrist-worn device is configured to detect movement of the user and generate sensor data based on the movement detected. A controller connected to the sensor assembly obtains movement data based on the sensor data. An antenna connected to the controller is configured to operate at a desired frequency when a wrist of the user is received by the device such that the movement data is wirelessly transmittable from the wrist-worn device to an electronic device. The antenna may exhibit a different design and configuration depending on the size of the wrist-worn device.

Abstract: A device for obtaining physiological information of a medical patient and wirelessly transmitting the obtained physiological information to a wireless receiver.

Abstract: A method of medical image processing for images of body structures, comprising: receiving anatomical data to reconstruct an anatomical image of a region of a body of a patient, said region comprises a portion of at least one internal body part which borders or is spaced apart from a target tissue; receiving functional data from a functional imaging modality which images at least said portion of the region of the body of the patient; processing said anatomical image to generate at least one image mask corresponding to the zone outside of the wall of said at least one internal body part; correlating the at least one generated image mask with the functional data for guiding a reconstruction of a functional image depicting said target tissue; and providing the reconstructed functional image.

Abstract: Brand-self perceptual neural model (BSPN) is a method for measuring marketing communication effectiveness. The model is based on neural activity indications from the Superior Temporal Sulcus (STS) and from related neural connectivity networks in the human brain, as well as neural activation patterns such as gender, motivations, emotions, cognitive load capacity, and other psychographic variables.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described which are capable of producing vibrational energy within a lumen of a mammal and further including a measurement sensor capable of detecting, measuring and recording nerve activity in response to the vibrational energy.

Abstract: An integrated therapeutic and imaging catheter includes an imaging device and drug eluting balloon (“DEB”) assembly. The DEB assembly is a balloon assembly having its outer surface coated with a drug eluting coating. In operation, the DEB catheter is inserted into a patient's vessel, whereby the vessel walls are imaged by the imaging device. After identification of a treatment area within the vessel, the DEB assembly is inflated to apply the drug eluting coating to the treatment area. After application, the treatment area and the drug eluting coating may be re-imaged in order to determine if the treatment area was sufficiently coated. If the treatment area is found to be insufficiently coated, the DEB assembly may be re-inflated to thereby sufficiently coat the treatment area.

Abstract: A photoacoustic apparatus includes a light source generating multiple lights with different wavelengths, a converting element receiving photoacoustic waves generated in a subject by the subject being irradiated by the multiple lights, a first distribution obtaining unit obtaining a property distribution based on optical absorption within the subject, for each of the mutually different wavelengths, using time-sequence reception signals each output from the converting element for each of the mutually different wavelengths, a second distribution obtaining unit obtaining, using multiple property distributions based on optical absorption for each wavelength, a concentration-related distribution of a substance of an object region of the subject, and a statistical information obtaining unit obtaining statistical information indicating variance in distribution in at least part of the concentration-related distribution.

Abstract: A device and method for use in monitoring blood pressure. The device comprises a controller configured to monitor a first blood pressure measurement based on a first blood pressure signal. The controller is configured to initiate acquiring a second blood pressure measurement based on a second blood pressure signal if the first blood pressure measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold. The decision to initiate acquiring the second blood pressure measurement is based on only one blood pressure measurement.

Abstract: A wearable terminal can include a main body configured to be in contact with a body of a user using one side of the main body, a photo plethysmography including a transmitter combined with one side of the main body and outputs a output signal, and a receiver detecting a reflection signal corresponding to the output signal returned, a cover configured to cover the photo plethysmography and be combined with the main body and a controller configured to measure a heart rate based on a reflection signal measured by the photo plethysmography. The cover is combined with the main body and parts corresponding to the transmitter and the receiver of the photo plethysmography include transparent units through which the output signal and the reflection signal are passing and a barrier unit positioned between the transparent units and shielding the output signal and the reflection signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for assessing endothelial function in a mammal.

Abstract: Bending stresses experienced by a pressure sensor mounted to a fractional flow reserve catheter when tracking the catheter through the vasculature creates a distortion of the sensor resulting in an incorrect pressure reading or bend error. In order to isolate the sensor from bending stresses, the sensor is mounted with one end coupled to the distal end of the shaft while the other end of the sensor is not coupled to the catheter so that a portion of the sensor is spaced apart from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. For example, such a device may be used to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion. The sensor delivery device has a distal sleeve configured to pass or slide over a standard medical guidewire. Some distance back from the sensor and distal sleeve, the device separates from the guidewire to permit independent control of the sensor delivery device and the guidewire. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying or monitoring circulatory failure in a subject, which method comprises assessing the subject's microcirculation in respect of the following parameters: (a) functional capillary density (FCD); (b) heterogeneity of the FCD; (c) capillary flow velocity; (d) heterogeneity of capillary flow velocity; (e) oxygen saturation of microvascular erythrocytes (SmvO2); and (f) heterogeneity of SmvO2; wherein parameters (a) to (d) are assessed visually by microscopy and parameters (e) and (f) are assessed by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS); well as apparatus and software designed for performance of such a method.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward obtaining a plurality of impedance-measurement signals while a set of at least three electrodes are concurrently contacting a user. Additionally, various aspects of the present disclosure include determining a plurality of pulse characteristic signals based on the plurality of impedance-measurement signals. One of the pulse characteristic signals is extracted from one of the impedance-measurement signals and is used as a timing reference to extract and process another of the pulse characteristic signals.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method of determining an indicator that is representative for a patient's volume responsiveness, comprising the following steps: (i) measuring a sequence of pulse signals of a patient; (ii) determining an envelope(signal)-curve based on the sequence of measured pulse signals; (iii) determining a fit(envelope(signal))-function based on the previously determined envelope(signal)-curve, the fit(envelope(signal))-function representing an idealised curve progression of the envelope(signal)-curve without comprising pulse variations caused by ventilation or respiration induced heart-lung interaction; (iv) determining respiratory pulse variation signals corresponding to the pulse variations caused by ventilation or respiration induced heart-lung interaction; (v) determining an envelope(respiration)-curve based on the previously determined respiratory pulse variation signals; (vi) determining a fit(envelope(respiration))-function based on the previously determined envelope(respiration)-curve,

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a description of various methods and systems associated with determining possible presence of Atrial Fibrillation (AF). In one example, a camera of a client device, such as a mobile phone, may acquire a series of images of a body part of a user. A plethysmographic waveform may be generated from the series of images. An autocorrelation function may be calculated from the waveform, and a number of features may be computed from the autocorrelation function. Based on an analysis of the features, a determination may be made about whether the user is experiencing AF. Such determined may be output to a display of the mobile phone for user review.

Abstract: A biological information measuring apparatus includes a blood pressure pulse wave measuring unit configured to measure a blood pressure pulse wave of a subject, a unit pulse wave producing unit configured to produce unit pulse waves of a certain unit from the blood pressure pulse wave based on an analysis of heart beats of the subject, a unit pulse wave extracting unit configured to analyze the unit pulse waves produced by the unit pulse wave producing unit and to extract only necessary unit pulse waves in accordance with the analysis, and an output unit configured to perform an output based on the unit pulse waves extracted by the unit pulse wave extracting unit.

Abstract: A pressure sensing device is provided that can monitor and measure pressure at two points in a vessel or artery without moving the outer sheath or catheter of the device. The outer sheath or catheter includes two spaced apart openings that may be positioned in a vessel or artery on opposing sides of an occlusion. The device also includes an inner elongated tube with at least one opening. The inner elongated tube is slidable with respect to the outer sheath or catheter thereby permitting the opening of the elongated tube to be moved into selective registration with one of the openings of the outer sheath. A pressure measurement may be taken through one of the openings in the outer sheath by aligning the opening of the elongated tube with said opening and, then, a second pressure reading may be taken by sliding the elongated tube within the outer sheath so that the opening of the elongated tube is in registry with the other opening of the tubular sheath.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a blood pressure measuring system (10) configured to surround a patient's body part (E), comprising pressurization means (12, 14) for applying pressure to the body part (E), and comprising a kinking-proof shell (20; 30), wherein the kinking-proof shell (20; 30) is arranged so as to be located between the pressurization means (12, 14) and the body part (E), when the blood pressure measuring system (10) surrounds the body part (E). The present invention further refers to a method of applying a blood pressure measuring system (10).

Abstract: According to an embodiment, for example, an electronic device wearable on a body, the electronic device including: a first sensor to emit light to a body and to output a signal corresponding to a received amount of light that has passed through a body or has been reflected by a body; and a circuitry to determine whether the electronic device is on the body, by using amplitude and frequency information corresponding to a pulse in the signal output from the first sensor.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter related to methods and apparatus for determining brain swelling in a patient as well as predicting an increase in intracranial pressure in the patient. The apparatus can include a transducer such as an ultrasound transducer communicatively connected to a controller via wires or via wireless communications device(s). A monitor and/or alarm device can be provided to notify a practitioner when the controller has determined brain swelling is occurring and/or when an imminent increase in intracranial pressure is likely to occur.

Abstract: A method to detect atrial fibrillation including the steps of receiving an electrical signal representative of a beating heart, measuring atrial activity over a time window of three or more beats, measuring beat interval variation over the time window, combining the measures of atrial activity and beat interval variation to produce an indication of an atrial fibrillation condition in the electrical signal, and generating an alert based on the indication of an atrial fibrillation condition.

Abstract: A method for physiological signal analysis and its system and a computer program product storing a physiological signal analysis program are provided. Physiological signals of a subject are collected for a user to provide a detection opinion for the physiological signals in order to generate syndrome recognition parameters and syndrome weight parameters such that the collected physiological signals are analyzed and determined. The invention performs detection determination by means of combining the physiological signals of the subject and referencing to an analysis opinion from the user. Therefore, an output detection result may be believed by both doctors and patients with effectively improved accuracy of analysis result to improve the efficiency of the user in diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: A heart rate meter and a method thereof are provided. The method is adopted by a sensing circuit of a heart rate meter, wherein the sensing circuit includes a pulse sensor and a proximity sensor. The method includes: determining whether the sensing circuit is close to a neighboring object according to a proximity output signal of the proximity sensor; determining whether the sensing circuit is hung in the air according to a direct current (DC) output signal of the pulse sensor; and when the sensing circuit is close to the neighboring object and is not hung in the air, determining that the measuring circuit can measure an electrocardiographic signal of the neighboring object.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward obtaining a plurality of impedance-measurement signals while a set of at least three electrodes are concurrently contacting a user. Additionally, various aspects of the present disclosure include determining a plurality of pulse characteristic signals based on the plurality of impedance-measurement signals. One of the pulse characteristic signals is extracted from one of the impedance-measurement signals and is used as a timing reference to extract and process another of the pulse characteristic signals.

Abstract: In a method for slice positioning of an examination subject in a magnetic resonance system an item of localization information describing the arrangement of the examination subject is automatically determined at least one item of alignment information is automatically determined. At least one slice positioning entry is acquired by an operator, which includes a selection of one of the items of alignment information or an item of manual positioning information. Offset information, which includes a relative slice positioning effected by the manual positioning information, is automatically determined and the slice positioning is determined as a function of the slice positioning entries and the offset information. The offset information is stored separately from the slice positioning in a magnetic resonance measurement protocol, and is used in a further configuration of a further slice positioning.

Abstract: A method of identifying a site for a perineal incision on a patient includes inserting a distal end portion of an intra-urethral probe into a urethra of the patient, and guiding the distal end portion of the intra-urethral probe along a length of the urethra no farther than a junction in the urethra. The method additionally includes transmitting a signal from the distal end portion of the intra-urethral probe through the urethra, and sensing the signal at a location on a perineal skin surface, where the location correlates with the junction in the urethra.

Abstract: Using a suitably constructed fiber optic cable and interrogation circuitry, the fiber optic cable can be positioned along an object to monitor its shape and the position of various points along the object thereon. Embodiments disclosed herein apply fiber optic position and shape sensing in various ways. In one embodiment, as subject's gait is monitored for analysis. In another embodiment, a tool is displayed moving within a patient's body. In an additional embodiment, the movement of a subject's head is tracked.

Abstract: A medical holder device to which a flexible medical tooltip comprising an optical fibre can exchangeably be attached, the medical holder device comprising an optical fibre connector for receiving the proximal end of the optical fibre, a light source adapted to emit light into the optical fibre, a light receiver adapted to receive light reflected at the distal end of the optical fibre and to output a corresponding output signal and a processing unit adapted to receive the output signal from the light receiver and to calculate a bending of the optical fibre.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for foot sensors to be used to determine at least two characteristics of a subject's activity by using a combination of sensors for force and foot orientation/motion/position. A wearable footwear ecosystem is comprised of the subject's footwear, sensor-enabled insoles or insertable devices, in- or on-footwear electronics that is hard wired to the sensors and may contain additional sensors such as accelerometers, a master device and means to communicate (typically wirelessly) among the various sensor platforms, and the master device including clock synchronization. Correlating the time stamps for data among various sensors, and the master device communicating wirelessly is critical to accurate determination of the desired characteristics. Multiple force-sensitive resistors on a common substrate are individually optimized for dynamic range. Pulse sensors using arrays of such force-sensitive resistors are implemented.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a point-of-collection, selected quantitative indicia of an analyte on a test strip using a smartphone involves imaging a test strip on which a colorimetric reaction of a target sample has occurred due to test strip illumination by the smartphone. The smartphone includes a smartphone app and a smartphone accessory that provides an external environment-independent/internal light-free, imaging environment independent of the smartphone platform being used. The result can then be presented quantitatively or turned into a more consumer-friendly measurement (positive, negative, above average, etc.), displayed to the user, stored for later use, and communicated to a location where practitioners can provide additional review. Additionally, social media integration can allow for device results to be broadcast to specific audiences, to compare healthy living with others, to compete in health based games, create mappings, and other applications.