Patents Issued in December 29, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160374506
    Abstract: Systems and method are disclosed for forming a holder adapted to be mounted to a container by using a continuous wire, forming first and second legs shaped to form a rim engaging portion to secure the holder to a container rim; first and second extension members extending from the first and second legs above the container; and first and second object contacting arms extending from the first and second extension members, wherein the legs, body portions and object contacting arms are formed using a single continuous wire; and suspending an object above the container with the object contacting arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Khanh M. Bui
  • Publication number: 20160374507
    Abstract: A compact versatile portable cooker comprising a fire pan, a cover, and a pair of support racks adapted to support a spit and adapted to be attached to the opposed ends of the fire pan. Front and back plates are hinged to the fire pan, and one can alternately either secure the cover or the support racks to the fire pan, to provide with the cover a dosed container for containing and storing all of the parts of the portable cooker; and to provide with the support racks a support for the spit above the fire pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Angus P. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20160374508
    Abstract: In an aspect, the disclosure provides an automatic broiler. The automatic broiler may include a conveyorized cooking surface, a lower heat source below the cooking surface, and an upper heat source above the cooking surface. A cooking chamber may be defined by the cooking surface, the upper heat source, and a broiler housing. A venting through passage, or flue, may extend from the cooking chamber to an opening located above the upper heat source. An air flow restriction plate may be positioned above the venting through passage. The air flow restriction plate may have a perforated flat surface extending across the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Stefan STRECKFUS
  • Publication number: 20160374509
    Abstract: A barbeque grill and oven or food smoker having an offset firebox configuration is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Jim Blomberg
  • Publication number: 20160374510
    Abstract: A gas grill according to one embodiment comprising a structure and a lid, a cooking chamber, a cooking surface in the cooking chamber comprising at least a first area and a second area, at least one heat source below the first area comprising at least one burner, and a gas valve fluidically connected with the burner, the gas valve regulating the rate of the gas flow towards the burner and comprising a highest gas flow rate regulating configuration which allows foods arranged in the first area of the cooking surface to be seared. The gas valve being a thermostatic gas valve which allows automatically regulating a temperature selected for the cooking chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Inigo ALBIZURI LANDAZABAL
  • Publication number: 20160374511
    Abstract: Disclosed is a grid-like device for the support of the bottom exterior surface of a cooking vessel, the grid being removably placed atop the upper exterior surface of an outdoor cooking grill or smoker. Three identically-shaped and symmetrically bent metal rectangular bands are conjoined at their midpoints to form essentially a spherical grid shape. A series of symmetrical bends, arcs, and rounds are formed at specific intervals transverse to the length of each band such that the cumulative shape of the adjoined bands forms the grid. The bottom-most segment of the support grid comprises legs and feet of a semi-rigid elasticity such that the support device may be flexibly placed about the top of the grill or smoker. Spring tension coils connect the inner surfaces of the bands to stabilize the grid shape and to impart leveraged gripping force upon the feet of the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Joshua Rosecrans
  • Publication number: 20160374512
    Abstract: A cooking splatter guard is provided that includes a surface extending up from a top edge of a cooking implement at an angle. The angle formed between a plane defined by a top edge of the cooking implement and the surface is greater than 90 degrees. The surface forms a friction fit with the top edge of the cooking implement. A lip of the cooking implement formed by the top edge the cooking implement is a same size or slightly smaller than a bottom edge of the cooking splatter guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Gowanus Kitchen Lab, LLC
    Inventor: Yair Reiner
  • Publication number: 20160374513
    Abstract: A device with weighing capability (or “scale feature”) and also anvil capability (or “tapping feature”) allows accurate and precise filling of an espresso portafilter with coffee grounds for use in beverage preparation. Some versions switch between a protected mode for anvil use, and a weighing mode for accurate weighing of the portafilter and its grounds, by pivoting the entire load cell into and out of a protected location wherein tapping/shocks do not flex/strain the load cell free end. In other versions, one or more stop(s)/limit(s) are near the load cell free end or associated elements, and the free end/elements move during said tapping/shocks but only to the stop(s)/limit(s), corresponding to a safe amount of strain for the load cell. Also, this way, weighing the portafilter and its contents may continue between taps without switching to a separate protected mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: MAZZER LUIGI S.P.A.Via Moglianese, 113
    Inventor: Francisco Alfredo Rego
  • Publication number: 20160374514
    Abstract: A self-cooked soybean milk machine comprises a base, a control unit, a grinding cooked device, grinding blades inside the grinding cooked device, a motor driving the grinding blades to rotate, and a preheat device. The motor and/or the grinding cooked device are/is installed on the base, with the motor electrically connected with the control unit. When the soybean material and water are blended in the grinding cooked device and is grinded into seriflux/paste, the seriflux/paste is heated and cooked by heat produced by the friction between the seriflux/paste, the grinding blades and the grinding cooked device. The design of the grinding cooked device with a high grinding and cooking efficiency allows the self-cooked soybean milk machine to reduce the pulping time and to produce the pulp in five minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: JOYOUNG COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xuning Wang, Shenghua Wang, Zongyin Liu, Weisheng Zhou
  • Publication number: 20160374515
    Abstract: This invention reduces the noise and vibration from a blender. One embodiment of a blender pad which has an air inlet and an air exhaust opening which corresponds with air inlet and exhaust ports in a blender. In addition, positioned between the exhaust port and exhaust opening is an acoustic chamber, and acoustics ridge with attenuating sound foam. The blender pad is releasably connected to a blender base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Rodney Joseph Stuart, Phillip Dietz
  • Publication number: 20160374516
    Abstract: A multifunctional apparatus for use in the kitchen is provided, having a lower housing; an upper cover plate of at least partially translucent design; at least one light source arranged within the housing; at least one weight sensor arranged between the housing and the cover plate or on a bottom face of the housing; at least one operator control element for selectively activating a lighting mode and/or a weighing mode. A kitchen work surface, including a kitchen sink having at least one sink basin which has a circumferential basin edge, and the multifunctional apparatus, as defined above, is also provided. The basin edge and the housing of the multifunctional apparatus are complementary at least in regions, so that the multifunctional apparatus can be suspended in the sink basin in the edge region, and a top face of the cover plate and a sink edge or a sink surface preferably lie in or define a common plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
    Inventor: Michael Lammel
  • Publication number: 20160374517
    Abstract: A shower apparatus includes a ceiling mounting assembly and a plurality of tensioning lines; and a framework and arrangement of sprayers suspended thereby. The ceiling mounting assembly includes a spool in engagement with the tension lines such that winding of the spool in a first rotational direction results retraction of the tensioning lines into the ceiling mounting assembly and raising of the suspended assembly, and unwinding of the spool in a second, opposite rotational direction results in extension of the tensioning lines out of the ceiling mounting assembly and lowering of the suspended assembly. The ceiling mounting assembly further includes a spring that biases rotation of the spool; and the ceiling mounting assembly defines an opening through which access to the exposed end of the spool is provided for winding and unwinding of the spool by a person standing under the ceiling mounting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Michael CAPP, Jeremy LOSAW, Patrick BAILEY, Raeshon MCNEIL
  • Publication number: 20160374518
    Abstract: Laminated shower curtains are disclosed having an antimicrobial pre-treated fabric layer comprising a first antimicrobial agent, and an antimicrobial liquid impermeable film layer bonded to the antimicrobial pre-treated fabric layer comprising a polymeric material and a second antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial pre-treated fabric layer and the antimicrobial pre-treated fabric layer of the laminated shower curtains may be individually produced before being bonded together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: David M. Baines
  • Publication number: 20160374519
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are described that provide an improved way to monitor the state of a dispensing system and apparatus. The method begins when an activation sensor generates a signal indicating a desired dispense cycle operation in response to detecting user input, such as user hand motion in front of the sensor. The dispenser motor is energized in response to the generated signal, and a battery sensor monitors a status of the battery during a startup phase of the dispenser motor. The monitored status of the battery during the startup phase is indicative of a state (e.g., power state or operational state) of the dispensing system, and a dispenser controller determines if the system can complete the desired dispense cycle operation based upon the monitored status and reacts to control the system accordingly, e.g., aborting a dispense cycle or allowing the dispense cycle to initiate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: David Warren Murphy
  • Publication number: 20160374520
    Abstract: The invention discloses an elastic bag foam pump, which comprises a bottle cover (1), an elastic bag (2), a piston rod (3), a piston (4), a liquid inlet one-way valve (6) and a gas inlet one-way valve (8), wherein the elastic bag (2) is a hollow thin-wall bag; the bag opening of the elastic bag is provided with a connection part (2.1); the connection part (2.1) is mounted on an annular wall (1.1) used for connection on the bottle cover (1) in a sealing way; the elastic bag (2) is provided with an inlet hole (1.8) through which an inlet pipe (2.4) is communicated with the bottle cover (1); the gas inlet one-way valve (8) is mounted at one side of the inlet hole (1.8); a piston rod upper end (3.1) is fixed to an upper wall connection part (2.3) of the elastic bag (2); the lower end of the piston rod (3) is provided with the piston (4); and a cylinder (1.2) is arranged in the middle of the bottle cover (1). The elastic bag foam pump has the advantages of simple structure, low cost and easy to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: King Tsang Chung
  • Publication number: 20160374521
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting and dispensing sheet material comprised of a semi-flexible sheet is disclosed. The semi-flexible sheet may be radially collapsed into a cylindrical shape to cover and protect a roll of sheet material. The semi-flexible sheet comprises a leading end and a distal end. When the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsed over the roll of sheet material, the leading end covers the distal end and a portion of the semi-flexible sheet creating a gap, the sheet may be positioned in the gap created and allows the sheet material to pass between the leading end and the distal end for dispensing. The semi-flexible sheet may continue to radially collapse via the use of attachment mechanisms, as the sheet material is dispensed, applying pressure to the roll of sheet material. The semi-flexible sheet may further comprise a gripping surface located along the leading end to cut sheet material when necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: William Tobias Sherrill
  • Publication number: 20160374522
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting and dispensing sheet material comprised of a semi-flexible sheet is disclosed. The semi-flexible sheet may be radially collapsed into a cylindrical shape to cover and protect a roll of sheet material. The semi-flexible sheet comprises a leading end and a distal end. When the semi-flexible sheet is radially collapsed over the roll of sheet material, the leading end covers the distal end and a portion of the semi-flexible sheet creating a gap, the sheet may be positioned in the gap created and allows the sheet material to pass between the leading end and the distal end for dispensing. The apparatus may include a first end cap operatively connected to the semi-flexible sheet and located at the first side edge and a second end cap operatively connected to the semi-flexible sheet and located at the second side edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: William Tobias Sherrill
  • Publication number: 20160374523
    Abstract: In one aspect, a sheet material dispenser may generally include a flexible pouch and a rigid container. The flexible pouch may generally be configured to receive a plurality of sheets and may include a dispenser opening. In addition, the flexible pouch may include a resealable cap for intermittently exposing and resealing the dispenser opening. The rigid container may generally include an interior region defined at least partially between a back wall and sidewalls extending outwardly from the back wall. The rigid container may also include first and second front plates configured to be slideably coupled to the sidewalls such that the front plates are movable relative to one another and relative to the sidewalls between an open position, wherein the front plates are positioned in a distal relationship relative to one another, and a closed position, wherein the front plates are positioned in an adjacent relationship relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Sara V. Santos, Bruno Gioielli Basso, Mauricio Bandeira Villamil
  • Publication number: 20160374524
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dispenser for interfolded napkins, including an inner container defining a dispensing opening, and an outer sleeve including a dispensing mouth. The outer sleeve forms at least one open end portion being arranged to receive the inner container, and the dispensing mouth forms an open end towards an open end portion of the sleeve. When the inner container is located in the outer sleeve, a supporting surface is biased towards the dispensing opening of the inner container and vertically movable inside the inner container between a lower position and an upper position, and, at least in a region adjacent the open end of the dispensing mouth, the outer contour of the upper ends of the side walls of the inner container deviates from the inner periphery of the sleeve, forming an access opening to the space between the upper position and the dispensing mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Martin STENBERG, Jan LUNDGREN, Mårten RITTFELDT
  • Publication number: 20160374525
    Abstract: A cleaning system including a motor, a battery receptacle, and a motor controller. The battery receptacle is configured to receive a battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells and a battery controller. The motor controller is configured to receive from the battery controller at least one selected from the group consisting of a first signal indicative of a first characteristic of the battery pack and a second signal indicative of a second characteristic of the battery pack. The motor controller is further configured to operate the motor at a defined speed, the defined speed being a first speed upon receiving the first signal and a second speed upon receiving the second signal. Wherein the first characteristic and the second characteristic are at least one selected from the group consisting of a capacity, a current, and a resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Brett A. Reed, Mark Reindle, Will Sebastian
  • Publication number: 20160374526
    Abstract: A robot cleaner is provided. The robot cleaner includes a communication unit configured to communicate with the robot cleaner using a near field wireless communication (NFC) and a processor configured to detect a state of the robot cleaner among a plurality of predefined states. The processor is also configured to, in response to NFC tagging being performed with the mobile terminal, control the communication unit to transmit information corresponding to the detected state to the mobile terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Hee-kyung Yang, Ji Eom, Ji-hye Jang
  • Publication number: 20160374527
    Abstract: A cleaning robot includes a main body and a drive unit to move the main body. The drive unit includes a plurality of motors to generate driving force; a plurality of wheels connected to one of the plurality of motors and rotating by driving force received from the one of the plurality of motors; and a driving frame to support the plurality of wheels, receive driving force from another motor among the plurality of motors, and rotate for changing positions of the plurality of wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeong Ki YOO, Sung Jin Park, Jun Young Lee, Dong Min Shin, Dong Hun Lee, Jae Youl Jeong, Shin Kim, Heum Yong Park, In Hak Na
  • Publication number: 20160374528
    Abstract: A mobile robot includes a body configured to traverse a surface and to receive debris from the surface, and a debris bin within the body. The debris bin includes a chamber to hold the debris received by the mobile robot, an exhaust port through which the debris exits the debris bin; and a door unit over the exhaust port. The door unit includes a flap configured to move, in response to air pressure at the exhaust port, between a closed position to cover the exhaust port and an open position to open a path between the chamber and the exhaust port. The door unit, including the flap in the open position and in the closed position, is within an exterior surface of the mobile robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Russell Walter Morin, Harold Boeschenstein, David Orrin Swett, Jude Royston Jonas
  • Publication number: 20160374529
    Abstract: A floor scuff removal device consisting of an elongated hollow tube having an angle cut end for applying friction to the scuff for removal. Angle cut end is partially and permanently filled with flat area for applying self-adhesive removable cloth pad. Area of angle cut end not covered by previously mentioned flat area may be used for scraping scuff when needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Ronald R. Decker
  • Publication number: 20160374530
    Abstract: One embodiment of a tool for cleaning the gaps between boards (48) that includes a handle (42) attached to a handle adapter (36) that is fastened to an elongated tube (20) at a midpoint. A plurality of independently adjustable blades (22) are slid onto the tube (20), and secured with pressure by fasteners. Height-adjustment glides (30) are fastened to the tube (20) so that the blades (22) are positioned at a depth for both the most effective cleaning of gaps (48), and also to avoid the blades (22) having excessive contact with supporting joists (46) during tool operation. The glides (30) are made so they will slide over the deck surface without causing damage to boards (44) or surface treatments. To remove accumulated debris, the blades (22) are moved back and forth in the gaps (48) by pulling and pushing the handle (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory Stephen Shank
  • Publication number: 20160374531
    Abstract: A scrubbing article including a substrate and a UV treated texture layer on a surface of the substrate. The substrate is formed from a single layer of foam or sponge material having a thickness that is conducive to handling or holding. The UV treated texture layer is a resin-based material forming a textured abrasive layer on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Paul N. Daveloose, Matthew S. Cole, Ibrahim S. Gunes, Sheng Ye, Stewart H. Corn, Deval Y. Vashistha, Shridhar B. Shinde
  • Publication number: 20160374532
    Abstract: A cleaning device is provided that includes a housing, a cleaning head, a flexible pouch, a cleaning element, and a spray nozzle. The housing defines an internal cavity having a power source in selective electrical communication with a pump. The flexible pouch is removably stored in the housing and includes a cleaning fluid therein. The pouch forms a fluid and air tight connection with an inlet of the pump. The cleaning element is connected to the cleaning head and has a first spray opening. The spray nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump. The spray nozzle is positioned on the cleaning head so as to spray the cleaning fluid from the flexible pouch through the first opening onto a surface being cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph K. Patterson, James M. Buckley, John Lombardo, Stephen Huda, Paul H. Adams, Bryan Lee Roberts, Frank Wilde
  • Publication number: 20160374533
    Abstract: Methods and Apparatuses for steam cleaning comprise a steam cleaning device/system employed for steam cleaning or treating operations. In an embodiment, a steam cleaning device may comprise agitation features employed for steam cleaning or treating. In another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may be a steam accessory employed for steam cleaning or treating. In yet another embodiment, the steam cleaning device may comprise various features employed for multi-purpose steam cleaning or treating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Dan Innes, Lee Cottrell, Paul Grandstrand
  • Publication number: 20160374534
    Abstract: A dishwasher may include a closure element, such as a door, a user interface on the closure element, and a controller. A data communication link having a first data connector may be coupled to the controller, and a second data connector may be coupled to the user interface. The first and second data connectors may communicatively couple when the closure element is in the closed condition to establish data communication between the controller and the user interface. The communication link may also form a power link to provide power to the user interface across an electrical link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Marcus R. Fischer, Bryan M. Topp, Demetrius J. Schaaf, Justin D. McIver
  • Publication number: 20160374535
    Abstract: A dishwasher and a method of treating utensils in the dishwasher wherein the dishwasher has a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spray system, a liquid recirculation system fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the spray system to recirculate wash liquid from the treating chamber to the spray system, and filters capable of removing particles from the wash liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Jordan R. Fountain, Antony M. Rappette, Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20160374536
    Abstract: A brake adjustment body is disposed in a direction orthogonal to turning shafts between a bending drive shaft and a lock operation shaft. The brake adjustment body is configured by including an intermediate member that abuts a cam portion of the lock operation shaft, and a brake member that applies to the bending drive shaft a pressure according to displacement of the intermediate member. The intermediate member has a shaft body portion and a cylindrical sliding portion screwed together, and by rotating the sliding portion in a state where the shaft body portion and the sliding portion are screwed together, the distance between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion of the intermediate member may be adjusted, and when fixing force on the bending drive shaft is reduced, the distance may be re-adjusted to restore the fixing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Itaru OSAKI
  • Publication number: 20160374537
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscope. The present invention may include an endoscope main body; and a guide cap that is mounted to be fixed to a front end of the endoscope main body when inserting the endoscope main body into a human body and slides to protrude toward the front of the endoscope main body when withdrawing the endoscope main body inserted into the human body. An object of the present invention is to facilitate insertion of the endoscope by freely varying a length of the cap from the front end of the endoscope, and to enhance the detection rate of polyp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Hiun Suk CHAE
  • Publication number: 20160374538
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope transmits an image pickup signal converted into digital serial data, as a differential signal, to a processor such that a quality of an output waveform to the processor is fixed, and includes: a first transmission section; a first filter section arranged at an output side of the first transmission section, wherein a constant is adjusted according to a loss in a transmission channel including a cable disposed in a part from the first transmission section to the first filter section; a second transmission section for transmitting the differential signal from the first filter section to the processor; and a second filter section arranged at an output side of the second transmission section, wherein a constant is adjusted according to a loss including a cable located in the second transmission section or in a portion subsequent to the second transmission section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro TANABE, Koji SAKUMA
  • Publication number: 20160374539
    Abstract: A removable, resilient atraumatic sheath for arthroscopic instruments. The sheath covers sharp edges on the arthroscopic instrument, particularly the distal tip of the rigid cannula, and thereby protects tissue and objects near a surgical site from accidental trauma. The sheath may be provided in the form of an inflow/outflow sheath that allows a surgeon to irrigate and drain a surgical field without the use of a separate irrigation instrument. The distal tip of the sheath may comprise a dissimilar material of a higher modulus of elasticity than the material comprising the remainder of the tube. The sheath is provided with a cylindrical grip on the proximal end to resiliently squeeze the proximal end of the arthroscopic instrument. A level is provided to move the grip radially outwardly to release the grip from the arthroscopic instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Cannuflow, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore R. Kucklick, Martin Trieb
  • Publication number: 20160374540
    Abstract: A sheath for a medical instrument may include an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal face, and a first hollow lumen extending from a first end proximate the proximal end to a second end proximate the distal face. The sheath may also include a transparent window positioned at the second end of the first lumen to seal the first lumen at the second end. The transparent window may be configured to transmit light therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry WEITZNER, Paul SMITH, Robert B. DEVRIES
  • Publication number: 20160374541
    Abstract: A surgical robotic system automatically calibrates tubular and flexible surgical tools such as endoscopes. By accounting for nonlinear behavior of an endoscope, the surgical robotic system can accurately model motions of the endoscope and navigate the endoscope while performing a surgical procedure on a patient. The surgical robotic system models the nonlinearities using sets of calibration parameters determined based on images captured by an image sensor of the endoscope. Calibration parameters can describe translational or rotational movements of the endoscope in one or more axis, e.g., pitch and yaw, as well as a slope, hysteresis, or dead zone value corresponding to the endoscope's motion. The endoscope can include tubular components referred to as a sheath and leader. An instrument device manipulator of the surgical robotic system actuates pull wires coupled to the sheath or the leader, which causes the endoscope to articulate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Varun Agrawal, Atiyeh Ghoreyshi, David S. Mintz
  • Publication number: 20160374542
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes an image pickup section, an insertion section, a first optical system configured to project a first subject image onto the image pickup section, a second optical system configured to project a second subject image onto the image pickup section, an image generating section configured to generate an image based on the first subject image and the second subject image, an image processing section configured to perform predetermined image processing, and a storing section configured to record image processing target region information, and the image processing section moves an image processing region from a region set in the image processing target region information and sets the image processing region so as to coincide with a boundary region between the first subject image and the second subject image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuki HONDA
  • Publication number: 20160374543
    Abstract: An endoscope having a distal electrical feed-through, the endoscope including: an endoscope shaft having a distal objective unit comprising an electromagnetic actuator and a distal optical assembly that can be shifted in a longitudinal direction by actuation of the actuator, the endoscope shaft having a proximal unit having a proximal optical assembly arranged after the distal optical assembly in the direction of incident light, the objective unit is rotatable relative to the proximal unit about a longitudinal axis during assembly of the endoscope and is fixed rotationally relative to the proximal unit after assembly; and a cable for supplying current to the actuator, the cable being fed from the proximal unit to the objective unit, the cable having an excess length at a transition from the proximal unit to the objective unit, such excess length being at least half of the outer circumference of the objective unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventor: Martin WIETERS
  • Publication number: 20160374544
    Abstract: There is provided herein a circuit board assembly for a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope comprising a camera circuit board configured to carry at least one front-pointing camera and at least one side-pointing camera, a flexible illuminator circuit board comprising at least one foldable panel and configured to carry at least one front illuminator for essentially illuminating the field of view (FOV) of the front-pointing camera and at least one side illuminator for essentially illuminating the FOV of the side-pointing camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Yaniv Kirma, Moshe Levi, Leonid Krivopisk, Avi Levy
  • Publication number: 20160374545
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes: illuminating windows configured to emit a first illuminating light to the front and a second illuminating light to the side inside the subject; an observation window configured to acquire an image of the subject from the front; an observation window configured to acquire an image of the subject from the side; an image generation portion configured to generate a first image based on an image of the subject from the front and a second image based on an image of the subject from the side; a control portion configured to compare brightnesses of the first image and the second image; a polarization filter configured to adjust the amount of at least one of the first illuminating light and the second illuminating light; and a drive portion configured to drive a polarization filter on the basis of a result of the brightness comparison by the control portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya OBARA, Kazuki HONDA, Yasuhito KURA
  • Publication number: 20160374546
    Abstract: An otoscope provides a disposable speculum sleeve that conducts light to a narrow tip holding an electronic camera. By removing the light source from the tip, the diameter of the tip may be further reduced to allow the space of the ear canal to be shared between the otoscope and a tool such as a curette for removing foreign objects or to permit the tip to navigate around ear obstructions. The sleeve may provide for multidirectional illumination of the ear structure for improved visualization. The tip and sleeve may be flexible for increased patient comfort when using a compact tip design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: James Berbee, Azita Hamedani, Greg Rebella
  • Publication number: 20160374547
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a tomographic image acquisition unit that acquires a first tomographic image of a subject's eye captured at a first time point that is a past time point; a tomographic image capturing unit that acquires a second tomographic image of the subject's eye captured at a second time point later than the first time point; and an image display control unit that, if one image capturing region of an image capturing region of the first tomographic image and an image capturing region of the second tomographic image is larger than the other image capturing region, performs control to provide, on an image display portion, a display of both a tomographic image of only a partial region of the one image capturing region which is a corresponding region corresponding to the other image capturing region and a tomographic image of the other image capturing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Tatsuya Tanaka, Keisuke Oyaizu
  • Publication number: 20160374548
    Abstract: A processor extracts a reference signal of a scanner included in an adaptive optics SLO apparatus output while the scanner performs reciprocating scanning once on a region of an eye, generates sampling data strings of reciprocating scanning based on an electric signal obtained by a photoelectric conversion unit included in the adaptive optics SLO apparatus using the reference signal as a sampling reference position, and compares, among the sampling data strings of the reciprocating scanning, a sampling data string of forward scanning with a sampling data string of backward scanning so as to evaluate the correlation between the sampling data strings, and compensates a sampling reference position based on a result of the evaluation. An image construction unit assembles image data to construct an image of the region of the eye based on the sampling data strings of the reciprocating scanning in accordance with the compensated sampling reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Suguru Onda
  • Publication number: 20160374549
    Abstract: An eye examination device including eye examination optics for examining a patient's eyes. A chin rest assembly accepts the patient's head and maintains the patient's head in a fixed stable position. The chin rest assembly can comprise two spaced apart upright posts for securing to a table, with a forehead rest member being secured to the two upright posts at an upper end, and a chin rest member being secured to the two upright posts below the forehead rest member. The chin rest member can have a chin rest portion which extends forwardly relative to an upright plane extending between centers of the two upright posts and away from the eye examination optics, so that generally only a front of the patient's face coincides with the upright plane when the patient's head engages the chin rest portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Haixin Xue, Jacqueline Hai
  • Publication number: 20160374550
    Abstract: Low-cost, easy-to-use alignment target generators for aligning a user's own face or eye to a camera or scanner are based on field-of-view visual feedback from a filtered or apertured planar light source. These approaches may be made agnostic to the scanner's operating system or other software. Alternatively, software on the scanner or its host device may create a solid light-colored section of an existing display screen to use as a planar light source. In some embodiments, the planar light source may be the virtual image of an object viewed in a plane mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Kerry A. Stevens, Yoshifumi Nishi
  • Publication number: 20160374551
    Abstract: A visual distortion test is disclosed using a sequence of binary interactions with a mobile device, in which segments of the grid having no distortions are eliminated, and the segments with distortions are divided into smaller segments for further analysis. The test can quantify the visual distortion using a decreased number of steps, compared to sequential analysis of all the segments of the grid. The binary interaction or input to the mobile device is also easier for patients than graphic interactions with a conventional Amsler Grid. Early detection of changes in the visual distortion can enable the healthcare provider to individualize treatment, helping to prevent vision loss while minimizing visits to the office, discomfort, and expense.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel PALANKER
  • Publication number: 20160374552
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus capable of suppressing ghost, and securing a necessary amount of working distance even when an eye to be inspected has a diopter on a myopia side, includes: a large area image acquisition unit acquiring a large area image of a fundus of the eye to be inspected at a low resolution based on return light of first measuring light from the fundus; a small area image acquisition unit acquiring a small area image of the fundus at a high resolution based on return light of second measuring light from the fundus; and a dichroic prism combining the first measuring light and the second measuring light, and dividing the return light, in which the large area image acquisition unit includes an optical member having a positive optical power, which is arranged at a position opposite to the eye to be inspected with respect to the dichroic prism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Takashi Sudo
  • Publication number: 20160374553
    Abstract: Lighting device (10) comprising a support (11), a plurality of emitting elements (12) adapted to emit light, fixed to the support (11) and each having an emission direction (A) radial to a predefined optical axis (B). The lighting device (10) is provided with a reflection surface (13) facing the emitting elements (12) and configured to reflect the light emitted in use by the latters in a direction parallel to the optical axis (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Paola GRIGGIO, Franco MARCORI
  • Publication number: 20160374554
    Abstract: An intraocular pressure measurement arrangement is disclosed for measuring pressure of an eye of a patient. The arrangement can include at least one source for producing mechanical waves of several frequencies from a distance to the eye of the patient to generate at least one surface wave to the eye, a detector for detecting at least one surface wave from a distance from the eye to extract surface wave information, and a device for determining pressure information of the eye based on the surface wave information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Photono Oy
    Inventors: Antti KONTIOLA, Edward HÄGGSTRÖM, Ari SALMI, Heikki NIEMINEN
  • Publication number: 20160374555
    Abstract: An intraocular pressure measurement arrangement is disclosed for measuring pressure of an eye of a patient. The arrangement can include at least one source for producing mechanical waves of several frequencies from a distance to the eye of the patient to generate at least one surface wave to the eye, a detector for detecting at least one surface wave from a distance from the eye to extract surface wave information, and a device for determining pressure information of the eye based on the surface wave information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: PHOTONO OY
    Inventors: Antti KONTIOLA, Edward HÄGGSTRÖM, Ari SALMI, Heikki NIEMINEN