Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a base and a brushroll positioned within the base. The base has a suction opening and is configured to move along a surface to be cleaned. The brushroll is rotatable relative to the base about an axis, and the brushroll includes a first end, a second end, an inflection point located between the ends, and a material that protrudes radially away from the brushroll. The material extends between the first end and the second end and wraps around the brushroll with a pitch. The material wraps in a first direction between the first end and the inflection point and wraps in a second direction between the inflection point and the second end.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaning apparatus includes a station and an electric vacuum cleaner connectable/disconnectable from the station. The electric vacuum cleaner includes: a coarse-dust collecting chamber that accumulates coarse dust separated with a first separator; a filter chamber that accumulates fine dust separated with a filter; a coarse-dust waste-outlet that discharges the coarse dust from the coarse-dust collecting chamber; a fine-dust waste-outlet adjacent to the coarse-dust waste-outlet and discharges the fine dust from the filter chamber; and a waste-outlet lid that opens/closes both the coarse-dust waste-outlet and fine-dust waste-outlet together.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing; a motor-fan assembly arranged to generate an airflow between an air inlet and an air outlet; a dirt collection chamber mounted to the housing and having a door; and a filter assembly located within the dirt collection chamber, the filter assembly comprising a coarse filter having a first gripping portion and a fine filter having a second gripping portion, wherein the first and second gripping portions are capable of being gripped by a user, wherein the first gripping portion and the second gripping portion are isolated from an airflow path between the air inlet and the air outlet.

Abstract: Vacuums including a water pan mount coupled to a housing and configured to receive a water pan are provided herein. The housing is operably rotatable around a fulcrum, relative to the water pan mount, to secure the water pan within the housing. At least one latch is coupled to the housing and is operably positionable in an engaged position and in a disengaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the at least one latch prevents rotation of the housing around the fulcrum.

Abstract: Vacuums including a hollow wand and a vacuum accessory are provided herein. The vacuum accessory is configured to releasably couple with the hollow wand. A first terminal is disposed at a distal end of the hollow wand. A second terminal is disposed at a proximal end of the vacuum accessory. The second terminal is configured to correspondingly electrically mate with the first terminal. A biasing member is operably coupled to one of the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein, when the hollow wand is releasably coupled to the vacuum accessory, the biasing member is compressed such that the first terminal and the second terminal are maintained in mating contact with each other.

Abstract: There is provided a cleaning robot including a first light source, a second light source, an image sensor and a processor. The processor is used to calculate an image quality of an image frame captured by the image sensor when the second light source is being turned on. The processor then determines whether to switch the second light source back to the first light source according to the image quality to accordingly identify the material of an operation surface.

Abstract: A robotic device that includes a housing defined by a proximal end and a distal end, the housing including a top planar surface, a bottom planar surface, and a sidewall extending between the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface. The housing further includes an angled surface extending distally from the proximal end between the bottom planar surface and the top planar surface such that the angled surface forms a wedged nose at the proximal end along the bottom planar surface. A conveyor track is positioned along the angled surface and transports articles positioned thereon from the proximal end along the bottom planar surface toward the distal end along the top planar surface.

Abstract: A cutting device is disclosed. The cutting device has a housing, a cutting assembly that is movably disposed in the housing, the cutting assembly including a body member, an actuating member, and a first urging member that is configured to urge the actuating member away from the body member, from an inner position toward an outer position relative to the body member, by applying a first urging force, and a second urging member that is configured to urge the cutting assembly to retract within the housing by applying a second urging force that urges the actuating member to move from an extended position toward a retracted position relative to the housing. The housing includes at least one recess.

Abstract: A mop head includes: a support body; and textile fringes extending in a longitudinal direction, the textile fringes being each secured on the support body in the longitudinal direction and having an opposite end in the longitudinal direction, at least one fringe including at least two strands including a first strand and a second strand, the strands making contact with one another by directly abutting one another, each strand having a same length. During use of the mop head, the strands are configured to exhibit shrinkage behaviors in the longitudinal direction deviating from one another under action of water and/or heat. The strands are fixed to one another by at least one fixation in the longitudinal direction such that the strands are held at a same length during the use of the mop head.

Abstract: A washing basin for washing a roller-type mop, which comprises a basin body having a washing chamber and an drainage chamber located one over the other, and the washing chamber is open upwardly for receiving the roller-type mop to be washed, the washing chamber is connected to an external water source through an inlet electromagnetic valve, the drainage chamber is connected with an external drainpipe through an outlet electromagnetic valve; and a waste filter screen which is provided between the washing chamber and the drainage chamber, and the inlet electromagnetic valve and the outlet electromagnetic valve are controlled via a control circuit.

Abstract: A glass washing system is designed to spray water into a glass when activated. The washer has a cabinet, a pair of containers, a dispenser, a collection basin, and a pump. The cabinet acts as the central storage space and structural support for the remaining components of the washer. The pair of containers are used to separately store clean water and dirty water. The collection basin traverses into a countertop of the cabinet to prevent washing fluid from spilling into the surrounding areas. The dispenser is mounted within the basin and the pump is connected in between the clean water container and the dispenser so that water is sprayed into the glass when the user presses the glass over the dispenser. Water then drains out of the basin through the drain and is collected within the dirty water container.

Abstract: A glass rinser apparatus is provided. The glass rinser apparatus may include a spray nozzle configured to output a liquid, a shank configured to be coupled at a first end to the spray nozzle, and to transmit the liquid to the spray nozzle, and a nut configured to be coupled to the second end of the shank. The shank may be shaped so that the shank does not rotate when the nut is coupled to the second end of the shank. The cross section of the shank may be substantially circular, and may include at least one flat portion.

Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize one or more tubular spray elements that are both rotatable about longitudinal axes thereof and discretely directable by one or more tubular spray element drives between a plurality of rotational positions about the longitudinal axes thereof. Thus, through the provision of discretely directable tubular spray elements, fluid such as wash fluid and/or pressurized air may be focused in a wash tub, in many cases providing more efficient resource usage in the dishwasher.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible tube, for an endoscope, having a flexible tube substrate, for an endoscope, that is flexible and tubular and a resin layer covering the flexible tube substrate for an endoscope. The resin layer includes one or more layers, the layers including a layer A including a polyester elastomer (a) as a resin component, a hindered amine compound (b), and a particular compound (c). Also provided are an endoscopic medical device including the flexible tube for an endoscope and a resin composition and a set of resin compositions that are suitable for forming the resin layer of the flexible tube for an endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes a signal processing unit that processes a captured image signal, which is obtained by imaging a subject through an imaging optical system including an objective lens of an endoscope, to generates captured image, an auxiliary measurement light emitting unit that emits planar auxiliary measurement light from the distal end part, a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the captured image including an intersection line formed in a portion where a plane formed by the auxiliary measurement light intersects the subject. The auxiliary measurement light emitting unit emits the auxiliary measurement light in a state where the plane and an optical axis intersects each light at one specific point on the optical axis of the objective lens. A distance from a distal end part of the objective lens of the one specific point is 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a display control system configured to calculate at least one index indicating a degree of abnormality of an object, according to a color included in an acquired object image, and to generate a display image in which the at least one index is identifiably displayed based on a predetermined threshold value that is set independently of the object image.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an articulate minimally invasive surgical endoscope with a flexible wrist having at least one degree of freedom. When used with a surgical robot having a plurality of robot arms, the endoscope can be used with any of the plurality of arms thereby allowing the use a universal arm design. The endoscope in accordance to the present invention is made more intuitive to a user by attaching a reference frame used for controlling the at least one degree of freedom motion to the flexible wrist for wrist motion associated with the at least one degree of freedom. The endoscope in accordance to the present invention attenuates undesirable motion at its back/proximal end by acquiring the image of the object in association with the at least one degree of freedom based on a reference frame rotating around a point of rotation located proximal to the flexible wrist.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a probe having an insertion tube and a section connected to the insertion tube. A camera is attached to the section and a magnetic field sensor coil, having a first coil axis of symmetry, is also attached with the first axis parallel to a camera direction of view. Another magnetic field sensor coil, which has a second coil axis of symmetry, is attached to the insertion tube with the second axis perpendicular to the camera direction of view. A processor receives signals generated by the coils and in response to signals received at a first time, identifies an initial orientation of an initial image produced by the camera. In response to signals received at a second, subsequent, time, the processor identifies a subsequent orientation of a subsequent image and rotates the subsequent image on a display so as to reorient the subsequent image to the initial orientation.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for implementing a dip-molded disposable endoscopic sheath are provided. An apparatus includes a body having an elongated shape having having a proximal end and a distal end. The body may have a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end. The lumen may be configured to receive an instrument from the proximal end. The apparatus may further include a cap integrally formed to the distal end of the body. The cap and the body of the sheath may define a volume of the lumen that is enclosed on all sides except the proximal end of the body. The cap may form a polymeric knit with the body.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for implementing a clamp assembly for disposable endoscopic sheaths are provided. A system includes a sheath, clamp assembly, and protective cover. The sheath may be configured to receive an instrument. The clamp assembly may include a first member coupled to a second member, wherein the first and second members may be placed in a clamping configuration and an open configuration. In the clamping configuration, the first member and the second member are configured to collapse a lumen of the sheath at a location between the first and second members, and in the open configuration the lumen is not collapsed between the first and second members. The protective cover may include a receiver configured to mate with the clamp assembly and to cause the clamp assembly to maintain the open configuration when the clamp assembly is mated with the receiver.

Abstract: A surgical tool, consisting of a handle and a flexible insertion tube, having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end configured to be inserted into an orifice of a living subject. The tool has an inner tube, which is bendable without breaking over a range of angles in response to a bending force, and which retains the bent shape after the bending force has been removed. The inner tube is located within the insertion tube. A flexible tubing defines a lumen and is contained within the inner tube. A tool working tip is configured to contact tissue in the subject and to mate with a distal termination of the inner tube. A rigid outer tube grips outer surfaces of the working tip and of the inner tube so as to maintain an opening of the working tip in communication with the flexible tubing lumen.

Abstract: An insertion support system includes a state acquisition apparatus configured to acquire first information. The first information includes at least one of: a plurality of pieces of position information related to a plurality of positions of an insertion section to be inserted into an insertion target body; and a plurality of pieces of direction vector information in a longitudinal axis direction of the insertion section. The insertion support system also includes a support information calculator configured to calculate second information related to a rotation quantity of the insertion section based on the first information, and an output section configured to output the second information.

Abstract: An endoscope light source device includes a light source to emit light, and a speckle reduction member to scatter the light. The reduction member has a surface including thickness variation to provide the light with an optical path difference. The device also includes a drive to move the reduction member, and a lens to condense the light passed through the reduction member onto a light guide of an endoscope. The surface of the reduction member has inclination of an average inclination angle. The average inclination angle is determined so that a light quantity loss rate of the entering light into the light guide by scattering of the reduction member and refraction of the lens has a positive value equal to or smaller than an effective allowable loss rate.

Abstract: An optical system for stereoscopic vision includes a first optical system and a second optical system. Each of the first optical system and the second optical system includes a stop and a plurality of lens units. The plurality of lens units includes at least one movable lens unit which moves at the time of focusing, and at least focusing to a near point and focusing to a far point is carried out by movement of the movable lens unit. At the time of focusing to a near point, both a first entrance pupil and a second entrance pupil are positioned on an image side of positions at the time of focusing to a far point. Here, the first entrance pupil is an entrance pupil of the first optical system, and the second entrance pupil is an entrance pupil of the second optical system.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an imager that includes a lens and an image transmitter configured to capture an image of a subject; a distal end rigid member that is provided at a distal end part of an insertion portion to be inserted into the subject, the distal end rigid member including a treatment tool insertion path into which a treatment tool to give a given treatment on the subject is inserted, an imaging hole in which the imager is arranged and in which a proximal end side is open, and a groove including a butting face on an end face of the groove on a distal end side; and a butting member arranged in the imager and configured to be butted against the butting face of the groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless capsule endoscope and a power supply control method thereof. The method includes controlling the power supply of the capsule endoscope wirelessly and automatically adjusting power consumption of the power supply in the capsule endoscope. The wireless capsule endoscope includes a capsule casing, a light generator arranged at outside of the capsule casing, an opto-electronic switching starter arranged in the capsule casing, a power supply, a control module, a posture sensor, an illumination unit, an image processing device and a radio frequency transmission unit. The power supply being driven by the light generator in the present invention can effectively solve the incompatible problem between a traditional magnetic switch and a magnetic control device. Meanwhile, the control module and the posture detector enable the power supply to be in different working status under different states, which can prolong the service life of the power supply of the capsule endoscope.

Abstract: Medical imaging camera head attachment devices and methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system or other medical scope or borescope. Various camera head attachments are provided with a camera head design and system allowing recognition of the attachments, and enabling processing algorithms associated with each. The camera head optics are designed to work with a variety of attachments. Several attachments optical designs are provided.

Abstract: A liquid distribution system is configured to deliver a disinfectant solution to a medical device within an enclosure. A disinfectant concentration measuring subsystem includes a mixing chamber, a reservoir, a reservoir cap, a pump, and a concentration analysis assembly. The first mixing chamber is in fluid communication with an outlet of the liquid distribution system. The reservoir is configured to contain a reagent solution and is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. The reservoir cap includes a static member, which is configured to couple with a supply conduit and a return conduit; and a rotating member, which is configured to rotate relative to the static member to couple the reservoir cap with the reservoir. The pump is configured to simultaneously pump the disinfectant solution and the reagent solution into the mixing chamber. The concentration analysis assembly is operable to determine a concentration of disinfectant output from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A specimen container holding apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to hold a container for receiving liquids from a bronchoscope. The apparatus includes a needle guide with a first and a second opening configured to receive a needle of the bronchoscope. The first and second opening may be disposed on a removable tip of the needle guide. The removable tip may be detachably connected to a removable tip connection point. The apparatus may further include a slide holder configured to hold a slide.

Abstract: A polished surface of an arthroscopic instrument for improving visualization of the portion of an ankle joint under repair known as the gutter. The instrument has a handle, a shaft, and a head, at least a portion of the head is polished to provide a mirrored surface for viewing the gutter. Alternatively, the arthroscopic instrument may have a handle, a shaft, and a head, where the head is cylindrical and includes a plurality of apertures extending along the axis of the cylindrical head to define a plurality of guides.

Abstract: The subject matter discloses a speculum device and a method of using the device. The speculum comprises a body, comprising a lower blade member and an upper blade member, an imaging device for capturing images, and an adapter connected to the body, said adapter is connected to the camera and enables a user of the speculum device to adjust the field of view of the camera relative to the body.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in systems and computer-implemented methods for determining a score representing an amount of staining of the cornea. The methods include obtaining a digital image of the cornea stained with a tracer material, receiving a selection of a portion of the image, and processing, by a processing device, the selection to exclude areas with one or more artifacts to define an evaluation area. For each of a plurality of pixels within the evaluation area, a plurality of Cartesian color components are determined and a hue value in a polar coordinate based color space is calculated from the components. An amount of staining of the cornea is then determined as a function of the hue value. The methods also include assigning a score to the evaluation area based on the amount of staining calculated for the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for comprehensive vision and audio screening, the apparatus including a housing having left and right separated compartments. Each of the left and right separated compartments contains a distance- and contrast-adjustable component of a stereo display that can be switched to be transparent with a rear display providing background and see-through capability, a semitransparent mirror, a lens with built-in camera, an LED module, a light source with a set of filters, a light module, and a component of a stereo speaker. The apparatus further includes a communication module, an accelerometer, a three-axis gyroscope, a light detector, a processor; a memory storing firmware, and a power supply component having a rechargeable battery and a charging component.

Abstract: A method and a system of enhancing ganglion cell function using a gaming environment corresponding to a physical activity. The method and system may be used to implement one or more processes to improve a person's visual processing profile. In particular, the method and system may be used to improve a player's skill in the corresponding physical activity.

Abstract: Retinal imaging systems and related methods employ a user specific approach for controlling the reference arm length in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging device. A method includes restraining a user's head relative to an OCT imaging device. A reference arm length adjustment module is controlled to vary a reference arm length to search a user specific range of reference arm lengths to identify a reference arm length for which the OCT image detector produces an OCT signal corresponding to the retina of the user. The user specific range of reference arm lengths covers a smaller range of reference arm lengths than a reference arm length adjustment range of the reference arm length adjustment module.

Abstract: Improvements in capturing an image of a cornea with Placido's disk lines is disclosed. The imaging is with a clam shell clamping device that is easily clamped onto a cellular device and the lighting tube is centered on the camera so the image at the end of the tube can be captured. The clamping device includes a ring light source that illuminates the outside of the tube. The tube has a plurality of geometrically spaced light and dark rings to create evenly spaced rings on the cornea. Imperfections in the cornea will distort the rings. The camera can capture the image and the image or picture can be forwarded to a doctor or other care giver to determine the perfection or imperfection of the cornea.

Abstract: Accurate measurement of pupillary distance, PD, is necessary to make prescription eye glasses as well as configuring VR headsets, and using other binocular optical devices. Today, many people are ordering eyeglasses on line and obtaining their PD is often problematic for a number of reasons as the prior art fails to provide consumer friendly PD measurement systems. A disclosed eyeglass frame system comprises reference marks of known locations upon the frames. A smart phone may be used to locate the consumer's pupils, while the consumer is wearing the frames. The consumer's pupils may be marked or tagged upon a digital image of the consumer wearing the frames. By use of angles in the sight lines of the camera lens and other variable values and the known relative distances of the frame markings, a consumer's pupillary distance can be quickly and accurately derived.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for measuring ocular motility of a patient.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device that comprises a first objective lens system, an optical system, an anterior eye segment photographing system, and a first optical-path combining member. The first objective lens system includes two or more lenses. The optical system includes a projection system configured to project light onto a target eye via the first objective lens system. The anterior eye segment photographing system is used for photographing an anterior eye segment of the target eye. The first optical-path combining member is located between the two or more lenses to combine an optical path of the optical system and an optical path of the anterior eye segment photographing system.

Abstract: A reflectometry instrument includes a light source for emitting an illumination beam that illuminates the macula. A portion of the illumination beam is reflected from the macula and forms a detection beam. The detection beam is indicative of macular pigment in the macula. The instrument also includes a first mirror for reflecting the illumination beam toward the macula and for reflecting the detection beam from the macula. The instrument is configured so that the illumination beam and the detection beam remain separated between the macula and the first mirror.

Abstract: A photomedical system and method for treating and/or diagnosing a patient's eye that includes a first light source for producing light, a scanning device for deflecting the light to produce a pattern of the light on the eye, a viewing element positioned to view the eye by a user or physician, and an alignment element aligned to the viewing element and the scanning device for optically indicating through the viewing element a location on the eye on which the pattern of the light will be located, but without projecting any alignment light onto the eye.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for mechanically disturbing tissues of the central nervous system including a brain of a subject are provided. An elastogram of brain tissue may be generated using mesoscopic wavelength ultrasound composed of longitudinal waves in brain tissues to produce micromechanical disturbances of brain nuclei and circuits for characterization of their mechanical properties (e.g., stiffness, elasticity, rigidity, viscoelasticity). A magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) system includes an MRE engine in electronic communication with at least one transducer and with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. The MRE engine is configured to electronically control operation of the at least one transducer to emit ultrasound, to electronically receive, from the MRI device, at least one signal indicative of measurements of displacement of the brain tissue by the ultrasound, and to electronically generate an elastogram of the brain tissue based on the at least one signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, a distal tip member, a dissection member, and a position sensor. The distal tip member has an opening in fluid communication with a lumen of the shaft assembly. A longitudinal axis extends centrally through the opening and lumen at the distal tip member. The dissection member extends distally from the distal tip member. The first position sensor is operable to generate signals indicating a position of the distal tip member in space.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a light source to emit a plurality of wavelengths of light, and a camera coupled to receive the light reflected back from tissue in a body. Also included are a database with reflectance data for a plurality of tissue types, and a controller coupled to the light source, the database, and the camera. The controller causes the imaging system to perform operations, including: generating image data with the camera; receiving the image data from the camera with the controller; comparing, with the controller, the image data to the reflectance data in the database; and determining a tissue type in the image data in response to comparing the image data to the reflectance data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated sensor, including a first electrocardio-electrode, a second electrocardio-electrode and an oxygen saturation sensor, where an insulating member is disposed between the first electrocardio-electrode and the second electrocardio-electrode, and the first electrocardio-electrode is disposed at a side of the oxygen saturation sensor. Also disclosed is a health monitor, including a blood pressure bandage for measuring blood pressure and the aforementioned integrated sensor, where the integrated sensor is disposed on a side of the blood pressure bandage in a penetrating mode, the first electrocardio-electrode faces towards the outside of the blood pressure bandage, and the second electrocardio-electrode faces towards the inside of the blood pressure bandage.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system having defibrillation protection includes a data acquisition device and a leadset. The data acquisition device records physiological signals from a patient, the data acquisition device having at least three receiving ports, each receiving port configured to connect to a patient connector. The leadset includes a galvanic patient connector that galvanically connects a first receiving port of the data acquisition device and the patient and at least a first capacitive patient connector and a second capacitive patient connector, wherein each capacitive patient connector capacitively couples a respective receiving port of the data acquisition device and the patient.

Abstract: An information processing method includes: obtaining first image data indicating an image of at least one portion of a face of a target person from a camera connected to or built into a first computer; obtaining cerebral blood flow information indicating a state of cerebral blood flow of the target person from a detector that is connected to or built into the first computer and that detects the cerebral blood flow information; and displaying, on a display connected to or built into a second computer connected to the first computer through a remote network, an output image including a first image based on the first image data and a second image based on the cerebral blood flow information. The first image is a moving image including the at least one portion of the face, and the second image indicates changes over time in the cerebral blood flow information.

Abstract: A resilient fabric band providing a sensor platform for a wearer in order to sense a plurality of biometric data, the band comprising: a pair of ECG sensors coupled to an interior surface of a body of the band, each of the pair of ECG sensors located on either side of a front to back centerline of the body; a pair of bio impedance sensors coupled to the interior surface of the body of the band, each of the pair of bio impedance sensors located on either side of the front to back centerline; a strain gauge sensor coupled to the body of the band; a computer device mounted on the body of the band via a housing, the computer device including a power source, a computer processor, a memory for storing instructions for execution by the computer processor, and a network interface for transmitting data sensed by the sensors; and a plurality of communication pathways connecting the computer device to each of the sensors, the communication pathway for sending power from the power supply to the sensors as controlled by t

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to the assessment of circulatory complications due to advancement of diabetes. Embodiments include an optical measurement device having a light source with one or more wavelengths and configured to illuminate an area of tissue, a detector configured to capture the light reflecting from one or more layers of the tissue at the one or more illumination wavelengths, a processor configured to compute, based on the detected signal of layer extracted circulatory data, one or more estimates of tissue vascular health, and a display or communication device (e.g., electronic data transfer) configured to store or report the tissue vascular health. In exemplary embodiments, the distribution of chromophores such as hemoglobin in different layers of skin is extracted using a combination of structured light in the visible and near-infrared regime.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, systems, methods and platforms for continuously monitoring the health status of a user, for example the cardiac health status. The present disclosure describes systems, methods, devices, software, and platforms for continuously monitoring a user's low-fidelity health-indicator data (for example and without limitation PPG signals, heart rate or blood pressure) from a user-device in combination with corresponding (in time) data related to factors that may impact the health-indicator (“other-factors”) to determine whether a user has normal health as judged by or compared to, for example and not by way of limitation, either (i) a group of individuals impacted by similar other-factors, or (ii) the user him/herself impacted by similar other-factors.