Abstract: A medical instrument with excellent operability is provided. The medical instrument includes stick-shaped extra-narrow metal members. The extra-narrow member has a hardened layer formed on the surface thereof without losing flexibility.

Abstract: A medical instrument with excellent operability is provided. The medical instrument includes stick-shaped extra-narrow metal members. The extra-narrow member has a hardened layer formed on the surface thereof without losing flexibility.

Abstract: To readily detect the taking-out of an object contained in a blister pack, there is provided a detection apparatus for detecting a timing at which a contained object is taken out from a blister pack including a plurality of containing portions and a plate-like portion that connects the plurality of containing portions. The apparatus includes a plate on which the blister pack is arranged, a plurality of light sources that emit light beams to the plurality of containing portions of the blister pack arranged on the plate, a plurality of sensors that receive the light beams emitted from the light sources, and also output electrical signals corresponding to light reception intensities, and a detector that detects the presence/absence of contained objects in the respective containing portions based on the electrical signals output from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An object suction device that more effectively sucks an object includes a pipe, a rotating member that is rotatably provided in the pipe and conveys an object that enters from an opening portion provided at a distal end of the pipe toward a rear end of the pipe, an air motor that rotates the rotating member, a nozzle that sucks the object discharged from the rear end of the pipe, and a channel that is connected to both the nozzle and the air motor and forms a flow of air and the object.

Abstract: To readily detect the taking-out of an object contained in a blister pack, there is provided a detection apparatus for detecting a timing at which a contained object is taken out from a blister pack including a plurality of containing portions and a plate-like portion that connects the plurality of containing portions. The apparatus includes a plate on which the blister pack is arranged, a plurality of light sources that emit light beams to the plurality of containing portions of the blister pack arranged on the plate, a plurality of sensors that receive the light beams emitted from the light sources, and also output electrical signals corresponding to light reception intensities, and a detector that detects the presence/absence of contained objects in the respective containing portions based on the electrical signals output from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: An object suction device that more effectively sucks an object includes a pipe, a rotating member that is rotatably provided in the pipe and conveys an object that enters from an opening portion provided at a distal end of the pipe toward a rear end of the pipe, an air motor that rotates the rotating member, a nozzle that sucks the object discharged from the rear end of the pipe, and a channel that is connected to both the nozzle and the air motor and forms a flow of air and the object.