Abstract: Drink containers include a liquid container and a cap assembly removably coupled to the liquid container. Cap assemblies include a body that defines a drink outlet for dispensing drink liquid, and an operational assembly that is operatively coupled to the body and that has at least an open configuration permitting drink liquid to be dispensed and a closed configuration restricting drink liquid from being dispensed. In some embodiments, the operational assembly also has a cleaning configuration in which portions of the operational assembly are spaced away from the body of the cap assembly for cleaning. In some embodiments, the operational assembly is positioned predominantly on the exterior of the body of the cap assembly.

Abstract: A grommet glide curtain panel includes a panel with a front-facing side and a back side, a plurality of grommets each being engaged with a fabric tab, and a plurality of spaced fabric tabs attached to a top section of the back side of the panel. The fabric tab is configured to enclose a section of the D-shaped grommet to the panel and is aligned to receive a curtain rod so that the grommets can glide on said rod for easy care, opening, closing, and hanging the panel.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a rotatable filter element (30) having a closed bottomed with a grating disc (34). The filter element has an outer perimeter and a conical perforated wall (33) that extends from the outer perimeter to an upper edge defining an open upper part of the filter element. The kitchen appliance includes a drive motor for driving the filter element and a feeding tube (10) having a tubular wall extending from a first open distal end for receiving foodstuff to a second open distal end that opens near the grating disc. A cover member (60) extends from the upper edge of the perforated wall up to the tubular wall of the feeding tube (10). The cover member (60), the filter element (30) and the tubular wall define a substantially closed ring-shaped space.

Abstract: Microwave pressure cooker including safety interlock mechanism. A blow vent is provided in cooker lid, and a lock bar is pivoted to cooker lid in a position to block blow vent when lock bar is resting under its own weight. Free end of lock bar includes a lock tab. Lock tab extends through a slot at periphery of lid. Cooker base includes handle with a cam section ending in a lock wall. Cooker lid is placed on base in a release position and rotated to a locking position. During rotation lock tab rides over cam section and then falls adjacent lock wall, thus sealing blow vent. After cooking cover is physically prevented from rotating back to release position by lock tab abutting lock wall. User must physically lift lock bar to unseal blow vent to ensure internal pressure is released. A spline may hold lock bar in raised position.

Abstract: A vessel has a hinged lid. The hinged lid is biased into an open position by a spring. The lid is mechanically coupled to a damping mechanism, preferably concealed within the body or lid of the vessel. The lid is held in a closed position by a latch.

Abstract: Shown are devices and methods for brewing and steeping tea. The devices and methods for brewing and steeping tea utilize steam, heated liquid, agitation, and recirculation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage preparation system (1) for preparing a beverage by injection of a liquid into an ingredient capsule, the beverage system comprising an ingredient capsule (54) and a beverage preparation machine (2, 200) having:—an injection unit (73; 204) with at least one inner through channel (75; 210) for injecting a liquid into the ingredient capsule;—operating means for causing the machine to prepare a beverage, characterized in that the machine further comprises a cleaning device (90; 220) for automatically cleaning said at least one inner through channel, said cleaning device being actuated by said operating means.

Abstract: A dispenser including a housing and a door pivotally attached to the housing via a substantially vertically arranged hinge. The housing includes a hinge wall, an upper end wall, a substantially vertical wall and a lower end wall. The walls define an edge delimiting a lateral charge opening. The housing is provided with a dispensing opening at the lower end wall. The door includes an essentially vertical portion, a free end opposite the hinge and a door rim at lest partly adjacent the edge of the housing when the door is in a closed position. The edge of the housing has a free edge portion extending along the upper end wall, the substantially vertical wall and the lower end wall. The free edge portion includes a guiding element for co-operation with a region of the door rim during pivoting of the door towards the closed position and for vertically positioning the free end of the door.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an improved paper towel and toilet paper portable dispenser that will protect and cover a paper towel or toilet paper roll, so as not to become dirty when being transported. It will further allow the desired amounts of paper towels and toilet paper to be easily removed from the dispenser when needed. Not only is the dispenser light weight, flexible and simple and easy to use, it is economical in cost to manufacture.

Abstract: A universal flushing lever for a toilet that can be mounted on different areas of the toilet tank, during flushing action, triggers the closing of the toilet seat cover and or seat using magnetic fields. A magnet is attached to a universal flushing lever as well as the seat cover and/or seat. When the flushing lever is actuated it uses the magnet's fields to trigger the cover and/or seat closure. The magnets can be positioned to use the magnetic fields in two ways, repulsion or attraction individually or in conjunction. In the repulsion scenario, the magnets, one positioned on the flushing lever and one on the cover and or seat, once in proximity forces the closure of the adjacent cover and or seat. In the attraction scenario, the magnets, one positioned on the flushing lever and one on the cover and or seat, once away from proximity allows the closure of the adjacent cover and or seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic vacuum in which an ejector (10) exhibits a tubular conduit (11) for injection of compressed air, a discharge channel (12) for discharging the aspirated fluid and the compressed air injected via the tubular conduit (11), an aspirating channel (13) in fluid communication with the tubular conduit (11) and the discharge channel (12) for aspirating; the ejector (10) has a first and a second tubular body (17, 24) exhibiting a first converging portion (20, 25) arranged downstream of an inlet zone (18) along an aspirating direction (21) and a second portion (22, 26) having a constant section emerging from the first converging portion (20, 25) at the smaller-section zone (23, 27) and downstream of the first portion (20, 25) along the aspirating direction (21), the tubular conduit (11) for injecting the compressed air exhibiting an inlet mouth (28) located at the converging portion (25) of the second tubular body (24) such as to inject pressurized air into the second tubular body (2

Abstract: An upright surface cleaning apparatus with a portable surface cleaning unit wherein a lock which secures the portable surface cleaning unit in position is automatically moved to the unlocked position when an upper portion is moved to the floor cleaning position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is described that includes an elongated vacuum body, an optional battery-pack attached to the bottom end of the elongated vacuum body, and a removable backpack assembly with shoulder and waist straps attachable directly to the elongated vacuum body. The shape of the elongated vacuum body is such that the center of gravity of the body is shifted close to the body of the vacuum appliance user, allowing for greater freedom of movement during use. The vacuum appliance also includes exhaust air vents positioned to reduce the noise output of the vacuum appliance as perceived by the user during use.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head includes an openable agitator chamber to provide access to an agitator, such as a brush roll, for purposes of removing debris and/or removing the agitator. The openable agitator chamber is covered by an external cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A sealing member may be located between the external cover and a surface cleaning head housing and around a perimeter of the agitator chamber. A surface cleaning head includes a removable rotatable agitator, such as a brush roll, which is driven by a drive mechanism that axially engages the driven end. At least one end of the removable agitator may be secured in the agitator chamber by the external cover. The surface cleaning head may also include one or more transparent regions (e.g., on the openable cover) to allow visual inspection of the agitator during use.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a vac-motor and a dust separator for separating out dust particles entrained in an airflow drawn through the separator by the vac-motor. The separator is a multi-stage separator incorporating a cyclonic primary separation stage, a non-cyclonic secondary separation stage which is downstream of the primary separation stage and a cyclonic tertiary stage which is downstream of the secondary stage. In accordance with the invention, the secondary stage includes a flow bend for changing the direction of the airflow thereby to separate out dust particles entrained in the airflow. The vacuum cleaner also includes a primary dust collector for collecting dust particles separated out by the primary separation stage, a secondary dust collector for collecting the dust particles separated out by the flow bend and a tertiary dust collector for collecting dust separated out by the tertiary separation stage.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a main brush to sweep or scatter dust off a floor, a main brush motor to rotate the main brush, a Revolution Per Minute (RPM) detector to detect an RPM of the main brush motor, and a control unit to determine a type of floor according to the RPM of the main brush motor acquired by the RPM detector and control an operation of the robot cleaner based on the determined type of floor. A carpet mode to clean only a carpet area and a hard floor mode to clean a hard floor area excluding the carpet area are given based on detected information relating to the material of a floor, which enables partial cleaning with respect to a cleaning area selected by a user and adjustment in the number of cleaning operations or the intensity of cleaning according to the material of the floor.

Abstract: A cleaning system including a motor, an impeller driven by the 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 one of a first type of data and a second type of data, and operate the motor at a defined speed, the defined speed being a first speed upon receiving the first type of data, and a second speed upon receiving the second type of data.

Abstract: A drivable floor cleaning machine is provided, including a chassis, at least one cleaning head, and a holding device capable of holding the cleaning head on the chassis and lifting it relative to the chassis, the holding device including a first rod device rotatably held by a first bearing device on the chassis, a second rod device rotatably held on the chassis by means of a second bearing device, a third bearing device rotatably holding the cleaning head on the first rod device, and including a fourth bearing device rotatably holding the cleaning head on the second rod device, wherein the cleaning head is supported on a stop when a specific lifting position of the cleaning head relative to the chassis is reached, and on which stop the cleaning head can be rotated.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising an electric motor, an impeller and an axial diffuser arranged on a common axis is provided. The impeller is connected to the electric motor and is arranged for rotation on the common axis to achieve a radial air flow. The radial air flow is redirected into an axial air flow. The diffuser passages are arranged between an inner circumferential wall and an outer circumferential wall, wherein the walls are coaxially arranged around the common axis. Each diffuser passage is delimited in a circumferential direction between the walls by vanes extending between the inner wall and the outer wall and in an axial direction extending substantially in parallel with the common axis. The vanes are arranged in at least two rows being consecutively arranged in the axial direction extending substantially in parallel with the common axis.

Abstract: Provided herein is a spray arm arrangement for a dishwasher having: a support having a hub portion; and a spray arm having at least one arm portion with at least one spray nozzle, and a generally tubular mounting portion connected to the arm portion. The mounting portion may have first and second bearing surfaces bearing against the hub portion, with the first bearing surface being located at a shorter axial distance from the arm portion than the second bearing surface. The first bearing surface may be located within the hub portion proximate the axial end of the hub portion facing towards the arm portion, and the second bearing surface may include a projection which axially extends from said mounting portion into said hub portion.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes an input element configured to select a first wash cycle from a plurality of wash cycles, a controller configured to control a cycle parameter, a turbidity sensor configured to measure a soil level of a wash liquid, and a display device configured to at least temporarily display the soil level measured by the turbidity sensor.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including a detection unit configured to detect a mask from an acquired image, a determination unit configured to determine whether there is a change in the mask detected by the detection unit, and an output unit configured to output a parameter when the determination unit determines that there is a change in the mask, the parameter being related to the mask detected by the detection unit before it is determined that there is a change in the mask.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising a flexible elongate member including a longitudinal axis and a tool connected to the elongate member at a pivot axis, wherein the tool may be configured to conduct electricity and deliver a fluid, and wherein the tool may be configured to pivot towards either side of the longitudinal axis relative to the elongate member at the pivot axis.

Abstract: A scanner for an endoscope comprising: a scanning mechanism comprising a light transmitter and arranged to move the light transmitter to perform a scan; a lens system arranged to optically couple the light transmitter to a target during a scan; a first housing which houses at least a first portion of the lens system; a second housing which houses at least the fiber scanning mechanism; and a bendable joint joining the first and second housings such that in a scanning configuration the bendable joint joins the first and second housings so that optical elements in the first and second housings are aligned at a working separation, the bendable joint arranged to bend in response to insertion forces applied to the scanner during insertion of the scanner and revert to the scanning configuration in the absence of insertion forces.

Abstract: A rear-viewing endoscope includes a rigid section having first and second ends, and a cavity situated between the first and second ends. The rigid section has a longitudinal length and defining a longitudinal axis (LAR). The endoscope further includes a flexible section having proximal and distal ends, where the proximal end is coupled to the second end of the rigid section; and an imaging unit having first and second ends and a cavity situated between the first and second ends, the second end of the imaging unit coupled to the distal end of the flexible section. An objective lens assembly of the endoscope includes a complementary multiband bandpass filter (CMBF) pair situated within the cavity of the imaging unit. The CMBF filter collimated image rays passing therethrough so as to output filtered image rays. A camera or detector receives the filtered image rays and forms corresponding video information for stereoscopic imaging.

Abstract: A medical instrument system includes an elongated member having an inner space in a direction of a longitudinal axis, an insertion section installed at the inner space and having a bending section capable of being bent, a manipulation section configured to manipulate the bending section, a first manipulation member transmitting a driving force of the bending section in accordance with the manipulation by the manipulation section, a second manipulation member arranged in the direction of a longitudinal axis, a connecting section having a first connecting section and a second connecting section and capable of connecting the first manipulation member and the second manipulation member, and a switching mechanism having a first acting section and a second acting section and switching between a connection state and a release state in accordance with a relative movement between the elongated member and the insertion section.

Abstract: An in-vivo imaging device and method for performing spectral analysis include inserting the in-vivo device into a patient's lumen, illuminating the tissue lumen and collecting the light scattered and reflected from the tissue. The device may comprise at least six illumination sources for illuminating the tissue. At least two of the six illumination sources illuminate at a different wavelength in the blue spectral region, at least two illuminate at a different wavelength in the green spectral region, and at least two illuminate at a different wavelength in the red spectral region. The illumination sources are adapted to illuminate in groups of three, wherein each group of three illumination sources comprises one illumination source that illuminates in the blue spectral region, one in the green spectral region, and one in the red spectral region. Each group of three illumination sources illuminates simultaneously.

Abstract: An endoscopic diagnosis system includes a first narrowband light source for emitting first narrowband light having a given wavelength range, a second narrowband light source for emitting second narrowband light having a wavelength range different from that of the first narrowband light, a first image sensor for receiving reflected light of the first narrowband light illuminating a subject from the subject to acquire a narrowband light image in a narrowband light observation mode, a second image sensor for receiving first autofluorescence emitted from the subject as the first narrowband light illuminates the subject to acquire a first autofluorescence image in a first autofluorescence observation mode and receiving second autofluorescence emitted from the subject as the second narrowband light illuminates the subject to acquire a second autofluorescence image in a second autofluorescence observation mode.

Abstract: A system for determining an accommodative force in a patient includes a sensor adapted to detect motion of a lens of the patient relative to a globe of the patient's eye, a controller configured to determine an accommodative force in the patient based on the relative motion and to determine at least one parameter for an intraocular lens based on the accommodative force, and an interface adapted to output the at least one parameter for the intraocular lens.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for providing markers for evaluating and/or practicing the visual field recognizable by an eye, and/or eyes, and/or visual system of a person. The method relies on the reporting of the person of identifications of fixation objects only identifiable when the eye or eyes of the person are accurately fixated on the fixation object. Accordingly active monitoring of a saccade, if a saccade triggering stimulus is employed; or smooth pursuit, if smooth pursuit triggering stimulus is employed, of the eye of the person is not needed for determining whereto to eye or eyes are fixated. The present invention also relates to the use of a system employing the method of the invention. The present invention further relates to a system for the method of the invention and a software product for the system.

Abstract: A method for determining optical properties of a corneal region. The method includes the steps of obtaining a combined tear film aqueous layer plus lipid layer thickness; obtaining a tear film lipid layer thickness; subtracting the tear film lipid layer thickness from the combined tear film aqueous layer plus lipid layer thickness to obtain a tear film aqueous layer thickness; and determining a corneal layer refractive index based on the tear film lipid layer thickness and the tear film aqueous layer thickness.

Abstract: In order to take a good tomographic image without a complicated position adjustment operation by an inspector, an ophthalmologic apparatus is provided which acquires a fundus tomographic image by optical coherence tomography utilizing interference by low coherence light. The ophthalmologic apparatus includes a tomographic image acquiring unit for acquiring a tomographic image of an eye to be inspected, a tilt calculation unit for calculating a tilt of the tomographic image, and a relative position changing unit for changing a relative position between the tomographic image acquiring unit and the eye to be inspected based on the tilt of the tomographic image. An evaluation index may be devised that indicates a problem with the tomographic image or an anterior ocular image and the relative position changing means may change the relative position according to this evaluation index. The evaluation index is linked to the tilt of the tomographic image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus configured to process a tomographic image indicating the polarization state of a subject, includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of the tomographic images imaged at different times, an extraction unit configured to extract each depolarized area from the plurality of the tomographic images, and a display control unit configured to display information about each depolarized area on a display unit with the information associated with each other.

Abstract: An eye tracker having a waveguide for propagating illumination light towards an eye and propagating image light reflected from at least one surface of an eye, a light source optically coupled to the waveguide, and a detector optically coupled to the waveguide. Disposed in the waveguide is at least one grating lamina for deflecting the illumination light towards the eye along a first waveguide path and deflecting the image light towards the detector along a second waveguide path.

Abstract: In a fundus observation apparatus, an optical system detects interference light generated by superposing signal light having traveled by way of an eye fundus and reference light having traveled by way of a reference optical path. An image forming part forms a cross sectional image based on detection results of the interference light. A specifying part analyzes the cross sectional image to specify an abnormal region located in the vicinity of central fovea of the eye fundus. The association information generating part calculates the distance between the central fovea and the abnormal region and generates association information in which the direction of the abnormal region relative to the central fovea and the distance are associated with each other. The evaluation information generating part generates evaluation information for evaluating the state of the eye fundus based on the association information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Broad Line Fundus Imaging (BLFI), an imaging approach that is a hybrid between confocal and widefield imaging systems, are presented. These systems and methods are focused on improving the quality and signal of broad line fundus images or imaging methods to create high contrast and high resolution fundus images. Embodiments related to improved pupil splitting, artifact removal, reflex minimization, adaptable field of view, instrument alignment and illumination details are considered.

Abstract: A gaze guidance arrangement is formed in a device for imaging an eye, the device being wearable on the object to be examined or otherwise placeable to the front of an eye or eyes. The device comprises one or more camera arrangements and an illumination arrangement. The gaze guidance arrangement comprises a visual target, to which the gaze is supposed to be directed, in order to reach the desired position of the eye, and a control arrangement that guides the gaze guidance arrangement. The control arrangement is at least partly located in said device and further guides the imaging process of the device and the device takes images automatically when the eye is in a predetermined position to which the visual target has directed said eye.

Abstract: An ophthalmological apparatus includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire images of different magnifications, a decision unit configured to decide, based on at least the acquired images or capture conditions of the acquired images, a method for capturing an image of an intermediate magnification that is between the magnifications of the acquired images, and an alignment unit configured to align the acquired images.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is described with telecommunication capabilities to allow for data and/or voice communication via private or public networks, having an integrated chemical sensor sensitive to ketones within a breath sample of a user wherein the sensor comprises at least one metal oxide gas sensor and a control circuit for the sensor integrated onto a common substrate or package.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes sensors with at least one being a diagnostic device comprising one or more solid state light sources used in a measurement. A software application capable of generating physiological information based on the sensors is operable on a control system adapted to receive, store and process the physiological information. The control system includes a touch-screen, circuitry for obtaining position information from a location sensor, and a wireless transceiver to transmit wireless data including the physiological information over a wireless link and is further capable of receiving voice and manually entered input signals. A host includes a digital file for receiving and storing the wireless data, control logic to process the wireless data to generate a status of the user, memory for recording the status, and an output for communicating the status or associated information over a communication link to display output devices located remotely from the host.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a sensor configured to generate signals associated with physiological parameters, a proximity sensor, a positioning sensor, and a software application configured to operate on a control system adapted to receive and process physiological information including a touch-screen, a mechanical system having actuators, and a wireless transmitter to transmit data over a wireless link to a host. The software application is operable to generate the physiological information using the signals from the sensor. The control system receives voice and manually entered input signals. The host generates status information from the date and includes a memory storage device for recording the status information and a communication device for communicating the status information over a communication link to one or more display output devices located remotely from the host.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may be used to perform measurement of surfaces, such as external and internal surfaces of the human body, in full-field and in 3-D. Embodiments of the present invention may include an electromagnetic radiation source, which may be configured to project electromagnetic radiation onto a surface. The electromagnetic radiation source may be configured to project the electromagnetic radiation in a pattern corresponding to a spatial signal modulation algorithm. The electromagnetic radiation source may also be configured to project the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency suitable for transmission through the media in which the radiation is projected. An image sensor may be configured to capture image data representing the projected pattern.

Abstract: Probe with a light-receiving optical fiber having an entrance face on the tip orthogonal to first optical axis; a light-emitting optical fiber having an exit face on the tip that is orthogonal to a second optical axis; and a lens with a positive refractive power that projects light exiting from the exit face onto the measurement site of a living tissue and focuses light radiated from the measurement site of the living tissue onto the entrance face. Lens has convex surface facing the entrance face and exit face, a flat surface formed on the side opposite the convex surface, and a third optical axis. Distance from center of convex surface to first optical axis of optical fiber is shorter than distance from center to second optical axis of optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an overall image of an object from a plurality of images. Each image includes three-dimensional data and color data and is segmented based on the color data to identify a first region with hard tissue and a second region with soft tissue. For each image, first and second weighting factors may be assigned. Points in the second region with a larger distance to a corresponding proximate part of the first region may have a smaller second weighting factor than a point with a smaller distance to a corresponding proximate part of the first region. The second weighting factor may be variable, with its value dependent upon a value of a first area section corresponding to the first region.

Abstract: A medical monitoring device for monitoring electrical signals from the body of a subject is described. The medical monitoring device monitors electrical signals originating from a cardiac cycle of the subject and associates each cardiac cycle with a time index. The medical monitoring device applies a forward computational procedure to generate a risk score indicative of hyperkalemia, hypokalemia or arrhythmia of the subject. The medical monitoring device can adjust the forward computational procedure based upon clinical data obtained from the subject.

Abstract: A guide wire has a distal end incorporating a coil and a capacitive element that form a resonance circuit with a resonance frequency that is responsive to the pressure of blood external to the guide wire. The resonance frequency can be detected wirelessly, or through two contacts at the proximal wire end, or through one brush contact located inside an insertion sheath and a ground electrode. Wireless detection can be implemented via a second resonance circuit, and electronics for determining the frequency when the first and second circuits are in resonance with each other.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and methods to monitor hydrocephalus and cerebral edema in noninvasive or minimum invasive ways. The system monitors the changes of electromagnetic wave propagations in brain tissues changed by the tissue pathological statues. One of the tissue properties monitored is the tissue permittivity that determines the wave propagation velocity. By avoiding the tissue conductivity that has variations due to many different reasons including non-pathological factors, this approach has advantages of acquiring reliable pathological information of brain tissue and being independent to electrode properties and skin conditions. Several parameters are defined to quantitatively measure and assess hydrocephalus and cerebral edema: relative phase shift (RPS), travel-time difference (TTD), and change of relative wave velocity. The parameters are defined and normalized in distance and time for measuring relative changes for the monitoring applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing properties of an object or entity utilize non-resistive contact sensors alone or in combination with other sensors. The sensor data is utilized for detecting and visualizing properties of one or more biological or non-biological objects or entities.

Abstract: A device that monitors and evaluates electrogram signals representing electric activities of a heart chamber, and includes a signal input connected to a mapping catheter, and a signal processing and evaluation unit. The mapping catheter includes one or more electrode poles that pick up electric potentials and generate electrogram signals therefrom.

Abstract: A closed-ended catheter assembly that includes an electrically conductive pathway is disclosed. The conductive pathway enables electrical signals, such as ECG signals produced by a patient's heart, to pass through the closed-ended tip of the indwelling catheter while still preventing unintended fluid flow. In one embodiment, therefore, a catheter assembly is disclosed and comprises an elongate catheter tube including a closed distal end. The catheter tube defines at least one lumen and includes a valve defined in the catheter tube that is configured to selectively enable fluids to pass therethrough. The catheter tube includes a conductive element that provides an electrically conductive pathway between the at least one lumen and an exterior portion of the catheter. The conductive element includes a porous material extending between the at least one lumen and the exterior portion of the catheter, the porous material being transmissive to electrical signals and non-permeable to blood.