Abstract: A liquid storage system. The liquid storage system may include one or more storage tanks including a used oil tank and a virgin oil tank. A first tank may include a storage tank having an upright section and a base section. A volume extends between the upright and base section. An inlet and outlet are coupled to the volume for adding and extracting fluid from the storage tank, respectively. There is at least one shelf coupled to the upright section of the storage tank. A second tank may be situated adjacent the first tank.

Abstract: A food processor having a standing surface at the bottom, a rear side and a front side, wherein the front side, starting from the highest location of the food processor, is formed obliquely and contains a holder for a cooking vessel. Freely projecting rod parts are formed in an upper region of the food processor, wherein the front ends of the rod parts are arranged on the same horizontal plane and are set back. To improve handling further, it is proposed that the set-back amount should correspond to 25% to 50% of the largest extent of the food processor as seen in the depthwise direction in the standing-surface region of the food processor. The amount also corresponds to approximately half the horizontal distance between the longitudinal centre axes of the rod parts. The contour of the front side is always rounded in the region of the rod parts.

Abstract: A shower door cam system includes at least one shower door having a predetermined number of offset rollers and at least one panel having a predetermined number of offset tracks. Each track is configured to receive one of the rollers. In a closed position of the shower door, the shower door contacts a shower floor of the showering enclosure to form a watertight seal. In an open position of the shower door, the shower door is elevated such that a gap is formed between the shower door and the shower floor of the showering enclosure.

Abstract: A shower base for a shower assembly comprising a floor, a drain cavity, and a transition. The floor includes an end and at least one side. The drain cavity is disposed at the end, and the drain cavity is recessed downwardly relative to the floor to capture water therein. The transition connects the end of the floor to a portion of the drain cavity. The transition comprises a first section having a compound radius that varies in size along the first section, wherein the first section extends outwardly from a vertex to the at least one side of the floor, and where the first section is directly connected to the end of the floor.

Abstract: A novel and useful mountable and rotatable fluid dispenser comprises a container or fluid reservoir and a coupler. The container is adapted to be suspended from, and rotationally coupled to, a mounting point selected by a consumer. The container has at least one outlet at a first position on an outer surface thereof. The coupler is located at a second position on the outer surface and attachable by a consumer to the selected mounting point. The coupler is adapted to be re-attachable as desired by the consumer. The fluid dispenser further comprises a position stabilization mechanism for maintaining the user-determined position of the container when not being acted upon, whereby a consumer controls the dispensing of fluid from the container by re-orienting the height of the outlet between any non-dispensing position and any dispensing position without decoupling the container from the mounting point.

Abstract: The invention is a device to dry/clean an animal, such as a dog, cat or child when they are wet or dirty. It consists of two mitts, each having one flat side, attached to opposite ends of a towel. The device is an improvement over a towel since it can better hold the animal or child during drying. Mitts fit on a person's hand. They offer more control but they lack the surface area to dry an animal completely. Combining a towel and two mitts creates a drying instrument which both controls an animal or child and provides an ample surface to dry/clean them. Making the mitts attachable and detachable adds flexibility to the drying device since you can use only the portion of the drying device you need.

Abstract: A toilet includes a seat, a bowl and a damper locking mechanism that allows the seat to rotate relative to the bowl with an influenced inertia. The damper locking mechanism includes a hinge base having a biasing member and an interior surface that defines a bore and a damper having an exterior surface that engages the interior surface. When the damper is disposed in the bore, the biasing member imparts a radial force to bias the damper into the hinge base and remove a looseness between the seat and the bowl.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovery and cleaning of broken substrates, especially beneficial for fabrication systems using silicon wafer carried on trays. Removal of broken wafers and particles from within the fabrication system is enabled without requiring disassembly of the system and without requiring manual labor. A placing mechanism moves a suction head to location of the broken substrate and a suction pump coupled to a flexible hose is used to remove the broken pieces. A hood is positioned at the inlet of the suction head, and setback extensions are provided at the bottom of the hood to allow air flow into the inlet and prevent thermal conductance from the tray to the hood. Pins are extendable about the inlet of the suction head to enable breakage of the wafer to smaller pieces for easy removal.

Abstract: A self-moving dust suction device comprises a body, at least one buffer means and a sticking means. The body includes a top cover, a base, a dust suction operation module, at least two movement wheels and at least one mounting portion. The buffer means is corresponding to the mounting portion and has an installation dock fastened to the mounting portion, a buffer element located on the installation dock to provide an action force in a direction remote from the top cover in normal conditions and a butting dock located at one end of the buffer element remote from the top cover to bear the action force. The sticking means is located at one side of the base and has a connection bracket coupled with the butting dock to receive the action force transmitted by the butting dock and a sticking roller located on the connection bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning baseboards includes a cleaning head having a bi-directionally adjustable handle coupled thereto via a pivot assembly. The cleaning head includes a plurality of plates between which a plurality of pads is secured in stacked fashion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow passage change-over unit provided to a spray arm of a dishwasher having a plurality of channels, including a change-over unit body for making reciprocating movement according to a water pressure, a body rotating unit secured to an circumferential surface of the change-over unit body for rotating the change-over unit body, and channel opening holes in a closed side of the change-over unit body for opening some of the plurality of supply holes according to a rotation angle of the change-over unit body.

Abstract: A spray assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The spray assembly includes a base unit and a mounting bracket rotatably mounted to the base unit. A spray arm is selectively secured to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes features for engaging the spray arm and hindering undesired detachment of the spray arm from the mounting bracket.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a nozzle assembly for a dishwasher capable of evenly spraying wash water in a wash tub and a dishwasher having the same. The dishwasher includes a sump to pump wash water, a supply pipe to which the wash water from the sump is supplied, and a nozzle assembly connected to the supply pipe. The nozzle assembly includes a lower rotor arm connected to the supply pipe, an upper rotor arm having a portion rotatably received in the lower rotor arm and having a first rotation center of an upper end thereof and a second rotation center of a lower end thereof positioned eccentrically from the first rotation center, and a nozzle rotatably connected to the upper rotor arm.

Abstract: An actuator device which includes a stationary support structure, a movable member displaceable relative to the structure, and a wire of a shape-memory material, which extends in the structure between two anchoring elements and the movable member such that the wire shortens when an electric current flows therethrough, causing a displacement of the movable member against the action of a counteracting member. In the structure there are provided two deflection members disposed along the path of the shape-memory wire, each one between the movable member and the corresponding anchoring element of the wire, such as to cause a deflection of the wire between each anchoring element and the movable member.

Abstract: A dish washer with an improved flow channel of air passing through an adsorbent includes a tub to wash dishes, a drying device to supply air into the tub to dry the dishes, and an adsorbent case provided in the drying device. The adsorbent case includes an inner space in which an adsorbent to adsorb moisture contained in air in the tub is provided, and at least one mesh unit located in the inner space to form a flow channel of air passing through the adsorbent. The flow channel is formed in the adsorbent using the mesh unit to reduce flow resistance of air flowing through the adsorbent. Air rapidly passes through the flow channel, thereby reducing drying time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) wherein the assembly of the connection member (8) on the basket (3) side walls (5) can be made easily and robustly by passing through the basket (3) thereby supporting the wheels (9) mounted in the rails (7) disposed on the side walls of the washing chamber (2) and maintaining the basket (3) to be emplaced into the washing chamber (2) and drawn out therefrom by moving forwards, backwards in the rails (7).

Abstract: A system for controlling a medical device includes a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of arms extending radially outwards from the shaft. Each arm includes an inward end positioned near the shaft and an outward end. The system also includes a collapsible pulley formed from a plurality of pulley pieces. At least one of the pulley pieces is slidably mounted on at least one of the plurality of arms and has a surface configured to receive at least one control element. The system further includes at least one biasing member located between the shaft and the at least one slidably-mounted pulley piece.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an articulating structure for use as at least part of a medical device. In one aspect, the invention features an articulating structure comprising an inner member, a sleeve, a pull wire, and an outer member. The inner member defines at least one channel on the outer surface of the inner member, the at least one channel extending along a length of the inner member. The inner member further defines at least one lumen extending through the inner member. The sleeve is disposed in the at least one channel. The pull wire extends within a lumen of the sleeve. The outer member is disposed over the inner member and defines a lumen through which the inner member extends.

Abstract: An image pickup unit for an endoscope includes: an image pickup device including a plurality of connection terminal portions arrayed on a back face that is a surface opposite to a light-receiving surface; a planar rigid printed wiring board including a substrate connection portion and an electric cable connection portion; a flexible printed wiring board including a fixation portion connected to the image pickup device and the rigid printed wiring board, an extension portion extending from an outer periphery of the fixation portion, and a flexed portion provided at a boundary between the fixation portion and the extension portion; an electric cable connected to the electric cable connection portion of the rigid printed wiring board; and an electronic component mounted on the extension portion of the flexible printed wiring board.

Abstract: A washing treatment apparatus and a washing treatment method are provided. A washing treatment apparatus washes in a washing container an object to be washed including a tubular portion, and a main body portion to which one end portion of the tubular portion is connected. The washing treatment apparatus includes a washing solution supply unit which pressurizes and supplies a washing solution to the washing container, a penetration hole portion which is provided on the washing container and includes a penetration hole into which the tubular portion can be inserted, an outlet hole portion which is provided on the washing container and includes an outlet hole through which the washing solution supplied into the washing container flows out to adjust pressure of the washing solution in the washing container to predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A chemical bottle is inclined by a bottle push-up mechanism, and a chemical solution is gravitationally injected into a chemical tank from a chemical supply tube line. When a chemical tray is drawn out after completion of chemical injection, the bottle push-up mechanism returns to a planar initial state. In connection with this, the chemical bottle returns to an original set position in which the chemical bottle is in a horizontal state or a plug section faces upward with respect to a gravity direction. This prevents the chemical solution remaining in the chemical bottle from flowing to an outside by gravity.

Abstract: A medical instrument, in particular a hysteroscope, has a shaft part (12) having a first shaft and an optical system having a second shaft (40), in which the shaft part (12) and optical system can be displaced with respect to one another along the shafts thereof such that, in a first position, the second shaft (40) of the optical system extends beyond the first shaft of the shaft part (12) on the distal side and that, in a second position, a distal end (23) of the first shaft of the shaft part (12) comes to rest approximately level with a distal end (41) of the second shaft (40) of the optical system.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a transillumination image of a pupil of a subject eye, and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the subject eye includes an intraocular lens, based on the acquired transillumination image.

Abstract: For the pre-operative calculation of the power of an intraocular lens, three input parameters are needed: the axial length of the eye (AL), the refractive power of the cornea, and the distance between the front of the cornea and the back focal plane of the intraocular lens, the so-called effective lens position (ELP). The invention shows a novel approach to the determination of the ELP.

Abstract: Systems for performing combined phoropter and refractive measurements to ascertain the aberrations present in the eye of a subject. The systems use a pair of phoropter wheel assemblies, one for each eye, each assembly comprising a number of lens wheels incorporating the series of lenses and wedges required to compensate for a range of refractive vision aberrations. The vision of each eye is corrected by a combination of a subjective phoropter measurement, iteratively performed with an objective wavefront analysis measurement to determine the residual aberrations existing after the initial phoropter correction. The system is able to automatically align the axes of each wavefront analyzer with is corresponding eye, by means of centering the pupil image in the wavefront analyzer camera, and to determine the pupil distance. By changing the focusing point on the wavefront analyzer of the light reflected from the eye, the corneal profile can be measured.

Abstract: An optometric apparatus includes an optotype presenting optical system for presenting part of a plurality of optotypes corresponding to visual acuity to be measured to an examinee's eye and a visible light source for irradiating illumination light to the optotypes presented to the eye through the optotype presenting optical system. A controller is configured to execute processing of changing a light amount of the illumination light to be irradiated to the optotypes from the visible light source between a predetermined first light amount and a second light amount lower than the first light amount and processing of switching the optotypes to be presented to the eye at the time of changing the light amount of the illumination light from the first light amount to the second light amount.

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.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus to measure stereovision including a frame body, a 3D display unit, a reflective mirror, an eyepiece, a half mirror, a stage, a plurality of protrusion degree markers, a target, and a target driving unit. A reflection angle of the half mirror is adjusted such that an imaginary image of an object having a protrusion degree of 0 in the 3D image reflected on the half mirror is located above the protrusion degree marker having a protrusion degree of 0, the imaginary image being seen through the eyepiece. The target driving unit is controlled such that the target corresponds to an imaginary image of an object of a 3D image having a particular protrusion degree. The stereovision of a tester is evaluated based on a protrusion degree marker to which the target is adjacent among the protrusion degree markers.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for locating tissue layer transitions within a cornea, including focusing a laser to a laser spot with an energy below a photodisruption threshold of the cornea, varying a position of the focal spot of the laser between an anterior surface of the cornea and a posterior surface of the cornea, and determining one or more transitions of the tissue layers based on a change in harmonic light generated by the laser spot.

Abstract: A surgical microscopy system comprises microscopy optics for generating an image of an eye under surgery. A pattern generator generates a pattern to be superimposed with the image. An eye-tracker is provided for tracking a position of the superimposed pattern with respect to the image in case of a movement of the eye. The superimposed pattern comprises pattern elements that are equally distributed on first and second circles of different sizes, in order to give assistance when placing a suture during a corneal transplant. The superimposed pattern may also provide an assistance for orientating a toric intra-ocular lens.

Abstract: Systems and methods of obtaining and recording fundus images by minimally trained persons, which includes a camera for obtaining images of a fundus of a subject's eye, in combination with mathematical methods to assign real time image quality classification to the images obtained based upon a set of criteria. The classified images will be further processed if the classified images are of sufficient image quality for clinical interpretation by machine-coded and/or human-based methods. Such systems and methods can thus automatically determine whether the quality of a retinal image is sufficient for computer-based eye disease screening. The system integrates global histogram features, textural features, and vessel density, as well as a local non-reference perceptual sharpness metric. A partial least square (PLS) classifier is trained to distinguish low quality images from normal quality images.

Abstract: As an ophthalmologic apparatus for reducing time required for driving an inspection unit during alignment of an eye to be inspected with the inspection unit, and at the same time, improving stopping accuracy of the inspection unit, the apparatus includes an eye inspection unit configured to inspect the eye to be inspected of a subject, a first drive unit configured to drive the eye inspection unit in a predetermined direction, a second drive unit arranged to be able to move the eye inspection unit in the predetermined direction, and a switching unit configured to switch drive between the first drive unit and the second drive unit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for measuring pressure under a flexible cover by utilizing electromagnetic waves. Laser radiation is directed to the cover from a distance to generate vibration or a mechanical wave at the cover at at least one generation location of the cover on the basis of photoacoustic phenomena. Based on the electromagnetic waves, cover vibrations are detected due to the mechanical wave, and recorded to detect the mechanical wave at at least one recording location and to form mechanical wave information. Pressure information of pressure under the flexible cover is detected based on at least one recorded signal.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides a system and method for a set-top box for monitoring telehealth and biometric sensors. A subject patient is associated with telehealth and biometric sensors which measure the subject patient's vital signs and other health related attributes. In one aspect, the system includes a set-top box for continuously gathering biometric and telehealth sensor data. The set-top box includes a sensor interface for interfacing with the sensors and supports wireless and wired connections to the sensors. The system additionally may include a system management station for providing feedback to the subject patient.

Abstract: A method used for a biomedical system is disclosed. The biomedical system includes an RFID apparatus and a reader apparatus communicating with the RFID apparatus. The RFID apparatus includes an electrode disposed adjacent to an acupuncture point and a motion monitor device including an accelerometer, a gyrocompass, or a pressure sensor. The method includes sending command information to the RFID apparatus from the reader apparatus; obtaining acupuncture impedance or bio-potential data through an electrode; providing nerve stimulation therapy by the RFID apparatus according to the command information, or using, by the RFID apparatus, the accelerometer, the gyrocompass, or the pressure sensor to obtain measurement data according to the command information; and submitting the acupuncture impedance/bio-potential data or the measurement data to the reader apparatus by the RFID apparatus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a processor based method for generating positional and other information relating to a stent in the lumen of a vessel using a computer. The method includes the steps of generating an optical coherence image data set in response to an OCT scan of a sample containing at least one stent; and identifying at least one one-dimensional local cue in the image data set relating to the position of the stent.

Abstract: A non-invasive measurement of biological tissue reveals information about the function of that tissue. Polarized light is directed onto the tissue, stimulating the emission of fluorescence, due to one or more endogenous fluorophors in the tissue. Fluorescence anisotropy is then calculated. Such measurements of fluorescence anisotropy are then used to assess the functional status of the tissue, and to identify the existence and severity of disease states. Such assessment can be made by comparing a fluorescence anisotropy profile with a known profile of a control.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating arterial compliance and resistance based on medical image data and pressure measurements is disclosed. An arterial inflow estimate over a plurality of time points is determined based on medical image data of a patient. An arterial pressure measurement of the patient is received. At least one cardiac cycle of the arterial pressure measurement is synchronized with at least one cardiac cycle of the arterial inflow measurement. Arterial compliance and resistance of the patient is estimated based on the arterial inflow estimate and the synchronized arterial pressure measurement.

Abstract: Hardware and software methodology are described for cardiac health measurement. Hemodynamic waveforms variously acquired for a subject are analyzed to calculate or approximate intrinsic frequencies in two domains in two domains across the Dicrotic Notch. The intrinsic frequencies provide metrics/measures that correlate to the cardiac health of the subject. The systems may be used for monitoring a condition and/or is diagnosis. Exemplary uses include identifying (diagnosing) the presence of arrhythmia, heat failure, atrial fibrillation, aneurysms, vessel stenosis or aortic valve dysfunction and the necessity for valve replacement and/or monitoring congestive heart failure progression, together with identifying the acute need for hospitalization in connection with daily testing for any such condition.

Abstract: A method and system for blood flow velocity reconstruction from medical image data is disclosed. Flow system geometry of a flow conduit is generated from medical image data. The flow system velocity includes an inlet, walls, and one or more outlets of the flow conduit. A measured velocity field is extracted from the medical image data. Inlet and wall fluxes are estimated based on the measured velocity field or other external measurements. Outlet fluxes are estimated such that mass conservation is constrained based on the inlet and wall fluxes. A reconstructed velocity field is calculated by solving flux-constrained Poisson (FCP) equations that are constrained by the estimated output fluxes.

Abstract: An ECG monitoring system analyzes ECG signals of leads associated with different anatomical locations of the body for evidence of ST elevation in the lead signals. The ST elevation and depression measurements of the leads are plotted in a graphical display organized in relation to the anatomical points which are the sources of the lead signals. The locations of the plotted measurements in the anatomically-oriented display indicate the identity of a specific coronary artery or branch as a possible culprit coronary artery for an acute ischemic event, as well as the possible severity of the event from the magnitudes of the plotted signals. A clinician can identify a suspect culprit coronary artery from a quick glance at the graphical display.

Abstract: A heart monitor includes a single chest accelerometer (210), an analog signal conditioning and sampling section (215) responsive to said accelerometer to produce a digital signal substantially representing acceleration, and a digital processor (220) operable to filter the acceleration signal into a signal affected by body motion and to cancel the body motion signal from the acceleration signal, thereby to produce an acceleration-based cardiac-related signal. Other processes and electronic systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable electrocardiography (ECG) device includes a first pair of first type snap-in buttons at a first plane of a case. The first type snap-in buttons are configured for coupling to ECG electrodes having a second type snap-in button. The portable ECG device also includes a processor in electrical connection with the first pair of first type snap-in buttons. The processor is configured for monitoring and processing electrocardiography signals obtained by the ECG electrodes.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a medical device system, comprising: a medical device capable of receiving a plurality of body signal types, wherein the body signal types comprise an electrical body signal, a temperature body signal, or a pressure body signal; and an electrode operatively coupled to the medical device, the electrode capable of sensing a plurality of body signal types, wherein the body signal types comprise an electrical body signal, a temperature body signal, or a pressure body signal; the electrode comprising: an electrical sensor; a temperature sensor; and a pressure sensor.

Abstract: In specific embodiments, a method to monitor left atrial pressure and/or intra-thoracic fluid volume of a patient, comprises (a) monitoring posture of the patient using a posture sensor implanted within the patient, and (b) using portions of an impedance signal, obtained using implanted electrodes, to monitor the left atrial pressure and/or intra-thoracic fluid volume of the patient. Each portion of the impedance signal used to monitor the left atrial pressure and/or intra-thoracic fluid volume of the patient corresponds to a period after which the patient has maintained a predetermined posture for at least a predetermined period of time, and during which the patient has remained in the predetermined posture.

Abstract: Impedance devices and methods of using the same to obtain luminal organ measurements. In at least one embodiment of an impedance device of the present disclosure, the impedance device comprises an elongated body having a distal body end, and a first electrode located along the elongated body at or near the distal body end, the first electrode configured to obtain one or more conductance values within a mammalian luminal organ within an electric field, wherein a measured parameter of the mammalian luminal organ can be calculated based in part upon the one or more conductance values obtained by the first electrode.

Abstract: An MRI prep scan acquires plural sets of echo signals at a plurality of cardiac time phases which are mutually different from each other for each slice and used to generate a plurality of respectively corresponding prep images. Reference information is acquired and displayed for determining a first cardiac time phase and a second cardiac time phase on the basis of the prep images. The first and second cardiac time phases are set in response to an operator's specification. An imaging scan section for acquiring imaging echo signals by performing an imaging scan is performed upon each of the first and second cardiac time phases to acquire imaging echo signals. A first image is generated based on an echo signal of the first cardiac time phase and a second image is generated based on an echo signal of the second cardiac time phase. A differential image is acquired by calculating a difference between the first image and the second image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an implant having an energy converter, wherein the converter is designed to convert applied energy to heat. In embodiments of the invention, the energy converter is situated in such a way that heat generated from the energy conversion is active at an outer surface of the implant.