Patents Issued in February 23, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170049286
    Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew Ziegler, Christopher John Morse, Duane L. Gilbert, JR., Andrew Jones, Scott Pratt, Paul E. Sandin, Nancy Dussault-Smith
  • Publication number: 20170049287
    Abstract: A floor cleaning machine can comprise a chassis, a cleaning mechanism, a control system, and a cleaning operation sensing system connected to the chassis. The chassis can be configured for movement along a cleaning path. The cleaning mechanism can perform a cleaning operation. The liquid system can provide liquid to the cleaning mechanism. The recovery system can recover liquid from the cleaning operation. The control system can control performance of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can detect a condition of the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation sensing system can comprise a water trailing detection system comprising: a frame connected to the chassis aft of the recovery system, an absorbent medium connected to the frame; and a moisture sensor in communication with the control system to alter a signal in response to moisture in the absorbent medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Publication number: 20170049288
    Abstract: A control system for a robotic floor cleaning machine configured to perform a cleaning operation along a cleaning path can comprise a controller, and a plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to control autonomous movement of the robotic floor cleaning machine along the cleaning path and autonomous performance of the cleaning operation. The plurality of sensors can be configured to sense a location of the robotic floor cleaning machine relative to surroundings of the robotic floor cleaning machine. At least two sensors from the plurality of sensors are configured to locate the robotic floor cleaning machine in overlapping areas of the surroundings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kipp Knutson, Stuart McDonald, Stephen Klopp, John Black, Dave Wood, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Publication number: 20170049289
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes: a body case having an outer circumferential surface formed along either a circular arc or a polygon; a drive wheel allowing travel of the body case on a cleaning target surface; a side brush provided to the body case to be movable in a certain direction. The side brush: projects from the outer circumferential surface of the body case by an amount that changes in response to movement; includes a brush body movable to retreat toward the outer circumferential surface of the body case in response to external force acting in a direction crossing the certain direction; and includes a cleaning unit rotatably provided to the brush body. The cleaning unit rotates to clean the cleaning target surface. The side brush projecting from an outer circumferential surface of a body case can retreat readily and reliably when the side brush contacts an obstacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromitsu ICHIKAWA, Masatoshi TANAKA, Atsushi MORISHITA, Yukio MACHIDA, Hiromitsu MURATA
  • Publication number: 20170049290
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sensor assembly for an intelligent robot, an obstacle detection method for an intelligent robot and an intelligent robot. The sensor assembly comprises a first type sensor and a second type sensor. The first type sensor comprises M first transmitting units and N first receiving units, and the M first transmitting units and the N first receiving units are separately disposed at preset angles, M and N being positive integers. The second type sensor comprises a light source and M+N?1 second receiving units. The second receiving units are located between the first transmitting units and the first receiving units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Qinghao YU, Luokun SHEN, Qiang SHEN
  • Publication number: 20170049291
    Abstract: A hard surface cleaning and conditioning assembly is provided that includes a pole having a lower section and an upper section; an adjusting device securing the upper and lower sections to one another in a telescoping manner; a tool depending from the lower section; a conditioning agent dispensing device depending from the lower section; a trigger depending from the upper section; and a telescoping trigger assembly operatively connecting the dispensing device to the trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, John A. Triunfo, JR., Paul H. Adams, Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20170049292
    Abstract: A hard surface cleaning and conditioning assembly is provided for use with a removable container having a dispensing valve that moves between a closed state and an open state. The assembly includes a pole; a trigger that moves between a normal position and an activated position; a tool depending from the pole remote from the trigger; and an agent dispensing device depending from the pole. The agent dispensing device has an activation arm operatively coupled to the trigger. The activation arm moving between a first position when the trigger is in the normal position and a second position when the trigger is in the activated position. The agent dispensing device has a housing into which at least a portion of the dispensing valve can be removably positioned to be activated by the activation arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, John A. Triunfo, JR., Paul H. Adams, Robert F. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170049293
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwashing device for an aircraft, comprising an inner chamber, which receives crockery to be cleaned and cleaning medium, and a door, which closes an opening in the inner chamber in a closed position, and a connecting apparatus for connecting the dishwashing device to a water disposal system of the aircraft, the door being secured in the closed position by means of at least one locking apparatus, wherein the locking apparatus is designed to release the door from the closed position by a releasing movement when a predetermined pressure gradient between the inner chamber and surroundings of the dishwashing device is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz HAAS, Peter HUBER
  • Publication number: 20170049294
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a wash rack positioned within a wash chamber of a tub above a spray body. The wash rack includes a plurality of integrally formed elongated members that form a bottom wall and a pair of side walls. The integrally formed elongated members of the bottom wall form a pair of container support portions and a well portion, and the well portion of the bottom wall is positioned below the container support portions of the pair of container support portions. A related method for forming a wash rack for a dishwasher appliance is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Matthew David Mersch
  • Publication number: 20170049295
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber with an access opening receiving dishes for treatment, a door moveable between an opened position and a closed position for selectively closing the access opening, the door having an interior side that faces the treating chamber in the closed position and an exterior side opposite the interior side and a handle extending from the exterior side of the door where a user may grasp the handle to move the door, and a method of using thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael W. Lagness, Rafael G. Reyes, Michael S. Seeley, Anthony B. Welsh
  • Publication number: 20170049296
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling one or more operations of a dishwashing appliance are provided. In particular, a supply voltage applied to a heating element of the dishwashing appliance can be determined. The supply voltage can be compared with an acceptable operating range of supply voltages to determine whether the supply voltage is within the acceptable operating range and, if the supply voltage is not within the acceptable operating range, one or more operations of the dishwashing appliance can be controlled based at least in part on the determined supply voltage. For instance, an amount of time during which the heating element is active during one or more operational cycles can be adjusted to compensate for the determined supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Davide Jonathan Leone, Andrew Leroy Reder
  • Publication number: 20170049297
    Abstract: A single handheld brush comprises a body, the body being elongate and comprising first and second ends and an interior, the interior comprising a cavity, wherein, in use, fluid may be stored; the first end comprising a brush head, and wherein the brush head is mounted on a brush base portion, the brush base portion having a first face and a second face and a passage, the passage running through the brush base portion and being open at both ends; the second end comprising a scraping tool; the brush further comprising a flow path running from the cavity, to an aperture in the brush base portion, such that fluid in the cavity may flow along the flow path and be expelled from the aperture, and a valve closure located adjacent the first end, wherein the valve may be moved from an open position wherein the flow path is open, to a closed position wherein the flow path is shut and vice versa, such that the flow of fluid through the aperture may be regulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Rashpal Dhillon
  • Publication number: 20170049298
    Abstract: Robotic endoscopes have the potential to help endoscopists position tools during procedures, to propel the endoscope to the desired position, to automate functions and to prevent perforations during procedures. Modular architecture for a continuum robotic endoscope with multiple bending segments along the length of the endoscope. Each of the segments is modular, containing a set of actuation motors that drive short cables in the continuum segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Ian W. HUNTER, Yi CHEN, Jiahui LIANG
  • Publication number: 20170049299
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are intestine pleating attachable structures for use with endoscopes and methods for using said structures. The intestine pleating attachable structures may act in conjunction with a gastrointestinal endoscope and, optionally, a balloon to improve visualization during endoscopic procedures. The intestine pleating attachable structures are coupled to the endoscope shaft, and include at least one flexible appendage to enhance contact between the structure and the intestinal wall. When the endoscope is retracted, the flexible appendage assists in moving the intestinal wall relative to the imaging system. This movement causes the intestine to pleat. Pleating reduces looping, improves efficiency, and results in a less painful endoscopic procedure for the patient. The attachable structures may be used in conjunction with a dome-shaped balloon that is inflated at the distal, imaging end of the endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Boris Reydel
  • Publication number: 20170049300
    Abstract: A distal end structure of an endoscope includes: an opening of a treatment instrument insertion channel formed on a distal end of an insertion portion in the endoscope and including an opening having a long side and a short side; a first wall portion extending in a longitudinal direction so as to face the opening, at the distal end; and a second wall portion facing the first wall portion in a short side direction so as to sandwich the opening and extending in the long side direction, at the distal end, wherein a first end surface in the first wall portion and a second end surface in the second wall portion are inclined such that inclination directions in the longitudinal axis direction are opposite to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuya TOYOOKA
  • Publication number: 20170049301
    Abstract: A plug as an optical connector is configured to connect mechanically and optically with a receptacle, wherein part of an optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal is disposed internally. The plug includes a tubular plug-side first outer wall into which the optical fiber is inserted, configured to cover an optical signal-emitting end of the optical fiber. An end side of the plug-side first outer wall to be connected to the receptacle is sealed by a plug-side cover member translucent to an optical signal. In the optical connector intrusion of liquid and foreign substances can be suppressed, and reliability of optical communication can be ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicants: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC., SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro HAGIHARA, Kei TOMATSU, Kenji SAKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170049302
    Abstract: A treatment-tool adaptor including: an adaptor body that is secured to the tip of an insertion portion of an endoscope; a movable member that is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion and that supports the tip portion of a treatment-tool channel member through which a treatment tool is passed; and a moving mechanism that causes the movable member to translationally move relative to the adaptor body in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis of the treatment-tool channel member supported by the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takumi ISODA
  • Publication number: 20170049303
    Abstract: A capsule medical device guidance system includes: an imaging unit arranged inside a capsule medical device; a guidance unit configured to guide the capsule medical device inside a subject; a display unit including a screen is displayed; a first operation input unit configured to input first instruction information for changing at least one of a position and a posture of the capsule medical device; a second operation input unit configured to input second instruction information for rotating within the screen, the image displayed on the screen, around a center of the image; a guidance controller configured to control the guidance unit so as to change at least one of the position and the posture of the capsule medical device, based on the first instruction information; and a display controller configured to control a direction of the image displayed on the screen based on the second instruction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hironao KAWANO
  • Publication number: 20170049304
    Abstract: In an optical fiber scanning apparatus, an optical fiber to which a permanent magnet is disposed and which is configured to emit illumination light from a distal end portion is arranged in a hollow portion where a magnetic field generation unit is disposed of a frame body, the frame body for which a cross section of the hollow portion is a square includes a first frame body for which planar coils are disposed respectively on a first surface and a second surface that are orthogonal to each other, and a second frame body for which planar coils are disposed respectively on a third surface and a fourth surface that are orthogonal to each other, and which is bonded with the first frame body, and the first surface to the fourth surface configure inner surfaces of the hollow portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhisa KARAKI, Mamoru HASEGAWA, Hiroya FUKUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20170049305
    Abstract: An oblique-viewing objective optical system includes in order from an object side, a front-side lens group which includes a negative lens, an optical path converting element, an aperture stop, and a rear-side lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the rear-side lens group includes a positive lens and a cemented lens having a positive refractive power, and the cemented lens includes in order from the object side a positive lens and a negative lens, and the following conditional expressions (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) are satisfied: ?2.0<fF/f<?1.3??(1), 1.7<fR/f<2.7??(2), 0.63<|fF/fR|<0.88??(3), 2.4<D1/f<4.4??(4), and 1.1<D2/f<1.7??(5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiharu TAKASUGI
  • Publication number: 20170049306
    Abstract: There is provided an endoscope system in which a depth of field is widened, and which is capable of acquiring a high-quality image with an aberration corrected favorably. The endoscope system includes an objective optical system OBL, an optical path splitting unit which splits an object image acquired by the objective optical system OBL into two optical images having a different focus, an image pickup element which acquires the optical images, and an image synthesis processing section which selects in a predetermined area an image with a relatively high contrast from the two optical images acquired, and generates a composite image, wherein the objective optical system OBL includes a first lens L1 having a negative refractive power which is nearest to object, and the endoscope system satisfies the following conditional expressions (1) and (2). 3<D_diff/im_pitch?100??(1) 0.005<D_diff/R1_r<1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro KATAKURA
  • Publication number: 20170049307
    Abstract: A video endoscope including: an endoscope shaft; an optical assembly provided in a distal region of the endoscope shaft, the optical assembly being mounted in the endoscope shaft by a mounting; and one or more reversibly deformable bending actuators operatively connected to the mounting such that the one or more bending actuators move the optical assembly relative to the endoscope shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventor: Martin WIETERS
  • Publication number: 20170049308
    Abstract: An endoscope includes a first flat surface formed at a distal end portion of an insertion part to be inserted into a subject, and orthogonal to an axial direction of the insertion part, an observation window provided at the distal end portion for allowing image light of the subject to be taken therethrough, with a surface of the observation window as a light incidence plane, an illumination window provided at the distal end portion to irradiate a subject with illumination light, a fluid jetting nozzle arranged at the first flat surface to jet a fluid toward the observation window and fixed at the distal end portion of the insertion part, and an inclined surface formed around the observation window and arranged at a position that faces the fluid jetting nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Toshiyuki IKEDA, Tomohiro OHKI
  • Publication number: 20170049309
    Abstract: The invention relates to an otoscope device (10), especially configured to be manipulated by a layperson during its application, comprising a radiation sensing unit (40.1) configured for detecting radiation reflected by the patient's outer ear, especially by the eardrum; wherein the otoscope device further comprises electronic and/or optic means (44) configured for determining spectral information of reflected radiation, especially with respect to wavelengths shorter than 500 nm to 480 nm, and configured for determining a ratio of radiation in the spectrum below 480 nm to 500 nm to radiation in the spectrum above 480 nm to 500 nm, especially based on a specific intensity of reflected radiation within the spectrum of blue light and/or UV radiation. Further, the invention relates to a method of identifying and/or locating objects in a subject's ear or to a method of identifying or characterizing an eardrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Albrecht Lepple-Wienhues
  • Publication number: 20170049310
    Abstract: The invention relates to an otoscope device (10), especially configured to be manipulated by a user during its application, comprising: a portion (14) configured to be introduced in an ear canal of a patient's outer ear; and an electronic imaging unit (40) configured for capturing at least one image of the patient's outer ear, especially of the eardrum; wherein the otoscope device further comprises electronic and/or optic means (44) configured for determining spectral information, especially with respect to wavelengths shorter than 550 nm, and configured for identifying and/or locating objects shown in the at least one image, especially the eardrum, in dependence on a specific amount of blue components and/or UV components of the image or of radiation reflected from the object. Further, the invention relates to a method of identifying and/or locating objects in a subject's ear or to a method of identifying an eardrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Albrecht Lepple-Wienhues
  • Publication number: 20170049311
    Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems for monitoring a dental patient's progress during a course of treatment. A three-dimensional model of the expected positions of the patient's teeth can be projected, in time, from a three-dimensional model of the patient's teeth prepared prior to beginning the treatment. A digital camera is used to take one or more two-dimensional photographs of the patient's teeth, which are input to a monitoring system. The monitoring system determines virtual-camera parameters for each two-dimensional input image with respect to the time-projected three-dimensional model, uses the determined virtual-camera parameters to generate two-dimensional images from the three-dimensional model, and then compares each input photograph to the corresponding generated two-dimensional image in order to determine how closely the three-dimensional arrangement of the patient's teeth corresponds to the time-projected three-dimensional arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Align Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Artem Borovinskih, Mitra Derakhshan, Carina Koppers, Eric Meyer, Ekaterina Tolstaya, Yury Brailov
  • Publication number: 20170049312
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a colposcopy apparatus (10) for performing a colposcopy procedure. The colposcopy apparatus (10) comprises an imaging unit (11) comprising an optics unit (12) having an optical axis (22) and an image acquiring unit (13) for acquiring an image (21) of a cervix (23) through the optics unit, and at least three light beam emitting units (14, 15, 16, 17) spaced apart from the optical axis, wherein the at least three light beam emitting units are adapted to emit light beams that are coplanar with the optical axis and that intersect on the optical axis at a predefined distance (d10) in front of the colposcopy apparatus, wherein not all of the emitted light beams lie in a same plane. The colposcopy apparatus allows better supporting a user, for instance, a gynecologist, in positioning and/or configuring the colposcopy apparatus for performing the colposcopy procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Subhendu SETH, Chirag SOLANKI, Pallavi VAJINEPALLI
  • Publication number: 20170049313
    Abstract: A solid state illuminator can be used for a variety of surgery procedures, such as retinal surgery. A retinal illumination system my have at least one light emitting diode located on a substrate with the substrate positioned on an eye of a patient. A light pipe can continuously extend from the light emitting diode into a sclera of the eye via a cannula. A system controller may be configured to activate the light emitting diode to illuminate an interior of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Overton, Rajiv Anand
  • Publication number: 20170049314
    Abstract: Image processing device (50) of the present invention comprises: an enhancement processing means (51) that enhances a speckle pattern in an ocular fundus tomographic image; a region-of-interest setting means (52) that sets a desired region in the ocular fundus tomographic image with the enhanced speckle pattern as a region-of-interest; a feature value extracting means (53) that extracts a feature value of the speckle pattern in the region-of-interest; and a disease determining means (54) that makes disease determination for an ocular fundus on the basis of the feature value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Toshiaki NAKAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20170049315
    Abstract: A method of determining a measurement of at least one cell type in an eye, comprising (i) obtaining a map of the cell type in the eye, (ii) obtaining a representation of the retina of the eye, (iii) matching the eye cell type map to the representation of the retina of the eye, (iv) defining a region of interest on the representation of the retina of the eye, (v) calculating a size of the region of interest on the representation of the retina of the eye, (vi) using the matched eye cell type map and the size of the region of interest to determine a measure of the cell type in the region of interest of the retina of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Optos PLC
    Inventors: Jano van Hemert, Michael Ver-Hoek, David Brown, Charles Wykoff, Daniel Croft
  • Publication number: 20170049316
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a patient's visual field. The testing apparatus comprises a display (3) and a patient input device (9). A home target (19) is presented on the display (3), along with a cursor (21) being moveable under control of the patient input device (9). Once the cursor (21) is moved to the home target (19), a visual field target (11) is presented on the display (3) at a first position. The visual field target (11) is recorded as detected if the cursor (21) moves a predetermined distance towards the visual field target (11). The step is repeated for further visual field targets (11) at further positions for determining the patient's visual field based on the positions of the visual field targets (11) that have been detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: BLAIR DONALDSON
  • Publication number: 20170049317
    Abstract: A membrane visualization instrument may include a flow control mechanism having a flow control mechanism distal end and a flow control mechanism proximal end, a visualization fluid chamber of the flow control mechanism, a visualization fluid guide having a visualization fluid guide distal end and a visualization fluid guide proximal end, and a hypodermic tube having a hypodermic tube distal end and a hypodermic tube proximal end. The visualization fluid guide proximal end may be disposed within the flow control mechanism. The hypodermic tube proximal end may be disposed within the visualization fluid guide. A visualization fluid, e.g., indocyanine green dye, kenalog, trypan blue dye, etc., may be disposed within the visualization fluid chamber. A compression of the flow control mechanism may be configured to irrigate the visualization fluid out of the hypodermic tube proximal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Katalyst Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg D. Scheller, Nancy M. Holekamp
  • Publication number: 20170049318
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an optical coherence tomography instrument comprises an eyepiece for receiving at least one eye of a user is provided; a light source that outputs light that is directed through the eyepiece into the user's eye; an interferometer configured to produce optical interference using light reflected from the user's eye; an optical detector disposed so as to detect said optical interference; and electronics coupled to the detector. The electronics can be configured to perform a risk assessment analysis based on optical coherence tomography measurements obtained using the interferometer. An output device can be electrically coupled to the electronics, and may be configured to output the risk assessment to the user through the output device. The optical coherence tomography instrument can be self-administered, and the eyepiece can be a monocular system or a binocular system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander C. Walsh, Paul G. Updike, Srinivas R. Sadda
  • Publication number: 20170049319
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided herein for aiding in the early diagnosis and remediation of conditions that range from unpleasant to disabling. Images are presented to viewers in an assembly that also eye-tracks their eyes during that process and executes software to identify visual signatures of conditions in the responses of the eyes. Also, responsive treatment for a thus-identified presentation of the condition can be effected in real time providing the patient with both a cause-and-effect perception of the presentation of the condition and means for correcting related ocular behaviors right when they occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: John C. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20170049320
    Abstract: An optical measuring apparatus includes a light output device that outputs light so as to cross an anterior chamber of an eyeball of a subject, a light receiving device that receives the light having crossed the anterior chamber, and a positioning device that positions the light output device and the light receiving device at such positions that, when the eyeball is adducted, the light output from the light output device crosses the anterior chamber and is received by the light receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Saori NISHIZAKI, Taku KINOSHITA, Kazutaka TAKEDA, Hideaki OZAWA, Kazuyuki MATSUSHITA, Kouhei YUKAWA, Sho KIMURA, Hideo NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20170049321
    Abstract: The present invention describes a rectangular parabolic hood for blocking accommodation and reducing depth of focus to offset the negative affects of extraneous light and visual stimulus during examination of the pupil using ophthalmic instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Kelvin Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20170049322
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical microscope includes a beam coupler positioned along an optical path of the surgical microscope between a first eyepiece and magnifying/focusing optics, the beam coupler operable to direct the OCT imaging beam along a first portion of the optical path of the surgical microscope between the beam coupler and a patient's eye (an OCT image being generated based on a reflected portion of the OCT imaging beam). The surgical microscope additionally includes a real-time data projection unit operable to project the OCT image generated by the OCT system and a beam splitter positioned along the optical path of the surgical microscope between a second eyepiece and the magnifying/focusing optics. The beam splitter is operable to direct the projected OCT image along a second portion of the optical path of the surgical microscope between the beam splitter and the second eyepiece such that the projected OCT image is viewable through the second eyepiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: TAMMO HEEREN, HUGANG REN, VADIM SHOFMAN, LINGFENG YU
  • Publication number: 20170049323
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Daniel BUBLITZ, Matthew J. EVERETT, Csaba FARKAS, Michael KEMPE, Yue QIU, Tobias SCHMITT-MANDERBACH
  • Publication number: 20170049324
    Abstract: Embodiments are related to systems and methods for data determining information about a subject, and more particularly to systems and methods for utilizing and distributing information related to measurements of a human subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: McKenzie L. Hamilton, Stanton Mark Hamilton, Jacob D. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20170049325
    Abstract: Systems and methods for conducted communication are described. In one embodiment, a method for communicating with implantable medical devices may comprise sensing, by a first medical device, a noise signal delivered into a patient's body by a second medical device and delivering, by the first medical device, a cancelling signal into the patient's body. In at least some additional embodiments the method may further comprise, while delivering the cancelling signal into the patient's body, delivering a conducted communication signal into the patient's body for reception by a second medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Schmidt, Lance Eric Juffer, Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, Brendan Early Koop
  • Publication number: 20170049326
    Abstract: Light at wavelengths in the near-infrared (NIR) region in the second NIR spectral window from 1,100 nm to 1,350 nm and a new spectral window from 1,600 nm to 1,870 nm, known as the third NIR optical window, and fourth at 2200 cm?1 are disclosed. Optical attenuation from thin tissue slices of normal and malignant breast and prostate tissue, and pig brain were measured in the spectral range from 400 nm to 2,500 nm. Optical images of chicken tissue overlying three black wires were also obtained using the second and third spectral windows. Due to a reduction in scattering and minimal absorption, longer attenuation and clearer images can be seen in the second, third and fourth NIR windows compared to the conventional first NIR window. The second and third spectral windows will have uses in microscope imaging arteries, bones, breast, cells, cracks, teeth, and blood due to less scattering of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Robert R. Alfano
  • Publication number: 20170049327
    Abstract: A method to detect vibrations associated with biomolecules in tissues and cellsuses Resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy to measure specific biomolecules in tissue and cells signals. The changes of RR lines of key molecules present to the chemical conformations and change due to disease such as cancer and heart disease. Biomolecules are collagen, flavins, tryptophan, NADH, NAD, etc. The laser beams excite RR of vibration associated with absorption of the key native molecules in tissue (Tryptophan, NADH, Flavins, Collagen, carotenoids, porphyrins and others. The margin assessment and RR images in 2D and 3D regions are found by RR signals using position scanners. The intensity and the numbers of molecule fingerprints indicate the prescence of and the degree of the changes of chemical conformations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Robert R. Alfano
  • Publication number: 20170049328
    Abstract: Vulnerable plaque (VP) is the main cause of death from heart attacks. All currently available methods developed to diagnose VP lack sensitivity and or specificity and are still unable to identify VP. Our patent addresses the problem to diagnose VP in arteries. The teachings here disclose a vulnerable plaque optical analyzer (VPOA) and Imager (VOPAI) for monitoring arterial walls by measuring whether the fingerprint Raman spectrum of adipose (lipid) tissue using Resonance Raman (RR) and common Raman(R) signals of aortic intimal wall layer. The RR and R lines of lipid determine presentation of VP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Robert R. Alfano, Cheng-hui Liu, Vidyasagar Sriramoju
  • Publication number: 20170049329
    Abstract: A probe, such as a spectroscopic probe, for enabling a fluid or tissue sample to be tested in situ. The probe includes a conduit, such as a hypodermic needle, that can be inserted into a test subject and a wave coupling arranged to direct electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from an energy source to the sample and/or from the sample to a receiver for analysis. The receiver may comprise a Raman spectroscope. The probe may include a carriage that can be used to move at least some of the optical coupling towards and away from the insertion tip of the conduit. The probe may include a pressure modifier that can be used to draw fluid into or expel fluid from the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: John Charles Clifford Day, Nicholas Stone
  • Publication number: 20170049330
    Abstract: During an intraoral scan session, a processing device receives a first intraoral image of a dental site and identifies a candidate intraoral area of interest from the first intraoral image. The processing device receives a second intraoral image of the dental site and verifies the first candidate intraoral area of interest as an intraoral area of interest based on comparison of the second intraoral image to the first intraoral image. The processing device then provides an indication of the intraoral area of interest during the intraoral scan session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Michael Sabina, Adi Levin, Mikhail Minchenkov, Maria Anufrienko
  • Publication number: 20170049331
    Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus includes a light irradiating unit that radiates light to an object to generate a photoacoustic wave, a transducer that receives the photoacoustic wave, outputs a photoacoustic signal, transmits and receives an ultrasound wave beam to and from the object, and outputs an ultrasound echo signal, a determining unit that determines whether there is an object on an optical path from the light irradiating unit, and an image processor that generates internal image data of the object using the photoacoustic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Koichi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20170049332
    Abstract: A health care apparatus and a method of operating the same is provided. The method may include: generating a temperature waveform from a skin temperature of a user; determining, from the generated temperature waveform, a dietary temperature waveform based on food; and determining, from the dietary temperature waveform, diet metabolism information of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinyoung PARK, Hyunhee KIM, Hyeongseok JANG
  • Publication number: 20170049333
    Abstract: The technology provides an external device for estimating a core body temperature of a human subject. The wrist monitor device includes a casing sized and shaped to fit onto a wrist of a human subject. The casing has a first face and a second face. In addition there is a cavity in the casing that houses a heat trap. The heat trap has an opening oriented to receive incoming thermal energy from the skin and a shell of a thermal-insulation material that has an inner thermal energy-reflective surface. Detected temperature data is compiled in a database and used to estimate whether an identified individual has a core body temperature indicative of a fever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Alan C. Heller
  • Publication number: 20170049334
    Abstract: A method and system for determining anaerobic threshold intensity (AnT) of a user in a freely performed physical exercise. A physiological response of a user is measured by heart rate and measured heart rate values are recorded as heart rate data. An external workload values are recorded and are each associated with one measured heart rate values to form a plurality of data points. The data points are filtered to form accepted data points, which are classified within a plurality of heart rate segments representing a heart rate within an anaerobic threshold (AnT) of the user. A data point with highest probability is stored for each segment. A first probability factor for each accepted data point is calculated. The calculated first probability factor is compared to a stored probability factor in each segment, and the higher probability factor is retained. AnT is calculated using the stored probabilities in each segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Sami SAALASTI, Kaisa HÄMÄLÄINEN, Tero MYLLYMÄKI
  • Publication number: 20170049335
    Abstract: Earphones with biometric sensors are disclosed. In addition to wirelessly receiving audio data for playback, the disclosed earphones collect the user's biometric data such as heartrate data and movement data, and wirelessly transmit the biometric data to a computing device for processing and user-interaction using an activity tracking application. The biometric earphones may include a battery; a circuit board electrically coupled to the battery; a processor electrically coupled to the circuit board; a pair of earphones; a controller; and a cable electrically coupling the earphones to the controller. One of the earphones includes an optical heartrate sensor electrically coupled to the processor, and protruding from a side of the earphone proximal to an interior side of a user's ear when the earphone is worn; and a motion sensor electrically coupled to the processor. The processor processes electronic input signals from the motion sensor and the optical heartrate sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: STEPHEN DUDDY