Abstract: A cutting board is provided. The cutting board includes a body having a substantially planar cutting surface. The body may further include a bottom which is opposite the cutting surface. The bottom may rest on a counter top. The cutting board may further include a receptacle support. The receptacle support extends from an end of the body and is angled away from the bottom. The receptacle support includes an inner edge forming an opening in between. A bag may be secured to the receptacle support so that the opening leads into the bag. The receptacle support supports the entrance of the bag in an elevated position relative to the cutting surface to catch food materials pushed towards the opening.

Abstract: A bath quilt is disclosed along with a method of using the bath quilt. The bath quilt includes first, second and third liquid-impermeable layers all joined together. The first and third layers are formed from a plurality of hydrophilic, polyolefin fiber while the second or middle layer is formed from a plurality of hydrophilic, polyester fibers. The second layer is thicker than either the first or third layer. The bath quilt has a specific gravity of about 1.0 such that it can float on water. All three layers of the bath quilt have an open pore structure and the bath quilt has a flexural rigidity of from between 90 ?Nm to 95 ?Nm.

Abstract: A bath safety rail for being engaged to and disengaged from a bath surface. The bath safety rail includes a base, a handle on the base, first and second suction cups opposing the handle, cam followers on the suction cups that extend into the base, and cams in the base to engage and draw up the cam followers and suction cups to thereby create suction. The handle is two-piece where the pieces are separated by a handle plane, where each axis of each suction cup is in the handle plane.

Abstract: A vertically adjustable shower caddy system comprising a tension pole, a number of shelves and a number of securing element for attaching and reattaching the shelves and accessories to the tension pole. The tension pole is installed using an integrated tensioning mechanism allowing extension of the top and bottom extremities as to apply tension to the bath or shower floor and ceiling. The securing element uses clips that are opened and closed when attaching and reattaching the shelves to the tension pole rail. Repositioning a shelf to a new location on the tension pole therefore does not require the removal of the tension pole from a shower stall or bathtub/shower area, thereby saving a user a significant amount of time and effort.

Abstract: A shelf support structure for holding shower or bath accessories adapted to be suspended from the top edge of a shower or bathroom wall having a frame that comprises a pair of spaced-apart vertical legs which ascends up and hooks over and then back down forming an inverted U-shape. The frame is attached to a mounting bar designed to support the weight of the shelf support structure and contents. The mounting bar comprises a pair of slots on opposite ends designed to slip over and lock onto a plurality of securing means that are fastened to the drywall just above the top of the shower or bath wall, thereby preventing the shelf support structure from slipping off the top edge of the wall.

Abstract: Operating a hand cleaner dispenser for dispensing a cleaning liquid from a reservoir onto a person's hands in a cycle of operation wherein, during a first time interval during the cycle dispensing the liquid onto the hand as a spray, and during a second time interval during the cycle dispensing the liquid onto the hand as a liquid stream.

Abstract: A cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device includes a brush member and a handle. The brush member extends from the handle. The brush member includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. A distance between the first edge and the second edge is substantially greater than a distance between the first side and the second side. Therefore, the brush member may have a thin profile and resemble a blade. A plurality of bristles extend from at least the first side, the second side and one of the first edge and the second edge of the brush member.

Abstract: In a washing element holder (2), which on one side is closed off relative to the outside(s) with a sponge material (5) having pores (4), a washing device (1) has a washing element (3) which has at least one synthetic surfactant as a foaming substance and the principal constituent.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of personal hygiene devices, and to a back scrubbing device for use in bathing or showering for cleaning and/or exfoliating an individual's own back. Primarily the invention provides an improved water powered back scrubber or back washing device that easily mounts in a hand shower or on wall and provides a large cleansing surface having rotating scrubber that do not require electricity and are easily adjustable so as to accommodate users of differing heights, and is capable of regulating water pressure. The water powered back scrubber or back washing device of the current invention uses wash rag as scrubbing device and the water from the hose for continuously turning of the scrubbing device. The device consists of double ended paddle wheel shaft installed side to side by sponge covered cylinder attached to shaft with mini hooks to grab wash rags.

Abstract: A triple layer absorbent device having two absorbent layers disposed opposite one another and attached on either side of a central base layer. Adhesives, glue and or sewing is used to attach the three layers together. An optional pouch is attached to on one or both outer layers for porting of items therein.

Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a supply of sheet product reduces accumulation of the sheet product in the chute. The dispenser comprises a housing including a chute having a sheet product dispensing opening, a sheet product feed roller assembly disposed in the housing and configured to feed sheet product from the supply of sheet product into the chute, and a pusher disposed in the housing and configured to engage the sheet product fed from the sheet product feed roller assembly at a location downstream from the sheet product feed roller assembly and push the sheet product fed from the sheet product feed roller assembly toward the dispensing opening to reduce accumulation of the sheet product in the chute. A related method of reducing accumulation of the sheet product in the chute also is provided.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, there is described herein a dispenser for rolled materials, such as, including but not limited to, paper products, such as toilet paper or paper towels, or any other rolled material. The dispenser comprises first and second brackets configured to retain a roll holder rod operable to supports a core of the rolled material. A weight rod is inserted into the core to inhibit rotational motion of the roller. In another example embodiment, a top rod is employed to inhibit rotation of the rolled material. In yet another embodiment, both a weight rod and top rod are employed.

Abstract: A toilet inhibits an occupant from exiting the toilet. Sensors positioned on the toilet detect the application of pressure on the toilet by an occupant that is consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet, and/or movements of an occupant that are consistent with an occupant attempting to exit the toilet. The sensors cause an actuator to change the angle of the toilet seat, which inhibits exiting the toilet. The toilet may also be constructed to signal an attendant when actions by an occupant are consistent with actions indicating an attempt by the occupant to exit the toilet.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprising a vac-motor for drawing dirty air in through a floor-engaging cleaner head on the vacuum cleaner, a separating apparatus for separating dirt from the dirty air, an elongate air duct for carrying air to or from the separating apparatus, and a suction wand which is stored on the vacuum cleaner and which can be connected to the separating apparatus via a hose as required to clean above the floor. The external surface of the air duct defines an elongate recess for receiving the stored suction wand such that the air duct partly surrounds the stored wand. This provides a compact configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vacuum cleaner having an improved structure capable of removing hair and foreign substances wound around a drum brush. The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body, a suction brush connected to the cleaner main body and including a suction channel configured to clean a surface to be cleaned by suction force, and a drum brush case provided to be detachable in a forward direction from the suction brush and configured to form an intake port connected to the suction channel.

Abstract: A cyclone separating device (2), a dust collecting assembly (100), and a cleaner are provided.

Abstract: A sweeper machine comprises a support frame, a machine body, and a garbage collection case. The support frame includes two fixing arms. The machine body is disposed between and mounted to the two fixing arms. The garbage collection case is inserted to the rear side of the machine body. Each fixing arm includes a driving wheel. The machine body includes a body casing and a roll brush. The roll brush is disposed inside the body casing. The body casing includes an opening. The lower part of the roll brush is exposed from the opening. Two first connection holes are respectively formed on two ends of the body casing. Each driving shaft extends out of the fixing arm and penetrates one connection hole. Two ends of the roll brush are respectively firmly connected with the two driving shafts separately penetrating the two first connection holes.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a front portion in distal position, which has a fluid dispenser and a vacuum port; a handle portion in proximal position, which is coupled to and in fluid communication with the front portion and is configured to be held by an operator's hand; and a flow control member, which controls flow of the fluid to the fluid dispenser through a flow control valve and is shaped as a rotatable member extending outwardly from an outer surface of the cleaning apparatus. Both the fluid control member and the flow control valve are disposed distally of the position of the operator's hand.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a surface cleaning squeegee assembly and more specifically to a squeegee assembly mounted on a scrubber-dryer floor cleaning machine. The squeegee assembly includes a front squeegee having a number of spaced channels along a lower edge covered by seal flaps, and a rear squeegee having no channels. The front and rear squeegees define a vacuum chamber between them. Air, dirty water and surfactant are vacuumed into the vacuum chamber through the front squeegee channels for ultimate disposal. When the scrubber-dryer surface cleaning machine traverses over an uneven surface, the seal flaps close the channels to limit or eliminate any vacuum loss to the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A cleaning robot system including a robot and a robot maintenance station. The robot includes a robot body, a drive system, a cleaning assembly, and a cleaning bin carried by the robot body and configured to receive debris agitated by the cleaning assembly. The robot maintenance station includes a station housing configured to receive the robot for maintenance. The station housing has an evacuation passageway exposed to a top portion of the received robot. The robot maintenance station also includes an air mover in pneumatic communication with the evacuation passageway and a collection bin carried by the station housing and in pneumatic communication with the evacuation passageway. The station housing and the robot body fluidly connect the evacuation passageway to the cleaning bin of the received robot. The air mover evacuates debris held in the robot cleaning bin to the collection bin through the evacuation passageway.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robot cleaner.

Abstract: A wood floor mop assembly includes a liquid reservoir adapted to hold floor cleaning liquid; a liquid spray nozzle assembly in selective fluid communication with floor cleaning liquid in the liquid reservoir; and a heating unit operatively associated with the liquid reservoir and adapted to heat floor cleaning liquid in the liquid reservoir.

Abstract: A method of washing dishes in an automated dishwasher utilizing a high velocity sprayer and high velocity spray phase for forcibly spraying water from concavities on washed dishes or utensils in which liquid can puddle in the cavities of the dishes or utensils during previous washing or rinsing cycles.

Abstract: A household appliance includes a circulation pump for circulating dishwashing liquid in a washing compartment of the household appliance. A drain pump empties the dishwashing liquid from the washing compartment. For the purposes of ventilating the drain pump, a control device is provided to activate the drain pump after the washing compartment has been filled with the dishwashing liquid and before or during operation of the circulation pump.

Abstract: A flow through chemical sensor includes a housing having a through passage along which chemical can flow, a sidewall of the housing having first and second openings that communicate with the through passage. A first electrode is mounted on the housing and aligned with the first opening, the first electrode of a plate configuration with a unitary depression that extends through the first opening and to a peripheral edge of the through passage. A second electrode is mounted on the housing and aligned with the second opening, the second electrode of a plate configuration with a unitary depression that extends through the second opening and to the peripheral edge of the through passage. A method of detecting presence or absence of chemical is also provided.

Abstract: A household appliance, such as a dishwasher, for treating an item according to at least one automatic cycle of operation includes multiple antennas for transmitting and receiving data with an external network. The multiple antennas can be coupled with a radio also located within the appliance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a body; a washing cabin disposed on the body; a detergent dispenser detachably mounted on the body; a detergent receptacle disposed inside the detergent dispenser; a scaling receptacle disposed next to the detergent receptacle wherein the detergent; a first opening arranged between the detergent receptacle and the scaling receptacle and that enables the detergent to be transferred from the detergent receptacle to the scaling receptacle; a second opening arranged between the scaling receptacle and the washing cabin and that enables the detergent to be transferred from the scaling receptacle to the washing cabin, and a dosing mechanism disposed between the detergent receptacle and the scaling receptacle and that enables the detergent to be transferred from the detergent receptacle towards the washing cabin by controlling opening/closing of the first opening and the second opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for the evacuation of warm, moist air or vapor from a dishwasher cabinet or other washing machine interior. A centrifugal fan draws the hot air and water vapor out of the washing cavity through a flue riser and discharges it into a cooling chamber with one or more cooling spray nozzles. The cooling spray nozzles spray a fine mist of cold water into the stream of heated air and vapor, and may spray at angle to the flow of the stream of heated air and vapor. As the heated air and vapor from the dishwasher and the cooling spray mix, heat is transferred from the heated air and vapor to the cold water or mist being sprayed into the air stream. This reduces the temperature of the vapors and air that was extracted from the dishwasher. As the temperature is reduced, the water vapors condense and form droplets which accumulate on the sides and bottom of the cooling flue.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular dish rack having a substantially single side walled body portion that slidably engages two identical base portions, which interchangeably function as either the top or bottom of the dish rack. The top and bottom portions are preferably both inserted into the body portion from the same side of the body portion. Any of the four sides of the top and bottom portions may be inserted first into the body portion, and when inserted into the body portion, the base portions are held in place by friction catches or latches. The friction latches preferably include a boss portion and a notch portion to receive the boss portion. Alternative embodiments include designated top and bottom portion and are color coded to signal the identity of each.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the bottoms of footwear comprises a substantially planar grate having top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of openings therethrough, at least two supports secured to the bottom surface of the grate so as to space the grate above a surface and a brush having a plurality of bristles located on the top surface of the grate having the bristles extending substantially away from the grate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removal of pet hair or other debris from an article placed in a rotatable drum of a tumble dryer. The apparatus features a plurality of adhesive sheets compiled atop one another in a stack, which is attachable to the rotatable drum within an interior thereof. The apparatus is secured to an interior surface of the rotatable drum with an innermost adhesive sheet in the stack situated nearest to a center of said rotatable drum. Rotation of the drum during operation of the dryer brings in the article into repeated contact with the innermost sheet, to which the pet hair or other debris from the article becomes adhered. After use, the innermost adhesive sheet of the stack is removed to reveal an underlying adhesive sheet for collection of additional pet hair or other debris on said underlying adhesive sheet during subsequent use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A display control device comprises an image acquiring unit which acquires observation image data, an image recording unit which records recorded image data, an image synthesizing unit which generates synthesized image data based on the observation image data and the recorded image data, a first selector, a second selector, and a selector interlock controller. The first selector outputs one of the observation image data and the synthesized image data to a first display device as first selected data. The second selector outputs one of the first selected data and the recorded image data to a second display device as second selected data. The selector interlock controller interlocks and controls the first selector 122 and the second selector 124.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion shape observation apparatus includes an endoscope, a magnetic field generation coil provided at an insertion portion of the endoscope and configured to generate a magnetic field, an antenna unit configured to receive a coil signal from the magnetic field generation coil, a bending portion configured to bend the insertion portion, a bending drive section configured to drive the bending portion to bend, an insertion shape processing circuit configured to generate an insertion shape of the endoscope inserted into a subject according to a signal received from the antenna unit, a touch panel configured to display a generation result of the insertion shape processing circuit and be able to perform touch operation, and a drive section control circuit configured to control a drive amount of the bending drive section based on the touch operation on a desired location of the insertion shape displayed on the touch panel.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for fluid management in an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fluid management device may comprise a pair of electrodes and a controller connected to the pair of electrodes. In at least some embodiments, the controller may be configured to receive signals from the pair of electrodes and determine whether a fluid in a fluid reservoir is an ionic fluid or a non-ionic fluid based on signals received from the pair of electrodes. In at least some additional embodiments, the controller may be further configured to automatically set a fluid deficit alarm threshold based on the determination of whether the fluid in the fluid reservoir is an ionic fluid or a non-ionic fluid.

Abstract: A sheath adapter may be used within a medical device to provide one or more additional lumens. One sheath for use with a medical device may comprise a C-shaped elongate shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the C-shaped elongate shaft configured to fit onto a shaft of the medical device and a lumen extending at least partially along a length of the elongate shaft, the lumen having a first port disposed proximate the distal end of the C-shaped elongate shaft and a second port disposed proximate the proximal end of the C-shaped elongate shaft.

Abstract: A medical instrument (10) comprises an effecting device (40), which is movable in a first direction (48) from a first effecting position into a second effecting position, a pushbutton (60), which is movable manually in a second direction (68) from a first button position into a second button position, and a lever (70), which is pivotable about a pivot axis (78). The lever (70) mechanically couples the pushbutton (60) and the effecting device (40) in such a way that a movement of the pushbutton (60) in the second direction (68) is accompanied by a movement of the effecting device (40) in the first direction(48), which is opposite to the second direction (68). The lever (70) does not have an area that is rotationally symmetrical to the pivot axis (78) in the region of the pivot axis (78).

Abstract: A medical device introduction system is adapted to be at least partially insertable into an interior body region of a patient. The system includes a medical imager including a body member having a handle, an elongate member extending from the handle, an imaging device carried at a distal portion of the elongate member, and an introducer enclosing the elongate member. A manipulator is configured for imparting displacement of the introducer to form an angled end portion to define a line of sight extending from the angled end portion. The manipulator is further configured for altering the line of sight to increase a viewing angle of the imaging device.

Abstract: A method of adaptively displaying images captured using a camera according to quality of image matching. The system utilizes the quality of image matching to guide whether to stitch underlying images or not. The quality of image matching is measured between two images to be matched. The image is declared as a high-confidence image or a low-confidence image according to the quality of image matching. The high-confidence images are stitched into one or more larger composite pictures and displayed on a display device. On the other hand, the low-confidence images are displayed as individual images without stitching.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for imaging at least one anatomical structure can be provided. For example, the apparatus can include a probe imaging first arrangement, a radiation source second arrangement which provides at least one electro-magnetic radiation, and a third arrangement attached to at least one portion of the endoscopic arrangement. The third arrangement can contain an optical arrangement which, upon impact by the at least one electro-magnetic radiation and based thereon, may transmit a first radiation and reflects a second radiation. The first radiation can impact at least one first portion of the anatomical structure(s), and the second radiation can impact at least one second portion of the anatomical structure(s). The first and second portions can be at least partially different from one another. Further, the first and second radiations can have characteristics which are different from one another.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes: a light source that emits white illumination light including rays of light of red, green, and blue wavelength bands, or emits narrow band illumination light having narrow band light included in each of the blue and green wavelength bands; an image sensor that has pixels arranged in a matrix pattern and performs photoelectric conversion on light received by each pixel to generate an electric signal; and a color filter having filter units arranged on a light receiving surface of the image sensor, each of the filter units being formed of blue filters for transmitting the light of the blue wavelength band, green filters for transmitting the light of the green wavelength band, and red filters for transmitting the light of the red wavelength band, the number of the blue filters and the number of the green filters being larger than the number of the red filters.

Abstract: A directional illumination system for use with an endoscope for creating shadows in an object field for improving depth perception and contrast. The directional illumination system includes an endoscope distal tip including a plurality of light ports and a plurality of illumination fibers extending within the endoscope distal tip and arranged to direct light through the plurality of light ports onto an object field. At least one light source is operatively coupled to the plurality of illumination fibers for supplying light to the illumination fibers. A switching mechanism is operatively coupled to the plurality of illumination fibers and the at least one light source for selectively delivering light to the illumination fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a power source, a pulse generator, a light source, a guidewire, an optical fiber, and a connector. The pulse generator is in electrical communication with the power source. The pulse generator is also capable of generating an electric pulse. The light source is in electrical communication with the pulse generator in such a way that the light source turns on and off in response to the electric pulse received from the pulse generator. The guidewire includes a proximal end and a distal end. The optical fiber extends through the guidewire from the proximal end of the guidewire towards the distal end of the guidewire. The connector couples with the guidewire while allowing the light source to communicate with the optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a correlated set for minimal invasive surgery comprising a surgical instrument and a pattern generating member, a surgical system, a training kit, a method of training and a meth of performing a minimal invasive surgery. The surgical instrument comprises a handle portion, a surgical tool and a body portion connecting the handle portion to the surgical tool. The pattern generating member comprises a pattern light source and a projector for projecting a light pattern. The projector is adapted for being at least temporarily fixed to the body portion of the surgical instrument such that a movement of said surgical tool results in a correlated movement of said projector.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some aspects an ocular scene is imaged and changes in the ocular scene relative to a calibration image, are tracked. In one aspect, an imaging instrument includes an eyepiece, a light source operable to project light, an imaging system operable to image an ocular scene; and a processing system operable to receive a set of calibration images, and further operable to capture an image of the imaged ocular scene associated with a calibration image. In another aspect, a method to track changes in an ocular scene includes receiving a set of calibration images, receiving a set of landmarks on each calibration image, capturing a set of images of an ocular scene, associating each captured image with a calibration image, and detecting landmarks on each captured image wherein each detected landmark corresponds to a landmark on the associated calibration image.

Abstract: A method for visualizing a membrane on a retina of an eye includes recording a first image of the retina of the eye, wherein the membrane on the retina of the eye is not stained, recording a second image of the retina of the eye after the membrane on the retina of the eye has been stained, determining a first transformation such that mutually corresponding structures of the retina of the eye are located at mutually corresponding places in the second image and in the first image which was transformed with the first transformation, identifying image regions in the second image, which contain the membrane on the retina, based on the transformed first image and the recorded second image, and displaying the second image such that the identified image regions in the second image are highlighted relative to the surroundings of the identified image regions.

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

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides the use of an interocular inhibition procedure (IIP) for discriminating between anisometropic amblyopia and myopia, two disorders commonly confused in visual examination without proper optical correction. The inventors identified that opaque and translucent patching over the fellow (or untested) eye would result in different contrast sensitivities in the amblyopic (or tested) eye. In another embodiment, the invention provides a procedure for identifying amblyopia and myopia/hyperopia through the use of a pinhole aperture. Also disclosed are apparatus utilized in the procedures.

Abstract: In a perimetry to be conducted, designating an inspection region through a region designator, stimuli are presented to regions separated in an up/down direction, an oblique direction and a right/left direction from the inspection region (“the spaced region”) in addition to the designated inspection region. At the result, examinees are not able to predict to which of both regions, the inspection region and the spaced region the stimuli are presented, thereby obtaining correct inspection results that do not receive a prediction of the examinees.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing visual field testing using light field displays are described. The light field display (201, 202; 801; 504; 601-604; 704; 801), that can correct for the focus and cylindrical refractive error of the subject, can be used to perform a variety of visual field testing strategies by rendering visual stimuli to the eye (203). The light field display may be included near the subject's eye, or reimaged by a relay optical system (802). Several embodiments of head and arm mounted systems (711; 704) including a near eye light field display (704) are presented.

Abstract: A visual acuity test method, apparatus and system that may be utilized as an automatic test of the visual acuity level of a test object, to reduce the problem of complex operation of the existing visual acuity test solution. The method is applied by an apparatus with a display screen, and comprises: displaying a test picture including at least one optotypes on a display screen, and determining an active optotype for visual acuity test from the optotypes of the test picture according to a preset rule. The method includes the steps of obtaining indicating information of the test object for the active optotype of the test picture; and determining the visual acuity level of the test object according to orientations represented by active optotypes of at least one test pictures and the indicating information of the visual acuity test object for the active optotypes of at least one test picture.