Abstract: A cushion and method provide relief of pain or discomfort in the pelvic/genital/rectal region of a person. The person is supported on a resilient cushion construct which conforms to the person's posterior profile contour configuration, while locating a gap beneath the pelvic/genital/rectal region of the person. An airway is extended to the gap, through a basal construct located beneath the cushion construct and an air mover moves ambient air through the airway and into the gap to provide cooling to the pelvic/genital/rectal region of the person supported on the cushion construct.

Abstract: A seat comprising a seat support for receiving and bracing a seat plate, which comprises a rear region and a front region, the rear region, which receives the ischial bones (os ischii), being arranged lower than the front region and the seat support supporting the rear region, wherein the front region of the seat plate is formed resiliently as a flexible zone without direct supports.

Abstract: A convertible sofa of the perpendicular-sleeping type, comprising a fixed structure supporting a foldable structure which comprises three articulated panels and a system of actuation of folding/unfolding of the foldable structure between a sofa configuration and a sleeping configuration and vice versa, which comprises at least one motorized actuator comprising a body within which a rod is movable in translation, where the body is mounted on one of either the fixed or foldable structure and the end of the rod is articulated on the other of the fixed or foldable structure, the movement of the rod causing the foldable structure to fold/unfold.

Abstract: The device presented provides a simple and secure solution to fasten unfitted bedding to a stationary section of the bed, eliminating any other need such as tucking or strapping. The grasp of the device is accomplished by the eccentric motion of the gripper. To engage the grasp, the bedding is placed in the pinch point of the device; pressure is then exerted on the lower part of the gripper to ensure contact with the bedding. To release the grasp, simply lift up the lower end of the gripper and remove the bedding. Normally two devices mounted to the rigid section of the box spring are sufficient to securely retain the bedding.

Abstract: A cushioning support device and a method for making the same are disclosed. The device comprises a first polyurethane foam having a non-slip sheet attached on a surface of the first foam, a second polyurethane foam having a resting sheet attached on a surface of the second foam, and a compound pressure-redistributing body. The first and second polyurethane foams are arranged one over another into a stack which is welded and envelops to form at least an internal pocket along a weld line. The internal pocket houses the pressure-redistributing body, and it comprises a foam and a solid gel attached on a top surface of the foam, wherein the solid gel is securely positioned by way of melting. Dips of the gel can lodge into the small interstices of the foam material during the melting process; the gel gets into a solid state after solidification.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for holding and organizing articles that provides for easy addition of new holding elements to the system without the need to disturb existing system elements. The system includes holding “clips” that are deployable on the system “rail” by inserting a portion of the clip through a slot in the rail, at substantially any point along the length of the slot. The clip, upon being inserted into the rail, then lockingly engages the rail at substantially any point along the length of the slot.

Abstract: A bracket and standard assembly comprises a standard having a plurality of spaced apart holes. A bracket comprises a support body having an elongated portion extending along a longitudinal axis. A connector end comprises at least one hook projecting rearwardly from the support body and passing through a hole in the standard to releasably hook the bracket to the standard, the at least one hook comprising a downwardly projecting tooth, the at least one hook defining with the support body a receptacle, a portion of the receptacle being delimited by a forwardly oriented contact edge of the tooth, the receptacle receiving one of wall portions of the standard. A finger projects generally upwardly from the at least one hook and having a forwardly oriented contact edge, the forwardly oriented contact edge of the finger being rearward of the forwardly oriented contact edge of the corresponding tooth along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A display tray stores and dispenses a plurality of articles. The display tray includes an upper region and a lower region. The upper region of the display tray contains a greater number of articles than the lower region. The display tray may be used upon an angled shelf to optimize the number of articles presented.

Abstract: An upper component is horizontally oriented and formed with upper and lower surfaces and front and rear edges. A hook extends upwardly from a central extent of the upper surface. An anti-tipping leg has a lower end attached to the rear edge. A slider assembly is formed with a fixed plate attached to the lower surface of the upper component and a movable plate below the upper component. The slider assembly is also formed with an intermediate plate slidably coupled between the fixed plate and the movable plate. The slider assembly includes a clip in an inverted U-shaped configuration depending from the movable plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds having the formula (I) wherein a dashed line represents the presence or absence of a bond; Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereof; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an ether thereof; or Y is a tetrazolyl functional group; A is —(CH2)6—, cis —CH2CH?CH—(CH2)3—, or —CH2C?C—(CH2)3—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be replaced by S or O; or A is —(CH2)m—Ar—(CH2)o— wherein Ar is interarylene or heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and wherein 1 —CH2— may be replaced by S or O, and 1 —CH2—CH2— may be replaced by —CH?CH— or —C?C—; U1 and U2 are independently selected from —H, ?O, —OH, —F, —Cl, and —CN; and B is aryl or heteroaryl, for use as acular hypotensive agent.

Abstract: A cup is provided having a lid with a spout defined by walls tapered towards a distal end of the spout. The lid has handles extending therefrom that are preferably formed of a first and second material having different Shore A hardnesses to define a rigid portion and a gripping portion.

Abstract: A package or container includes a side wall, the side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the side wall may be at least partially coated by a layer of a insulating material. The material may be adapted to be expanded to provide thermal insulation.

Abstract: Purse hooks are disclosed. Methods of making and using purse hooks are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tabletop stand for holding a palm branch in an upright orientation. The stand has a horizontal sleeve which is a receptacle for a bottom aspect of a palm branch. The sleeve is provided with a slot so that the stand may be used in combination with an elongated plastic bag which has a rod extending for a segment of the bag's length. A bottom segment of the rod and surrounding bag is inserted into the sleeve and a lateral part of the bag passes through the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for shading a window, wherein the window has a right top corner and a top left corner, comprising a rod element, which has a proximate end and a distal end and is disposed along a lateral axis substantially parallel to a lateral window axis. The apparatus further has a spring element, having a first end mechanically coupled to the rod element at the proximate end of the rod element, wherein the spring element is adapted to provide a spring constant force between the rod element and the top left corner of the window.

Abstract: A motorized citrus press has a reamer and a pivoting arm that carries a fruit dome. The reamer has primary ribs that protrude from a rib supporting surface. Each primary rib has an upper profile and a lower profile that comprise a compound profile.

Abstract: An adjustable percolation device and a pressure percolation device including the same are provided to overcome the inconveniences of usage in conventional technologies. The adjustable percolation device includes a first container, configured with an adjusting plate; a second container, configured with a filter and movably connected to the first container; and an inner cup, having a cup wall and a cup bottom configured with a plurality of second slits corresponding to a plurality of first slits. The pressure percolation device including the adjustable percolation device further includes a pressure unit having a sealing portion, wherein an edge of the sealing portion attaches to an inner edge of the cup wall.

Abstract: An automated dispenser for dispensing spices, condiments, herbs, teas, ground coffees, or powdered beverages, comprising a plurality of cartridges mounted on a carrier respectively containing said items, having a dispensing means with relative movement capable between said dispensing means and said cartridges. A look-up table, containing a plurality of separate, discrete dispensing programs is provided for operation of the dispensing means to dispense a particular variety of mixtures and quantities from said cartridges. When a spice blend and associated dispensing program is selected by a user, the dispensing program aligns the dispensing means relative to the cartridge carrier and cartridge, to dispense a particular quantity and, in the case of a mix, to subsequently align with other selected cartridges to provide, from said cartridges, the mix of spices, herbs, condiments, powdered beverages or ground coffees. A specialized cartridge adapted for use in said automated dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coffee filter holder includes a funnel wall, a substantially flat bottom wall having an outer edge and a coffee brew outlet, a drip-stop valve assembly that can be brought in an opened and a closed condition. The drip-stop valve assembly includes a valve member mounted on a blade spring connected to the bottom wall, and an actuator lever slideably connected to the bottom wall. The actuator lever includes an integral piece of sheet material with a first end that extends beyond the outer edge of the bottom wall so as to be engageable by hand and having a second end positioned under the substantially flat bottom wall to engage the valve member carrier to bring valve member from the opened position to the closed position and vice versa.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing valve may include a downspout assembly having a body having walls with a slot therein, a channel, an upper and a lower opening, with the slot in the channel between the upper and lower openings. The downspout assembly may include a lateral member extending laterally from the downspout assembly and engaging the wall adjacent the slot. A pinch member may be partly enclosed within the lateral member and dimensioned to move partially through the slot. A pinch handle and the pinch member may move the pinch member in and out of the slot. A coil spring may engage the lateral member and the pinch arm urging the pinch arm at least partially through the slot of the body. A flexible insert may be dimensioned to tightly fit against the walls of the channel of the body, the insert having an open top and an open bottom.

Abstract: A device for skewering a kebab including an enclosed substantially cylindrical casing. The casing includes a pair of ends including a right end and a left end, a cylindrical body having a first half hingedly attached to a second half, and a pair of slots including a right slot and a left slot. Each of the right end and the left end has a continuous outer edge and a middle portion disposed within the outer edge. An interior surface of the body proximal a right edge is disposed around the outer edge of the right end, and the interior surface of the body proximal a left edge is disposed around the outer edge of the left end. The right slot is disposed within the right end, and the left slot is disposed within the left end. A skewer is removably disposed within the casing through the pair of slots.

Abstract: A smokeless barbecue including a grill adapted for receiving food to be cooked thereon and at least one radiating element placed underneath the grill. The radiating element is arranged so as to radiate heat mainly in a direction substantially parallel to the grill. The barbecue further includes at least a reflecting surface facing the radiating element and arranged so as to reflect, towards the grill, the radiating heat coming from the radiating element, and a cover device placed between the grill and the radiating element to shield the radiating element from substances falling from the grill.

Abstract: Method of collecting used cooking oil includes extracting used cooking oil from at least one deep fryer to a container, storing and separating said used cooking oil within the container which is located within the cooking area. The oil from the deep fat fryer is periodically pumped to the container and allowed to settle. The unwanted sludge is then tapped off into a portable container and the wanted oil is pumped to an exterior transportation container. The container is triangular shaped with rear walls converging into a corner of the cooking area and a diagonal front face with side flanges and a bottom flap such that it is located in the corner of an interior wall of a building and contains the pipes and plumbing.

Abstract: The present application relates to a lid (3) for a food processor (1). The lid is releasably attachable to a container (3) to enclose a food processing tool unit (4) which is operated by a drive unit (5). The lid (3) has a drive unit mount (28) to releasably mount a drive unit (5) to the lid (3), an attachment element to releasably attach the lid (3) to a container (2), and a locking element operable to engage a container (2) attached to the lid (3) when a drive unit (5) is mounted to the lid (3). Therefore, detachment of the lid (3) from a container (2) is prevented by the locking element when a drive unit (5) is mounted to the lid (3). The present application also relates to a food processor (1).

Abstract: A method for automated dispensing of a fluid. The method includes providing a light pulse to a location proximate a dispensing outlet from which said fluid will be dispensed, sensing a light received from that location, where the sensed light includes at least one of an ambient light or a reflection of said light pulse, generating a signal corresponding to the sensed light, generating a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) signal if the reflection of the light pulse is determined and pumping a fluid to the dispenser outlet in response to said TTL signal.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suction source, an air inlet, and an airflow path extending from the air inlet to the suction source. A valve is movable between an open position in which the suction source and the air inlet are in fluid communication and a closed position in which the valve inhibits fluid communication between the air inlet and the suction source. The vacuum cleaner also includes a link coupled to the valve such that movement of the link in a first direction when the valve is in the closed position opens the valve, and movement of the link in a second direction when the valve is in the open position closes the valve. The link has a deformable portion resiliently deformable to permit additional movement of the link in the second direction when the valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: A hand surface cleaning apparatus comprises at least one cyclone and at least one dirt collection chamber The dirt collection chamber may be removable from the surface cleaning apparatus as a sealed unit for emptying and/or the dirt collection chamber may be removable with the nozzle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided with a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and comprising a multi-position brush control electrically coupled to the brush motor whereby the brush motor is operable in at least two different modes. An upright surface cleaning apparatus with a removable portable surface cleaning unit is also provided. The upright surface cleaning apparatus includes an air flow path extending from the cleaning head air outlet to the air treatment member air inlet and comprising a flexible electrified air flow conduit wherein the brush motor is electrically connected to the surface cleaning unit by a circuit that includes the flexible electrified air flow conduit, a handle assembly drivingly connected to the surface cleaning head and a brush control electrically coupled to the brush motor.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a wet/dry vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The switch assembly includes a switch movable by a user between an ON position and an OFF position. An automatic shutoff assembly is operable in conjunction with the switch assembly to turn the switch to the OFF position in the event that a level of liquid within a tank of the wet/dry vacuum cleaner rises above a predetermined level. When triggered, the automatic shutoff assembly exerts a biasing force urging the switch toward the OFF position. A user can manually override the automatic shutoff assembly by providing a force sufficient to overcome the biasing force.

Abstract: An air gun in combination with a vacuum source is powered by pressurized gas that is received through a gas inlet. The air gun and the vacuum source are configured to be simultaneously operable using the pressurized gas, which provides a method for conveniently air cleaning various objects.

Abstract: An autonomous vacuum cleaner comprising a main body comprising a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, an airflow path extending between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet, a separating apparatus arranged in the airflow path between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet, and an airflow generator for generating an airflow along the airflow path from the dirty air inlet to the clean air outlet. The airflow generator has a discharge portion which discharges airflow into a chamber formed in the main body, the chamber including an opening that is closable by a removable panel, wherein a power source is receivable within the chamber formed in the main body and is removable from the chamber through the opening.

Abstract: A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a cyclonic hand vacuum cleaner, is provided wherein the cyclone chamber has two dirt outlets.

Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including a cleaning head having a body to sit adjacent a first surface to be cleaned; and a head formation releasably connectable to a connection portion of the body; wherein in a first configuration the head formation is connected to the body such that the head formation sits adjacent the first surface or a second surface to be cleaned, and the cleaning head defines a first footprint, and in a second configuration the head formation is detached from the body and the cleaning head defines a second footprint.

Abstract: The invention is a rotating tip catheter-imaging probe where electromagnetic energy is delivered to the distal end of a catheter and converted to mechanical energy using a light drive apparatus. The mechanical energy is then used to rotate a mirror that redirects light in fixed pattern on a sample. The rotating element of the light drive apparatus contains vanes, which rotate about an axis and positioned with bearings to minimize friction. A chamber encompasses the rotating element and is set to a vacuum pressure. The rotational speed of the catheter tip can be controlled by varying the optical power delivered to the vanes, the vacuum pressure in the chamber, or by a braking mechanism applied to the rotating element. The vanes may be shaped in a particular geometry to increase forces on the vanes from thermally driven gas flow.

Abstract: A flexible variable direction of view endoscope with a pivotable view vector and a rotatable distal section.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of a bending module that forms a plurality of joint members by press-processing sheet material, with each joint member having a joint member body, a connection protrusion and a wire guide protrusion having a wire guide hole formed at one side corner of the joint member body, and one connection protrusion is formed at another side corner of the joint member body. The wire guide protrusions are folded with respect to the joint member bodies; a joint member assembly is formed by arranging the plurality of joint members in parallel and connecting neighboring connection members to connect the joint members together; the joint member assembly are bent to a ring shape; and each joint member is connect to each other by welding corners thereof.

Abstract: A system that includes a highly articulated robotic probe having a first mechanism comprising a plurality of first links, and a second mechanism comprising a plurality of second links. The second mechanism is configured to surround at least a portion of the first mechanism. The system includes a feeder mechanism configured to advance and retract the highly articulated robotic probe, and a computing device in communication with the feeder mechanism. The computing device is configured to receive two-axis data from an input device, translate the two-axis position data into three-axis coordinate system data, and adjust a position of one or more second mechanism motors based on the three-axis coordinate system data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an endoscope including a distal chamber and related methods of use, for example, with an endoscopic instrument.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system includes a light source that emits light having a visible light wavelength region, and an optical filter that has transmission peaks at least at two particular wavelengths in a continuous wavelength region including the visible light wavelength region. The optical filter has a transmissivity that suppresses a light amount cut by the optical filter between the transmission peaks of the at least two particular wavelengths and has a transmissivity of zero at a wavelength region other than an interval between the transmission peaks of the at least two particular wavelengths. A solid-state image pick-up receives reflected light from an object which is irradiated with illumination light via the optical filter and an image generator is configured to generate a color image to be displayed on a monitor by processing an image signal output by the solid-state image pick-up.

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging device configured to acquire a tomographic image of a tissue of an object, includes: a dividing device configured to divide a light beam emitted from a light source into measurement light and reference light; a combining device configured to combine the measurement light, which is separated by the dividing device and is reflected from the tissue, with the reference light so as to generate interference light for acquiring the tomographic image; a plurality of irradiation devices, each of the plurality of irradiation devices being configured to guide the measurement light and irradiate the tissue with the measurement light: and a switching device configured to switch the plurality of irradiation devices from one to another and select one of the plurality of irradiation devices to cause the selected irradiation device to irradiate the measurement light output from the dividing device with tissue.

Abstract: In one implementation, an apparatus estimates body core temperature from an infrared measurement of an external source point using a cubic relationship between the body core temperature and the measurement of an external source point is described, estimates temperature from a digital infrared sensor and determines vital signs from a solid-state image transducer, or determines vital signs from a solid-state image transducer and estimates body core temperature from an infrared measurement of an external source point using a cubic relationship between the body core temperature and the measurement of an external source point; after which the estimated and/or determined information is transmitted to an external database.

Abstract: A patient positioning device has an electromagnetically transparent transfer plate for positioning an examination subject, and at least one patient bed. The electromagnetically transparent transfer plate can be disposed on the patient bed for imaging an examination region of the examination subject with a first imaging device. For imaging the examination region of the examination subject with the second imaging device that has an electromagnetic localization device, the electromagnetically transparent transfer plate is disposed above the electromagnetic localization device. An imaging system and a corresponding method for medical imaging make use of such a patient position device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating a diagnostic image by using a photoacoustic material. The method includes determining a wavelength band of light maximally absorbed by a photoacoustic material, based on at least one or more photoacoustic materials injected into an object, irradiating light, which corresponds to the determined wavelength band, onto an internal region of interest (ROI) of the object to acquire a photoacoustic signal corresponding to the irradiated light, generating a photoacoustic image indicating the ROI by using the photoacoustic signal, and combining and displaying the generated photoacoustic image and an image expressing that the light is being irradiated onto the ROI.

Abstract: An insertion detector for monitoring a position of a medical probe relative to a body cavity of a patient, the probe incorporates a proximity sensor that is responsive to a predetermined property of the patient's body. The proximity sensor may include a light emitter and a light detector. When the medical probe is inserted into the body cavity, a light flux between the light emitter and light detector is changed due to either obstruction by the cavity walls or reflection by the patient's skin. A response from the proximity sensor may be used to adjust a temperature measured from the body cavity to correct for errors due to non-insertion or partial insertion of the probe into the body cavity.

Abstract: Method and apparatuses are described to evaluate a state of health of a coronary artery. Vibrational cardiac data from a transducer is received from a first location. The transducer measures vibration of a surface of a human's body non-invasively. The vibrational cardiac data is processed in a second location to create processed vibrational cardiac data. The processing includes separating an unwanted coronary event from the vibrational cardiac data. The processing further includes performing a time-to-frequency transformation on the vibrational cardiac data from a portion of a diastolic interval within a heart cycle to obtain a vibrational frequency power spectrum estimate. The processing includes evaluating a state of health of the coronary artery using the processed vibrational cardiac data.

Abstract: A monitoring device with a pedometer is disclosed herein. The monitoring device preferably comprises an article, an optical sensor, an accelerometer and processor. The optical sensor preferably comprises a photodetector and a plurality of light emitting diodes. A sensor signal from the optical sensor is processed with a filtered accelerometer output signal from the accelerometer to generate a pedometer function.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing health-care equipment in a plurality of customizable configurations. A configuration includes a selection and arrangement of health-care equipment modules that each provide specialized support for the provision of health care, including the measurement of physiological parameters. Various types of configurations include those adapted to be mounted upon a desk top or a wall surface, or adapted for wheel mounting or hand-carriable mobile configurations.

Abstract: A noninvasive physiological sensor for measuring one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient can include a bump interposed between a light source and a photodetector. The bump can be placed in contact with body tissue of a patient and thereby reduce a thickness of the body tissue. As a result, an optical pathlength between the light source and the photodetector can be reduced. In addition, the sensor can include a heat sink that can direct heat away from the light source. Moreover, the sensor can include shielding in the optical path between the light source and the photodetector. The shielding can reduce noise received by the photodetector.

Abstract: Method for measuring a blood volume is provided. At least two types of respiratory variation data; for instance, data pertinent to respiratory variations in stroke volume (SVV) data, data pertinent to respiratory variations in an amplitude of a pulse wave (PAV), a pulse wave transit time (PWTT) in a respiratory cycle, and a heart rate (HR) in a predetermined time, are measured, and patient's inherent coefficients ?, ?, and K are calculated, whereby a cardiac output can be determined by an equation CO=K (?*PWTT+?)*HR.