Abstract: A support bar has a central region for a material web wound to a coreless roll and a first and a rotatable second bearing journal each projecting beyond the roll. The support bar includes a first and a second part. The first part extends throughout the roll. A first end of the first part forms the first bearing journal. A second part, formed as a rotary body that is rotatable relative to the first part has a second end that forms the second bearing journal. A second end of the first part is formed with an axial bore and a first end of the second part is latched in the axial bore within the roll.

Abstract: Herein is described a dispenser of flexible tubing, for fitting to a waste disposal apparatus. The dispenser may include a compacted flexible tubing in the form of a ring; the ring typically having an aperture extending therethrough. The dispenser may comprise a flexible outer web and/or the flexible tubing, in uncompacted form, may have first and second ends, wherein, in use, the flexible tubing can be dispensed from the dispenser, such that the first end can be passed through the aperture, and the dispenser is adapted to prevent the second end of the tubing passing through the aperture of the tubing.

Abstract: A toilet seat includes a body, a bottom plate, and a joining member. The body includes a seating part and a side wall part. The side wall part extends from each of an inner end and an outer end of the seating part. The bottom plate includes a bottom plate part and a protrusion part. The bottom plate part and the seating part face each other. The protrusion part protrudes laterally from the bottom plate part and is configured to be pressed by an end of the side wall part. The joining member joins the body and the bottom plate. The joining member is formed of a filling material poured to closely contact a side surface of the bottom plate part and a non-pressing surface other than a surface pressing the protrusion part on the end of the side wall part.

Abstract: A inflatable wedge toilet seat lift, located between the toilet bowl rim, and the toilet seat. Foot actuated via a foot pedal pump, when the foot pedal pump is pressed, air travels through tubing causing the wedge expand with air. The inflation lifts the toilet seat, away from the toilet bowl rim.

Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a separate “shutter” system is disposed below and attached to the opening of a portable toilet seat in a manner that substantially blocks the underlying tank from view, yet allows for the waste material to easily pass into the tank. The system shutter assembly includes an inverted-V shaped component that is suspended below the toilet opening to block the view of an underlying pit tank while allowing for waste material to pass over either side of the “V” and fall into the tank (also protects user from any waste material splashing upward). The assembly further includes a shutter support assembly connected between the toilet seat opening and the shutter and is used to support the shutter in its suspended place. The shutter may be fixed in place, or permitted to swing back and forth as the waste material encounters the shutter.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner is provided with a hand-carriable body housing the components of a vacuum collection system. The vacuum collection system can include a working air path through the body, and includes a portion which passes through a handle of the hand-carriable body that is adapted to be gripped by a user during operation of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum appliance comprising a drum and a vacuum head. The drum may include a base and a cylinder sealed to the base. The vacuum head may include a lid and a blower. The lid preferably includes a portion that is detachably mounted to an open upper end of the drum. The blower may be mounted to, atop, or within the lid. In any case, the blower induces a vacuum within the drum and moves through the vacuum. The base or the cylinder may include a drain to drain fluid and debris contained within the drum. The lid may include a lower portion sealed to and defining the open upper end of the drum. The cylinder or the lid may include an air inlet through which the blower draws air and entrained debris.

Abstract: A vacuum appliance comprising a drum and a vacuum head. The drum may include a base and a cylinder sealed to the base. The vacuum head may include a lid and a blower. The lid preferably includes a portion that is detachably mounted to an open upper end of the drum. The blower may be mounted to, atop, or within the lid. In any case, the blower induces a vacuum within the drum and moves through the vacuum. The base or the cylinder may include a drain to drain fluid and debris contained within the drum. The lid may include a lower portion sealed to and defining the open upper end of the drum. The cylinder or the lid may include an air inlet through which the blower draws air and entrained debris.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portion has a dirty air inlet, a front side, a rear side and a forward bridging section, the forward bridging section having a rearwardly extending air flow passage that is downstream from the dirty air inlet. The rearward portion positioned rearward of the forward portion, the rearward portion comprising a front side, a rearward side, a rearward bridging section, a lower planar surface, an upper surface and an up flow duct, the rearward bridging section being spaced rearward of the front side of the rearward portion. The rear side of the forward portion is spaced from and faces the front side of the rearward portion and the forward bridging section is connected to the rearward bridging section.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body; a suction device communicated with the cleaner main body; a wheel which may move the cleaner body; a motor for driving the wheel; a sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the cleaner main body about a rotation angle of the wheel; a memory in which a plurality of reference values about the sensor are stored; and a controller determining one reference value of the plurality of reference values and controlling the motor according to a size of an angle value detected from the sensor based on the determined reference value.

Abstract: A cordless, battery-powered system of cleaning products. The system of cleaning products includes devices such as upright vacuums (e.g., a stick vacuum, a lightweight upright vacuum, etc.), a hand-held vacuum, a carpet-cleaner, a canister vacuum, and the like. Each of the devices is powered by a battery pack which is interchangeable among the devices. The battery pack includes a combination of hardware and software for connecting to, identifying, and communicating with the cleaning products to ensure that each of the products receives the power necessary to ensure optimal performance.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a handle attached to a duct assembly. The duct assembly includes a first duct and a second duct, and the first duct pivots relative to the second duct about a pivot axis. The first duct and the second duct each have an arcuate section that arcs about the pivot axis. Pivoting the first duct relative to the second duct then causes the arcuate section of one of the ducts to move in and out of the arcuate section of the other of the ducts.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes a handle attached to a duct assembly. The duct assembly includes a first duct and a second duct. The first duct pivots relative to the second duct about a pivot axis, and the first duct and the second duct rotate collectively relative to the handle about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is then orthogonal to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is provided with a nozzle cover having multiple functions, including sealing an opening for an above-the-floor vacuum hose, aiding in removal of a suction nozzle from the apparatus and acting as a handle for the suction nozzle upon removal of the suction nozzle from the apparatus. A locking mechanism prevents the suction nozzle from accidentally releasing from the apparatus when the vacuum hose is installed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a robot cleaner includes: a step of controlling at least one of a first rotation member and a second rotation member to rotate depending on a traveling mode to travel the robot cleaner in a specific proceeding direction; a step of identifying whether or not an obstacle is detected from a sensor; and a step of setting a reference surface depending on the obstacle and controlling the first rotation member and the second rotation member to perform a wall movement pattern along the reference surface, in the case in which the obstacle is continuously detected.

Abstract: A self-propelled, self-steering floor cleaner is provided, including a cleaning device with at least one cleaning unit for cleaning a floor surface of a room having at least a section of an obstacle therein that is not in contact with the floor surface, a transmission unit for emitting radiation directed at the obstacle and the floor surface, a detection unit for detecting reflected radiation and providing a detection signal, a control unit coupled to the detection unit, and a chassis for movement on the floor surface including a drive unit coupled to the control unit, it being determinable from the detection signal whether a space and a cleanable floor surface section are present underneath the obstacle, the drive unit being actuatable to move the floor cleaner for cleaning the floor surface section, with at least one cleaning unit. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning a floor surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning robot having an improved driving and cleaning ability. The cleaning robot includes a dust collecting blade. A lower end of the dust collecting blade is bent in a direction opposite to the driving direction of the cleaning robot during operation of the cleaning robot, so that wobbling is not generated even though the ground surface on which the cleaning robot operates has bumps and gaps.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device, such as a floor mop, has a handle via which a user holds on to the device and maneuvers the device during use, a head to which the handle connects, a base at which the head is secured and is situated, in normal use, below the head. The base is provided with, in normal use, a lower surface for engaging a surface to be cleaned via a removable or disposable substrate material, wherein the base is provided with a plurality of grippers for securing the disposable substrate material, the base and the grippers belong to an integral component.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher having a wash tub and a reuse tank for storing liquid for subsequent reuse, wherein the condition of the water in the reuse tank may be monitored and/or acted upon to limit the likelihood of undesired effects associated with the growth of micro-organisms in the liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dishwasher in the form of a commercial utensil washer or dishwasher which is designed as a batch dishwasher and is realized as a hood-type dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher has a treatment chamber with at least one wash system which is designed as a recirculation system, wherein the treatment chamber has a first treatment zone and at least one further, second treatment zone, wherein items of washware can be treated independently of one another and at least temporarily at the same time in the first and in the at least one second treatment zone.

Abstract: A variable position diverter that provides wash fluid to selected combinations of outlet ports and spray assemblies. The diverter includes a housing having a first fluid outlet, a second fluid outlet, and a valve disk having four apertures. The valve disk is rotated relative to the housing to align one or more of the four apertures with one or both of the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet to selectively control the flow of wash fluid through corresponding spray assemblies. Selectively diverting wash fluid in this manner can improve wash performance and reduce cycle time while meeting government regulations regarding water usage.

Abstract: A variable position diverter that provides wash fluid to selected combinations of outlet ports and spray assemblies. The diverter includes a housing having four fluid outlet ports, two of which are elongated, and a valve disk having a single elongated aperture. The valve disk is rotated relative to the housing to align the elongated aperture with one or more of the four fluid outlet ports to selectively control the flow of wash fluid through corresponding spray assemblies. The elongated aperture of the valve disk may at least partially open two adjacent outlet ports at a selected angular position. Selectively diverting wash fluid in this manner can improve wash performance and reduce cycle time while meeting government regulations regarding water usage.

Abstract: A variable position diverter that provides wash fluid to selected combinations of outlet ports and spray assemblies. The diverter includes a housing having four fluid outlet ports, and a valve disk having a three apertures. The valve disk is rotated relative to the housing to align one or more of the three apertures with one or more of the four fluid outlet ports to selectively control the flow of wash fluid through corresponding spray assemblies. Selectively diverting wash fluid in this manner can improve wash performance and reduce cycle time while meeting government regulations regarding water usage.

Abstract: A variable position diverter that provides wash fluid to selected combinations of outlet ports and spray assemblies. The diverter includes a housing having a plurality of outlet ports and a valve disk having a plurality of apertures. The valve disk is rotated relative to the housing to align one or more of the plurality of apertures with one or more of the plurality of outlet ports to selectively control the flow of wash fluid through a plurality of spray assemblies. Selectively diverting wash fluid in this manner can improve wash performance and reduce cycle time while meeting government regulations regarding water usage.

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 wash rack define at least one internal wash fluid conduit. A related method for forming a wash rack for a dishwasher appliance is also provided.

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 are coplanar with one another. A related method for forming a wash rack for a dishwasher appliance is also provided.

Abstract: An assist tool attachable to an insertion section of an insertion apparatus includes a tube including a longitudinal axis. The tube is provided with a lumen through which the insertion section is insertable. The tool includes a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism receives a drive force and is rotated together with the tube with respect to the insertion section inserted through the lumen. The tool includes a locking mechanism provided on a more distal end side than the connecting mechanism in the tube. The locking mechanism includes a convex portion or a concave portion engaged with the insertion section to restrict movement of the tube along the longitudinal axis with respect to the insertion section. Furthermore, an insertion apparatus to which the tool is attached and an introduction apparatus including them is provided.

Abstract: A curvature sensor is to be mounted along detection target to allow a curvature of the detection target. The sensor includes a light source, a light guide to guide light from the light source and sensing parts having light absorbability. The sensing parts include absorption bands having different intrinsic absorption patterns and characteristic absorption bands having intrinsic characteristic absorption patterns in the absorption bands. A light detector allows residual light not absorbed by the characteristic absorption bands to be detected, the residual light being included in light of bands corresponding to the characteristic absorption bands and radiated to the sensing parts from the light source. A calculator computes a curvature of the detection target based on a rate of change in the residual light.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope objective optical system including, in order from an object side, a first group having negative refractive power, a second group having positive refractive power, and a third group having positive refractive power. The second group is provided so as to be movable in an optical-axis direction. The following conditional expression is satisfied, 9<f2/fa<16??(1) where f2 is a focal length of the second group, and fa is a focal length of the entire system in the normal observation state.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an insertion part inserted into a body; an observation part provided at the insertion part and observing an inside of a viewing range defined in the front thereof; an arm part manipulated to be bent, a proximal end portion of which is provided at the insertion part, and which has an opening of a channel, through which a treatment tool is inserted, provided at a distal end side thereof; a first detection part detecting an out-of-viewing-range state where a center axis line in the opening of the channel does not pass through the viewing range; a second detection part detecting that the treatment tool has been inserted through the channel; and an alert part alerting a user when the second detection part detects that the treatment tool has been inserted through the channel and the first detection part detects the out-of-viewing-range state.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imaging unit; a drive signal generation unit configured to generate and output a plurality of drive signals for driving the imaging unit; a differential converter configured to convert one of the plurality of drive signals into a differential signal; a pair of signal lines configured to transmit the differential signal and configured such that impedance matching does not occur at a terminal of one of the pair of signal lines; and an adjustment unit configured to send a detecting signal to the one of the pair of signal lines, and to adjust characteristics of at least one of the plurality of drive signals based on a time period from when the detecting signal is sent until the detecting signal is reflected and returned from the terminal of the one of the pair of signal lines.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus including an imaging section that includes a phase difference detection element for implementing phase detection autofocus, and acquires a captured image; a phase difference calculation section that calculates a phase difference based on a signal output from the phase difference detection element; a lens position selection section that selects a lens position that is either a near point-side lens position or a far point-side lens position based on the phase difference, the near point-side lens position and the far point-side lens position being discrete lens positions set in advance; a driver section that changes a lens position of the imaging section to the lens position selected by the lens position selection section; and a control section that controls an intensity of illumination light that is applied to an object.

Abstract: A cable connection structure includes: a cable having a core and a jacket made of an insulating material to cover the core; and a substrate connected with the cable. The substrate includes: a base material made of an insulating material; an external connection electrode formed on a surface of the base material and connected with the core; and a via provided in the base material and having an end exposed from a mounting surface of the substrate on which the cable is mounted, the via being connected with the external connection electrode. The via is provided at least at one of both ends of a surface of the external connection electrode perpendicular to an axial direction of the cable, on a proximal end side of the cable.

Abstract: An endoscope holding apparatus includes: a base section; a support column; a first link and a second link that rotate around a first linking portion; a third link that rotates around a second linking portion; a fourth link capable of holding an endoscope; a fifth link including a first counter weight; a second counterweight linked to the second linking portion; a sixth link including one arm linked to the fifth link; and a seventh link including a first end configured to rotate around a fifth linking portion and a second end configured to rotate around a sixth linking portion, wherein the first, fifth, sixth, and third linking portions form a parallelogram.

Abstract: An optical scanning endoscope apparatus includes an optical fiber for illumination, a driver that drives the tip of the optical fiber for illumination in a Lissajous scan pattern, illumination lenses that irradiate an object of observation with irradiation light emitted from the tip of the fiber, a photodetector that detects light obtained from the object of observation by irradiation with the irradiation light and converts the light to an electrical signal, an image processor that generates an image based on the electrical signal output by the photodetector, and a phase adjustor that adjusts the phase of the drive waveform of the driver so as to correct a phase shift between the drive waveform of the tip of the fiber by the driver and the vibration waveform of the tip of the fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an endoscope system comprising an endoscope having at its distal end at least one front-facing camera and multiple side-facing cameras, with each of the front-facing and side-facing cameras capturing a corresponding participating sub-view. The endoscope system further comprises an image display device adapted to receive the corresponding participating sub-views, and integrate and combine the corresponding participating sub-views to form a combination panoramic view covering or substantially covering a vicinity of 360-degree or substantially 360-degree surrounding the distal end.

Abstract: An endoscope to acquire a 3D image and a wide view-angle image and an image processing apparatus using the endoscope includes a front image acquirer to acquire a front image and a lower image acquirer to acquire a lower image in a downward direction of the front image acquirer. The front image acquirer includes a first objective lens and a second objective lens arranged side by side in a horizontal direction. The lower image acquirer includes a third objective lens located below the first objective lens and inclined from the first objective lens and a fourth objective lens located below the second objective lens and inclined from the second objective lens.

Abstract: A guiding device includes an elongate flexible section having a first part at the distal end thereof and a second part at the proximal end thereof, a flexible channel tube disposed in the longitudinal direction within the flexible section, a manipulation unit that is provided at the proximal end of the flexible section and that is to be manually operated for bending a bending part at the distal end of the flexible section, and a rotating section that connects the first part to the second part in a rotatable manner about a longitudinal axis of the flexible section.

Abstract: The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting a flow of a purging fluid from a tissue visualization device comprises positioning an imaging hood attached to a distal end of a flexible elongate shaft in proximity to a tissue region to be visualized The method also comprises introducing the purging fluid into an inflation member suspended within an open area of the imaging hood. The inflation member includes at least one aperture on a proximal portion of the inflation member. The method also comprises inflating the inflation member to a partially inflated state in which the inflation member is circumferentially separated from an inner surface of the hood to form an annular flow path for the purging fluid from the at least one aperture, between the inner surface of the hood and the inflation member, and into fluid communication with an environment external to the hood.

Abstract: The present specification discloses an endoscope having a tip section equipped with multiple viewing elements. Each of the viewing elements' field of view is illuminated by a discrete illuminator, such as a LED, being operated in a flash mode. The flash mode of operation of the LEDs enable doctors to obtain a position of the endoscope tip within a patient's body from outside by viewing the light emitted by the LEDs. Since the light is emitted for short pre-defined periods of time, the heat generated by the LEDs during their periods of operation is within a safe threshold value, and does not cause any burn injury inside the patient's body.

Abstract: A video endoscope including: a shank; an image-recording device arranged in a distal region of the shank; a flexible circuit board electrically connected to an image-recording device; and a cooling element; wherein the flexible circuit board rests on the cooling element and at least portions of an exterior of the cooling element fit an inner contour of the shank in a stress-free manner

Abstract: A tongue holding device is provided. The tongue holding device is for pressing a tongue within a mouth cavity to capture an image of the mouth cavity. The tongue holding device includes a holder, a tongue pressing portion and an image capturing element. The tongue pressing portion and the image capturing element are disposed on the holder.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow the evaluation of inflammation of the esophagus. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that facilitate optical analysis, particularly for the diagnosis and treatment of refractive errors of the eye. An optical diagnostic method for an eye includes obtaining a sequence of aberration measurements of the eye, identifying an outlier aberration measurement of the sequence of aberration measurements, and excluding the outlier aberration measurement from the sequence of aberration measurements to produce a qualified sequence of aberration measurements. The sequence of aberrations measurements can be obtained by using a wavefront sensor. An optical correction for the eye can be formulated in response to the qualified sequence of aberration measurements.

Abstract: In a method for the acquisition of optical coherence tomography image data of retina tissue of an eye (99) of a human subject using an acquisition device comprising an imaging optics (2), a first image associated with a baseline relative positioning of the eye (99) of the human subject with respect to the imaging optics (2) is acquired at a first point in time. The baseline relative positioning is stored. At a second point in time being different from the first point in time, the baseline relative positioning of the same eye (99) of the same human subject with respect to the imaging optics (2) is re-established and a second image is acquired. For re-establishing the positioning, a present relative positioning of the eye (99) of the human subject with respect to the imaging optics is determined based on a video image of an iris region of the eye.

Abstract: Angle multiplexed optical coherence tomography systems and methods can be used to evaluate ocular tissue and other anatomical structures or features of a patient. The angle multiplexed optical coherence tomography system includes a light source, an optical assembly for obtaining a plurality of sample beams corresponding to respective anatomical locations of the eye of the patient, where individual sample beams are associated with a respective non-zero angle relative to a reference beam, and a detection mechanism that detects individual unique interference patterns respectively provided by the plurality of sample beams, for simultaneous evaluation of the anatomical locations.

Abstract: A method records a biometric signal received from a sensor that is coupled to the skin, clothing, or seating of a sonographer and identifies a pattern from the recorded signal, wherein the pattern relates to sonographer activity for an ultrasound exam. Feedback information about the sonographer activity is provided according to an analysis of the identified pattern.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method, system and product to provide wireless ECG patient monitoring. Although embodiments make specific reference to monitoring electrocardiogram signal with an adherent patch, the system methods, and device herein may be applicable to any application in which physiological monitoring is used. The present invention also presents a reliable means for docking the interface while minimizing signal interference and user error. In addition, a novel means for transmitting and receiving a patient's ECG measurements is introduced which includes the use of an epidermal communication network (ECN) and an ECG enabled module for ECN communications and interface. Although embodiments make specific reference to the use of the ECN for ECG measurements, the system methods, and protocol herein may be applicable to any wearable device and/or other smart device which is ECN enabled.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying abnormalities in Magnetic Resonance (MR) brain image data includes a computer receiving multi-contrast MR image data of a subject's brain and identifying, within the multi-contrast MR image data, (i) an abnormality region comprising one or more suspected abnormalities and (ii) a healthy region comprising healthy tissue. The computer creates a model of the healthy region, computes a novelty score for each voxel in the multi-contrast MR image data based on the abnormality region and the model, and creates an abnormality map of the subject's brain based on the novelty score computed for each voxel in the multi-contrast MR image data.