Abstract: An end cap display panel which can be attached to a larger fixture alongside an end cap display shelf. The end cap panel display attaches directly to a slotted upright of the larger display and shares the pre-existing slots on the vertical upright with the shelf attachment mechanism so that the shelves can be attached, removed or reconfigured without interference from the end cap display panel. The end cap display panel also provides a plurality of trays which can be snap-fit together to form various display configurations for retaining and displaying a plurality of groups of identical greeting cards. The display takes advantage of previously unutilized space while providing a robust, flexible, modular option for the display of greeting cards or other merchandise alongside end cap shelving.

Abstract: The invention is an award display apparatus comprised of groove-like recessions, a staggered peg system, and a trophy shelf for the secure and upright fitting and display of pin-style medal cases, trophies, plaques, and lanyard-style medal awards. The present invention is wall-mountable and can be made in various sizes and fashions to house and display a plethora of accolades in a variety of fashions and quantities.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating floral arrangements by having a structure where the structure has specific locations such as openings in the structure with an insert having indicia including numbers on the insert with a respective number aligned with and visible through an aligned opening in the structure and the number corresponding with a flower and stem cut from a living plant so that the stem of the flower is inserted with the corresponding number visible through an opening in the structure so that different flowers and other floral items taken from living plants can be placed in the structure to provide a decorative floral arrangement.

Abstract: A bi-elevation pillow system for allowing two users to lie side by side with each of their heads respectively positioned at a different elevation by using the pillow system has a base pillow member with a general shape of a rectangular prism. The base pillow member has a cavity with a cushion component located inside. The system has a secondary pillow member with a general shape of a rectangular prism with a cavity having a cushion component located inside. In a first position for storage, the base pillow bottom surface is rotated against and interfaces with a secondary pillow bottom surface. In a second position for use, the secondary pillow is rotated about a hinge 180 degrees in an open configuration and placed on a ground surface for use.

Abstract: An ice-surrounded plate carrier including a bowl-shaped bottom drainage holder, a bowl-shaped middle ice holder, and a pair of upright dividers disposed within the middle ice holder. A plurality of compartments is disposed within the middle ice holder. Each of a plurality of drain holes is disposed through the middle ice holder. A plurality of ice cubes is disposed within the plurality of compartments, and a plate is removably disposed atop the pair of upright dividers. A flattened dome-shaped lid is removably disposed atop the bottom drainage holder.

Abstract: Among other combinations, an apparatus includes a container having two open ends; a gelled mass that includes alcohol and is in contact with an inner wall of the container to provide a seal to prevent air from passing from one of the open ends to the other open end; the inner wall being tapered to be narrower at one of the open ends than at the other, broader open end; a cover attached at the broader open end; and a cover attached at the narrower open end. The gelled mass is in contact with an inner surface of the cover attached at the narrower open end.

Abstract: An adjustable width garment hanging device for adjustable width hanging of garments of varying widths includes a tube with a curved center section. A hook coupled to a center point of the tube defines a pair of arms of the tube. Each of the arms has a plurality of penetrations positioned proximate to a respective opposing end of the tube. Each of a pair of rods is positioned in a respective one of the arms. The rods each have a cavity positioned proximate to a respective straight end. Each of a pair of springs is positioned in a respective one of the cavities. Each of a pair of balls, complimentary to the springs and the penetrations, is in contact with a respective one of the springs. Each of a pair of stops is coupled to a respective one of the opposing ends of the tube.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for attaching an object to a mounting surface is disclosed herein. The clamp assembly includes an upper clamp member, the upper clamp member including a first aperture formed therethrough for receiving a post member; and a lower clamp member pivotally coupled to the upper clamp member, the lower clamp member including a second aperture formed therethrough for receiving the post member. When the post member is disposed through the first aperture of the upper clamp member and the second aperture of the lower clamp member, the upper and lower clamp members are maintained in a generally stationary position relative to one another, and in an engaging relationship with the mounting surface. The clamp assembly may further include a clamp securement subassembly for additionally securing the upper and lower clamp members in place relative to one another by frictionally engaging an outer surface of the post member.

Abstract: A low DC and/or AC voltage machine for preparing espresso coffee or other beverages, having a support structure provided with a heat exchanger, one or more heating elements with low energy consumption for heating water in a container, a water circulation pump, thermostats for adjusting the water temperature, a solenoid valve and a filtering and delivering unit, provided with a fixed portion communicating with the heat exchanger and a movable portion formed by a filter supporting body shaped for housing a cup, supporting the capsule containing the metered powder of the beverage, or a filter for receiving the loose powder, or a filter for receiving a paper waffle. The filter supporting body may be displaced from a lowered position for loading the element for preparing the beverage, to a raised position for the infusion of the beverage, and again in the lower position for discharging the exhausted element.

Abstract: An apparatus for cold brewing coffee includes a filter insert, a filter frame receiving the filter insert therein and a barrel receiving the filter frame and the filter insert, wherein the filter insert has a stainless steel mesh cylindrical side wall and a stainless steel mesh flat bottom perpendicular to the side wall. The filter frame has a perforated cylindrical side wall and a perforated flat bottom, wherein the perforated cylindrical side wall is arranged coaxially with the stainless steel mesh cylindrical side wall of the filter insert.

Abstract: A disposable single-use beverage filter basket filled with beverage grounds, and a beverage brewer having a cartridge for placement of the beverage filter basket. A permeable filter basket has a rigid frame having a bottom, a plurality of ribs, and a top rim that define side openings, and a non-woven filter medium that is bonded thermally to the material of the frame to cover the side openings. The non-woven filter medium is made of recyclable or compostable plastic or bio-polymer, and frame is made of the material of the non-woven filter medium. The permeable filter basket is filled with beverage grounds and enclosed with a film cover. The inlet probe of the brewer pierces the cover and admits a heated liquid into the beverage grounds, and creates a brewed beverage that flows through the filter material and exits an opening in a bottom portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A beverage brewing package includes a cup and a filter bag. The filter bag is supported in an interior region formed in the cup.

Abstract: A steaming pitcher comprising a flow receiving surface adapted to receive an incoming flow of steam at a substantially oblique angle provides enhanced control of fluid flow inside the steaming pitcher to enhance mixing and heating of the fluid by the incoming steam. The steaming pitcher may also comprise flow directing and launching surfaces to assist in control of fluid flow patterns. A flow control kit with a flow receiving surface may be installed in an existing flat-bottom steaming pitcher to provide aspects of fluid flow control. The flow receiving, flow directing and launching surfaces of the steaming pitcher may be substantially smooth, faceted, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, a device and a system for preparing a beverage from an extractable product, such as ground coffee. Said device is provided with a receptacle (2) having an inlet for the extractable product and an outlet (3) for the extracted beverage. The method includes the steps of: providing said extractable product into the receptacle (2); closing off completely the outlet of the receptacle (2); providing a pressurized fluid, such as water and/or water vapor, through the inlet on and/or in the extractable product, thereby pre-extracting the extractable product in the closed receptacle; and opening the outlet (3) when a predetermined threshold, such as a volume, pressure or time related threshold, is reached, thereby obtaining the extracted beverage.

Abstract: A professional coffee machine for bars, adapted to provide for the measured filling of cups according to the specific preference of the customer for a normal, a short or a long coffee.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cavity unit having therein a cooking chamber and a rear wall plate with an introduction hole section and a discharge hole section; a door on or over the cavity unit, configured to open and close an opening of the cavity unit; and a convection heater unit on or behind the rear wall plate, heating air from the cavity unit through the discharge hole section, and supplying hot air to the cooking chamber through the introduction hole section, wherein the introduction hole section is in a lower part of the rear wall plate, and the discharge hole section is in an upper part of the rear wall plate, separate from the introduction hole section.

Abstract: The inventive concept presents a device and method to better provide cooking options to a user of an outdoor cooking grill. The disclosed “Plate Setter” is a reversible, circular plate-like structure having three legs integral to, and spaced symmetrically about, the circumference of the Plate Setter. The reversible structure is characterized by two integral, back-to-back cooking surfaces. Disclosed is a first cooking surface consisting of a plurality of parallel, raised ribs elevated above a walled, circular plate bed. The second cooking surface comprises a flat cooking surface reversible from, and precisely opposite to the first cooking surface. The second cooking surface further consists of three raised beams which intersect at a common point on the surface of the second cooking surface. The raised beams provide structural strength and also partition the second cooking surface into three equal cooking sections.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for dispensing oil into a cooking skillet having a sauce basin and a handle. The mechanism includes a bladder for containing the oil, and a trigger, both disposed within the handle. The bladder includes a tube that extends into the sauce basin to dispense oil therein. The trigger squeezes the bladder to inject the oil into the tube in response to grasping the handle by a hand. The bladder further includes a fill spout to add the oil into the bladder. Additionally, a self-oiling skillet for cooking is provided, including a sauce basin for cooking food on a stove, a handle attached to the sauce basin for enabling a hand to grasp, and the mechanism for dispensing oil into the sauce basin.

Abstract: A convection recirculating food product fryer with a fry tank with and inlet tube connected to a heat exchanger and an outlet connected to a magnetic pump with an outlet tube to the heat exchanger, the pump having a driving magnet assembly housing an impeller and a driven magnet, with a ceramic shaft extending through the impeller about which the impeller rotates when pumping oil; an electric motor magnetically coupled to the magnetic pump; a burner to heat the oil in the heat exchanger; a controller to control the ignition and running of the burner.

Abstract: A container includes a body including a lip portion, a base portion, and a wall structure extending between the lip portion and the base portion. The wall structure and the base portion define a cavity. The lip portion extends outwards from the wall structure. The body is configured to be received in a container receptacle defined within a container platform of a blending apparatus when the container platform is in a first position. The lip portion includes one or more engagement features to sealingly engage with a corresponding engagement feature of a blade assembly of the blending apparatus, restrict rotation of the container during rotation of blades of the blade assembly, and restrict translational motion of the lip portion relative to the surface of the container receptacle during rotation of the container platform from the first position to a second position or during rotation of the blades.

Abstract: An improved skewer (30 60) and skewer handling device (10) used for manipulating shish kebobs. The improved skewer is comprised of a mating shank (30a) having an array of mating surfaces, such as teeth or grooves, formed into the shank. The handling device is comprised of a pair of opposed handles (10a 10aa) joined by linear actuator (20a 20b) turning a rod (10d) disposed with a skewer engaging means (10e), the mating surfaces of the shank configured to mate with the skewer engaging gear. A shaft (10b) is affixed to the handles at one end and is formed with a guide (10h) at an opposing end, the guide selected to maintain the position of the mating surfaces of the mating shank with the skewer engaging gear. An adaptor (50) is also provided to allow conversion of prior art skewers (52 54) to be used with the handling device (10).

Abstract: A compact food container organizer by which variously sized food containers and their lids are stored and sorted in a neat and orderly manner. The organizer has a plurality of upstanding pedestals attached to a flat support base. At least some of the pedestals have respective disk-shaped end caps detachably connected to and removable from the tops thereof. The lengths of the upstanding pedestals above the support base and the diameters of the disk-shaped end caps vary so that stacks of different food containers can first be inverted and then positioned over correspondingly sized pedestals so that the bottoms of the containers are seated on opposing end caps connected to the pedestals. A plurality of lid baskets having different sizes are attached to the support base to accommodate therewithin lids of different sizes that cover the food containers.

Abstract: A dental hygiene storage device for use in organizing and storing one or more toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste, and dental floss. The dental hygiene storage device includes a base having an upstanding panel thereon, wherein the base is configured to rest on a horizontal support surface, such as a sink or countertop. The upstanding panel includes a toothbrush holder thereon for use in holding one or more toothbrushes in a vertical orientation. The base has one or more recesses for use in holding a portion of a tube of toothpaste therein. Further, the base includes a compartment in which dental floss can be stored, wherein the compartment is removably covered via a lid and includes an opening through which the floss may extend.

Abstract: A child water safety apparatus is made from a base that includes four side panels attached perpendicularly to the sides of the base. Each of the side panels is removably attached to each of the base and the respective adjacent side panel via a lock unit. A plurality of suction cups on the base anchor the apparatus to a bottom surface of a bathtub for use. A plurality of holes is evenly dispersed in each of the side panels and the base to allow uniform water levels within and without the apparatus. The base preferably has dimensions of twenty-four inches by eighteen inches, thereby allowing an infant sufficient room to move within the apparatus while preventing the infant from falling over and potentially drowning.

Abstract: Improvements on a portable pressurized solar shower which is mounted on the roof of a vehicle using roof rack mounting hardware. The vessel is an elongated elliptical shape (20), which is capped on both ends (32) with an endplate. It can be filled by removing a radiator cap (34) on top. Water can be sprayed out using an attached hose (60) and nozzle (70). The vessel is made from black painted or coated conductive metal which absorbs the sunlight and transfers the heat to the water on the inside. The vessel can be pressurized by an air pump via a valve stem (39) installed on the vessel. A mounting bolt slides within a T-slot which is integrated as part of the shower vessel.

Abstract: A wet wipe dispenser apparatus including a container, a top with a wipe egress opening, a wipe support for holding a stack of wet wipes biased for movement toward the top, and at least one wick in the container for applying moisture to wipes of the stack of wipes.

Abstract: The computer keyboard dust vacuum is a vacuum cleaner attachment that sucks dust and debris out from under the keys of a computer keyboard. The computer keyboard dust vacuum includes a main tube, outer sleeve, end cap, and protective screen. The hose of a vacuum cleaner is configured to be inserted in the second end of the main tube to provide suction. The end cap, which is mounted on the first end of the main tube, has holes formed in it that allow the suction from the vacuum cleaner to draw dirt and debris away from the keyboard, through the holes in the end cap towards the vacuum cleaner. The main tube and outer sleeve combine to allow the user to vary the amount of suction provided by the vacuum cleaner to the end cap.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and a suction motor. The surface cleaning apparatus may also comprise a cyclone chamber provided in the air flow passage. The cyclone chamber may comprise a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and a dirt outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a dirt collection chamber having a dirt inlet, a dirt collection chamber first end, an opposed dirt collection chamber second end and a longitudinally extending sidewall. Various design improvements are provided.

Abstract: A switching mechanism for a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum generator and an agitator, comprising a vacuum generator switch, an agitator switch, and a coupler for coupling the agitator switch with the vacuum generator switch such that switching of the vacuum generator switch switches the agitator switch. The switching mechanism is configured such that, switching of at least one of the agitator switch and the vacuum generator switch uncouples the agitator switch from the vacuum generator switch. The switching mechanism is further configured such that, when the vacuum generator switch and the agitator switch are uncoupled from each other and the agitator switch is in its open state, switching of the vacuum generator switch from its closed state to its open state couples the agitator switch with the vacuum generator switch.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine has a housing and a movable hood that covers over vacuum and liquid hoses of the machine that are visible in prior art floor cleaning machines. The vacuum and liquid hoses are each pivotally connected to a wall of the machine housing and are also pivotally connected to a transparent dome provided on the hood. These connections reduce stresses on the hoses when the hood is moved and allow the dome to pivot relative to the hood. The floor cleaning machine also has a pair of slit orifices that eject fan spray patterns of cleaning liquid that are non-coplanar and do not intersect each other. Furthermore, the floor cleaning machine has an oscillating brush assembly that includes a brush that is replaceable without using tools. The brush height can be adjusted via an adjustment member provided on the oscillating portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A traveling cleaning appliance or floor care appliance or floor treatment appliance is provided with a device for creating photographic pictures of a surface to be traveled on. A picture is evaluated for the type of a floor covering for differentiating between a hard floor covering and a carpeted floor. An identified floor covering is used for a traveling strategy and/or for a setting of cleaning parameters. Further, a method for operating an automatically traveling floor cleaning appliance which has a device for creating photographic pictures of a floor surface to be traveled on includes evaluating pictures that have been taken with regard to the type of floor covering. In dependence on an evaluation, a traveling strategy and/or setting of cleaning parameters such as floor clearance and/or size of secondary air openings and/or brush speed is carried out.

Abstract: A domestic appliance, and a dishwasher in particular, which includes a rack which is able to be reversibly pulled out from within the dishwasher for the placement of dishware and/or crockery, wherein the rack includes an actuator configured to rotate a multi-sided rotatable tine body such as to select between a discrete number of predetermined tine configurations which differ in tine height, spacing, and the distance between tines.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a rack assembly with a modular handle for allowing a user to grasp and pull out the rack. The modular handle includes a front piece, a rear body, and two end caps, which fit together to form an aesthetically pleasing handle suitable for the temperature and humidity in a dishwasher environment.

Abstract: A scanning endoscope system includes: a fiber that guides illuminating light emitted from a light source; a first actuator provided on a side of the fiber, the first actuator expanding/contracting according to an applied voltage, thereby swinging the fiber; a second actuator disposed at a position facing the first actuator across the fiber, the second actuator expanding/contracting according to an applied voltage, thereby swinging the fiber; and a drive signal output section that applies a first drive signal that varies with reference to a first voltage that brings the first actuator into a contracted state to the first actuator and applies a second drive signal that varies with reference to a second voltage that brings the second actuator into a contracted state to the second actuator.

Abstract: A camera system having a camera head with an imaging device and a first connector; a camera control unit with a processor and a second connector configured to removably engage the first connector; and wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured to allow for contactless transfer of data from the camera head to the camera control unit and contactless transfer of power from the camera control unit to the camera head.

Abstract: An endoscope connection tool includes a cylindrical portion having an inflow port connected to a fluid delivery apparatus, a discharge port discharging a fluid from the inflow port, and a flow path connecting the inflow port and the discharge port, a detection hole opened in an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, and communicating with the flow path, a holding portion engaging with a pipe sleeve of an endoscope, and thereby holding the discharge port in a position facing an opening portion of the pipe sleeve, an urging member placed at the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, and extending and contracting in a direction along the flow path, and a cover portion that is placed at the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, moves to advance and retreat between a first position and a second position along the flow path by being interlocked with the urging member.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes articulated instruments extending out of a distal end of an entry guide. Prior to pivoting the entry guide to re-orient it and the instruments, the instruments are moved in tandem back towards the entry guide. Haptic cues and velocity limits are provided to assist the operator in the retraction of the instruments. After retraction, the entry guide may then be pivoted without concern that the instruments will harm patient anatomy. The movement of the instruments in tandem back towards the entry guide may also occur through coupled control modes while the entry guide is held in a fixed position and orientation.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided to examine internal organs with front and rear views. The endoscope comprises a shaft extending from a distal end in a rearward direction along a longitudinal axis towards a proximal end, with the distal and proximal ends defining a hollow channel extended there-through. The endoscope further comprises a first lens positioned adjacent to the distal end and configured to receive a first image in a forward direction along the longitudinal axis, with the forward direction generally 180 degree from the rearward direction. The endoscope further comprises a rearview module positioned adjacent to the distal end. The rearview module comprises a second lens configured to be positioned adjacent to the distal end, and receive a second image in a target direction having a directional component in the rearward direction along the longitudinal axis, independently of the first lens receiving the first image in the forward direction.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes an operated section having a deformable portion and an operating section configured to deform the deformable portion. The operated section and the operating section are attachable to and detachable from each other. The operated section includes a wire 1 configured to penetrate the deformable portion. The operating section includes moving parts 11 to 13 configured to move the wire 1, and a connecting part 101 configured to contain the moving parts 11 to 13 movably and to be connected to the operated section. The moving parts 11 to 13 deform the deformable portion by moving the wire 1 with a connecting surface included in the connecting part 101 being disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the plurality of cameras can be integrated together to provide a composite image. A surgical tool that includes an integrated camera may be used in conjunction with the surgical device. The image produced by the camera integrated with the surgical tool may be associated with the composite image generated by the plurality of cameras integrated in the surgical device. The position and orientation of the cameras and/or the surgical tool can be tracked, and the surgical tool can be rendered as transparent on the composite image. A surgical device may be powered by a hydraulic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference with tracking devices.

Abstract: An image pickup unit for endoscope of the invention includes: an image pickup device including on a front face a plurality of electrode pads aligned along one side face; and a circuit substrate having an end face from which a lead group, a distal end portion of which is bonded to the plurality of electrode pads, is extended, wherein the end face of the circuit substrate is disposed more rearward than a rear face of the image pickup device, the lead group includes a first lead constituted of at least one of a lead connected to an image pickup device reference electric potential and a dummy lead which does not include an electrical function, and another second lead, and the first lead is closer to the edge portion where the rear face and the side face of the image pickup device intersect than the second lead is.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a normal light image acquisition section that acquires a normal light image that includes an object image and includes information within a wavelength band of white light, a special light image acquisition section that acquires a special light image that includes an object image and includes information within a specific wavelength band, a correction section that performs a correction process on the special light image, and a blending section that performs a blending process that blends the normal light image and a corrected special light image that is the special light image corrected by the correction section. The blending section blends a component G of the normal light image and a component G of the corrected special light image, and blends a component B of the normal light image and a component B of the corrected special light image.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an insertion portion; an illumination portion that emits a plurality of illuminating lights of different hues to each other; an image pickup portion that picks up an optical image formed by an objective optical system in a distal end portion of the insertion portion; a channel that opens in a distal end portion of the insertion portion; a laser probe that is inserted through the channel and has an irradiation portion in a distal end region; a hue range setting portion that sets a hue range of the laser probe in accordance with a hue of an illuminating light; an image analysis portion that detects a hue range portion in a color image obtained from the image pickup portion; and a control portion that permits laser output only in a case where the hue range portion is detected.

Abstract: Broadband light BB and narrowband light NB are simultaneously irradiated to a subject. A blue signal B, a green signal G, and a red signal R are obtained by imaging the subject using a color CCD 33. A base image is generated from the signals B, G, and R of three colors. A B/G image having a B/G ratio is generated. A superficial blood vessel extraction image is obtained by extracting a pixel, in which the B/G ratio is equal to or less than a boundary value Ls between the mucous membrane and the superficial blood vessel, from the B/G image. A medium-deep blood vessel extraction image is obtained by extracting a pixel, in which the B/G ratio is equal to or greater than a boundary value Ld between the mucous membrane and the medium-deep blood vessel. The boundary values Ls and Ld differ depending on each observation mode.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for imaging at least one anatomical structure can be provided. For example, the apparatus can include an endoscopic 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: A speculum includes a body portion of generally cylindrical shape having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity, and a proximal end from which internal body tissues may be examined. A handle extends laterally from the proximal end of the speculum body. A light source providing broad spectrum white light may be supported within the handle. A light channel extends along and through the speculum body to direct light from the light source in the handle toward the distal end of the speculum body in order to illuminate the body cavity. One or more color filters are selectively disposed between the light source and the light channel to selectively illuminate the body cavity with light of a corresponding color spectrum.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a CCD disposed at a distal end portion of an endoscope insertion section, a first LED and a second LED functioning as illumination-light emitting unit, a region setting section that sets a first region where illumination by the first LED is predominant on an endoscopic image and a second region where illumination by the second LED is predominant on the endoscopic image, and a white balance circuit that respectively calculates color balance values corresponding to the first and second regions and applies correction processing to a color balance value of a video signal of the entire endoscopic image on the basis of results of the respective calculations.

Abstract: The invention is formed by including a proximal end portion having an inside diameter capable of receiving a member having a shape including a substantially circular outer circumferential portion and a convex portion formed at the outer circumferential portion as an outside diameter shape, and having an outside diameter formed into a shape substantially similar to the outer circumferential shape, a distal end portion in a substantially cylindrical shape having an outside diameter that is equal to or larger than a maximum outside diameter of the proximal end portion, and a cutout portion that is formed in a site corresponding to the convex portion, and is in a shape which is cut out from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.

Abstract: A dental mirror instrument has a light waveguide and an airflow conduit that extend along the length of an elongated member to a mirror portion. An airflow exiting from the airflow conduit may be directed over the mirror surface to remove fluids and debris. Light from a light source is transmitted along the light waveguide and is reflected off of a back-side of a land portion through a Fresnel lens to produce a task light. A mirror may have a hydrophobic surface and this surface may have raised portions or a patterned surface that further enhances the removal of fluids or debris. The optical component of the dental instrument may be detachable to a source component and may be disposable. A flexible connector may be coupled with the source component to provide an airflow to the airflow conduit and/or electrical power to the light source.