Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a base having a suction nozzle adapted to be moved along a surface to be cleaned, and a hair collection assembly carried by the base and having a hair collection element adapted to collect hair from the surface to be cleaned as the base moves along the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A filter configured to separate debris from a flow of fluid. The filter includes a housing and a filter media coupled to the housing to form a collection container. The collection container is configured to store debris separated by the filter media from a flow of fluid. The filter further includes an inlet opening that extends through the housing to provide fluid communication into the collection container such that the flow of fluid with the debris can flow into the collection container and a relatively clean flow of fluid exits through the filter media. The filter further includes an attachment member that couples the filter media to the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a suction inlet, a conduit in fluid communication with the suction inlet, a filter having a valve releasably connected to a filter inlet, the filter configured to collect debris drawn through the suction inlet. The vacuum cleaner further comprising a release mechanism moveable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the filter is in fluid communication with the conduit to collect debris with the valve being open, and in the second position, the filter is disconnected from the conduit with the valve being closed. Movement of the release mechanism between the first and second positions closes the valve.

Abstract: A cyclonic separating device (900) for an upright vacuum cleaner and an upright vacuum cleaner (1) with the same are disclosed. The cyclonic separating device (900) includes a dirt cup (37), a filter (92) and a cyclonic cone assembly (93). The filter (92) is disposed in the dirt cup (37) and includes a filter inlet (92a) and a filter outlet (92b) communicating between the filter inlet (92a) and an air outlet (373). The cyclonic cone assembly (93) includes a cyclone (931) and a cyclonic guide (932), in which a first end of the cyclone (931) is communicated with an air inlet (372), and the cyclonic guide (932) is fitted in a second end of the cyclone (931) and is detachably fitted over the filter (92) to spirally guide dirty air introduced into the cyclone (931) from the air inlet (372) to the filter inlet (92a).

Abstract: The dust collector, that may be used in vacuum cleaner, includes: a primary cyclone unit separating dust from air introduced from outside the dust collector; and a secondary cyclone unit defining axial cyclone bodies separating fine dust from air introduced in an axial direction. The secondary cyclone unit includes casings having outer walls around hollow portions; and a fine dust separating member disposed on the casings to form the axial cyclones. The fine dust separating member includes vortex finders disposed in the casings; band portions enclosing an outer circumferential surface of the vortex finders at a position spaced from the vortex finders, and having a shape corresponding to the casings so as to form the axial cyclones together with the casings; and guide vanes disposed between the vortex finders and the band portions and extending in a spiral direction to induce a rotational flow of air.

Abstract: A dust collector includes a primary cyclone unit to separate dust from air introduced from outside dust collector and a secondary cyclone unit includes axial cyclones which separate fine dust from air introduced in an axial direction. The secondary cyclone unit includes a first group of axial cyclones disposed along a circumference of a first circle so as to contact an inner circumferential surface of an inner case, and formed to be partially spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the inner case to form first passages therebetween; and a second group of axial cyclones disposed to contact each other along a circumference of a second circle concentric with the first circle and smaller than the first circle, and formed to contact some of the first group of axial cyclones and to be spaced apart from others of the first group axial cyclones to form second passages therebetween.

Abstract: A hand-held vacuum cleaner (100) is provided, including a dust cup (2), the dust cup includes a first cyclone, a cyclone assembly, and a filtration member. The cyclone assembly includes a plurality of second cyclones (22), a guiding channel (23) is defined between two of the plurality of the second cyclones (22), the guiding channel (23) is in communication with the first air vent and an airflow is guided to an outer circumference of the cyclone assembly by the guiding channel (23) along a tangent line to a circumferential wall of the second cyclone (22) adjacent to the guiding channel (23), each second cyclone (22) has an air inducing notch (222), each second cyclone (22) is provided with an air guiding pipe (221), the filtration member is disposed along the outer circumference of the cyclone assembly, and the airflow in the outer circumference of the cyclone assembly tangentially enters the second cyclone (22) through the filtration member and the air inducing notch (222).

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone bin assembly having a sidewall surrounding a contiguous interior volume and comprising multiple segments if different profile and width.

Abstract: A dust collector, including a casing, a dust collection system arranged in the casing, an impeller (100) and a permanent magnet type brushless direct current motor (200). The impeller (100) is arranged in the casing and located downstream of the dust collection system. The permanent magnet type brushless direct current motor (200) is connected to the impeller (100) and located at a side, far away from the dust collection system, of the impeller (100). The permanent magnet type brushless direct current motor (200) includes a stator (2), a rotor (3) and a block-shaped permanent magnet (4). The rotor (3) and the stator (2) are arranged coaxially, the rotor (3) can rotate relative to the stator (2), and the permanent magnet (4) is fixed to the rotor (3).

Abstract: An autonomous cleaning device is provided. The autonomous cleaning device includes: a device body; and a drive module, a cleaning module and a sensing module, wherein the drive module, the cleaning module and the sensing module are detachably assembled to the device body, respectively.

Abstract: Ergonomic gripping mechanisms of handheld air movement apparatuses are provided. A handheld air movement apparatus may include a handle portion and a tool portion. The handle portion may include a grip, a trigger, and a handle pivot. The grip may have first and second ends. The trigger may be positioned toward the first end of the grip and the handle pivot may be positioned toward the second end of the grip. The tool portion may include a housing, a nozzle coupled to the housing, and a handle connection base. The tool portion may provide air movement into and/or out of the nozzle in response to a signal received from the trigger of the handle portion. The handle connection base of the tool portion may be pivotally coupled to the handle portion at the handle pivot to provide directional height adjustment of the tool portion with respect to the handle portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automatic cleaning device and a sweeping assembly thereof. The sweeping assembly includes: a brush holder, a brush body disposed at least partially in the brush holder; and an anti-winding structure. The anti-winding structure is located at a joint of the brush body and the brush holder, where the anti-winding structure is configured to at least partially fill a gap at the joint when the sweeping assembly is in a working state.

Abstract: A dripping mop includes a mop head and a mop pole. A dripping control assembly is provided on the mop pole, and includes an inlet conduit, an outlet valve, an outlet conduit, a dripping on/off switch and a dripping limiting switch. The dripping on/off switch has an on state and an off state. In the on state, the mop pole receives a force and displaces towards the mop head to trigger the outlet valve, such that a cleaning liquid is constantly provided for dripping through the outlet conduit. In the off state, the mop pole in the on state again receives a force and displaces towards the mp head to close the outlet valve to suspend the dripping. The dripping limiting switch is rotatable relative to the mop pole, and restrains the mop pole from displacing towards the mop head.

Abstract: A cleaning pad structure of stitch bonded construction incorporating one or more substrate layers of an absorbent nonwoven material with an optional additional fluid blocking substrate layer of polymer film or other suitable material in juxtaposed relation to the absorbent nonwoven layers. Stitching yarns are introduced in stitching relation through the substrate layers. One face of the pad defines a cleaning surface of raised yarn loops formed by the stitched yarns. The pad further includes an attachment surface facing away from the cleaning surface. The stitches of yarns across the attachment surface define an engagement surface for attachment to cooperating hooking elements across a surface of a mop head to define a hook and loop attachment system.

Abstract: A liquid recirculation system having a pump for recirculating liquid and a liquid filtering system for filtering the recirculating liquid. The liquid filtering system includes a filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid and a flow diverter or flow diverter to aid in cleaning the filter.

Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a washing chamber, a liquid spraying system, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system. The liquid filtering system includes a rotating filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid and a flow diverter wherein liquid passing through a gap between the flow diverter and the rotating filter applies a greater shear force on the surface than liquid in an absence of the flow diverter.

Abstract: A foreign object protection system for dishwashers is disclosed. The foreign object protection system prevents large objects from damaging other components of a dishwasher.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus seals between a pump chamber and a bottom surface of a washing tank of a dishwasher. The sealing apparatus includes a packing member disposed along a top portion of the pump chamber and a protecting member which fixes some portion of the packing member to the pump chamber to prevent the packing member from moving when the bottom surface of the washing tank and the pump chamber are coupled to each other.

Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to any automatic cycle of operation may comprise a treating chamber having an access opening, a door selectively closing the access opening, and a dispenser for dispensing a treating chemistry into the treating chamber. The dispenser may comprise a treating chemistry compartment defining a cavity with an open face. The dispenser may further comprise a movable element movable within the cavity between retracted and extended positions. An actuator may move the movable element between the retracted and extended positions. When the treating chemistry is placed within the cavity, the movement of the movable element from the retracted to the extended position may expel the treating chemistry from the cavity through the open face.

Abstract: The Industrial Strength Dishwashing Glove, a rubber glove that slips over the hands (left and right) with raised scrub pads permanently bonded on the palm side of rubber glove and extending up to the four fingers of said palm side of glove and four scrub pads permanently bonded to the four fingers of the topside of glove, used in prewashing dishes (cups, bowls plates, and drinking glasses).

Abstract: An image acquisition unit acquires a real endoscope image. A first evaluation value acquisition unit acquires a first evaluation value indicating the hole likeness of the insertion destination of an endoscope, and a second evaluation value acquisition unit acquires a second evaluation value indicating the boundary likeness of a plurality of bronchi at the bronchial branch. A determination unit determines whether or not a branching structure is included in the real endoscope image using both the first and second evaluation values. When it is determined that a branching structure is included, a virtual endoscope image generation unit generates a virtual endoscope image, and a display control unit displays the real endoscope image and the virtual endoscope image on a display.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is configured to: perform averaging processing on pixel values of pixels having different color filters to obtain a signal value, and generate motion detection images based on the signal value in such a way that, in WLI, a weight of a pixel value for a filter for passing light of a luminance component of a captured image in WLI is set to be larger than or equal to a weight of a pixel value for a different filter while in NBI, a weight of a pixel value for a filter for passing light of a luminance component of a captured image in NBI is set to be larger than or equal to a weight of a pixel value for a different filter; and detect motion between two of the motion detection images generated based on the captured images at different points in time.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus interpolates a signal of a missing color component based on first, second, and third color signals respectively generated by first, second, and third pixels of an image sensor, to generate color signals. These pixels are arranged in a matrix. The first pixels generate the first color signal of a first luminance component of white light. The second pixels generate the second color signal of a second luminance component of narrow band light. Density of the first pixels being higher than density of the second pixels and density of the third pixels. The apparatus extracts a specific frequency component signal from a color signal of the first luminance component among the color signals generated by interpolation, and adds the specific frequency component signal to a color signal of a color component different from the first luminance component depending on white light imaging or narrow band imaging.

Abstract: An endoscope processor includes: a recording portion capable of recording externally inputted patient information that specifies a patient and warning information regarding a medical action to the patient; a first display control portion configured to perform setting so as to display an acquired endoscopic image and the patient information recorded in the recording portion in a predetermined section; a second display control portion configured to perform setting so as to display a warning information image based on the warning information recorded in the recording portion in an area not overlapping with the endoscopic image; and a control portion configured to perform control so as to switch display and non-display of the patient information to the first display control portion, and perform control so as to cause the warning information image to be displayed at all times according to display of the endoscopic image to the second display control portion.

Abstract: An endoscope and methods of use thereof is provided with at least one multi-functional, multi-directional arm supporting a plurality of imaging, lighting and other sensory elements. The multi-functional arms provide a mounting platform upon which cameras, lights and sensors may be mounted to generate multiple-angled images and video, arena-like lighting and other data relevant to performing a diagnostic or MIS procedure. The multi-directional arms may be inserted through a single portal in the endoscope and deployed in multiple directions from a single portal once inserted into a body cavity. The pitch, roll, length and curvature of each of the extending arms may be individually or jointly adjusted to create a customized view of an internal space during an endoscopic procedure. The extending arms may also include communication elements to wirelessly transmit the images and other data generated by the sensory elements to a remote computing and display device.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion with flexibility inserted into paranasal sinus of a subject and capable of emitting illuminating light from a distal end of the insertion portion toward the subject inside of the paranasal sinus; and an illumination mechanism configured to emit the illuminating light from the endoscope to the subject in a predetermined direction of an irradiation range of the illuminating light in a mode different from other directions.

Abstract: A medical instrument system comprises an imaging probe including a distal tip terminating at a first distal end of the imaging probe and a lens disposed at the first distal end. The imaging probe including a first sealing feature on an external surface of the imaging probe. The medical instrument also comprises an elongated medical instrument including a distal portion terminating at a second distal end and including a working channel configured to slidably receive the imaging probe. The working channel including a second sealing feature on a surface of the working channel. The first sealing feature and the second sealing feature are shaped and configured to contact one another to prevent the passage of fluid between the first and second sealing features.

Abstract: To prevent, in a medical device that includes a tip-side device to be brought into contact with or inserted into an object to be observed and a root end-side device connected to the tip-side device, the leakage of radiation noise generated in the root end-side device to the outside and the entry of disturbance noise into the root end-side device. A connection structure includes: a plug provided at a root end of the tip-side device; and a receptacle provided in the root end-side device and configured to hold the plug by insertion. At least one of the plug and the receptacle contains an electrically non-conductive magnetic material in a portion crossing an opening formed in the outer casing in a state where the plug is inserted in the receptacle.

Abstract: In order to reliably separate an unsterilized zone from a sterilized zone in a device for connecting a medical instrument, an adapter component set 28 is for connecting the medical instrument such as an endoscope to an unsterilized device having a timing pulley 27 included in a rotation mechanism for rotating the medical instrument. An adapter 47 holds the medical instrument. A separator 46 has a hollow cylinder shape for inserting the adapter therein. At least the inner surface of the separator is included in the sterilized zone, and the outer surface of the cylinder is connected to the pulley. As connecting parts for connecting a drape for isolating the device having the rotation mechanism from the sterilized zone, a pair of an outlet drape bearing 41 and an outlet drape bearing cover 42 and a pair of an inlet drape bearing 45 and an inlet drape bearing cover 44 are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus including an enclosure configured to receive an endoscope having an electromagnetic radiation sensor. The apparatus also includes an electromagnetic radiation source having at least a portion disposed within the enclosure. The electromagnetic radiation source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation based on a calibration instruction. The electromagnetic radiation sensor is configured to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation when at least a portion of the endoscope is coupled to the enclosure.

Abstract: An observation optical system unit includes a first lens which is positioned closest to an object side, among rear-group lenses, and which is configured by a stepped lens including a proximal portion, an outer circumference of which is held by a rear-group lens frame, and a protruding portion formed to have an outer circumference smaller than the outer circumference of the proximal portion and protruding into a region where a moving lens frame is allowed to advance and retract, where the moving lens frame overlaps with the protruding portion at a retracted position.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a capsule endoscope that includes an imaging section, a first processing section that causes the imaging section to operate in a first mode or a second mode, and a first communication section that transmits the captured images to an external device, and the external device that includes a second processing section that outputs a mode switch instruction based on the captured images, and a second communication section that transmits the mode switch instruction, wherein the first processing section causes the imaging section to operate in the second mode from a halfway position of the small intestine, and also operate in the second mode in the large intestine based on the mode switch instruction.

Abstract: An image pickup unit, includes: a front group lens frame holding a front group lens; a rear group lens frame fitted to the front group lens frame and holding a rear group lens; a movable frame disposed to be movable forward and backward in a direction along a photographing optical axis within the rear group lens frame, and holding a movable lens; an adhesive bonding the front group lens frame to the rear group lens frame; and an adhesive outflow preventing portion preventing the adhesive from flowing out toward the movable frame side when the front group lens frame is bonded and fitted to the rear group lens frame.

Abstract: An endoscope accessory case includes: a case body made up of a bottom portion and an impermeable trunk portion, the case body including an opening portion provided in a top face, and a fluid introduction port configured to introduce a fluid; and an impermeable lid, the lid including a contact portion configured to come into contact with the case body, and a bubble lead-out edge located at a position apart from an inner circumference of the case body and configured to lead out bubbles separated from endoscope accessories when the endoscope accessories held in the case body are agitated by being pushed by the fluid, the lid being configured to detachably cover the opening portion.

Abstract: The invention includes devices, arrangements and methods for treating an endoscope after use to prevent adhesion of bioburden on internal walls of a lumen of the endoscope. After treatment, the device is stored in the treated condition until cleaning. The device is configured to selectively deliver cleaning solution to the endoscope. The device can be a circulating embodiment having a pump. A filter can be provided to filter debris during circulation. The device can be a non-circulating embodiment having a hydrophobic filter for release of air. Fittings are provided on the device components to selectively attach the device to endoscopes.

Abstract: A device for determining biometric variables of the eye, as are incorporated in the calculation of intraocular lenses including a multi-point keratometer and an OCT arrangement. The keratometer measurement points are illuminated telecentrically and detected telecentrically and the OCT arrangement is designed as a laterally scanning swept-source system with a detection region detecting the whole eye over the whole axial length thereof. The multi-point keratometer ensures that a sufficient number of keratometer points are available for measuring the corneal surface. By contrast, telecentricity ensures that the positioning inadequacies of the measuring instrument in relation to the eye to be measured do not lead to a local mismatch of the reflection points. The swept-source OCT scan detects the whole eye over the length thereof so that both anterior chamber structures and retina structures can be detected and a consistent whole eye image can be realized.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system that uses an eye tracker for diagnosing and facilitating rehabilitation therapy of a patient suffering from disability. The system creates a human machine interface (HMI) that integrates various low cost biosensors and artificial sensors for conducting rehabilitation therapy. The system combines spinal and supra-spinal feedback of the patient with the operant conditioning to facilitate visuomotor balance therapy (VBT), thereby reducing fall risk in disability survivors. The operant conditioning setup for shaping of visuomotor learning to bring about new behavior or to modify a certain aspect of an existing behavior is used for rehabilitation therapy that includes a behaviour response apparatus, a reward delivery module, a stimulus delivery system, and a behaviour control system. The system can also be extended to the patient's home for providing telerehabilitation therapy.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine, as a partial region of a multi-channel fundus image including an optic disk area and a macular area of a subject's eye, one of a region of the multi-channel fundus image which includes the macular area and a region of the multi-channel fundus image which includes the optic disk area, and a generation unit configured to generate an image in which a difference in color of the partial region is enhanced, by applying to the partial region image processing based on a decorrelation stretching method.

Abstract: A method, controller, and medium to control an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Receiving from the ophthalmoscope a plurality of wavefront elements. Each element may be associated with an area of a beam of light received from a fundus. Each element includes shape data. The shape data represents a shape of a wavefront in a area of the beam. Each element includes status data. The status data is a confidence indicator of ability of the shape data to represent the shape of the wavefront with a particular level of accuracy. Calculating control data based on the shape data in the wavefront data and local gain. The local gain includes local gain elements. Each local gain elements is adjusted based on status data. Using the control data to adjust a shape of an illumination wavefront of an illumination beam used to illuminate the fundus.

Abstract: An ophthalmic system may be configured to image an eye of a patient. The system may include a housing, a lens, and a control assembly. The housing may extend along a central axis and between a proximal portion and a distal portion. The lens with a lens axis may be disposed in the distal portion of the housing. The control assembly may be disposed in the proximal portion of the housing. The control assembly may include and operatively connect a camera assembly having a camera axis and a lighting assembly. The lighting assembly may include a non-visible light source configured to focus the camera assembly and a visible light source configured to capture an image of the eye. The lens axis and the camera axis may be along the central axis of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for monitoring in real time the physiological status of one or more subjects, especially subject engaged in potentially hazardous or dangerous activities. Systems include wearable items with one or more physiological sensors and a local data unit (LDU) operatively coupled to the sensors. The LDUs digitize and filter sensor data, extract physiological parameters, determine abnormal or not acceptable physiological conditions, and communicate to external monitoring facilities. The external facilities display status and data concerning monitored subjects. In preferred embodiments, communication between the LDUs and the external monitoring facilities dynamically adjusts to the condition of the subjects and to system changes such as subjects and external facilities entering and leaving and/or moving from place to place. The invention also provides program products for performing this invention's methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electronically monitoring chest sounds and/or sensing electrical cardiac signals such as ECG signals are provided. In one embodiment, a hybrid stethdiographer has a sensing assembly with a chestpiece and a user interface. Stethdiographer also includes a conduit, a power source compartment, a pair of binaurals and a corresponding pair of earpieces. The user interface includes a record button, a mode selector and a display screen. The chestpiece includes a diaphragm and a plurality of electrical cardiac sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a monitor and monitoring system suitable for attachment to the skin of a mammal, including a human. The monitor and monitoring system are designed for continuous wireless real-time measurement of physiological signals and transmission of the measurements through the cloud to a remote computer or mobile device.

Abstract: Devices, methods, systems and procedures for localized, targeted treatment of angiogenic-based therapy in at least one region of interest in one or more layers of cardiac tissue. Various methods can include diagnosing a patient with ischemic heart disease or “at-risk” of manifesting ischemic heart disease, placing the patient into a specific angiogenic-based treatment therapy group, collecting image data, confirming image data and other diagnostic test results, developing a preoperative plan to target region of interest, inserting the catheter into a heart chamber, monitoring the distal end of the catheter tip within the heart on a visual display, contacting at least one layer of cardiac tissue, creating one or more channels in the heart tissue and/or administering the angiogenic-based therapy.

Abstract: An ambulatory medical device includes a sensor configured to acquire a signal indicative of a physiological condition of a patient, a controller operatively coupled to the sensor and configured to monitor the physiological signal, and to perform a diagnostic test, and a remote access manager operatively coupled to the controller and configured to monitor for a command from a remote system to perform the diagnostic test, and to cause the controller to perform the diagnostic test in response to the command. In the device, the remote access manager may be further configured to transmit data representing an operational status of the ambulatory medical device to the remote system. The operational status of the controller may result from performing the diagnostic test. The remote access manager may be further configured to send the data representing the operational status of the ambulatory medical device in real time or substantially in real time.

Abstract: An ambulatory medical device is provided. The ambulatory medical device includes at least one sensor configured to acquire physiological data of a patient, at least one network interface and at least one processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the at least one network interface. The at least one processor is configured to detect, via the at least one network interface, a medical device, to establish a secure communication session with the medical device via the at least one network interface, to detect a data capacity of the secure communication session, to identify a category of patient data associated with the data capacity, and to transmit patient data of the category to the medical device via the secure communication session.

Abstract: An identifying and monitoring system to be worn at all times that includes a bracelet that can locate lost or missing children, adults, and pets. The bracelet provides emergency personnel with pertinent identifying information including medical history and family contacts. The system includes GPS capabilities and the use of the internet and a web page to upload and download information per each individual bracelet. The bracelet also incorporates a unique locking system that when disengaged from a wearer's wrist an emergency signal and location information is immediately sent to emergency responders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Electrical Impedance Tomography (hereinafter “EIT”) wearable technology and Telemedicine to provide cloths that can scan and image the human body safely and affordable detecting and monitoring cancer, pneumonia and a patient's medical condition in real time anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are implemented for microscope imaging solutions. One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed toward an epifluorescence microscope. The microscope includes an image capture circuit including an array of optical sensor. An optical arrangement is configured to direct excitation light of less than about 1 mW to a target object in a field of view of that is at least 0.5 mm2 and to direct epi-fluorescence emission caused by the excitation light to the array of optical sensors. The optical arrangement and array of optical sensors are each sufficiently close to the target object to provide at least 2.5 ?m resolution for an image of the field of view.

Abstract: In a photoacoustic measurement apparatus and a photoacoustic measurement system, blood flow information in a desired region can be generated using a photoacoustic image. A light source emits measurement light. A probe detects a photoacoustic wave generated in a subject after measurement light is emitted to the subject in each of the avascularized condition in which the subject is avascularized and the non-avascularized condition in which the subject is not avascularized. Photoacoustic image generation unit generates a photoacoustic image based on the detection signal of the photoacoustic wave. Blood flow information generation unit generates blood flow information based on the signal value of a photoacoustic image in a region of interest set in the photoacoustic image.