Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an improved structure capable of enhancing suction performance includes a suction unit provided in a main body, the suction unit including an impeller disposed to suck air by rotating about an axis thereof, and a diffuser disposed to guide air discharged from the impeller. The diffuser includes an inner casing, an outer casing disposed to be spaced apart from an outer circumference of the inner casing and to form a path through which the air discharged from the impeller flows, and a plurality of vanes disposed at the inner casing to guide the air discharged from the impeller to the path, and the plurality of vanes protrude toward the outer casing to cross at least a part of the path.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a cleaning member obtained from a multilayer web that includes at least a fiber bundle and a non-woven fabric, includes the following steps: preparing a guide member provided with a pair of width-adjusting members having a predetermined interval therebetween; conveying a fiber bundle through the pair of width-adjusting members of the guide member to adjust the width of the fiber bundle strip so as to match the aforementioned interval; forming the multilayer web by overlaying the fiber bundle, the width of which has been adjusted, on the non-woven fabric; and joining the fiber bundle and non-woven fabric.

Abstract: To provide a cleaning tool with which a cleaning sheet can be efficiently used during cleaning. The present invention relates to a cleaning tool comprising a holding tool for holding a cleaning sheet. In a state in which holding parts of the holding tool are inserted into insertion parts of the cleaning sheet, tension imparting parts of the holding parts impart tensile force on second regions of the cleaning sheet to form tension portions, and sheet members in the tension portions in a length-intersecting direction are moved in directions in which first regions are disposed.

Abstract: A rotary spray arm for a washing device and a washing device, the rotary spray arm comprises a pair of an upper cover and a lower cover attached to the upper cover; a flow channel disposed between the upper cover and the lower cover, the water outlets are disposed on the upper cover; an upper chamber in communication with the flow channel is formed at a center of the lower cover; the flow channel is located at two sides of the upper chamber, and a hole matching to the upper chamber is formed on a bottom surface of the lower cover. The rotary spray arm is provided with a chamber for accommodating the water outlet portion of the water pump and the chamber is communicated to the water outlets, therefore, the rotary spray arm can be manufactured independently of the water pump, and both processing and mounting are very convenient.

Abstract: A lighted dispenser having a light housing comprising a power source and source of light conductively connected to the power source and a treatment composition reservoir operatively connected to the light housing, the reservoir having a dispensing outlet wherein the lighted dispenser is sized and dimensioned to fit within an interior portion of a washing appliance.

Abstract: A dishwasher can comprise a tub to at least define a treating chamber. The treating chamber can have an access opening with a cover selectively permitting access to the treating chamber. The condenser assembly can be made of a multi-layer absorptive acoustic material, which attenuates sound emanating from the treating chamber and travelling through the condensing section. The sounds attenuation can provide for reducing or eliminating the need for sound insulation necessary within the dishwasher.

Abstract: A method for visualising a 3D dental restoration on a 2D image of the mouth of a patient includes obtaining a 3D dental model of at least a part of the patient's oral cavity, designing the 3D dental restoration, obtaining the 2D image of the mouth of the patient, estimating a virtual camera including at least one virtual camera property corresponding to at least one physical camera property of the physical camera used to obtain the 2D image, viewing the 3D dental restoration using the virtual camera, determining the visible area of the 3D dental restoration, which is not overlapped by surrounding anatomic features when viewed with the virtual camera, imaging the visible area of the 3D dental restoration with the 2D image. This advantageously provides an image which with high accuracy gives the dentist and the patient a visual presentation of the final result of a dental treatment.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a solid-state imaging device for photoelectrically converting optical images formed via an imaging lens, a circuit board electrically connected to the solid-state imaging device, a signal cable electrically connected to the circuit board, an optical member holding section that holds the imaging lens or a prism, and a connection member, one end of which is fastened to the signal cable and other end of which is provided with engaging pawls to be engaged with the optical member holding section, that connects the optical member holding section to the signal cable, a mounting member that is mounted on at least part of an outer periphery of the optical member holding section is provided, and the mounting member is fastened to a body section of the endoscope.

Abstract: A compound sheath comprising: an endoscopic channel arranged for accepting an elongated endoscopic imaging device; a parallel use channel arranged for accepting a catheter-based tool, and a multi-channel hub that couples to the proximal end of the parallel use channel comprising: a rinse port that couples to a fluid reservoir device that injects fluid; a withdrawal port that couples to a vacuum forming device that removes fluid; a tool port for passing a catheter-based tool; wherein the multi-channel hub establishes a fluid channel for fluid communication between the parallel use channel and the rinse port or the withdrawal port, and a mechanical channel for passing therethrough a catheter-based tool between the parallel use channel and the tool port such that fluid from the rinse port or the withdrawal port and the catheter-based tool of the tool port are simultaneously passing all along the parallel use channel.

Abstract: An endoscope sheath comprising: (a) a tube configured to receive all or a portion of a shaft of an endoscope, the endoscope including a light post in a proximal end region of the endoscope; and (b) an arm attached to and extending from a proximal end region of the sheath; wherein the arm has one or more features that are in communication with the light post to orient the sheath axially and rotationally with respect to the endoscope.

Abstract: A hybrid apparatus for delivery of fluid in connection with endoscopic irrigation and lens cleaning including a connector which is adaptable to a flexible or rigid container, a connector arranged at the end thereof and connected via a tubing supply to a fluid, air and or gas source and to an endoscope during a procedure.

Abstract: An endoscopy capsule having an image collecting capacity includes a deformable member configured to inflate when exposed to body liquid. The deformable member includes an effervescent material. When the effervescent reacts with water the resulting Carbon-Dioxide gas reduces the specific gravity of the endoscopy capsule. The capsule is contained within a shell or dome when swallowed. The shell or dome is configured dissolve in either a low or high pH environment.

Abstract: A surgical system for performing a surgical procedure includes an ex-vivo positioning mechanism and an in-vivo instrument magnetically attracted to the ex-vivo positioning mechanism. The in-vivo instrument can be positioned within a patient by moving the ex-vivo positioning mechanism. In addition, the surgical system includes a percutaneous member introducible into the patient independent from the ex-vivo positioning mechanism, the percutaneous member comprising a connector at a distal end thereof, wherein the connector is selectively couplable to the in-vivo instrument within the patient.

Abstract: An illumination device according to the present invention includes a light output unit having an output end that outputs illumination light; a diffusion layer that is disposed in a circumferential direction centered on a predetermined axis and that receives the illumination light from the output end, guides the illumination light while diffusing the illumination light, and outputs the illumination light from a surface thereof; and a reflective layer that is provided adjacent to a surface of the diffusion layer at an inner side in a radial direction and that reflects the illumination light outward in the radial direction. The diffusion layer contains a light guide material that guides the illumination light and a diffusion material dispersed and supported in the light guide material.

Abstract: Designs for a light field otoscope are disclosed. An example light field otoscope includes an objective lens group, relay optics and a plenoptic sensor (e.g., microlens array and sensor array). The objective lens group images an interior of a human ear and is characterized by a pupil plane and an image plane. The relay optics is positioned between the objective lens group and the plenoptic sensor. It relays the image plane to the microlens array and relays the pupil plane to the sensor array.

Abstract: A handheld diagnostic instrument includes a handle and an instrument head associated with the handle. An innerformer is disposed in an inner cavity of the instrument head in which the instrument head further includes a tab holder. A cushion member is disposed within the housing between the innerformer and the interior of the instrument head. Further, a lens is attached to the instrument head, the lens including a lens tab. A seal is formed between the lens and the innerformer when the lens tab is engaged with the tab holder wherein the cushion member acts to bias the innerformer to maintain the defined seal.

Abstract: A visualization apparatus and a system for enhancing hand-eye coordination during a medical procedure are provided. The visualization apparatus includes an elongate support member, a head member, an operating head element, and a processor. The head member connected to the elongate support member at a predetermined angle includes an angled wall for mounting a reflector. The operating head element connected to an upper end of the head member mounts and supports an objective lens. The objective lens focuses light from an operating field to a reflector to create an image of the operating field. An eyepiece lens accommodated in the elongate support member or the head member magnifies the created image. The processor operatively communicating with an image receiver processes and transmits the magnified image to a viewer. The orientation of the magnified image on the viewer is similar to the orientation of the operating field, thereby enhancing hand-eye coordination.

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

Abstract: An AMD prediction model utilizes an OCT image estimation model. The OCT image estimation module is created by segmenting an OCT image to generate an OCT projection image for each of multiple biological layers; extracting from each of the generated OCT projection images a first set of features; extracting a second set of features from an input retinal fundus image; for each respective biological layer, registering the input retinal fundus image to the respective OCT projection image by matching at least some of the second set of features with corresponding ones of the first set of features; repeating the above with changes to the input retinal fundus image; and modelling how the changes to the input retinal fundus image are manifest at the correspondingly registered projection images. Estimated OCT projection images can then be generated for the multiple biological layers from a given retinal fundus image.

Abstract: An optical measurement system and method measure a characteristic of a subject's eye. The optical measurement system receives from an operator, via a user interface of the optical measurement instrument, a begin measurement instruction indicating the start of a measurement period for objectively measuring at least one characteristic of the subject's eye. Subsequent to receiving the begin measurement instruction, the optical measurement system determines whether a criterion associated with the tear film quality of the subject's eye is not satisfied. In response to determining that the criterion is not satisfied, the optical measurement instrument takes one or more corrective actions to measure the characteristic of the subject's eye under a condition wherein the criterion is satisfied.

Abstract: An imaging device and method is shown to image ocular tissue in motion. Devices and methods include at least one target to align the patient's eye at a desired angular orientation, multiple selectable target locations, and control circuitry to display the target at the multiple target locations and image ocular tissue at each multiple target location.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus, including: a light source which irradiates light that is frequency swept; an interference unit which diverges the irradiation light into irradiation light, which is to be irradiated on an object to be inspected, and reference light, to generate coherent light from reflected light of the irradiation light from the object to be inspected and the reference light; at least two conversion units which subject at least two analog signals, which are obtained by diverging an analog signal of the coherent light, to analog-to-digital conversion; an association unit which associates indices of at least two data arrays obtained by the analog-to-digital conversion; an integration unit which integrates the at least two data arrays based on the associated indices; and an image generating unit which generates an image of the object to be inspected based on a data array obtained by the integration.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a calculation unit configured to calculate information indicating similarity among a plurality of tomographic images, and a generation unit configured to generate a tomographic image from the plurality of tomographic images based on the calculated information indicating similarity.

Abstract: Imaging systems are provided allowing examination of different object regions spaced apart in a depth direction by visual microscopy and by optical coherence tomography. An axial field of view and a lateral resolution is varied depending on which object region is examined by the imaging system. The proposed imaging systems are in particular applicable for thorough examination of the human eye.

Abstract: Systems and methods for non-invasive brain stimulation using focused ultrasound are provided. An exemplary method of non-invasive brain stimulation in the brain of a subject can include securing the subject in a fixed position relative to an ultrasound source and providing a focused ultrasound having one or more ultrasound parameters to a location in the brain of the subject, the location and the one or more ultrasound parameters selected to evoke a physical response of the subject, and measuring the physical response of the subject.

Abstract: Described herein is the use of a visible near infrared (VNIR) hyperspectral imaging system as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early detection of Parkinson's disease (PD). Also described herein is the use of a VNIR hyperspectral imaging system in high throughput screening of potential therapeutics against PD.

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: Distribution information of examination results of eye fundus is displayed. An imaging part carries out movie imaging of fundus. A tomographic image forming part comprises an optical system that generates and detects interference light by superposing signal light from fundus on reference light and a scanner that scans fundus with signal light, and forms tomographic image of fundus based on detection results of interference light acquired by the scanning. A setting part sets scan-target location of signal light on distribution information. A specifying part specifies image region in fundus image obtained by the movie imaging that corresponds to the scan-target location. A controller controls the scanner based on the specified image region to carry out scanning of signal light. The tomographic image forming part forms tomographic image from the detection results of interference light acquired by the scanning of signal light based on the control.

Abstract: System for demonstrating oculomotor abnormalities in a eukaryote, the system including: —elements for capturing (13) the eye movements made by the eukaryote while the eukaryote is stimulated with at least one image in accordance with at least one instruction, wherein the capture elements (13, 14) supply a capture signal, —an analysis module (18) for calculating the value of at least one predetermined parameter by analysis of the capture signal, and —elements (22) for determining an abnormality as a function of the calculated value at least one predetermined value for each of the parameters.

Abstract: A wireless ECG sensor system includes a sensor patch configured to attach to a user. The sensor patch may include a substrate having a positive and a negative electrode, and a passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder carried by the substrate. The RFID may include a first antenna, a non-transitory and non-volatile storage medium in electrical communication with the first antenna, a load modulation switch in electrical communication with the first antenna, and a microcontroller in electrical communication with the first antenna and in data communication with both the storage medium and the load modulation switch. The system may also include an interrogator device having a second antenna configured to wirelessly transmit electromagnetic radiation having a resonant frequency of the first antenna of the sensor patch, and a demodulator configured to measure a voltage amplitude of the electromagnetic radiation wirelessly transmitted by the second antenna.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for surface condition measurement and analysis to effectively utilize image data photographed when a surface as an object is photographed regularly and continuously. When a surface as an object is sequentially photographed as time passes and the photographed image data is sequentially stored, the sequentially stored images are compared and the presence or absence of image regions among the images that nearly coincide with each other is determined. When there are images with image regions that nearly coincide with each other, a coordinate system having one image as a reference is set, and a position of the other image in the coordinate system is determined. When an image with an undetermined position overlaps with an image with a determined position, including images photographed subsequent thereto, the position of the image is determined.

Abstract: A wearable device includes a measurement device having light emitting diodes (LEDs) measuring a physiological parameter. The measurement device modulates the LEDs to generate an optical beam having a near-infrared wavelength between 700-2500 nanometers. Lenses receive and deliver the optical beam to tissue, which reflects the optical beam to a receiver having spatially separated detectors coupled to analog-to-digital converters configured to generate receiver outputs. The receiver captures light while the LEDs are off, and reflected light from the tissue while the LEDs are on, to generate first and second signals, respectively. Signal-to-noise ratio is improved by differencing the first and second signals and by differencing the receiver outputs. The measurement device further improves signal-to-noise ratio of the reflected optical beam by increasing light intensity of the LEDs relative to an initial light intensity.

Abstract: A photoacoustic measurement device 10 includes a probe 11 having a light emitting unit that emits measurement light L and a plurality of acoustic wave detection elements, a determination unit 28 that determines whether a state between the probe 11 and a subject M is a contact state or a non-contact state, and a light intensity control unit (for example, a switching control unit 36 and an intensity switching unit 37) that controls the intensity of the measurement light such that the measurement light has a first intensity or a second intensity higher than the first intensity, on the basis of the determination result of the determination unit 28. The determination unit 28 performs the determination on the basis of the status of a change in a plurality of photoacoustic signals detected by the plurality of acoustic wave detection elements.

Abstract: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.

Abstract: A fitness tracking device configured to be worn by a user obtains a plurality of physical characteristics of the user including a first age and a sex of the user. The fitness tracking device maps each physical characteristic of the user to a corresponding index, wherein the first age of the user is mapped to a first age index of a first age range of a plurality of age ranges, and wherein the sex of the user is mapped to a first sex index. The fitness tracking device selects, from a memory of the fitness tracking device, a first calorimetry model of a plurality of calorimetry models, wherein the first calorimetry model is associated with each corresponding index, including the first age index and the first sex index of the user. The fitness tracking device estimates an energy expenditure rate using the first calorimetry model.

Abstract: A plethysmographic respiration processor is responsive to respiratory effects appearing on a blood volume waveform and the corresponding detected intensity waveform measured with an optical sensor at a blood perfused peripheral tissue site so as to provide a measurement of respiration rate. A preprocessor identifies a windowed pleth corresponding to a physiologically acceptable series of plethysmograph waveform pulses. Multiple processors derive different parameters responsive to particular respiratory effects on the windowed pleth. Decision logic determines a respiration rate based upon at least a portion of these parameters.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring left atrial pressure using implantable cardiac monitoring devices and, more specifically, to a left atrial pressure sensor implanted through a septal wall are presented herein.

Abstract: A blood pressure and pulse measurement device includes a cuff including a first air bladder, a pressure sensor, a pressing member, a pulse wave sensor, and an operation unit. When measurement of the blood pressure is instructed by the operation unit, the first air bladder of the cuff is inflated to increase inner pressure to a sufficient level such that the blood pressure of the patient can be measured by the pressure sensor and then deflated. When measurement of the blood pressure is not instructed by the operation unit, air of the first air bladder of the cuff is released such that the measurement location of the patient is not substantially pressed by the first air bladder, and the measurement location of the patient is pressed by the pressing member with sufficient pressure such that pulse of the patient can be detected by the pulse wave sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for correlating diagnostic readings obtained by at least two medical devices can include a pressure offset correction parameter that is calculated for the purpose of correlating oscillometric blood pressure readings between a “home” blood pressure monitor and an “office” blood pressure monitor. The offset correction parameter is used to adjust blood pressure readings of the “home” or “office” blood pressure monitor such that these readings can be validly compared with blood pressure readings obtained using the other blood pressure monitor. In this manner, a more complete and reliable blood pressure trend may be developed and used for managing blood pressure related medical conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for continuously determining blood pressure in a non-invasive manner using a photoplethysmographic system which has at least one light source and at least one light detector that is arranged with a mount on a body part containing an artery. According to the invention, a device is provided with which the contact pressure of the mount on the body part can be adjusted and/or changed depending on the mean blood pressure.

Abstract: A biological information measurement apparatus capable of improving the SN ratio of a photoplethysmographic signal by reducing stray light in detection light that reaches a light-receiving unit from a light-emitting unit is provided. A biological information measurement apparatus includes a light-emitting unit that irradiates a finger, a light-receiving unit that receives and photoelectrically converts light transmitted through or reflected by the finger and outputs a photoplethysmographic signal, and a processing unit that obtains biological information on the basis of the photoplethysmographic signal. The light-emitting and light-receiving units are disposed, in plan view in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the emitted light or the received light, such that a line passing through the centers of the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit is slanted relative to a lengthwise direction of the finger.

Abstract: The present disclosure introduces systems and methods to measure fluid in a body segment. In one embodiment, a computer system used to measure fluid in a body segment is described. A current generation module may be used to emit an electrical through at least one body segment. The electrical current may be used to measure fluid-volume content of the at least one body segment. An electrode module having a plurality of electrodes may be attached to the current generation module. A signal-processing module may be used to measure changes in the electrical current through at least one body segment. Further, an impedance module may be used to calculate fluid-volume change in at least one body segment and determine the flow of fluid through the at least one body segment. Other embodiments also are described.

Abstract: A system and method for cardiac activation imaging includes non-invasively or minimally invasively acquiring data about an electrical activation of a heart of a subject using at least one sensor. An activation image of the heart of the subject is reconstructed using a weighted sparse constrained reconstruction.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system includes one or more wireless sensing devices configured to record physiological data from a patient and one or more processors. An activity analysis module is executable on one or more of the processors to select an activity class from a predefined set of activity classes based on an activity input. A power management module is executable on one or more of the processors to reduce power consumption of one or more of the wireless sensing devices by identifying that one or more of the wireless sensing devices is unreliable based on the activity class, and operating the one or more unreliable wireless sensing devices in a low power mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wearable monitor device and methods and systems for using such a device. In certain embodiments, the wearable monitor records cardiac data from a mammal and extracts particular features of interest. These features are then transmitted and used to provide health-related information about the mammal.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to define a driver of a source associated with a cardiac rhythm disorder of a human heart. A plurality of cardiac signals associated with sensors arranged spatially in relation to an area of the heart are processed to determine a sequence of arcs of rotation in relation to the sensors over a time interval. Rotational directions of the arcs of rotation in the sequence are determined. The area of the heart is identified as controlling the source when the rotational directions of the arcs of rotation in the sequence continue in a same rotational direction in excess of a threshold.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to detecting Atrial Fibrillation (AF). As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, a time series of inter-beat intervals is computed from a recording of activity of a beating heart. The time series is decomposed into subcomponents, and an envelope of at least one of the subcomponents is computed. The presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected based upon characteristics of the envelope that are indicative of AF.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting a brain response state of a subject id disclosed. The detection comprises repeatedly presenting the subject with a sound stimulus for evoking a brain response. Detecting the evoked brain response signal related to each of said sound stimulus. Determining a window having a time width covering at least partly an area of at least one neuron's evoked response in the brain response signal. Calculating an average response signal over the window and comparing the at least one neuron's evoked response with the average response signal for determining a cellular variance and/or volatility.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an acquisition unit which acquires first data in which a tissue of interest has higher signal intensity than a background and second data in which the tissue of interest has lower signal intensity than the background, with regard to images of the same region of the same subject, and a generation unit which generates, on the basis of the first data and the second data, third data in which the contrast of the tissue of interest to the background is higher than those in the first and second data.

Abstract: A method comprises: storing, in a memory of a computing device, (i) a preoperative image of patient tissue obtained using a first imaging modality and registered to a first frame of reference, and (ii) anatomical data defining a plurality of neural tracts in the patient tissue; receiving, at a processor connected with the memory, a location in the first frame of reference for application of a cortical stimulator pad to the patient tissue; receiving, at the processor, a range of influence of the cortical stimulator pad; based on the location and the range of influence, selecting, at the processor, an intersected neural tract from the plurality of neural tracts, a portion of the intersected neural tract being located within the range of influence; and controlling, at the processor, the display to render the preoperative image, the location and the intersected neural tract according to the first frame of reference.