Abstract: A food serving apparatus with a bottom having two lateral sides, a front side, and a back side, and a center axis, and two flexible side walls, each of which are capable of automatically bending toward a center axis of the food serving apparatus in response to insertion of the apparatus into an open end of a flexible bag.

Abstract: A decontamination process may use significantly less water when utilizing a targeted decontamination approach. Analysis of a given decontamination situation may direct responders to set up a given Contamination Reduction Zone and follow protocols for targeted mitigation of contamination found on individual responders working the scene. By targeting and controlling the contamination, significantly fewer resources are used in response to a situation.

Abstract: A shower accessory for use in combination with soap and washcloth that produces a lather quickly. The shower accessory includes a member having a first end, a second end, an upper side, and a lower side. A portion of the member includes an irregular surface having a plurality of oblong protrusions that vary in size and disposed in a random pattern across the irregular surface of the member and designed to increase the total amount of lather produced by the soap. A concave portion is disposed on the lower surface of the member designed to allow the lather to quickly increase in volume. In this way, a user can quickly and efficiently clean themselves.

Abstract: The present invention is a material roll support system operable to hold of a roll of material and a method relating thereto. The material roll support system comprises two independent holder units, each of which can support one side of a roll of material. The independent holder units may be fixedly or non-fixedly attached to a surface, or may be held in a position solely by gravity. The surface upon which an independent holder unit is positioned may be supports, such as posts or other surfaces, such that a roll of material can be held by the independent holder units in an area or environment that contains such supports and between such supports. The independent holder units can further be positioned at varying distances from each other and the material roll support system can thereby can be used to support rolls of materials of varying widths.

Abstract: A toilet paper roll spindle is disclosed for supporting the holding of at least two toilet paper rolls in either horizontal or vertical configuration or for supporting the holding of large or jumbo toilet paper rolls. The toilet paper roll spindle has a vertical support arm or support bracket extending perpendicularly downward from the middle section of the spindle. At the lower end of the vertical support arm or support bracket is a horizontal shaft for holding the toilet paper rolls. There is(are) stopper(s) at the end(s) of the horizontal shaft for the purpose of preventing the toilet paper rolls from sliding out of the horizontal shaft.

Abstract: An automatic paper towel dispenser includes a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a paper towel, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, and a controller in communication with the LIDAR sensor. The LIDAR sensor is configured to emit light toward an object within a detection region at a first time, detect the light reflected by the object at a second time, and calculate a time of flight of the light. The time of flight is an amount of time that elapses between the first time and the second time. The controller is configured to calculate a distance between the LIDAR sensor and the object based on the time of flight and actuate the dispensing mechanism based on the calculated distance.

Abstract: A stack of interleaved wipes where the first wipe (10) will have its first crease (15) drawn to the region of or partially through an opening (1) in a container (2) of the wipes, so that it can be grasped and drawn through the opening. The second wipe (20) and those below are in their interleaved arrangement. The crease (25) together with adjoining parts of the portions (21, 24), is enfolded in a fold (170) of the wipe (10) formed by its portions (11, 16) and the crease (17). The wipe (10) is the wipe next to the wipe (20) on its side opposite from its portions (24, 26). The crease (27) at the opposite edge from crease (25) of the main portion (21) forms with the main portion (21) and the second folded portion (26) a fold (270) which enfolds the fold (350) of the wipe (30).

Abstract: A shower heater system and method is described herein. The shower heater system includes a housing, a fan, a fan motor, a fan control, a fan outlet, a main temperature control component, a heater element, and a flexible hose. The housing has an exterior housing wall, a housing inlet, and a housing outlet. The fan outlet is coupled to a heater element inlet. The main temperature control component includes a heater control component disposed on the exterior housing wall. The heater control component has a first heater setting. The main temperature control component adjusts a heater element according to the first heater setting. The heater element is coupled to the heater element inlet. The heater element outlet is coupled to the heater element and the heater element outlet is coupled to the housing outlet. A flexible hose is coupled to the housing outlet.

Abstract: A removable toilet-seat lifter is disclosed herein. The removable toilet-seat lifter includes a seat-mount, a handle, and a handle-couple. The seat mount may be able to attach to a toilet seat. The handle may be able to lift the toilet seat and may have a coupling end and a user end distal to each other. An extension member may connect the coupling end to the user end and may have two or more telescoping members nested within each other. The telescoping members may be able to slide within each other to adjust the length of the extension member. The handle-couple may be able to couple the handle to the seat mount, in such a way that they may also be released from each other. The handle-couple may be affixed to the seat-mount and may include a handle-receiver which may accept and retain the coupling end of the handle.

Abstract: A toilet seat assembly includes a toilet seat, a toilet lid, and one or more hinges pivotally coupling the toilet seat and toilet lid. At least one of the toilet seat and the toilet lid includes a light source, a power source configured to power the light source, and a controller configured to control operation of the light source. The light source can include an electroluminescent (EL) light source or a side emitting fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A rechargeable vacuum cleaner assembly includes: a rechargeable vacuum cleaner provided with a first magnetic member (1011); and a charging stand (100) provided with a second magnetic member (1012), in which the first magnetic member (1011) is configured to cooperate with the second magnetic member (1012) through magnetic attraction so as to position the rechargeable vacuum cleaner to the charging stand (100).

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner (100) is provided. The vacuum cleaner (100) includes a hand-held device (400), and the hand-held device includes: a housing (401); a dust cup (402) disposed in the housing (401) and having a dust outlet in a bottom thereof; and an ash pouring plate (405) disposed at a bottom of the housing (401. The ash pouring plate (405) is configured to be movable between an open position for opening the dust outlet and a closed position for closing the dust outlet.

Abstract: A duster configured to be used by a user and held by a hand, comprising a lower chamber, a middle chamber, an upper chamber, a head, a control mechanism, and an extension.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner includes a fluid flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet, a main body including a handle, and a fluid flow motor positioned in the fluid flow path. The vacuum cleaner further includes a dirt collection region with an openable bottom and a cyclonic separator in the fluid flow-path. The cyclonic separator includes a cyclone chamber having a first end wall and a second end wall, a cyclone dirty fluid inlet, and a cyclone clean fluid outlet. The vacuum cleaner further includes a filter chamber in the fluid flow path downstream from the cyclonic separator and upstream from the fluid flow motor. The filter chamber includes an outlet fluidiy communicating the filter chamber and the fluid flow motor and a tangential inlet fluidiy communicating the cyclonic separator and the filter chamber.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit and includes an impeller; a dust separation unit that includes one or more cyclone units generating cyclonic flow to separate dust from air flowing inside through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit and is disposed under the suction motor; a battery disposed behind the dust container to supply power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed behind the suction motor, wherein a rotational axis of the impeller and an axis of the cyclonic flow vertically extend and an extension line from the rotational axis of the impeller passes through the one or more cyclone units.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit and includes an impeller; a dust separation unit that includes one or more cyclone units generating cyclonic flow to separate dust from air flowing inside through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit and is disposed under the suction motor; a battery disposed behind the dust container to supply power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed behind the suction motor, wherein a rotational axis of the impeller and an axis of the cyclonic flow vertically extend and an extension line from the rotational axis of the impeller passes through the one or more cyclone units.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit and includes an impeller; a dust separation unit that includes one or more cyclone units generating cyclonic flow to separate dust from air flowing inside through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit and is disposed under the suction motor; a battery disposed behind the dust container to supply power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed behind the suction motor, wherein a rotational axis of the impeller and an axis of the cyclonic flow vertically extend and an extension line from the rotational axis of the impeller passes through the one or more cyclone units.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit and includes an impeller; a dust separation unit that includes one or more cyclone units generating cyclonic flow to separate dust from air flowing inside through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit and is disposed under the suction motor; a battery disposed behind the dust container to supply power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed behind the suction motor, wherein a rotational axis of the impeller and an axis of the cyclonic flow vertically extend and an extension line from the rotational axis of the impeller passes through the one or more cyclone units.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit; a suction motor that generates suction force for sucking air through the suction unit and includes an impeller; a dust separation unit that includes one or more cyclone units generating cyclonic flow to separate dust from air flowing inside through the suction unit; a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit and is disposed under the suction motor; a battery disposed behind the dust container to supply power to the suction motor; and a handle disposed behind the suction motor, wherein a rotational axis of the impeller and an axis of the cyclonic flow vertically extend and an extension line from the rotational axis of the impeller passes through the one or more cyclone units.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner includes a suction chamber; an outlet duct; an underside for engaging a surface to be cleaned; a main suction opening in the underside, which opens into the suction chamber; an auxiliary suction path which opens into the suction chamber; and a bleed path in fluid communication with the outlet duct. The suction nozzle further includes a valve mechanism arranged to open and close the auxiliary suction path and the bleed path, the valve mechanism being movable between a first configuration in which the auxiliary suction path is closed and the bleed path is open, a second configuration in which the auxiliary suction path is open and the bleed path is closed, and a third configuration in which both the auxiliary suction path and the bleed path are closed.

Abstract: A cleaner head includes an agitator; a housing defining an agitator chamber and an aperture through which the agitator can be removed from the agitator chamber; and an end cap attachable to the housing to close the aperture, and releasable from the housing to open the aperture. The end cap is attachable and releasable by rotating at least a locking portion of the end cap about a locking axis between locked and unlocked positions relative to the housing. The cleaner head has a latch mechanism configured to prevent rotation of the locking portion to the unlocked position. The latch mechanism has a release member which is provided on the end cap, the release member being operable by hand to release the latch.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction motor that generates suction force; a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked by the suction force; a motor housing that covers the suction motor; a flow guide that surrounds an outer side of the motor housing and guides air discharged from the dust separation unit to the suction motor; and a body that forms an external appearance by surrounding the flow guide and guides air discharged from the suction motor together with the flow guide.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction motor that generates suction force; a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked by the suction force; a motor housing that covers the suction motor; a flow guide that surrounds an outer side of the motor housing and guides air discharged from the dust separation unit to the suction motor; and a body that forms an external appearance by surrounding the flow guide and guides air discharged from the suction motor together with the flow guide.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction motor that generates suction force; a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked by the suction force; a motor housing that covers the suction motor; a flow guide that surrounds an outer side of the motor housing and guides air discharged from the dust separation unit to the suction motor; and a body that forms an external appearance by surrounding the flow guide and guides air discharged from the suction motor together with the flow guide.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction motor that generates suction force; a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked by the suction force; a motor housing that covers the suction motor; a flow guide that surrounds an outer side of the motor housing and guides air discharged from the dust separation unit to the suction motor; and a body that forms an external appearance by surrounding the flow guide and guides air discharged from the suction motor together with the flow guide.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction motor that generates suction force; a dust separation unit that separates dust from air sucked by the suction force; a motor housing that covers the suction motor; a flow guide that surrounds an outer side of the motor housing and guides air discharged from the dust separation unit to the suction motor; and a body that forms an external appearance by surrounding the flow guide and guides air discharged from the suction motor together with the flow guide.

Abstract: A dust cup assembly and a handheld cleaner having the same are provided. The dust cup assembly includes: a negative pressure device configured to suck and blow an airflow; a dedusting device configured to remove dust from the airflow; and a casing including a cup body with an open top and a cleaner cover disposed at the top of the cup body, in which the cup body includes a mounting frame and a dust collecting cup, the dedusting device is supported on a top of the mounting frame, the negative pressure device is mounted to a bottom of the mounting frame, and the dust collecting cup is covered outside the negative pressure device and connected to the mounting frame.

Abstract: A scraper includes two shells juxtaposed and soldered together, a blade combined with the two shells, and a connecting member combined with the two shells. Each of the two shells has a receiving space, a plurality of first soldering portions, a first opening, a first slot, a second soldering portion, and a third soldering portion. The blade has an operation portion and a first mounting portion. The first mounting portion extends through the first opening into the receiving space and has a fourth soldering portion combined with the second soldering portions of the two shells by soldering. The connecting member is located in the receiving space and has a second slot aligning with the first slot. The connecting member has two ends each provided with a fifth soldering portion combined with the third soldering portion by soldering.

Abstract: A collection device (10) comprising a receptacle (20) defining a collection chamber (21) with an entrance opening (22) and an exit opening (23). A door (24) is movable from a closed position whereat it covers the exit opening (23) and unclosed condition whereat it uncovers the exit opening (23). When the door (24) is in its closed position, constituents can be conveyed into the collection chamber (21) through the entrance opening (22. And when the door (24) is in its unclosed position, constituents (11) within the collection chamber (21) can be emptied through the exit opening (23) into a separate container, such as a trash can.

Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid supply conduit, and a rotatable sprayer that is rotatable about a rotation axis and has an inlet and multiple nozzles collectively forming an outlet. The dishwasher further includes a hydraulic drive fluidly coupling the liquid supply conduit to the rotatable sprayer. The hydraulic drive is mechanically coupled to the rotatable sprayer.

Abstract: A dish washer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet which forms a dish washing space; a door which opens and closes an opened front surface of the cabinet; wherein door includes an out plate which is made of metal plate material and forms the front surface of the door and at least a portion of appearance of a peripheral surface of the door by being bent the front surface, an operating unit which is formed on the peripheral surface of the door so that a user operates by touch, a PCB assembly which is in close contact with a rear surface of the operating unit and on which a plurality of touch sensors detecting displacement of the operating unit are mounted, a mounting bracket which is mounted to be fixed to an inside surface of the out plate, and an elastic member which is mounted on the mounting bracket and presses and supports the PCB assembly to the a rear surface of the operating unit.

Abstract: Waypoints for a steerable medical device are stored as the steerable medical device is moved within a patient. The stored waypoints are an ordered sequence of locations. The ordered sequence of locations defines a safe path within the patient for moving an articulatable portion of the steerable medical device. The articulatable portion of the steerable medical device is constrained to follow the safe path as the articulatable portion moves within the patient. For example, the articulatable portion of the steerable medical device is constrained to remain within a boundary region enclosing the safe path as the articulatable portion of the steerable medical device follows the safe path.

Abstract: A cover member of a bending operation lever includes a center portion fixed to a shaft section of a bending operation lever of an endoscope, an intermediate portion extended in a peripheral direction from the center portion and having first hardness, and a periphery portion extended in the peripheral direction of the intermediate portion, having second hardness higher than the first hardness, and fixed to the endoscope.

Abstract: An imaging connector includes a proximal side and a distal side. The proximal side includes a light input opening and an image output opening. The distal side includes a light output opening and an image input opening. The imaging connector is operable to (i) transmit light from the light input opening to the light output opening, and (ii) transmit an image from the image input opening to the image output opening.

Abstract: A self-anchoring endoscopy sheath, including a tubular member with a proximate end, a distal end, a through-bore, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The self-anchoring endoscopy sheath further includes at least one anchoring wire having a body and a tip, and at least one channel arranged between the inner surface and the outer surface, the at least one channel operatively arranged to receive and slidingly engage with the at least one anchoring wire wherein the tip of the anchoring wire is operatively arranged to engage with a tissue and the through-bore is operatively arranged to receive an endoscope.

Abstract: A balloon endoscope including an endoscope body having a selectably pressurizable interior volume, which generally fills the interior of the endoscope body and a selectably inflatable balloon located on an outer surface of the endoscope body and defining a balloon volume which communicates with the interior volume for selectable inflation of the balloon by selectable pressurization of the interior volume.

Abstract: The systems, methods, and apparatus disclosed herein are directed to an exchangeable working channel for a surgical instrument comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an instrument channel configured to receive the exchangeable working channel. The exchangeable working channel may comprise a shaft comprising a proximal region and a distal region; an inner surface defining a lumen extending through the shaft; and an outer surface configured to interface with the instrument channel of the surgical instrument. The exchangeable working channel may further comprise one or more locking members configured to releasably couple to the proximal portion or the distal portion of the surgical instrument. The exchangeable working channel may increase a service life of the surgical instrument as a worn working channel can be exchanged with a new one.

Abstract: A video processor receives first and second images respectively acquired by an endoscope at first and second timings before and after a predetermined function is applied to a subject, generates first and second correction images respectively using first and second images, generates first and second post-correction images respectively obtained by causing the first and second correction images to act on the first and second images, extracts color components in the second post-correction image to find first and second distribution characteristic values, and calculates a degree of change of the second distribution characteristic value from the first distribution characteristic value.

Abstract: A camera control system includes an orientation control unit attached to a headset and a camera attached to an endoscope. In response to rotation of the headset, the orientation control unit transmits a control signal to a control unit attached to the support. The control unit activates servomotors to adjust the orientation of the camera on two axes, corresponding to rotation of the headset. Video signals captured by the camera are relayed to a user wearing the headset.

Abstract: An illumination lens consists of two lenses consisting of a first lens and a second lens arranged in this order from a light source side, and surfaces of all the lenses have a planar shape or a convexly spherical shape. An incident surface of the first lens is a convex surface, and an emission surface of the second lens is a flat surface. An intersection of a ray incident in parallel to an optical axis at a height of 0.25×H and a ray incident in parallel to the optical axis at a height of 0.5×H is positioned only inside the illumination lens in a case in which an outer diameter of the first lens is denoted by 2H. Predetermined Conditional Expression related to a focal length of the illumination lens and a focal length of the first lens is satisfied.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure there is provided a method, apparatus and computer program for controlling a focusing mechanism. In various examples of the method, at least one measurement is received of the polarization of light reflected from at least one surface; and a focusing mechanism is controlled dependent, at least in part, on the at least one polarization measurement.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for automatically controlling a lens to cornea standoff. Automatic lens to cornea standoff control can include an ophthalmic microscope with a lens arrangement configured for viewing images of an eye, a front lens assembly with a high diopter lens for resolving an image of a posterior portion of the eye, and a sensor to monitor a distance between the high diopter lens and a surface of the eye. Automatic lens to cornea standoff control can also include a control system for receiving distance information and an actuator for the front lens assembly back to the threshold standoff distance, past the threshold standoff distance, etc.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system includes a patient data acquisition system (12) to acquire patient data via patient physiological sensors (28). A first patient monitor display (16) and first audio system (18) is disposed inside a patient room. A second patient monitor display (20) and audio system (22) is disposed outside the patient room. A control system (14) outputs acquired patient data via at least one of the first patient monitor display and the second patient monitor display and outputs a patient audio monitor signal (60) generated based at least in part on acquired patient data using at least one of the first and second audio systems (18, 22). The control system (14) provides a first audio configuration (42) for operating the first audio system (18) and a second audio configuration(44) for operating the second audio system (22).

Abstract: A vital sign measurement apparatus includes a flexible member having an interior, wherein the flexible member includes a pocket. The pocket includes a closure mechanism for closing the pocket maintaining the pocket in a closed position. The closure mechanism can be open for accessing an interior of the pocket. A wireless transmitting device is located in the pocket and is removable from the pocket upon opening the closure mechanism. Detectors are included for measuring at least one of respiration, temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. The wireless transmitting device receives signals that include data corresponding to at least one of the measured respiration, the temperature, the heart rate, and the blood pressure. The wireless transmitter then provides a wireless signal to a microprocessor-based computer system that is external to the flexible member based on the measured respiration, temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, devices, and methods for monitoring mobility aids are provided. An example apparatus includes a wheel attachment assembly, a motion sensor, and a transceiver. The wheel attachment assembly is configured to removably attach to a wheel of a mobility aid. The motion sensor is configured to measure rotation of the wheel attachment assembly. The transceiver is in electronic communication with the motion sensor and configured to transmit data based on measurements from the motion sensor. An example system includes a monitoring device and a stationary communication node. The monitoring device is configured to removably attach to a mobility aid and includes a transceiver and a motion sensor configured to measure motion of the monitoring device. The stationary communication node is configured to communicate with the monitoring device. An example method generates alerts based on data from an attachable monitoring device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wearable device for acquiring physiological information of a subject.

Abstract: An optical probe having a controlled viewing angle lens tip is provided that includes an elastomer lumen, where the elastomer lumen includes internal dividers disposed to separate the elastomer lumen into a plurality of channels, a lens that is sealably attached to a distal end of the elastomer lumen, where each channel is disposed to operate as an independent hydraulic channel, where an angle of the lens relative to a central axis of the elastomer lumen is positioned according to a state of pressure in each independent hydraulic channel, and a hydraulic generator, where the hydraulic generator is disposed to pressurize each hydraulic channel to a defined state as set by a computer input from a to computer.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system includes an inflatable cuff, a gas reservoir containing a compressed gas, and a sensor. When the inflatable cuff is coupled to a wearer, the gas reservoir supplies gas to the inflatable cuff to inflate the inflatable cuff via gas pathways. As the inflatable cuff inflates, a patient monitor can receive blood pressure data from the sensor and use the blood pressure data to determine the blood pressure of the wearer. The patient monitor can also receive blood pressure data during deflation of the inflatable cuff to determine the blood pressure of the wearer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for monitoring cardiovascular health are provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a control circuitry, an inflatable cuff for surrounding an upper limb of a user, a pump contained in the housing, at least a first electrode and a second electrode, and an ear-worn structure having the first electrode mounted thereon. When performing blood pressure measurement, the processor controls the pump to inflate and deflate the cuff, for measuring blood pressure of the user. When performing electrocardiographic signal measurement, through mounting the ear-worn structure on an ear of the user, the first electrode contacts the skin of the ear or around the ear, and through mounting the cuff surrounding the upper limb, the second electrode contacts the skin of the upper limb, enabling the processor to acquire electrocardiographic signals through the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of operating an electronic device that includes collecting initial motion activity data from at least one sensor of the electronic device, and generating a initial probabilistic context of the electronic device relative to its surroundings from the initial collected motion activity data using a motion activity classifier function. The collected motion activity data is stored in a training data set, and the motion activity classifier function is updated using the training data set. The method also includes collecting subsequent motion activity data from the at least one sensor of the electronic device, and generating a subsequent probabilistic context of the electronic device relative to its surroundings from the subsequently collected motion activity data using the updated motion activity classifier function.