Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a first flexible electrified air flow conduit having an air inlet end that is electrified.

Abstract: A cleaner holder includes: a first body having a first charging port configured to charge a cleaner; a second body protruding from the first body to support the cleaner; and a battery accommodating space recessed in one surface of the second body and configured to accommodate a battery detachably mounted to the cleaner, wherein a second charging port configured to charge the battery is provided in the second body.

Abstract: A cleaner holder includes: a first body having a first charging port configured to charge a cleaner; a second body protruding from the first body to support the cleaner; and a battery accommodating space recessed in one surface of the second body and configured to accommodate a battery detachably mounted to the cleaner, wherein a second charging port configured to charge the battery is provided in the second body.

Abstract: A surface treatment robot includes a chassis having forward and rear ends and a drive system carried by the chassis. The drive system includes right and left driven wheels and is configured to maneuver the robot over a cleaning surface. The robot includes a vacuum assembly, a collection volume, a supply volume, an applicator, and a wetting element, each carried by the chassis. The wetting element engages the cleaning surface to distribute a cleaning liquid applied to the surface by the applicator. The wetting element distributes the cleaning liquid along at least a portion of the cleaning surface when the robot is driven in a forward direction. The wetting element is arranged substantially forward of a transverse axis defined by the right and left driven wheels, and the wetting element slidably supports at least about ten percent of the mass of the robot above the cleaning surface.

Abstract: A disk with an engagement system for a surface cleaning machine includes a disk having an upper surface, a lower surface, a perimetric edge, and a retaining cavity defined in the disk; an engaging member having a base and a perimetric wall, which is configured to be nested in the retaining cavity of the disk and to entrain an inner wall of the retaining cavity; a first metallic member housed within the disk; and a second metallic member housed within the engaging member. The first and the second metallic members are magnetically attracted to one another with a force that is larger than the gravity force of the disk and smaller than a predetermined detaching force of the disk from the engaging member.

Abstract: A fluid suction device includes an elongate handle having a suction head at its distal end. The suction head extends in opposing directions substantially perpendicularly to the handle. The suction head includes an elongate longitudinal aperture in its outer wall in fluid communication with a suction pump. An absorbent panel covers the longitudinal aperture. When the suction head is applied to a spilled fluid, the wicking action of the absorbent panel and the negative air pressure from the suction pump allows rapid and efficient cleaning of an area affected by a fluid spill. The device also allows for safe and efficient removal of potentially dangerous objects such as broken glass. The device collects fluid in a waste reservoir so that it is easily disposed of.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a caloric heat pump system that is configured for heating and cooling a wash chamber of a tub. A field generator is positioned such that caloric material stages are moved in and out of a field of the field generator during operation of the caloric heat pump system. A pump circulates a heat transfer fluid between a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and the caloric material stages.

Abstract: A vent outlet for an appliance having an adjustable kick plate configured to enclose a base portion of the appliance is provided. In an example embodiment, the vent outlet comprises a top portion, a vent cover, a bottom portion, and a conduit portion. The top portion comprises a planar portion and an angled portion. The front surface of the vent cover is coplanar with the front surface of the planar portion. The bottom portion that is recessed with respect to the front surface of vent cover. The planar portion, the vent cover, and the bottom portion are generally aligned along a first axis. The conduit portion extends backward from a plane defined by the vent cover and is configured to secure the vent outlet to a vent conduit of the appliance.

Abstract: A dishwasher rack for a dish washing appliance. The dishwasher rack may be positionable between a variety of height positions. A drive mechanism may assist the dishwasher rack between the vertical positions. A worm screw may be coupled to a motor and may be positioned within the dishwasher tub.

Abstract: An image processing method includes: sequentially generating fluorescent image data in accordance with light intensity of a wavelength component emitted from a fluorescent agent having been administered to a subject irradiated with excitation light, based on image data of the subject each time the image data is generated; sequentially calculating a change amount of the light intensity based on two sets of temporally successive fluorescent image data each time the fluorescent image data is generated; determining whether the change amount is not less than a first threshold indicating fluorescence expression; determining whether the change amount is less than a second threshold indicating a steady state of fluorescence after the change amount is determined to be not less than the first threshold; and outputting a message that fluorescence of the fluorescent agent is in the steady state if the change amount is determined to be less than the second threshold.

Abstract: An insertion device includes an insertion section extending along a longitudinal axis, a rotor provided in the insertion section rotating around the longitudinal axis, and an assistance tool attached to the insertion section in a state to cover the rotor from an outer peripheral side. The assistance tool rotates around the longitudinal axis together with the rotor when press force is applied from a first projection of the rotor to a second projection of the assistance tool by a rotation of the rotor. An angular position of the second projection around the longitudinal axis can be recognized from an outside of the assistance tool.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a raising base rotatably installed in an insertion portion of the endoscope, a recess formed in the insertion portion, a flexible control wire which is movable along an axis thereof relative to said insertion portion, a link member provided in the recess and connecting one end of the control wire to the raising base, and a cover which is detachably attached to the insertion portion to close the recess. The link member includes a rotational shaft which is coaxial with a of rotational axis of the raising base, the rotational shaft provided in the recess to be irrotatable relative to the raising base and detachably connected to the raising base; and a connecting portion detachably and irrotatably connected to the rotational shaft in the recess, the one end of the control wire being connected to the connecting portion at a position offset from the rotational shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical optical connector for reversibly connecting two associated optical fibers (12, 14) for use in medical interventions, comprising a fiber carrying unit (16, 18) for inserting an end portion of at least one of the associated optical fibers (12, 14), and an optical arrangement (20) for interacting with a light beam from one of the associated optical fibers (12, 14) and conducting the light beam to the other one of the associated optical fibers (12, 14) in a connected state of the medical optical connector, the optical arrangement (20) comprising at least two gradient index elements (22a, 22b) and an additional optical element (23, 25) arranged between the at least two gradient index elements, wherein the additional optical element provides for a sterility barrier between the associated fibers (12, 14).

Abstract: An endoscopic sleeve includes a tubular member from which spaced projecting elements. The projecting elements are bendable towards both proximal and distal directions of the tubular member. The force (insertion force) required to bend the projecting elements towards the proximal direction is less than a force (extraction force) required to bend the projecting elements towards the distal direction. An outer periphery of the projecting elements decreases as the extraction force increases.

Abstract: A wide-angle illumination device includes a base, a first light guiding module and two second light guiding modules. The base includes a central region and two lateral regions, and the two lateral regions are respectively located on opposite positions of the central region. A first light emitting module is disposed on the central region, and two second light emitting modules are disposed on the two lateral regions. The first light guiding module is disposed on the central region and matched with the first light emitting module, to guide a first optical signal of the first light emitting module toward a front of the base. The two second light guiding modules are disposed on the lateral regions and matched with the second light emitting modules, to guide a second optical signal of the second light emitting module out of an end of the base.

Abstract: The solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor layer, an electrode, a wiring layer, a plurality of filters, an input terminal, and a voltage generation circuit. The voltage generation circuit generates a first voltage and a second voltage. The plurality of filters include a first filter and a second filter. The light transmittance of the first filter has a peak in a wavelength range corresponding to blue. The light transmittance of the second filter has a peak at a wavelength of 450 nm or more, and in the second filter, the transmittance of light having a wavelength of 450 nm or less is greater than the minimum value of the transmission of light having a wavelength longer than 450 nm. The first voltage and the second voltage are selectively applied to the electrode.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imaging sensor; a color filter including first band filters and a second band filter configured to transmit narrowband light having a maximum value of a transmission spectrum outside a range of the wavelength band of the light that passes through each first band filter; a first light source unit; a second light source unit configured to radiate light having an upward projecting distribution of a wavelength spectrum in relation to intensity and having a narrowband light spectrum narrower than the broadband; and a control unit configured to cause the first light source unit and the second light source unit to radiate the beams of light simultaneously, wherein a peak wavelength of the light radiated by the second light source unit is an infrared region or a near-infrared region.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided by which observation image brightness can be suppressed from irregularly fluctuating before and after changing of an observation mode and observer's discomfort feeling can be reduced. The endoscope system includes an imaging element, an image processing section that generates an observation image from an imaging signal, a display section that displays the observation image, an illumination mode changing section that changes illumination modes of a light source device, an image processing mode changing section that changes an image processing mode, and a light source control section that controls the light source device.

Abstract: A movement device and systems for cleaning medical instruments. The movement device includes an adapter for coupling at least one medical instrument. The adapter includes at least one coupling element which is movable by way of a drive, wherein the coupling element is designed such that on coupling the medical appliance, at least a region of the medical appliance can be brought into movement by way of moving the coupling element, wherein force transmission between the drive and the coupling element is effected in a contact-free manner.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a laryngoscope that facilitates targeted recording (video, or audio, or both video and audio) of time intervals associated with active laryngoscopy. In accordance with the teachings of the disclosure, a characteristic that reliably defines the interval of active laryngoscopy is used to trigger recording. One such characteristic is that the operator's hand is gripping the handle of the laryngoscope. Accordingly, preferred embodiments implement a laryngoscope having a handle so designed that when the handle is gripped by the operator's hand, recording is initiated and continued for as long as the operator's hand maintains a grip on the laryngoscope handle.

Abstract: A method for accessing the interior of a joint, wherein the joint comprises tissue which defines a boundary of the joint, the tissue comprising an interior surface facing toward the interior of the joint and an exterior surface facing away from the interior of the joint, the method comprising: providing a light-emitting needle assembly comprising a hollow needle having a light source at the distal end thereof; and observing the interior surface of the tissue from the interior of the joint as the needle approaches the exterior surface of the tissue.

Abstract: The self-retaining nasal septum retractor includes two pivotally attached arms having handles on one end and speculum blades on the opposing end. The speculum blades are adjustably connected to the arms through pivoting joints. A user can adjust the vertical displacement and angular relation between the speculum blades and the arms to fit different patient septal/nasal structures. A self-retaining mechanism allows a user to lock the retractor in a retracted position, freeing up a hand of the user for other surgical tasks.

Abstract: A Slit-lamp-or-Microscope-Integrated-OCT-Refractometer system includes an eye-visualization system, configured to provide a visual image of an imaged region in an eye; an Optical Coherence Tomographic (OCT) imaging system, configured to generate an OCT image of the imaged region; a refractometer, configured to generate a refractive mapping of the imaged region; and an analyzer, configured to determine refractive characteristics of the eye based on the OCT image and the refractive mapping, wherein the refractometer and the OCT imaging system are integrated into the eye visualization system.

Abstract: A subjective optometric apparatus includes: a projection optical system that includes a target presenting unit configured to emit a target light flux, the projection optical system being configured to project, onto an examinee's eye, the target light flux emitted from the target presenting unit; a housing configured to accommodate the projection optical system; a presentation window configured to project the target light flux onto the examinee's eye by transmitting the target light flux emitted from the projection optical system and outputting the target light flux from an inside of the housing to an outside of the housing; and an observation unit configured to observe, via the presentation window, a positional relationship between the examinee's eye and an eye refractivity measuring unit configured to change an optical property of the target light flux output from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing.

Abstract: A method and a system of enhancing ganglion cell function using a gaming environment corresponding to a physical activity. The method and system may be used to implement one or more processes to improve a person's visual processing profile. In particular, the method and system may be used to improve a player's skill in the corresponding physical activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to mobile computer devices, front-mounted optical systems and computer program products allowing perimetry measurement.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus converts an intensity distribution of at least one of a plurality of regions of a tomographic image of an eye by using an amount of conversion which is greater than an amount of conversion used to convert an intensity distribution of another one of the plurality of regions, the tomographic image being obtained by performing tomographic imaging on the eye by using optical interference.

Abstract: A system for detecting position data of an element in the front region of an eye. A first system component continuously detects position changes of the vertex of the cornea of the eye. A second system component directs electromagnetic radiation at topographical structures of the cornea to be ascertained or modified. A control unit includes a processor and memory. Alignment of the first system component with respect to the alignment of the second system component is defined, and the second system component is continuously guided to the respective target position thereof, by the control unit based on the position changes detected by the first system component. Light sources, which illuminate the cornea, are symmetrically disposed around the main axis of the system so that a pattern of reflection points is created on the cornea. The processor determines the current position of the vertex as the center of the reflection points.

Abstract: Computer aided visualization and diagnosis by volume analysis of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiographic data. In one embodiment, such analysis comprises acquiring an OCT dataset using a processor in conjunction with an imaging system; evaluating the dataset, with the processor, for flow information using amplitude or phase information; generating a matrix of voxel values, with the processor, representing flow occurring in vessels in the volume of tissue; performing volume rendering of these values, the volume rendering comprising deriving three dimensional position and vector information of the vessels with the processor; displaying the volume rendering information on a computer monitor; and assessing the vascularity, vascular density, and vascular flow parameters as derived from the volume rendered images.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting conductance parameter of high protein body fluid sample is provided. The apparatus includes at least one liquid collection element, and at least two electrodes horizontally aligned in the liquid collection element. Also provided are methods for detecting dehydration in a subject, comprising the steps of measuring the conductance parameter of the saliva of the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a system for wirelessly and passively measuring temperature and devices forming the system. The method includes: receiving an energy feedback radio frequency (RF) signal by a temperature measuring end; converting the energy feedback RF signal into electric energy and storing the electric energy; and starting the temperature measuring end after obtaining the electric energy, and transmitting a RF signal under the current temperature to a terminal, and calculating the current temperature through the terminal. The method, the system and the devices forming the system provided in the present disclosure are capable of activating the crystal oscillator or the ceramic oscillator wirelessly and passively, therefore, the method, the system and the devices can be used to wirelessly and passively measure temperature, which is convenient.

Abstract: An eavesdropping arrangement for acquiring a measured physiological variable of an individual includes a receiver and a communication interface in a housing separate from the receiver. The communication interface is positioned along a communication link between a first sensor, which is configured to measure aortic blood pressure and to provide a signal representing measured aortic blood pressure, and a central monitoring device configured to monitor the measured aortic blood pressure. The communication interface includes a connection to the communication link that permits the communication interface to eavesdrop on the signal representing measured aortic blood pressure such that information representing measured aortic blood pressure is sent to the receiver while allowing the central monitoring device to receive and use the signal representing measured aortic blood pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable medical device system comprising an active medical device having or connected to at least one electrode and circuitry connected to the electrode. The active medical device comprises a telemetry unit. The circuitry connected to the electrode comprises at least one single conductor that provides a radio frequency antenna for the telemetry unit. The implantable medical device system further comprises at least one electronic filter that is arranged between the single conductor of circuitry connected to the electrode and the telemetry unit. The least one electronic filter comprises at least one inductor having a core that comprises a ferromagnetic material with saturating behavior when exposed to an external magnetic field.

Abstract: A system and method of performing ultrasound modulated optical tomography. Ultrasound is delivered into a target voxel in an anatomical structure, and sample light is delivered into the anatomical structure, whereby a portion of the sample light passing through the target voxel is scattered by the biological tissue as signal light, and a portion of the sample light not passing through the target voxel is scattered by the anatomical structure as background light. The ultrasound and sample light are pulsed in synchrony, such that only the signal light is frequency shifted by the ultrasound. Multiple pulses of the sample light are delivered into the anatomical structure for each pulse of the ultrasound delivered into the target voxel. Reference light is combined with the signal light and background light to generate an interference light pattern, which is sequentially modulated to generate different interference light patterns, which are detected.

Abstract: A method for differentiation of normal myocardium from diffuse disease using T mapping includes acquiring one or more images of a patient by an imaging apparatus, generating a T1 map from the one or more images, defining a region of interest within the one or more images, determining the average T1 value within the region of interest, comparing the average T1 value within the region of interest to a cut-off T1 value, and determining a diagnosis of the region of interest from the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method to support exploring the interior of an object. The system 100, 200 includes a graphical user interface generator (GG) to generate a graphical user interface (GUI). The graphical user interface (GUI) includes an indicator (NC) of a current position of an interventional tool (IT) inside an object (OB). There is also an exploratory indictor (PC) to indicate material composition and/or type that surrounds the tool's tip (TP) at a current position in the object (OB). The exploratory indicator (PC) includes a pointer element for a current reading against a dial element for a range of possible values.

Abstract: Photoacoustic probes include reflective surfaces situated to redirect scattered or reflected optical radiation from a specimen surface back to the specimen. A reflective coating can reflect probe radiation while transmitting visible radiation so that a technician can view the specimen. One or more optical fibers and acoustic transducers can be secured to a lens or other substrate on which the reflective surface is defined. The light collector is configured to block scattered light so that an operator and a subject are not exposed to the scattered light.

Abstract: A method of identifying a thermally distinguishable region in a living body is disclosed. The method comprises determining transient thermal history of a surface of the living body, and estimating a location or presence of the thermally distinguishable region in the living body based on the transient thermal history.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods described herein can be used to monitor and treat cardiovascular disease, and more specifically, can be used to determine heart rate (HR), determine respiration rate (RR) and classify cardiac rhythms based on atrial intracardiac electrogram (IEGM) and atrial pressure (AP) signals. The atrial IEGM and AP signals are subject to spectrum transforms to obtain an atrial IEGM frequency spectrum and an AP frequency spectrum. Based on peaks in the atrial IEGM and AP frequency spectrums measures of HR and RR are determined, and arrhythmias are detected and/or arrhythmia discrimination is performed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for combining multiple signals from multiple sensing vectors for use in wearable or implantable cardiac devices. Signals from multiple vectors may be combined using weighting factors and/or by conversion to different coordinate systems than the original inputs, which may or may not be normalized to patient anatomy. Signals from multiple sensing vectors may be combined prior to or after several analytical steps or processes including before or after filtering, and before or after cardiac cycle detection. Cardiac cycle detection information may be combined across multiple sensing vectors before or after analysis of individual vectors for noise or overdetection. Cardiac cycle detection information may also be combined across multiple sensing vectors to identify noise and/or overdetection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method of determining a risk score for triage. In particular, a system is provided for providing an assessment of risk of a cardiac event for a patient, for example an incoming patient to a hospital emergency department complaining of chest pain. In the disclosure, the system includes an input device for measuring physiological data based vital signs parameter of the patient, a twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) device for establishing an ECG obtained from results of the electrocardiography procedure, and determining an ECG parameter and a heart rate variability (HRV) parameter therefrom. An ensemble-based scoring system is further provided, establishing weighted classifier based on past patient data and where the vital signs parameter, the ECG parameter and the HRV parameter are compared to corresponding weighted classifiers to determine a risk score. A corresponding method to determine a risk score for triage is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device for measuring biometric information is provided. The electronic device includes a sensor unit configured to detect an attitude of the electronic device, a biometric information measurement unit configured to detect biometric information on an examinee through a plurality of electrodes formed on at least one surface of the electronic device, a switch unit including a plurality of switches electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes and a controller configured to recognize an array of the plurality of electrodes based on the detected attitude of the electronic device and control the switch unit such that the recognized electrode array corresponds to a preset electrode array.

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: Disclosed are various embodiments of invasive and non-invasive systems for electrophysiological mapping of a patient's heart, where cardiac action potentials (APs) on a myocardial surface of a human heart are reconstructed. In one embodiment, the APs are reconstructed using known electrical potentials on the myocardial surface in combination with known geometries of the heart and/or the torso. A mathematical model of cardiac electrical activity may be employed that takes into account homogeneous and isotropic intracellular, extracellular, and human body electrical conductivities.

Abstract: Techniques for using multiple physiological parameters to provide an early warning for worsening heart failure are described. A medical device monitors a primary diagnostic parameter that is indicative of worsening heart failure, such as intrathoracic impedance or pressure, and one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. The medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the primary diagnostic parameter when an index that is changed over time based on the primary diagnostic parameter value is outside a range of values, termed the threshold zone. When the index is within the threshold zone, the medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. Upon detecting worsening heart failure, the medical device may, for example, provide an alert that enables the patient to seek medical attention before experiencing a heart failure event.

Abstract: The method of classifying raw EEG signals uses a classification method based on nuclear features extracted as dominant singular values from an EEG signal segment using singular value decomposition (SVD) and a class means-based minimum distance classifier (CMMDC) to classify a patient's EEG signals. From a mean EEG signal, a set of zero-centered EEG signals are calculated, and from the zero-centered EEG signals and a standard deviation of the EEG signals, a unit variance is calculated for each component. Using the standardized component signals a nuclear matrix is calculated, to which singular value decomposition is applied to generate a set of singular values. The CMMDC is applied to class means associated with first and second classes and a nuclear feature vector to classify the patient's EEG signals as belonging in either the first or second class.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating a subject's response to a task related to a stimulus include a brain activity sensor, such as an EEG sensor, for measuring neural data generated by the subject in response to the visual stimulus. One or more neural discriminators can be calculated based on the neural data. In order to generate one or more neural discriminators, two or more task conditions can be selected for discrimination. The subject's performance can be evaluated based on the one or more neural discriminators. Feedback can be provided to the subject to assist in achieving better performance.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the effectiveness of an auditory prosthesis comprises transmitting a stimulus via an auditory prosthesis, thereby delivering an auditory stimulus to the auditory nervous system of a person fitted with said auditory prosthesis, picking up the neurophysiological signals transmitted by said auditory nervous system in response to the auditory stimulus by means of an electro- or magneto-encephalography system, and processing the received signals. The method also includes transmitting a stimulus made up of at least one pair of linguistic units selected from a phonetic confusion matrix, picking up a neurophysiological signal in response separately for each linguistic unit, and comparing the signals in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the prosthesis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microelectrode for measuring EMG signals of a laboratory microfauna. The present disclosure includes a metal plate with an insulating plate deposited on a surface, a plurality of silicon substrates disposed on the insulating plate, the silicon substrates being electrically connected to the metal plate, covered with an insulator, and adjacent to one another, and a plurality of needle electrodes, each formed on the respective silicon substrates as an integral part thereof, wherein the needle electrodes have the same predetermined length, have a tapered shape from the respective silicon substrates, are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and wherein a metallic layer is formed on each of the needle electrodes by depositing metal materials, the insulator is formed on the metallic layer, and a portion of the metallic layer at a tip is exposed.

Abstract: A method comprises identifying connected anatomical structures in stored images of a patient anatomy and generating a first three-dimensional model of anatomic passageways including a set of anatomical centerlines of the anatomic passageways, and generating a second three-dimensional model of the anatomic passageways including a plurality of linkage elements each including two base points defining a linkage element centerline spanning a shortest distance between the two base points. The method also comprises receiving tracking data corresponding to a point on an instrument positioned within the connected anatomical structures, matching the point on the instrument to one of the plurality of linkage elements representing one of the connected anatomical structures to locate the instrument relative to the connected anatomical structures in the stored images of the patient anatomy, and updating the matching of the point on the instrument to one of the plurality of linkage elements.