Abstract: A docking station for a dust collection box comprising: a housing; a socket formed by the housing configured to receive a dust collection box of a dust extractor; first and second apertures formed through a wall of the housing which aligns with air outlet and inlet apertures of a dust collection box when the dust collection box is mounted within the socket; a connector connectable to a vacuum source; and a dust channel mounted inside of the housing, which provides a passageway between the second aperture and the connector. The docking station may further include an air vent formed through a wall of the housing to allow air surrounding the housing to enter a cavity formed inside of the housing, where the first aperture is connected to the cavity in the housing to allow air in the cavity to exit the housing through the first aperture.

Abstract: This document describes a mobile cleaning robot including a chassis having a forward portion and an aft portion; a blower affixed to the chassis; a bin supported by the chassis and configured to receive airflow from the blower, the chassis enabling evacuation of the bin through a bottom of the robot. The bin includes a top, a bottom, a sidewall, and an internal barrier. The bin includes a first volume and a second volume separated by the internal barrier and a filter unit supported by the internal barrier and removably disposed in an airflow path between the first volume that includes an intake port in the bin and the second volume that includes an exhaust port in the bin.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for connecting vacuum cleaner accessories includes a plurality of teeth arranged axially along an outer surface of an outer attachment tube of a first vacuum cleaner accessory, and a locking tab positioned on an outer surface of an inner attachment tube of a second vacuum cleaner accessory. The locking tab includes a pivot extension extending radially outward from the outer surface of the second vacuum cleaner accessory, and a latch pivotably connected to the pivot extension. The latch includes a finger engagement portion and a latching portion located on opposite sides of the pivot extension. The latching portion includes a latch tooth that extends from a bottom surface of the latching portion. The latch tooth is positioned to engage the teeth upon insertion of the inner attachment tube into the outer attachment tube to secure the first vacuum cleaner accessory to the second vacuum cleaner accessory.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner, including a cleaner body; and a dust collector provided in the cleaner body, wherein the dust collector includes a first cyclone provided within an outer case to filter foreign matter and dust from air introduced into the dust collector; a second cyclone accommodated within the first cyclone to separate fine dust from the air introduced into the first cyclone; a screw provided at a lower side of and surrounding the first cyclone, and having at least one vane spirally extended along a flow direction of the air introduced into the outer case to induce the inflow of foreign matter and dust filtered by the first cyclone into a first storage section.

Abstract: A cleaner holder includes a charging stand having a battery accommodating space formed therein in which a battery detachably mounted to a cleaner is accommodated, wherein the battery accommodating space includes: a charging port selectively in contact with a battery terminal provided in the battery; a battery guide configured to perform guiding such that the battery comes into contact with the charging port; and an inlet which extends toward an upper side of the battery guide and through which the battery is inserted or withdrawn, and an upper end of the inlet is higher than an upper end of the battery accommodated in the battery accommodating space.

Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a main body forming an external appearance of the robot cleaner, moving units configured to move the main body, a cleaning module arranged at one side of the main body so as to contact a floor and rotated, a module driving unit arranged in the main body and rotating the cleaning module, and a dust pocket configured to remove foreign substances attached to the outer circumference of the cleaning module.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a first cleaning module including a left spin mop and a right spin mop configured to contact the floor while rotating in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from an upper side, a second cleaning module configured to contact the floor in front of the first cleaning module, and a body supported by the first cleaning module and the second cleaning module. A point on the bottom surface of the left spin mop that receives the largest frictional force from the floor is located on a left-front side of the rotation center of the left spin mop, and a point on the bottom surface of the right spin mop that receives the largest frictional force from the floor is located on a right-front side of the rotation center of the right spin mop.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates controlling a robot cleaner that moves based on a rotation of a spin mop. The controlling the robot cleaner includes determining a control command; operating the spin mop and performing a reference motion by the robot cleaner; detecting a movement of the robot cleaner which performs a reference motion by a motion detection sensor; and controlling travel of the robot cleaner to achieve the control command.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a rolling cleaning module including a rolling member configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from a left side while in contact with a floor, a sensor unit, and a controller configured to detect a change in position of the robot cleaner and a change in load current of a motor connected to the rolling member based on data detected by the sensor unit. When there is a change in position and a change in load current, a specific area of a floor is determined to be a contaminated area.

Abstract: A debris monitoring system includes a receptacle, a first and a second emitter, and a first receiver. The receptacle defines an opening to receive debris into the receptacle. The first and second emitter are each arranged to emit a signal across at least a portion of the opening. The first receiver is proximate to the first emitter to receive reflections of the signal emitted by the first emitter, and the first receiver is disposed toward the opening to receive an unreflected portion of the signal emitted by the second emitter across at least a portion of the opening.

Abstract: A water-disintegrable sheet in which a base paper sheet is impregnated with an aqueous agent is provided. The base paper sheet has a weight per unit area of 30 to 150 gsm, and includes a water-soluble binder and cellulose nanofibers. The aqueous agent includes a cross-linking agent which cross-links with a water-soluble binder.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a body forming an external appearance, and a spin-mop cleaning module configured to support the body and including at least one spin-mop provided so as to come into contact with a floor while rotating in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from an upper side. The inclination angle of a lower surface of the spin mop is changeable relative to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A cleanroom mop for cleaning all critical surfaces within a cleanroom. The cleanroom mop includes a mop head frame with at least one hollow area within the mop head frame that is accessible by at least one opening located on the top of the mop head frame, a handle attached to the mop head frame, and a mop head that is attachable to the mop head frame which has opposing sides and at least one snap fastener on each of the opposing sides where the snap fasteners can be snapped together to connect the opposing sides of the mop head.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a drain basin defined at a bottom of a sump of the dishwasher. The drain basin defines a discharge port and a drain pump is in fluid communication with the discharge port for selectively urging a flow of wash fluid through the discharge port to an external drain during a drain cycle. A check valve assembly includes a check valve removably positioned over the discharge port between the drain pump and the drain basin and a positioning arm attached to the check valve for positioning and locking the check valve in place.

Abstract: A dishwasher has a treating chamber for receiving dishes for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation and a dispensing system for storing and dispensing a treating chemistry to the treating chamber during the cycle of operation. The dishwasher may dispense a treating chemistry when a temperature of a liquid in the treating chamber satisfies a predetermined temperature threshold. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained to satisfy the predetermined temperature threshold for a predetermined period of time based on the treating chemistry.

Abstract: A dishwasher door is provided herein. The dishwasher door may include an internal panel, an external panel, and an adhesive layer. The internal panel may define an inner face and an outer face. The internal panel may extend from the first end to the second end. The external panel may extend across the internal panel from the first end to the second end. The external panel may define an inner face directed toward the outer face of the internal panel. The adhesive layer may be positioned between the internal panel and the external panel. The adhesive layer may form a first bond with the internal panel and a second bond with the external panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is describe herein for a device which when attached to a front-loading dishwashing appliance with a vented drop-down door gives an indication to the user as to whether the dishes, glasses and utensils placed within are soiled or cleaned. The device includes a heat sensing means attached to a extending member, an inclination sensing means which is responsive to the deviation of the dishwashing appliance door and therefore the device from the vertical position and a system of timers.

Abstract: A floor mat includes a bottom layer and a top layer; the bottom layer being composed of a water tight material; and the top layer being composed of an absorbent, antibacterial material; the top layer is removably secured to the bottom layer and is disposable.

Abstract: A signal processing device is connected to an endoscope that examines a subject and outputs a signal in accordance with a result of the examination. The signal processing device includes a plurality of internal modules that process the signal output from the endoscope. The internal modules are connected via an interface supporting a communication protocol and having connector geometry, at least the communication protocol or both communication protocol and connector geometry conforming to a communication interface standard.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric, perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: Provided are a processor device, an endoscope system, and a method of operating a processor device capable of narrowing down a plurality of index values to the index value required to diagnose a lesion. An image obtained by imaging an observation target including a structure is acquired. An index value calculation unit 70 performs an index value calculation process of calculating a plurality of index values obtained by indexing a property of the structure on the basis of the image. An index value arithmetic processing unit 74 controls the index value calculation unit 70 according to a processing order in which a first index value is calculated and then a second index value different from the first index value is calculated among the plurality of index values.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a bending portion bendable in all directions including four directions: an up direction, a down direction, a left direction, and a right direction, a bending operation lever configured to bend the bending portion by being tilted, and a wire pulling mechanism provided integrally on the bending operation lever and including a lever tilting angle adjustment mechanism configured to set a first tilting angle at which the bending operation lever is tilted in order to bend the bending portion to at least one direction in the four directions by a predetermined bending angle and a second tilting angle at which the bending operation lever is tilted in order to bend the bending portion in a direction different from the at least one direction by a predetermined bending angle to different angles when the bending operation lever is tilted so as to bend the bending portion.

Abstract: A curved tube for an endoscope includes: a curved tube body including a locked portion provided on an inner peripheral surface of the curved tube body; an operation wire configured to perform a bending operation of the curved tube body; a pipe member which is press-fitted to the operation wire and is locked to the locked portion of the curved tube body; and particles interposed between an outer peripheral surface of the operation wire and an inner peripheral surface of the pipe member. The particles are higher in hardness than materials forming the operation wire and the pipe member and are buried to dig into the outer peripheral surface of the operation wire and the inner peripheral surface of the pipe member.

Abstract: A rigidizable medical device may include an inner element and an outer element. The outer element of the device may be positioned at least in part around the inner element so as to define a space radially between the inner element and the outer element. The medical device may further include a stiffening material positioned in the space between the inner and outer elements. The stiffening material may be transitionable between a first relatively compliant state and a second relatively stiff state, upon a change in energy applied to the stiffening material. In the first state of the stiffening material, at least a portion along a length of the device where the stiffening material is located is flexible. In the second state of the stiffening material, at least the portion along the length of the device where the stiffening material is located is rigidized.

Abstract: An endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle at the proximal end and an insertion tube extending from the proximal end towards the distal end. The insertion tube includes an internal working channel extending from the handle to the distal end of the insertion tube. A connector at the handle is adapted for the attachment of a syringe. A recess is adapted to accommodate a cylindrical body of the syringe when said syringe is attached to the connector.

Abstract: To provide an endoscope or the like capable of realizing a large raising angle. The endoscope includes: a channel outlet open to a distal end side of an insertion portion; a raising base capable of raising a treatment tool protruding from the channel outlet; and a curved portion which protrudes from a peripheral edge portion of the channel outlet toward the distal end side of the insertion portion and is capable of coming into contact with the treatment tool raised by the raising base. The raising base presses the treatment tool on the distal end side of a contact portion between the treatment tool and the curved portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a rotatable raising base connection portion exposed on a surface of a distal end of an insertion portion; a first indicator provided in the insertion portion; and an endoscope cap including a bottomed tubular cover, which has an opening end portion and is attachable to and detachable from the distal end of the insertion portion through the opening end portion, and a raising base. The endoscope cap has a second indicator provided on the cover to correspond to the first indicator and a lever connection portion that is connected to the raising base connection portion and is provided rotatably inside the cover. The endoscope cap may be implemented to be easily attached to a distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: To provide an endoscope cap with a raising base or the like which is easily attached and detached to and from a distal end of an endoscope. The endoscope cap includes: a cover that is attachable and detachable to and from a distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope including a lever which is rotatably provided at the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope and a rotating portion which rotates the lever; and a raising base that has a lever connection portion connected to the lever and is rotatably provided inside the cover, and the endoscope cap is supplied in the state of being enclosed in an individual packaging member.

Abstract: An example endoscope cap attachable to and detachable from an endoscope including a lever pivotally provided at a distal end of an insertion part of an endoscope and a pivot part causing the lever to pivot, includes: a bottomed cylindrical cover having an opening end which is attachable to and detachable from a distal end of an insertion part of the endoscope; a first engagement part provided at an inner surface of a cylindrical part of the cover; and an elevator having a lever connection part connected to the lever and pivotally fixed to an inside of the cover.

Abstract: An optical probe comprises a light-guiding component, an optical component, a light-reflecting component that is configured to receive light from the optical component and direct the light along a path, and a correction component. The correction component lies in the path, the correction component has an optical power, and the correction component has a center of curvature that substantially coincides with an optical axis of the optical component.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a device comprise a sheath, a first light-guiding component, a second light-guiding component, an optical-focusing component, and an optical-correction component. The second light-guiding component and the optical-focusing component are aligned on an optical axis. Also, the optical-correction component does not directly contact the optical-focusing component, and the optical-correction component is not positioned on the optical axis.

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: Methods and apparatuses for space-optimized visualization catheters are provided. Some embodiments utilize complimentary metal-oxide-semi-conductor (“CMOS”) technology integrated into a CMOS camera train holder system that may be a stand-alone component for use with a visualization catheter, such as a baby endoscope, or may be fabricated/extruded as a part of the catheter itself. Some embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and equivalents thereto provide better direct visual feedback to the medical personnel performing the procedure while providing a similarly-sized outer diameter visualization catheter device having an increased space therein for additional lumens and equipment or by reducing the overall outer diameter of the visualization catheter.

Abstract: An endoscope system captures images of biological tissue when illuminated with first to third light, and generates first to third color image data. The amount of hemoglobin in the biological tissue and the oxygen saturation of the hemoglobin are calculated using components of the first to third color image data, an oxygen saturation distribution image that shows the distribution of the oxygen saturation is generated, and control is performed such that the generated oxygen saturation distribution image is displayed superimposed on a captured image of the biological tissue on a display. The oxygen saturation is calculated based on the amount of hemoglobin and a second ratio obtained using components of the color image data. The transparency is adjusted for pixels in which the value of the second ratio is outside an allowable range for the second ratio determined according to the amount of hemoglobin.

Abstract: A flexible high resolution endoscope is provided herein. The endoscope comprises: a plurality of optical fiber bundles; a plurality of lenses in a one-to-one relationship with the plurality of optical fiber bundles; and, a plurality of cameras in a one-to-one relationship with the plurality of optical fiber bundles, each respective optical fiber bundle, of the plurality of optical fiber bundles, having a respective lens, of the plurality of lenses, located at a respective distal end, and a camera, of the plurality of cameras, located at a respective proximal end, the plurality of optical fiber bundles being coupled together at a common distal end, and otherwise being uncoupled from one another, a bending radius of the endoscope defined by a largest respective bending radius of each of the plurality of optical fiber bundles.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a processor and displays a distribution image of living substance feature amounts obtained from an imaged image of a living tissue. The processor calculates the living substance feature amount in the living tissue, for example, an amount of hemoglobin and oxygen saturation of the hemoglobin using components of color image data of the living tissue illuminated with at least two lights, generates the feature amount distribution image illustrating a distribution of the living substance feature amounts, and controls display of the feature amount distribution image in order to display the generated feature amount distribution image so as to be superimposed on the image of the living tissue.

Abstract: An endoscopic probe extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and configured to be inserted in a tubular lumen to observe a sample is disclosed. The probe includes a first waveguide enclosed within an inner sheath and extending from the proximal end to the distal end along an axis of the inner sheath; and a plurality of second waveguides having at least the distal ends thereof arranged in one or more rings around the inner sheath to surround the distal end of the first waveguide. At the distal end, the axis of each of the second waveguides is tilted with respect to the axis of the first waveguide by a tilt angle which can be adjustable. This novel endoscopic probe has a resultant numerical aperture larger than the numerical aperture of each of the second waveguides, and it may be applicable to forward-viewing spectrally encoded endoscopes (SEE).

Abstract: A cleaning tool for endoscope of the present invention includes a cylindrical main body which covers a bending operation member of an endoscope, and a cleaning member which is installed on an inner surface of the main body so as to clean the bending operation member.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum and side wall retractor allows clinicians to visualize the cervix and upper vagina by retracting vaginal walls simultaneously. This device is comprised of a handle, a mobile introducer allowing the device to comfortably be inserted vaginally, and a lower blade capable of stabilizing the cervix and a body containing the side wall retractor. This retractor is comprised of a rolled-up sheet of transparent plastic which can be opened through a rotating shaft countersunk in the body of the base. A friction or sprocket gear allows the rotating shaft to open and close the plastic side wall retractor as well as completely unwinding the transparent plastic sheet so that the device can be removed while leaving surgical instruments in the vagina. The rotating shaft serves as a light guide and brings light from the knob, which contains an LED, into the rolled-up sheet during examinations.

Abstract: An endomicroscopic device, which, in microsurgical operations, enables the deep surgical sites that cannot be seen from a certain angle to become visible. The endomicroscopic device includes a light source to illuminate the surgical site, a microscope lens for taking and magnifying an image of a tissue at the surgical site, a pair of binocular eyepieces for projecting the image to eyes of the surgeon, an endoscopic probe for displaying blind areas outside of a field of view of the at least one microscope lens from different angles in a periscopic manner, an endoscopic probe outlet, and a distal portion located at an end of the endoscopic probe. The distal portion is flexible and can be angled to be directed to different areas, and provides a second periscopic image.

Abstract: A device for distending a body lumen for enhanced visualization with a capsule endoscope that includes a camera lens includes an attachment element configured to attach to the capsule endoscope and a plurality of struts extending from the attachment element and meeting at an apex. The plurality of struts are configured to extend both axially and radially away from the camera lens so as to form a frame therearound.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the degree of abnormality in the eye is provided, and in the method at least some portion of the functional evaluation of the eye's visual function is performed by presenting visual stimuli in mesopic conditions. A visual function examination device is provided, and in the device the spectral composition of the stimuli is generated by a projection or display device, and the said projection or display device can be adjusted so that individual receptor types can be excited by the said stimuli.

Abstract: An eyelid opener and an eyelid opening and sensing device are provided. The eyelid opener has a housing, two eyelid pushers and one eye positioning unit. The eye positioning unit abuts the surrounding of the eye socket for positioning (e.g. one side of the nasal bridge), and then the sensing process (e.g. eye pressure, eye temperature) of an eyeball sensor is started, ensuring the inspected region remains the same for each measurement. By contacting the user's face, the eyelid opener can be operated by the user independently. The positioning process ensures the eyeball sensor and the eyeball are placed at a fixed distance to prevent the eyeball sensor from physical contacting or hurting the eyeball and to facilitate mounting the eyeball sensor near the eyeball. The two eyelid pushers can avoid unconscious blinking during the sensing process.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for an intraocular imaging system are disclosed comprising an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. The OCT system has an imaging range that may enable substantial portions of an eye or even a whole eye to be imaged. The OCT system may be coupled to an operation microscope, such that, for example, a surgeon can visualize ocular structures like the human crystalline lens and other ocular structures such as the cornea and/or vitreous while surgical instruments are in the field of view.

Abstract: A system includes: a swept laser light source generating laser light having a frequency swept across a frequency bandwidth as a function of time; a sample path directing a first portion of the laser light to an eye as a probe beam and receiving a returned portion of the probe beam from the eye; a reference path passing therethrough a second portion of the laser light, the reference path having a defined optical path length; and a detector receiving the returned portion of the probe beam from the eye and the second portion of the laser light from the reference path, and in response thereto outputting an optical coherence tomography (OCT) output signal having OCT peaks whose relative timing represents the depths of surfaces of structures of the eye, wherein the sample path includes a fiducial generator which produces a fiducial peak in the OCT output signal.

Abstract: An illumination system for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern for measuring the cornea of an eye and, in particular, for determining the topography of the eye. In so doing, the system facilitates distance-independent measurements. The illumination system includes an illumination unit, an optical element for collimating the illumination light and a unit for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern in the form of a fraxicon. In particular, the illumination unit includes a plurality of illumination modules which are arranged such that each illumination module illuminates part of the fraxicon, and consequently a full-area illumination is facilitated. The system for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern serves to determine the topography of the cornea of an eye. Here, the system is designed as a compact module, and so it can be easily combined with other measurement systems, without interfering with the beam paths thereof.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, live image data modifications may be facilitated for dynamic vision defects. In some embodiments, one or more eyes of a user may be monitored while a set of stimuli are displayed to the user. Feedback related to the set of stimuli may be obtained, where the feedback indicates (i) whether or how the user sees one or more stimuli of the set and (ii) one or more characteristics related to the eyes that occurred when such stimuli are displayed. A set of modification profiles associated with the user may be generated based on the feedback, where each modification profile of the set (i) is associated with eye-related characteristics and (ii) includes modification parameters to be applied to an image to modify the image for the user when eye-related characteristics of the user matches the associated eye-related characteristics.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomographic device may include: a light source; a measurement light generator that generates measurement light and generates reflected light from a target region in a scattering sample by irradiating the target region with the measurement light; a reference light generator that generates reference light; an interference light generator that generates interference light by combining the reflected light and the reference light; an interference light detector that detects the interference light and generates interference signals by converting the interference light; and a processor. The processor may cause the OCT device to execute: acquiring tomographic images for a same cross section in the target region in time series from the interference signals; calculating an entropy of the generated interference signals based on the tomographic images; and specifying a dynamic part in the tomographic images based on the calculated entropy.

Abstract: A device (1) for examining an eye, in particular a slit lamp, comprises an image recording unit (220) with at least one first sensor (241.1) in a first beam path and a second sensor (241.2) in a second beam path, the device also comprising in the first beam path a first objective with a first optical axis, which has a fixed magnification and is arranged as fixed in the first beam path.