Abstract: The present invention discloses a robot that moves on a surface. The robot includes a casing, a moving unit coupled to the casing, and a suction disk coupled to the casing. The casing, the suction disk and the surface are configured to form an airtight space. The robot further includes an air extraction module and a spray module. The air extraction module is disposed in the casing and is in communication with the airtight space, and the air extraction module is configured to generate a negative pressure in the airtight space. The spray module is coupled to the casing and configured to spray a liquid onto the surface.

Abstract: A fan motor includes: a motor body; a rotary shaft assembly having a rotor and a bearing mounted on a rotary shaft; a stator that surrounds the rotor; an impeller connected to the rotary shaft; and a bracket including a bearing housing portion for receiving the bearing. The bearing housing portion defines a bearing heat dissipating flow path that allows air to be discharged to an outside of the bearing housing portion after passing between the outer surface of the bearing and the bearing housing portion. Air blown from the impeller can absorb heat of the bearing by contacting an outer surface of the bearing while passing through the bearing heat dissipating flow path.

Abstract: A modular vacuum system includes a first and second canister of different capacities that are configured to store debris. The modular vacuum system also includes first and second power heads that can be coupled to either the first or second canisters. The first and second power heads operate at different voltages that generate a first and second suction airflow. The first and second canisters store debris separated from the first and second suction airflow. The first and second canisters also store debris separated only from the first suction airflow.

Abstract: A caddy is provided for mounting a vacuum cleaner for transport and use. The caddy comprises a lower support assembly mounted on a plurality of wheels, a vertical support assembly comprising at least two members vertically extending from the lower support assembly, and an intermediate support mounted on the vertical mounting assembly a vertical distance up from the lower support assembly. The lower support assembly includes centrally-located mounting guides for receiving and holding the vacuum cleaner. The intermediate support comprises a generally circular-shaped member having an opening for facilitating the insertion and removal of the vacuum cleaner from the caddy. A lead is attached to the lower support assembly and may be connected to an intermediate location on a hose of the vacuum cleaner for redistributing a pulling force applied to the hose between the top of the vacuum cleaner and the lower support assembly of the caddy during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an autonomous domestic appliance (1) in the form of a floor cleaning robot or a lawn mower robot with a platform (3) which comprises means of locomotion (4), environmental sensors (5a, 5b, 5c) for detecting properties of the environment of the autonomous domestic appliance (1) and a control unit (6). The environmental sensors (5a, 5b, 5c) are connected to the control unit (6), and the control unit (6) is designed for autonomous movement of the domestic appliance (1) by actuating the means of locomotion (4) as a function of the detected environmental properties and for permanent travel in an area for carrying out its actual domestic activity. The autonomous domestic appliance (1) has a communication unit (7) for establishing a communication link with a remotely arranged service unit (2) and, in addition to its actual domestic activity, is designed to detect the need of help of a person as a function of the environmental properties.

Abstract: A cleaner stand configured to separate only a cleaner body by holding a suction unit or configured to separate the cleaner body coupled to the suction unit by releasing a hold on the suction unit, according to a separation direction of the cleaner body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to inventive embodiments of a vacuum cleaner apparatus having a brush assembly which provides effective cleaning with reduced suction and intake area. The brush assembly has a brush core with an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity. The brush core is rotatably suspended within an intake area defined by a housing. A bearing within the cavity allows the brush core to rotate via the bearing with respect to the housing. A plurality of agitators extends radially from the outer surface of the brush core to agitate dirt and other debris. Finally, a motor is disposed within the cavity defined by the inner surface of the brush core. The motor is mounted to the housing such that the brush core may rotate relative to the motor and the motor is configured to rotationally drive the brush core about the motor.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes an air flow path, a filter housing, and a filter member in the filter housing. An air treatment member, a suction motor, and the filter housing are positioned in the air flow path. The filter member includes a plurality of individual filter elements arranged in parallel, each including porous filter material having at least one upstream face and at least one portion defining a porous filter media air outlet. The at least one upstream face has a larger surface area than the at least one portion. An outside gap is provided between at least some of the upstream faces and opposed facing walls of the filter housing, and an inside gap is provided between opposed upstream faces. A cross-sectional area of the outside gaps and the inside gaps is at least as large as a cross-sectional area of an air treatment member air inlet.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus includes an air flow path, a filter housing, and a filter member in the filter housing. In some embodiments, the filter member includes a plurality of individual filter elements arranged in parallel, each including porous filter material having at least one upstream face and at least one portion defining a porous filter media air outlet. In other embodiments, the filter member has an outer upstream surface that abuts an axially extending air impermeable wall to inhibit bypass of the filter.

Abstract: A hose valve sub-assembly designed for use in central vacuum cleaning systems that include a retractable suction hose. The hose valve sub-assembly comprises an end nozzle arranged for attachment with the end of a suction hose and a seal-ring arranged for attachment to a valve box. The seal-ring defines a radially disposed inner surface for receiving and engaging the end nozzle and comprises a radially biased pin for locking the end nozzle the seal-ring. The end nozzle comprises a radially disposed O-ring groove arranged to receive an O-ring for sealing the end nozzle to the inner surface of the seal-ring. The end nozzle also comprises a radially disposed locking track having a first end that defines a first opening arranged to receive and engage the biased pin of the seal ring when the suction hose is pulled through the system vacuum pipe.

Abstract: A robot cleaner for cleaning in consideration of a floor state through artificial intelligence includes a cleaning unit including a suction unit and a mopping unit, a driving unit to drive the robot cleaner, and a processor to obtain a carpet area or a rug area based on cleaning data, and to control the driving unit to change an entrance direction of the robot cleaner when the robot cleaner enters the carpet area or the rug area.

Abstract: A method of using an upright vacuum cleaner includes positioning a floor nozzle on a surface to be cleaned, measuring a first characteristic of a brushroll motor with a first sensor, and communicating the first characteristic with a controller. The method also includes comparing the first characteristic with a first threshold value stored by the controller, which is associated with determining if the floor nozzle is on a first cleaning surface or a second cleaning surface. The method further includes changing a suction motor between a first mode when feedback received by the first sensor is greater than the first threshold value, and a second mode when feedback received by the first sensor is less than the first threshold value. The method also includes operating the suction motor at a first speed while in the first mode, and at a second speed while in the second mode.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a housing, a suction source, a dirt collection chamber in fluid communication with the suction source, a battery to provide power to the suction source, and a plug assembly having a body and an electrical connector in electrical communication with the battery via a cord. The plug assembly is configured to receive power from an AC power source to charge the battery. The plug assembly is moveable between a first position, in which the plug assembly is outside the housing and a second position in which the plug assembly is received in the housing. When the plug assembly is in the second position, the body of the plug assembly forms an outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit that guides air and dust; a main body connected with the suction unit and including a dust separation unit that separates dust from air, and a dust container that stores dust separated by the dust separation unit, at least a portion of the dust container being transparent or translucent; a handle unit connected to the main body and has a battery; a power receiving component disposed in the main body to be supplied with power from the battery; wires that are connected to the power receiver; and a cover member coupled to the main body and disposed between the main body and the wires to prevent the wires from being seen from the outside of the dust container.

Abstract: A self-propelled moving body includes a humidity sensor configured to detect a humidity in a vicinity of the self-propelled moving body; a control section configured to control an operation of the self-propelled moving body with reference to a result of detection by the humidity sensor; and a suction mechanism configured to suck a detection-target surface. The control section controlling the suction mechanism with reference to the result of detection by the humidity sensor, and the control section controlling the suction mechanism so as to cause the suction mechanism to temporarily stop suction in a case where a change in humidity is not less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An electric mop includes a handle, a flopping member connected to the handle. The mopping member includes a driving member with an output thereof connected to a pair of cleaning portions. The driving member includes a motor with an output shaft thereof connected to a driving bevel gear, a reversing gear formed a right-angle transmission relationship with the driving bevel gear, and a pair of cylindrical gear groups respectively connected to the pair of cleaning portions. The difference between the number of cylindrical gears of the two groups is singular. The structure drives the two cleaning portions respectively rotation forward and backward by the driving member so that force of the two cleaning portions can be offset each other for users to keep balance and steadily control a moving direction of the electric mop, the two cleaning portions are provided for ensuring a large cleaning surface and cleaning some corners.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including, a fluid storage container; an outlet for directing fluid from the fluid storage container onto a surface to be cleaned; and a valve configured to regulate the flow of fluid from the fluid storage container to the outlet and including: a body; and a member being moveable relative to the body between a first position and a second position and defining a flow path extending through a surface thereof; wherein the flow of fluid through the valve flows at a first rate when the member is in the first position and at a second rate and along the flow path when the member is in the second position, the second rate of flow being lower than the first rate of flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a floor includes a housing, wheels by which the apparatus is adapted to move; a motive device for moving the apparatus, a steering mechanism, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning unit and an offset mechanism adapted to move the cleaning unit to or from an offset position projecting beyond one lateral side of the apparatus. In another embodiment, an apparatus for cleaning a floor includes a housing, wheels by which the apparatus is adapted to move, a motive device for moving the apparatus, a steering mechanism, and a cleaning assembly including a cleaning unit and a swing mechanism indirectly linking the cleaning unit to the steering mechanism such that when the apparatus is in an operative mode, the cleaning unit reorients its position in synchronization with the path of travel of the apparatus. Optionally, a lifting device may raise and lower the cleaning assembly.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine including a handle that pivots relative to a base about a pivot axis. A recovery tank is coupled to the handle in fluid communication with a suction motor assembly to receive and store fluid and dirt drawn through a suction nozzle. The floor cleaning machine further includes an expandable hose fluidly communicating the recovery tank and the suction nozzle. The hose is in an expanded configuration when the handle is pivoted about the pivot axis to a reclined position. The hose is in a retracted configuration when the handle is pivoted about the pivot axis to a substantially upright position. The hose at least partially wraps around the pivot axis with the pivot axis being between a portion of the hose wrapped around the pivot axis and the surface being cleaned in the expanded and the retracted configurations.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning robot includes a cleaning machine body, at least one water tank or at least one dust collecting box, and at least two rotating elements embedded on a bottom of the cleaning machine body. The cleaning machine body is disposed with an accommodating space for placing the water tank or the cleaning machine body, and inside the accommodating space is disposed with a sensor switch and at least two diversion holes extending to the bottom of the cleaning machine body. A sensor and water outlets corresponding to the diversion holes are disposed on the water tank. When the sensor switch senses the sensor, it means the water tank is disposed in the accommodating space, and the cleaning machine body injects air into the water tank through a conduit to cause the water in the water tank to drop on the rotating elements through the diversion holes.

Abstract: A bucket for a floor cleaning system having a mop is provided. The bucket includes a first compartment, a second compartment, a fluid reservoir and a wringing assembly. The second compartment includes a recharging element, the recharging element being adapted to transfer fluid from the second compartment to the flat headed mop when the mop is positioned on a surface. The fluid reservoir is fluidly coupled to the second compartment. The wringing assembly is operably coupled to at least one of the first compartment or the second compartment, the wringing assembly having an extractor that removes fluid from the flat headed mop when the mop is moved through the wringing assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning robot system including a robot and a robot maintenance station. The robot includes a robot body, a drive system, a cleaning assembly, and a cleaning bin carried by the robot body and configured to receive debris agitated by the cleaning assembly. The robot maintenance station includes a station housing configured to receive the robot for maintenance. The station housing has an evacuation passageway exposed to a top portion of the received robot. The robot maintenance station also includes an air mover in pneumatic communication with the evacuation passageway and a collection bin carried by the station housing and in pneumatic communication with the evacuation passageway. The station housing and the robot body fluidly connect the evacuation passageway to the cleaning bin of the received robot. The air mover evacuates debris held in the robot cleaning bin to the collection bin through the evacuation passageway.

Abstract: A scraper sponge for cleaning and scraping away unwanted substances from an object or surface comprising a sponge body defining a first surface, first layer, second layer, third layer, second surface opposite the first surface, a continuous side surface around the perimeter; and the back of a scraper secured to the first layer opposite the first surface and the scraper defined by the first layer and an aperture through and approximately in the middle of the second layer, third layer and second surface of the sponge body. The entire surface area of the scraper, on it's front surface, is covered with pyramid shaped points extending outwardly in the direction of the second surface of the sponge body and is made level with the second surface of the sponge body when forces are applied to the first surface and subsequent back of scraper to manipulate the rigid scraper on a hard surface.

Abstract: A dispersible, nonwoven multistrata wipe material is provided that is stable in a wetting liquid and flushable in use. More particularly, multilayered structures including, but not limited to, two, three, or four layers are provided to form the dispersible nonwoven wipe material. The layers contain combinations of cellulosic and noncellulosic fibers, and optionally a binder or additive.

Abstract: The spray mop includes a handle having a mop head at its lower end and a grip at its upper end. The mop includes a receiver adapted to hold an inverted bottle of cleaning solution, as sold at retail with an attached sprayer. The mop includes an adapter that is screwed onto the bottle of cleaning solution after the original sprayer is removed, whereby the bottle of cleaning solution can be inverted and inserted into the receiver. A spring-loaded retainer securely holds the bottle of cleaning solution in the receiver so that if the mop is dropped, inverted, or bumped there will be no leakage, while a trigger on a handgrip at the upper portion of the mop handle activates a valve in the adapter whereby cleaning solution is dispensed through a spray nozzle at the lower portion of the receiver.

Abstract: A floor cleaning system having a flat headed mop is provided. The system includes a bucket having a plurality of compartments. At least one compartment is provided for cleaning the flat headed mop to remove dirt and debris accumulated during use. A second compartment is provided for recharging the mop pad with fluid. At least one wringer device is operably coupled to one of the plurality of compartments. The at least one wringer device having an extractor element to remove at least a portion of fluid from the mop pad.

Abstract: A floor cleaning system and a method of cleaning a floor are provided. The cleaning system includes a flat headed mop. The system also includes a frame and at least one compartment removably coupled to the frame. A wringing assembly is fluidly coupled to the at least one compartment, the wringing assembly comprising a fixed extractor element and at least one roller movable from a first position when the mop head is being inserted to a second position when the mop head is being withdrawn.

Abstract: A floor cleaning system having a flat headed mop is provided. The system includes a bucket having a plurality of compartments. At least one compartment is provided for cleaning the flat headed mop to remove dirt and debris accumulated during use. A second compartment is provided for recharging the mop pad with water or a cleaning solution. At least one wringing device is operably coupled to one of the plurality of compartments. The at least one wringing device having an extractor element to remove at least a portion of water or cleaning solution from the mop pad.

Abstract: A dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, includes a control device configured to perform a number of washing programs for washing items to be washed, and an input means configured to register a user input for shortening a running selected washing program. The control device is configured to adjust the running selected washing program as a function of a registered user input in such a manner that a remaining washing time of an adjusted selected washing program is shortened compared with a regular remaining washing time of the running selected washing program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a low cost sensor array suitable for use in a ware washing machine, preferably a dish washing machine. The invention also relates to a standalone detergent dispensing device comprising the low cost sensor array. The sensor systems are intended to allow monitoring of wash cycles such that controlled sequential dosing of reagents in wash cycles can be optimized. A device comprising such a sensor system may then be able to sense the conditions of the wash and dose reagents in their optimal sequence in the wash.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance and viewable cleaning agent assembly are disclosed herein. The dispensing assembly may include an internal wall, a front cover, a light guide, and a light source. The internal wall may define a storage volume for the receipt of a wash fluid therein. The front cover may selectively cover the storage volume to restrict access thereto. The front cover may be positioned between the storage volume and the wash chamber when the door is in the closed position. The light guide may extend along an axial direction from a forward display surface in front of the storage volume to a rearward contact surface within the storage volume. The light source may be directed through the internal wall toward the rearward contact surface within the storage volume.

Abstract: A rack mounting assembly for supporting an upper rack assembly within a tub of a dishwasher appliance is provided. The rack mounting assembly includes a mounting body that has features for supporting the upper rack assembly and for begin secured to the tub. The tub also includes various features for facilitating mounting of the mounting body thereto.

Abstract: A flexible footwear retaining device is designed to accept and retain articles of footwear thereon. The device includes a hanging cord, a first stopper, a second stopper, an eyelet, and at least one shoe holding mechanism. Where the at least one shoe holding mechanism is connected to the eyelet, while the eyelet is connected to the hanging cord, and the hanging cord is connected to the first stopper and the second stopper. The at least one shoe holding mechanism further includes a first insert and a second insert. Each of which further includes an insert rim and an insert shell that is inserted into the footwear article and retained thereafter. The inserts are connected to the at least one shoe holding mechanism and subsequently the eyelet such that the footwear articles may be suspended within an enclosed drying environment and prevent slipping through the first stopper and the second stopper.

Abstract: A system and method for data filtering of passageway sensor data include traversing a plurality of passageways with a flexible elongate device and recording, during the traversing, positional data using one or more sensors coupled to the flexible elongate device. The positional data includes a first plurality of positional data points recorded during a first insertion of the flexible elongate device into a first passageway and a second plurality of positional data points recorded during a first retraction of the flexible elongate device within the first passageway. The system and method further include labeling the first plurality of positional data points and the second plurality of positional data points as first common passageway positional data points and registering the positional data with a model of the plurality of passageways, wherein the registering includes matching the first common passageway positional data points with corresponding first common passageway model data points.

Abstract: In a measurement support device according to an aspect, since information indicating a movement trajectory of a spot when an imaging distance is changed is displayed, it is easy to move the spot to be in the vicinity of a measurement target by changing the imaging distance by operating a head and an imaging unit forward or backward, and the measurement can be swiftly and easily performed. In addition, since an indicator figure (circular marker) having a size set according to the position of the spot is displayed, distance measurement is not necessary, the configuration is simple, and the processing load is low. Further, since the indicator figure and the information indicating the trajectory are displayed in the vicinity of the spot, the difference between the spot position and the position of the indicator figure is small and thus the indicator figure is accurate as an indicator, and since the indicator figure is not displayed in a wide range, the processing load is low.

Abstract: A robotic system is described for determining whether a flexible instrument has buckled. The robotic system comprises a medical instrument comprising an elongate body, and further comprises a first sensor placed in a first portion of the elongate body, and a controller. A command is directed to the elongate body. The first sensor generates sensor data providing information regarding a first measured status of the portion of the elongate body. The controller receives sensor data generated from the first sensor, and compare the first measured status with a first expected status expected to be caused by the command; and responsive to the first measured status deviating from the first expected status one of more or less than a first associated threshold, determine that the elongate body has buckled.

Abstract: A patient-side support system includes a base, a platform movably coupled to the base, manipulator assemblies coupled to the platform, instruments, each of the instruments being coupled to a different one of the manipulator assemblies, each of the instruments including a body and a shaft extending from the body, and a guide tube common to the instruments. A first part of the shaft of each individual one of the instruments extends distally from the guide tube to the body, a second part of the shaft of each individual one of the instruments extends through at least a portion of the guide tube. The first part of the shaft of a first instrument of the instruments is articulatable between the body of the first instrument and the guide tube. The guide tube and the instruments are collectively rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the guide tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling positioning of wires and/or tubing that extends from a handle of a medical device. An exemplary apparatus includes a device attachment mechanism configured to removably attach to a handle of a medical device and a guide component configured to maintain a plurality of different positions relative to the device attachment mechanism and the handle of the medical device. The guide component allows a user to alter the direction (i.e., biases) any wires or tubing, such as electrical wires or saline tubes that extend from the handle to other instrumentation, such as pumps or generators.

Abstract: A control unit that includes a braking system for fixing the position of an endoscope tip is provided. The control system includes an up-down control knob and a right-left control knob. The brakes are engaged by rotating the control knob itself counter-clockwise from a free wheeling position. After the brakes have been engaged, a sufficient amount of force applied to the control knobs will move the endoscope tip slightly in the corresponding direction, allowing for fine tuning of tip position after braking.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accessing and treating regions of the body are disclosed herein. Using an endoscopic device having an automatically controllable proximal portion and a selectively steerable distal portion, the device generally may be advanced into the body through an opening. The distal portion is selectively steered to assume a selected curve along a desired path within the body which avoids contact with tissue while the proximal portion is automatically controlled to assume the selected curve of the distal portion. The endoscopic device can then be used for accessing various regions of the body which are typically difficult to access and treat through conventional surgical techniques because the device is unconstrained by “straight-line” requirements. Various applications can include accessing regions of the brain, thoracic cavity, including regions within the heart, peritoneal cavity, etc., which are difficult to reach using conventional surgical procedures.

Abstract: A guide wire gripping device is provided that includes: a sheath; an advanceable and retractable part extending along the longitudinal axis of the sheath; an operation control that moves the advanceable and retractable part along the longitudinal axis; a grasping portion having a contact surface having a peripheral edge surrounded by a distal end, a proximal end, and a pair of side ends; and a support part connected to the advanceable and retractable part and fixed to one of the pair of side ends.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a window component made of a transparent material at the distal end of the endoscope, wherein the window component is not rotationally symmetric in relation to the direction of view, and an optical correction apparatus with a cylindrical lens for correcting the aberration of the window component. The correction apparatus may contain a second lens movable relative to the cylindrical lens.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a medical device and a method of using a medical device. Specifically, the invention relates to a tube introducing device designed to introduce catheters, endoscopes and the like medical devices into organs and body lumens during procedures such as esophageal manometry, esophageal pH tests, and the placement of trans-nasal feeding tubes and a method of use thereof.

Abstract: Provided are robotic systems and methods for navigation of luminal network that detect physiological noise. In one aspect, the system includes a set of one or more processors configured to receive first and second image data from an image sensor located on an instrument, detect a set of one or more points of interest the first image data, and identify a set of first locations and a set of second location respectively corresponding to the set of points in the first and second image data. The set of processors are further configured to, based on the set of first locations and the set of second locations, detect a change of location of the instrument within a luminal network caused by movement of the luminal network relative to the instrument based on the set of first locations and the set of second locations.

Abstract: A control device for a capsule endoscope is provided. The control device includes a balance arm device, a permanent magnet, a 2-DOF rotary platform and an examination bed. The bottom of the balance arm device is fixed, and the active end of the balance arm device connects with a boom. The 2-DOF rotary platform is fixed below the boom and the permanent magnet is located in the 2-DOF rotary platform. The examination bed is put below the 2-DOF rotary platform, and the area between the examination bed and the 2-DOF rotary platform is an examination area.

Abstract: A control system for a capsule endoscope is provided. The control system includes a balance arm device, a mechanical arm, a permanent magnet and a 2-DOF rotary platform. The bottom of the balance arm device is fixed, and the active end of the balance arm device connects with a boom. The bottom of the mechanical arm is fixed, and the active end of the mechanical arm connects with a spherical hinge. The 2-DOF rotary platform is fixed below the boom and the permanent magnet is located in the 2-DOF rotary platform. The spherical hinge connects to the boom, assisting the permanent magnet to move around a fan-shaped area around a subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing gastrointestinal (GI) images are disclosed. According to this method, a regular image is received, where the regular image is captured using an imaging apparatus by projecting non-structured light onto a body lumen when the imaging apparatus is in the body lumen. One or more structured-light images captured using the imaging apparatus by projecting the body lumen with structured light are received. A target distance for a target region in the regular image is derived based on said one or more structured-light images. A filter is determined based on the target distance and camera parameters associated with the imaging apparatus. A first processed target region is generated by applying the filter to the target region to improve sharpness of the target region. A first processed regular image comprising the first processed target region is provided.

Abstract: An endoscopic stereo matching method and apparatus using a direct attenuation model is provided. A method for generating a depth image according to an embodiment includes: generating a stereo image; and estimating a depth image from the stereo image based on an attenuation trend of light of an illumination used to generate the stereo image. Accordingly, a dense depth image can be obtained by using images obtained from a capsule endoscope, and thus the geometric structure of the inside of the GI tract can be estimated.

Abstract: The device including support intended to be placed in a patient's perioral area and has a generating member of a gaseous fluid flow exerting a barrier effect between an inner area of the patient's mouth and the outside of the mouth; where the generating member is formed by at least one duct that includes at one of its ends an aperture which is placed in the exterior of the perioral area in front of said support and is attached to the support in a central portion thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods of immunizing a viewport of a medical device against fogging before or during a medical procedure, and related apparatuses and devices. The methods comprise applying plasma to the viewport prior to use, thereby rendering a surface of the viewport highly hydrophilic. The methods eliminate or at least significantly reduce blur due to fogging.