Abstract: A disposable beverage pod includes a first compartment containing a beverage concentrate in dry or semi-dry form and a second compartment containing ethanol. An apparatus for making a single serving beverage is operable to receive the disposable beverage pod and mix the contents thereof with water from a water reservoir and optionally pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source to form a single serving beverage.

Abstract: A device (1) for preparing a beverage includes an outlet opening (15) which flows into a storage tank (6) provided with a dispenser (17) for dispensing the beverage into a container. A control unit (7) supplies the beverage to the storage tank (6) in response to a signal from an operating unit (9) for at least two consecutive preparation cycles (B1, B2). The volume of the beverage prepared in at least two consecutive preparation cycles is supplied in a more or less constant and uninterrupted flow via the dispenser (17) of the storage tank (6) to the container.

Abstract: A water heater for an aircraft beverage brewing apparatus includes a three way electrical conduit for conducting electrical power in three separate phases. The heater has a housing with a fluid inlet port at a first removable end piece and a fluid outlet port at a second removable end piece. The hollow cylindrical core incorporates a heating element wound around the core, and the housing includes three resettable temperature sensors at the outlet, each of the three resettable temperature sensors connected to a separate phase of power from the three way electrical conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a removable first container for water for positioning on the body, a boiler within the body receives water from the first container, a heater adjacent to the boiler heats the water in accordance with at least one preparation parameter. The apparatus further includes a removable second container that is a combination milk carafe and boiler for positioning on the body and a separate heater adjacent to the milk carafe and boiler for heating the milk in accordance with at least one preparation parameter. A filter and a dispensing valve are controlled electronically. An interface and display for entering brewing parameters and a microcomputer for the controlling the apparatus.

Abstract: Technologies (e.g., devices, systems and methods) for sanitizing hot beverage makers are described. In some embodiments, the technologies include a sanitization gas system that is configured to be install into a cover, onto a wall or cover and between a the top rim of the reservoir and the cover of the reservoir. The sanitization gas system may provide a sanitizing gas to the reservoir for sanitizing the reservoir, sidewalls, bottom tray and cover.

Abstract: A powered cooking accessory for use in an oven includes a body receivable within an interior of the oven and a first electronic device received within a portion of the body. The accessory further includes a device coupling extending from the body and having a power coupling exposed thereon and electrically connected with the electronic device. The device coupling has an identification element encoded with information regarding at least one characteristic of the accessory and is coupleable with the oven to receive electrical power from the oven and to communicate the information encoded with the identification element to the oven.

Abstract: In an apparatus for heating and/or cooking foodstuffs, in particular meat products, comprising an appliance housing with at least one opening, an accommodating device for the meat products to be heated, a heating device associated with the accommodating device and having one or more heating elements, the accommodating device has one or more accommodating compartments which is accessible by way of the opening, and an insertion cassette which corresponds to a respective accommodating compartment and which can be loaded with one or more meat products in a predetermined orientation relative to each other and is adapted to be introduced into and removed again from the accommodating compartment.

Abstract: A cooking grill for improved cooking of pizzas and other foods includes a base portion, a cooking grate supported on the base portion, and a lid hingedly-attached to the base and movable between an open position and a closed position in which a substantially-enclosed cooking chamber is defined between the base portion/cooking grate and the lid. The lid is specially-configured to define a window therein, for admitting passage into the cooking chamber along an entrance pathway extending horizontally from the window. The lid is specially-configured so that the window remains open and unobstructed while the lid is in a closed position. A handle is joined to the lid in a position outside of the entrance pathway, so that it does not interfere with insertion of pizza/foods into, or removal of pizza/foods from, the cooking chamber while the lid remains in the closed position.

Abstract: The invention refers to a foaming device (100) for foaming and/or heating a fluid inside a container (20), the device further comprising a processing element (10), a driving unit (30) and a distinct heating unit (40) such that the processing element (10) is mechanically decoupled from both the heating unit (40) and the driving unit (30), the processing element (10) being movable inside the container (20) in response to a magnetic field generated by the driving unit (30), the processing element (10) further being inductively heatable by an oscillating magnetic field provided by the heating unit (40).

Abstract: A blender has vertically reciprocating blades attached to a spindle. The blades, when activated, spins about the axis of the spindle. The spindle is also attached to a reciprocating motor which moves the spindle with blades attached up and down the interior of the blender cup.

Abstract: Adjustable seating devices for use in a hot tub may include multiple panels that move relative to one another and/or relative to the hot tub frame to adjust between positions. In some embodiments, one or more panels of the adjustable seating device may include jets. The adjustable seating devices may be adjusted manually, hydraulically, air-actuated, or electronically.

Abstract: An electrically powered soap grater and dispenser that automatically dispenses shaved and grated soap into a user's palm. A reciprocating electro-mechanical drive assembly causes a grater plate to reciprocate up and down as it cuts into a stationary bar of soap. A transparent window in the front of the housing lets the user see the soap stored within and shows when the soap needs to be replaced. An optional secondary support stand raises the housing high enough for a user to put his hand under it to receive the shaved soap. Alternately, the main housing can be hung on a wall of a bathroom or shower so that the user can easily place his or her hand under an aperture located in the housing's bottom wall and receive the shaved soap.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser including a contaminant sensor and methods of use of such a fluid dispenser to monitor contaminants either alone or in an array of similar dispensers within a facility.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a paper towel product that will capably separate from the paper towel roll as a full sheet, a half sheet or a quarter sheet. A method of making a paper towel with machine direction perforations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A potty is provided including a foldable element and a support element, wherein the foldable element is configured as a receptacle made of a resilient material, and wherein the support element is made of a stiff material and forms lateral sections of the potty. The foldable element folds longitudinally upon forcing the lateral sections towards one another; thereupon the entire potty gear is essentially size-reduced.

Abstract: A portable urine disposal cabinet system. The system is a cabinet enclosure with privacy side wings which open as doors to allow the user to urinate in the cup with a sufficient level of privacy. The unit is self-contained and designed to provide a private and efficient means by which an individual (man or woman) can urinate in a cup. Once the cup is filled with urine a media mixture is manually dispensed via mechanical action into the cup of urine to remove the odor and gel/absorb the urine such that the filled cup can be disposed of in a garbage. The cabinet also has a holder for storing unused cups and lids and funnels.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.

Abstract: A motor noise reduction structure for a dust collector, and the dust collector are provided. The noise reduction structure includes: a mounting portion, used for mounting a motor on a dust collector; and elastic components, used for applying tension to the motor. One end of each elastic component is connected to the mounting portion, and the other end of the elastic component is connected to the motor. The tension can counteract the gravity of the motor. The number of the elastic components is at least two. The elastic components are uniformly distributed at the circumference of the motor. An included angle of 10 to 85 degrees is formed between the direction of the tension and the horizontal plane. By means of the motor noise reduction structure for a dust collector and the dust collector, a good motor noise reduction effect can be obtained.

Abstract: A method to automatically remove obstructions, such as electrical cords or wires, from robotic floor-cleaning devices after becoming entangled with wheels of the robotic device during operation. Upon sensing entanglement with an obstruction, the robotic floor-cleaning device is configured to retract one or more wheels into a wheel housing within the main housing of the robotic device. During retraction, the obstruction entangled around the one or more wheels is forcibly separated from the wheel by the corresponding wheel housing.

Abstract: A robot cleaner comprising: a cleaner body including a wheel unit for autonomous traveling and a suction unit sucking air containing dust; a sensing unit disposed at one side of the cleaner body; a dust container accommodated in a dust container accommodation part formed at the other side of the cleaner body, the dust container collecting dust filtered from sucked air; and a dust container cover disposed to cover a top surface of the dust container, wherein an upper end of the sensing unit is formed at a position protruding upward from a top surface of the cleaner body and a top surface of the dust container cover.

Abstract: A coverage robot including a chassis, multiple drive wheel assemblies disposed on the chassis, and a cleaning assembly carried by the chassis. Each drive wheel assembly including a drive wheel assembly housing, a wheel rotatably coupled to the housing, and a wheel drive motor carried by the drive wheel assembly housing and operable to drive the wheel. The cleaning assembly including a cleaning assembly housing, a cleaning head rotatably coupled to the cleaning assembly housing, and a cleaning drive motor carried by cleaning assembly housing and operable to drive the cleaning head. The wheel assemblies and the cleaning assembly are each separately and independently removable from respective receptacles of the chassis as complete units.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning machines comprises a high-speed reciprocating cleaning means making a cleaning cloth reciprocatingly wipe a floor at high speed and a vacuum device sucking the dust in front of the cleaning cloth.

Abstract: A floor-cleaning device has a cleaning roller for processing a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning roller is designed as a hollow body having an internal liquid space. The hollow body has at least one opening for liquid to exit the liquid space. In order to convey liquid to the surface of the hollow body under certain conditions only, the hollow body opening is associated with a force-actuated automatic valve element which, depending on the amount of centrifugal force acting upon the valve element, can be moved to a closing position in which the hollow body opening is closed and/or to an open position in which the hollow body opening is exposed. The valve element allows liquid to exit the liquid space at a first speed of the cleaning roller and to block liquid from exiting when the rotational speed increases.

Abstract: A draining device for a wet cleaning apparatus has a watering device for the wet cleaning apparatus as well as a rotatable drainage basket for the wet cleaning apparatus; the watering device includes a fresh water reservoir which can be filled with fresh water and which is fluidically connected to the drainage basket via a fresh water duct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher that can save wash water for cleaning and a method of controlling the dishwasher.

Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize one or more sprayers that are coupled to both a liquid supply and an air supply through a common hydraulic circuit such that both liquid and pressurized air can be supplied to the one or more sprayers.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an imaging unit configured to image a subject and output image data, a moving-image generation unit configured to generate moving-image data from the image data output from the imaging unit, a still-image generation unit configured to generate still-image data from the image data output from the imaging unit, a release instruction unit configured to receive an image-recording instruction from a user, a first wireless communication unit configured to sequentially change a wireless channel to transmit test data and transmit the still-image data to the reception device when the release instruction unit receives the image-recording instruction, a second wireless communication unit configured to transmit the moving-image data to the reception device using a wireless channel different from the wireless channel currently used by the first wireless communication unit, and a first setting unit configured to set a wireless channel determined from communication quality information.

Abstract: A handheld surgical endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a fluid hub, cannula, distal tip and an integrated needle and a re-usable portion that includes a handle and display module. The distal tip includes LED illumination and an imaging module that feeds live video to the display module that is rotatable to allow viewing by the operator and others. The single-use and re-usable portions mate and un-mate with each other via physically separated mechanical and electrical connectors. The needle is actuatable to allow for both recessed and extended positions. The needle delivers liquid from a attached syringe that can be attached to the handle to move therewith or only connected to the endoscope by a flexible conduit. The surgical endoscope is configured for operation by a single clinician in many procedures.

Abstract: An endoscope coupler with a split focus ring having direct engagement between the focus ring and the lens cell. The endoscope coupler may also have a changeable lens cartridge which can be replaced when moisture penetrates and ruins a the previous lens cartridge. Additional features may include branding security key which prevents use of replacement parts from third parties.

Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include an endoscope floor stand. In accordance with one embodiment, an endoscope floor stand may include a base and an adjustable body. The body may include at least a first elongated structure having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the base. The body may also include at least a second elongated structure slideably moveable relative to the first elongated structure to adjust a height of the endoscope floor stand, and the second elongated structure may be suspended above the base. The stand may also include a ball joint, wherein at least a portion of the ball joint is configured to removably couple to an end of the body located opposite the base. The ball joint may also include a holder extending from the ball joint and dimensioned to receive an endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscopic treatment instrument includes a guide sheath. The guide sheath includes a second distal end, which has an inside diameter to insert the insertion portion therethrough so that the distal end of the insertion portion is configured to protrude relative to the second distal end. The guide sheath is inserted through the guide pipe so that the second distal end is configured to protrude relative to the first distal end of the guide pipe.

Abstract: Navigation guidance is provided to an operator of an endoscope by determining a current position and shape of the endoscope relative to a reference frame, generating an endoscope computer model according to the determined position and shape, and displaying the endoscope computer model along with a patient computer model referenced to the reference frame so as to be viewable by the operator while steering the endoscope within the patient.

Abstract: A bending operation device includes a bending lever that is tiltably supported with an angle to a longitudinal direction of an operation section of an endoscope, a wire pulling member that includes a plurality of arm portions that are displaced according to tilting motion of the bending lever, a plurality of operation wires that are connected to the plurality of arm portions and that bend a bending portion provided in an insertion section of the endoscope according to displacement of the wire pulling member, and a plurality of pulleys that guide the plurality of operation wires to the plurality of arm portions, with the plurality of operation wires being substantially parallel to one another, when the bending lever is in a neutral position at which the bending portion is substantially straight.

Abstract: An image sensor module includes a circuit board, an image sensor, and a turning prism. The circuit board has first and second side sections each extending in a respective plane transverse to a plane of a center section to define a module interior volume. The image sensor has a bottom plane mounted on an inner face of the circuit board within the module interior volume. The turning prism has a mounting surface secured to a top plane of the image sensor. An electronic component arrangement is operatively mounted on the inner face of the circuit board between the image sensor and a circuit board rearward end. A number of wires providing power and data connections to the circuit board are operatively connected to contacts located on the circuit board in the interior volume between the electronic component arrangement and the circuit board rearward end.

Abstract: An endoscope with an optical channel is held and positioned by a robotic surgical system. A capture unit captures (1) a visible first image at a first time and (2) a visible second image combined with a fluorescence image at a second time. An image processing system receives (1) the visible first image and (2) the visible second image combined with the fluorescence image and generates at least one fluorescence image. A display system outputs an output image including an artificial fluorescence image.

Abstract: In a multiple viewing elements endoscope, fuzziness and blur in the images due to movement of the endoscope is reduced by using flashing illuminators instead of continuous illumination. In one embodiment, LED illuminators are flashed at high intensity and for a very short duration. To address interlacing artifacts, LEDs are flashed once at the end of a field and again at the beginning of the following field to minimize the time difference between the capture of the two fields. In another embodiment, the LEDs are flashed once wherein the single flash overlaps the end of a field and the beginning of the following field. In some embodiments, still images may be captured with fine detail by pressing a button on the endoscope handle which activates the LEDs to flash along with the capture of an image. In one embodiment, pressing a button for still image capture results in the capture of two fields, each accompanied by a flash, which are interlaced to form a single still image frame.

Abstract: A light source apparatus includes: a light source; a light source driving section; a light detection section; a temperature detection section; and a control section being configured to, when determining that detected brightness is outside a range of brightness set for detecting abnormality in the light source or the light detection section and detected temperature is within a range of temperature set for detecting the abnormality in the light source or the light detection section, cause the light source driving section to perform driving of the light source for a case of abnormality in the light detection section, and when determining that the detected brightness is outside the range of brightness and the detected temperature is outside the range of temperature, cause the light source driving section to perform driving of the light source for a case of abnormality in the light source.

Abstract: A smartphone endoscope system includes a smartphone with first and second imaging sensors, and an imaging optics attachment. The imaging optics attachment includes a first and second imaging apparatus, the first imaging apparatus including a first light source, a beam splitter, an objective lens, and a fiber optic imaging bundle, wherein the fiber optic imaging bundle delivers excitation light to a target which emits a fluorescence emission and a reflectance emission both collected by the fiber optic imaging bundle and transmitted to the first imaging sensor. The second imaging apparatus includes a second light source, a DRS source fiber delivering broadband light to the target which produces a diffuse reflectance emission, a DRS detection fiber, a collimator, a slit, and a transmission grating wherein the transmission grating diffracts diffuse reflectance emission and creates diffracted light which is transmitted to a second imaging sensor.

Abstract: A reprocessing system includes a decontamination basin, a lid, a cleaning assembly, an exterior body, and an actuating panel assembly. The lid is configured to enclose the interior surface of the decontamination basin in a closed configuration. The lid and an interior surface of the decontamination basin are configured to cooperate to house a medical device when in the lid is in the closed configuration. The cleaning assembly is operable to clean a medical device housed in the decontamination basin. The actuating panel assembly is configured to transition between a withdrawn position and an extended position. The actuating panel assembly is configured to be enclosed by the lid and the interior surface of the decontamination basin in the withdrawn position. The actuating panel assembly is configured to extend above a portion of the exterior body while the actuating panel assembly is in the extended position.

Abstract: A video endoscope including: a shank; an image-recording device arranged in a distal region of the shank; a flexible circuit board electrically connected to an image-recording device; and a cooling element; wherein the flexible circuit board rests on the cooling element and at least portions of an exterior of the cooling element fit an inner contour of the shank in a stress-free manner.

Abstract: A method for taking an impression for producing a dental prosthesis involves: A) generating an impression of regions of the upper jaw and lower jaw of a patient using an at least two-part tray, whereby the tray is inserted into the oral cavity of the patient; B) fixing the at least two tray parts to each other or against each other; C) determining the position and orientation of the at least two tray parts with respect to each other; and D) taking the tray parts out of the oral cavity of the patient. Also disclosed is the tray for implementing the method, whereby at least one marking is arranged on the surface of each tray part, and a device for intra-oral determination of the orientation and position of the marking and, thus, the at least two tray parts, is provided, whereby the device comprises a computer and a recording facility.

Abstract: A laryngoscope insertion section for a laryngoscope, which is typically a video laryngoscope, includes a lateral tube guide configured to retain an endotracheal tube in a plane. A viewing port for a camera or other image collector is laterally displaced from the plane of the endotracheal tube. The said plane of the endotracheal tube is aligned substantially in the same plane as a patient's median plane and the tube can be advanced into the larynx using a natural curving motion similar to the motion used to introduce an endotracheal tube using a convention laryngoscope. In a preferred embodiment, the distal tip of the insertion section and a retained endotracheal tube will be located in the patient's median plane during intubation. As the tube guide retains endotracheal tubes substantially in a plane, lateral curvature is avoided, reducing resistance to advancement of the tube.

Abstract: In an imaging system, vascular tomographic images and vascular fluoroscopic images which each include a plurality of frames are collected. A position of an image of the probe included in each of the frames of the fluoroscopic images is acquired. The frame of the fluoroscopic image and the frame of the tomographic image which is taken at substantially the same time as the frame of the fluoroscopic image are displayed at the same time. A position of a blood vessel designated by a user is acquired from the displayed frame of the fluoroscopic image. The frame of the fluoroscopic image which includes the image of the probe at a position closer to the position of the blood vessel designated by the user is displayed at the same time as the frame of the tomographic image which is taken at substantially the same time as the frame of the fluoroscopic image.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a fundus image includes: a processor and a memory; an illumination component including a light source and operatively coupled to the processor; a camera including a lens and operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to: execute an automated script for capture of the fundus image; and allow for manual capture of the fundus image.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ophthalmologic apparatus that includes an acquiring unit that acquires a tomographic image of a fundus of an eye to be inspected, and a display control unit that controls a display unit to display, in a state of corresponding to the acquired image, a comparison area corresponding to another tomographic image to be compared with the acquired tomographic image.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device having a single or dual compartment configuration selectively emits infrared and visible light beams onto one or a pair of target eyes. The device performs eye fundus imaging and aids in the detection of ailments as indicated by anomalies in the pupillary reflex.

Abstract: A photomedical system and method for treating and/or diagnosing a patient's eye that includes a first light source for producing light, a scanning device for deflecting the light to produce a pattern of the light on the eye, a viewing element positioned to view the eye by a user or physician, and an alignment element aligned to the viewing element and the scanning device for optically indicating through the viewing element a location on the eye on which the pattern of the light will be located, but without projecting any alignment light onto the eye.

Abstract: A system for performing measurements of an eye comprises: a measurement tool that measures the eye, at least one rest that maintains a facial measurement position and defines a centering rest portion that maintains a lateral facial measurement position; an adjuster mechanism that moves an objective of the measurement tool relative to the eye; and a processing unit configured to control the system. The unit controls the system to position, for a first eye, the objective at a predefined first pre-scan position; scan the objective away from the first pre-scan position until the system detects a pupil of the first eye; and trigger one or more measurements of the first eye dependent on the system detecting the pupil of the first eye.

Abstract: An ophthalmic technician is present with a patient in an exam room to operate eye examination equipment and transmit patient information to remote location. At that remote location, a skilled technician is present to provide the necessary optical care, and may operate the phoropter from the remote location. Using video and/or teleconferencing equipment and a phoropter located in the patient examination room along with management software, the system works to determine the final optical prescription for the patient. That information, coupled with findings from other devices which are integrated with the management software, and that the patient uses locally, are reviewed by a remote-based optometrist or ophthalmologist.