Abstract: A method of operating a beverage preparation machine that permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing and dispensing a beverage includes a beverage preparation and dispensing unit that has: an ingredient container (46, 50, 50a); a dispensing head (35) with a beverage outlet (36) for dispensing the beverage to a beverage dispensing surface (5, 37); and a liquid circuit for processing the beverage and delivering such beverage into the beverage outlet (36). The liquid circuit has at least one activatable unit (40, 51, 52) that is passed through by liquid during beverage preparation. The machine further includes: a power unit (54?) connected to a main switch (54) and to the activatable unit(s) (40, 51, 52); and a functional part that is configured to perform a function other than actuating the main switch (54) and that has a beverage preparing and dispensing position and that is movable into a different position in which no beverage is intended to be prepared or dispensed.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing and dispensing a beverage (2) has: a capsule extraction unit (10) having a first part (11) and a second part (12) that are relatively movable between a distant position for inserting a capsule (3) and a close position for extracting such capsule (3); a control unit (40) for controlling the extraction unit (10) to extract such capsule (3); an outlet (20) for dispensing said beverage (2) formed by extracting such capsule (3) to a user-receptacle (4) located in a receptacle placing area; and a capsule recognition arrangement (30) connected to the control unit (40) for recognizing the colour of at least part of a capsule inserted in the machine (1).

Abstract: A brewing device for preparing a hot beverage includes: a hot water supply device with a hot water outlet; a brewing unit that receives hot water from the supply device and dispenses brewed hot beverage through a fluid outlet line into a hot beverage outlet; a hot water bypass line; a controllable hot water switching device temporarily connecting the bypass line to the hot water outlet, the hot water supplied into the bypass line being dispensable into the hot beverage outlet; and a control unit controlling the hot water switching device. The hot beverage outlet includes a hot beverage dispensing line, the fluid outlet line and the bypass line opening into the hot beverage dispensing line downstream of the brewing unit and the hot water switching device, respectively, to dispense by the hot beverage dispensing line the brewed hot beverage and the hot water supplied into the bypass line.

Abstract: An infant bottle feeding system includes an infant bottle with a chamber that receives a liquid, heating or cooling elements operable to heat or cool liquid in the chamber and sensors operable to sense parameters of the liquid in the chamber. The system optionally includes an electronic base removably attached to a bottom surface of the infant bottle and operable to deliver power to electronics in the infant bottle. The system optionally includes a thermal cover that fits over the infant bottle and releasably couples to the electronic base to enclose the infant bottle, the thermal cover insulating the infant bottle and inhibiting heat loss of the liquid in the chamber. The electronic base delivers power to the heating elements and sensors in the infant bottle only when the infant bottle is on the electronic base. The infant bottle, thermal cover and electronic base define a single travel pack unit when coupled together.

Abstract: A smart cooking device and method are disclosed in the present disclosure. The smart cooking device includes a controller, a food material vessel, a storage vessel, a water storage vessel, a motor and a lifting and translating apparatus. The food material vessel is configured to store a food material and is provided with a first valve. The storage vessel is provided with a second valve. The water storage vessel is configured to accommodate a liquid to clean the food material. The motor is configured to be capable of driving the storage vessel to rotate according to the control of the controller. The lifting and translating apparatus is connected with the storage vessel and configured to be capable of moving according to the control of the controller thus to drive the storage vessel to move to the food material vessel, the water storage vessel or a cooking apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, a traction battery and a heating unit. The heating unit is disposed within a cargo bed of a vehicle and selectively powered by the traction battery. A heating unit powering method includes powering a heating unit within a cargo bed of a vehicle using a traction battery of the vehicle.

Abstract: A portable grill with an interchangeable grill lid to allow for different decorative lids to be screwed onto a universal base grill. The lid base sits on the grill body and screws into the body. The grill body includes a grill grate that fits all the different interchangeable grill lids. The interchangeable grill lids include various mascot and sports related designs.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a prefabricated modular shower enclosure, including a base with a plurality of engagement feature along a peripheral surface of the base, a plurality of alignment supports, and a surround panel. In some embodiments, at least one alignment support is positionable in a preselected relationship relative to the engagement features of the base, and the alignment supports are configured to be independently made square relative to the base. Additional exemplary embodiments provide a prefabricated shower enclosure, including a base with a plurality of engagement feature along a peripheral surface of the base, and a plurality of surround panels that engage the base. The modular shower enclosure reduces installation time and complexity by using components that are fabricated and cut to size offsite prior to installation at a job site.

Abstract: A travel case for a bar of soap is provided. In various embodiments, the travel case permits accelerated drying of the bar of soap and prolongs the life of the soap. The travel case is designed to maintain the bar of soap in a fixed horizontal and vertical position during transport. The travel case includes a lid and a base with a walled receiving portion. The receiving portion is configured to receive a bar of soap that is attached to a soap support and hold the soap support such that the bar of soap is prevented from contacting the surface of the soap case. A method of reversibly securing a bar of soap within a soap case while maintaining the soap in a fixed horizontal and vertical position is also provided herein.

Abstract: A fluid and cup dispensing apparatus includes a body having an interior cavity to hold cups and a fluid bottle; a door pivotally attached to the body, the door having an opening into a shelf to hold a single cup; a cup container secured within the interior cavity to hold the cups; a reservoir to removably receive the fluid bottle such that the fluid bottle is inverted and open, the reservoir having a tube extending to a position above the shelf; a control system with a power source to activate cup and fluid dispensing; and a button to activate the control system; the control system activates opening of the cup container to drop the single cup; and the control system activates fluid flow through the tube.

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: A foam soap-providing machine with function of recycling soap-liquid, which comprises: a container containing a soap-liquid and having a soap-releasing portion; a shell-group including at least two detachable shell-bodies combinedly disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the soap-releasing portion; and a faucet mounted on the upper end of the soap-releasing portion and having a soap-feeding portion provided for flowing out the pressurized soap-liquid; wherein the soap-feeding portion has a joint end; wherein a foam-generating module used to generate a foam and a foam-recycling module used to recycle the extruded unused foam are comprised in the shell-group; thereby it can generate foam and recycle the remaining foam in the soap-releasing portion through a single motor. Accordingly, the present invention greatly saves the structural volume and prevents the soap-liquid from being dropped outside and wasted.

Abstract: An exfoliation device for feet for use in a bathtub or shower comprising washable and replaceable parts created specifically for attending to the feet while standing, without the need to bend over structured and arranged to provide a user with an effortless means of exfoliating the feet and removing dead skin, while standing in the shower or bath.

Abstract: A dispensing system has a dispenser for sections of a material web wound onto a roll. A support bar is provided, on each end, a bearing journal protruding out from the roll. At least one of the two bearing journals has a mating surface which is not designed as a rotational surface. The dispenser has a guide for each bearing journal that extends to a dispensing position. A counter surface for the mating surface is provided at the beginning of the guide for each bearing journal that has the mating surface. The insertion of the roller into the dispenser is only possible if the mating surface coincides with the counter surface, which extends to in the dispensing position. The roller is rotatably arranged about the central area of the supporting rod, which does not rotate in the dispensing position.

Abstract: A wall-mountable toilet wipes dispenser with integrated air freshener is disclosed providing a convenient dispenser of pre-moistened toilet wipes, while also providing an air freshener that is conveniently replenished, without taking up space on the toilet, sink, or other bathroom surface. The dispenser includes a toilet wipe dispensing compartment to contain a package of toilet wipes; an air freshener compartment to contain an air freshener cartridge; and a wall fastener adapted to attach the toilet wipe dispensing compartment to a wall. The toilet wipe dispensing compartment has a top that can be opened to permit a package of toilet wipes to be inserted, with an opening for allowing a toilet wipe to be pulled out when the top is closed. The air freshener compartment can have an opening into the toilet wipe dispensing compartment so as to accommodate a package of toilet wipes having an air freshener cartridge attached thereto.

Abstract: A toilet seat includes a bottom plate including a first main part including a first opening, a pair of first hinge parts provided on both side ends of a first back end portion of the first main part, a top plate provided on the bottom plate, the top plate including a second main part including a second opening opposing the first opening and a pair of second hinge parts provided on both side ends of a second back end portion of the second main part, a first bonding member bonding an outer perimeter side of the bottom plate and the top plate, and a second bonding member bonding an inner perimeter side of the bottom plate and the top plate.

Abstract: The hand-held cleaner includes a body, and a cyclone dust collecting apparatus detachably mounted in the body. The cyclone dust collecting apparatus includes a pre-motor filter unit having a filter grill and a filter member, a dust collecting bin having one end to which the pre-motor filter unit is coupled and the other end opposite to the one end in which an cyclone inlet is formed, and a cyclone bin disposed in the dust collecting bin and having a spiral flow path-guide member integrally formed therein. A moving path of air drawn into the cyclone inlet is maintained in the same direction until the air is discharged through the pre-motor filter unit via the cyclone bin.

Abstract: A vacuum inlet valve assembly has a housing configured to be mounted exterior to a preexisting wall in a structure such that the housing is connected with a conduit and the conduit is exterior to the wall and retains a hose therein, and the hose is adapted to be pulled out from a stored position within the conduit external from the wall to an extracted position, and when in the extracted position, an end cap or hose plug on the hose is releasably connected with a connection assembly in the housing. A portion of the conduit is clear or translucent or transparent so an operator can watch the end cap or hose plug approach the connection assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a rod-type cleaning component and a dust collector with the same. The rod-type cleaning component includes a rod body, the rod body includes a suction pipe connected with a suction inlet of a floor brush, a recycling tank for recycling sewage and a solution tank for providing clean liquid, a main unit joint is arranged at an upper end of the rod body, a floor brush joint is arranged at a lower end, and more than one separation ribs are arranged in an inner cavity of the suction pipe to divide the inner cavity into more than two chamber air ducts.

Abstract: An integrated automobile vacuum system for cleaning a vehicle includes a vacuum motor with an intake side and an exhaust side. A power unit is coupled to the vacuum motor and provides power. An intake pipe is coupled to the intake aperture. A mounting plate is coupled to the intake pipe and is configured to attach to an interior wall of the vehicle. The mounting plate has a hose aperture extending through the interior wall and coupled to the intake pipe. A vacuum hose is selectively engageable with the hose aperture of the mounting plate. An exhaust hose has a motor end coupled to the exhaust aperture and a collection end coupled to a collection unit. The collection unit is configured to collect debris sucked through the vacuum motor.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a main body case which includes a main body connection port at a front side, a pair of wheels provided on the left and right side portions of the main body case to support the main body case movably and conceals at least a back surface of the main body case when viewed in a rotation axis direction, and a secondary battery provided in an area sandwiched between the pair of wheels and arranged in conformity with the shape of the main body case.

Abstract: An electric device as a first or second system component for a system which includes, as a first system component, a machine tool or a vacuum cleaner and, as a second system component, an electric energy storage module to provide electric energy for the first system component, with the system components having device interfaces compatible with one another for detachable fastening to one another and for the transmission of electric energy from the energy storage module to the machine tool or the vacuum cleaner, with the electric device having a communication interface for a wireless control connection to or from a vacuum cleaner to actuate the vacuum cleaner, which is provided to suction dust generated by the machine tool and either forms one of the two system components or is a vacuum cleaner separate from the system components and with the device interfaces being electrically and/or mechanically separated from one another in a separation status and being electrically and/or mechanically connected to one anot

Abstract: Examples of techniques for controlling a plurality of robotic cleaners are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a processing system, data about a physical space to be cleaned by at least one of the plurality of robotic cleaners. The method further includes generating, by the processing system, a cleaning plan for the physical space based at least in part on the data about the physical space. The method further includes dispatching, by the processing system, the at least one of the plurality of robotic cleaners within the physical space to clean the physical space based at least in part on the cleaning plan.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a driving wheel, a cleaning part, a dust-collecting unit, a dust collection amount detection part, and a travel control part. The dust collection amount detection part detects the amount of the dust and dirt accumulated in the dust-collecting unit. The travel control part controls the driving of the driving wheel to make the vacuum cleaner travel autonomously. The travel control part makes the vacuum cleaner travel to a dust station in the case the amount of the dust and dirt detected by the dust collection amount detection part is equal to or more than a specified amount while the cleaning part performs cleaning. The travel control part further makes the vacuum cleaner undock from the dust station to restart the cleaning after the dust and dirt accumulated in the dust-collecting unit is transferred to a dust-collecting container at the dust station. The vacuum cleaning apparatus can adopt a downsized vacuum cleaner while ensuring convenience.

Abstract: A cleaning accessory has a slit and an aperture to aid in cleaning a desired object. The slit is offset from the center of the cleaning accessory. The slit, among other uses, is useful for cleaning objects with edges or rims and also, sharp objects. The aperture is useful for gripping the cleaning accessory. Also, the cleaning accessory has a top layer and a bottom layer. A method for using the cleaning accessory is also disclosed.

Abstract: A dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, includes a dishwasher cavity for receiving an item to be washed. A door or flap is configured to close the dishwasher cavity and movable between an open and a closed position. Associated to the door or flap is a two-stage or multi-stage safety catch for transition between an open and a closed state of the door or flap. A device is provided to capture whether the door or flap is closed or open and to detect a traversal of the two-stage or multi-stage safety catch.

Abstract: A lock and a home appliance having the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance that includes a drying system is provided. In one exemplary aspect, the drying system includes an inlet duct having an inlet fan and a heating element disposed therein. The inlet fan is operable to draw ambient air into the inlet duct and move the air through the inlet duct into a tub of the dishwasher. The heating element heats the air passing through the inlet duct. The heated air facilitates drying of the articles within the wash chamber of the tub. The heated and pressurized air within the tub is forced into a vent duct positioned within a door of the dishwasher. An ambient fan draws ambient air into the vent duct to mix with the relatively hot and damp air forced out of the wash chamber by the inlet fan, e.g., to lower the dew point of the air exiting the dishwasher.

Abstract: A bracket is disclosed that may be configured to hold a rack of a dishwasher against a wall of a washing chamber of the dishwasher. The bracket may include a first bracket member comprising a first fastening element configured to fasten the first bracket member to a first mounting portion of the rack. The bracket may further include a second bracket member slidably arranged to the first bracket member along a first direction. The second bracket member may include a second fastening element configured to fasten the second bracket member to a second mounting portion of the rack upon a sliding movement of the second bracket member in the first direction. The present disclosure further relates to a rack comprising a bracket and a dishwasher comprising a rack.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible tube, for an endoscope, having a flexible tube substrate, for an endoscope, that is flexible and tubular and a resin layer covering the flexible tube substrate for an endoscope. The resin layer includes one or more layers, the layers including a layer A including a polyester elastomer (a) as a resin component, at least one of a phosphorus-containing compound (b1) or a thioether compound (b2), and a hindered amine compound (c). Also provided are an endoscopic medical device including the flexible tube for an endoscope and a resin composition and a set of resin compositions that are suitable for forming the resin layer of the flexible tube for an endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope having an insertion tube with a distal optical module and a releasable handle. In a semi-robotic embodiment, the handle comprises haptic controllers and a computer configured for steering and/or adjusting physical properties of the insertion tube in response to one or more command inputs from the haptic controllers. The computer may also convert image data received from the optical module into two-dimensional images displayable on a monitor. The endoscope may have inertial measurement units (IMUs) for providing data to the computer for creating a digital three-dimensional image representation of an anatomy model and/or for facilitating handling properties of the endoscope.

Abstract: An articulated tip part for an endoscope having a number of hingedly connected segments including a distal end segment and a second segment, wherein adjacent segments are interconnected by at least one hinge member, whereby the tip part can be bent by means of the hingedly connected segments, wherein the distal end segment comprises a first steering wire guide for accommodating and guiding a steering wire, and wherein the second segment comprises an insertion guide with an entry in an outer circumferential surface of the second segment and an exit aligned with an entry into the first steering wire guide, whereby an end of a steering wire can be guided into the entry of the first steering wire guide via the insertion guide.

Abstract: A medical system, having a treatment tool; an endoscope having an image sensor configured to capture an image; a driver configured to drive the endoscope; and a processor configured to control the driver, wherein the processor is configured to determine a locus of the treatment tool and control the driver for operating the endoscope according to the determined locus.

Abstract: An endoscope system according to the present invention includes: a first illuminating portion that emits first illumination lights having low-spatial-frequency and high-spatial-frequency and changes the intensity distribution of the first illumination lights over time; a second illuminating portion that emits a second illumination light; an imaging unit that images first and second illumination images of an subject respectively illuminated by the first and second illumination lights; and an image-processing portion that processes the first and second illumination images. The imaging unit images four images including images that correspond to the first illumination lights having low-spatial-frequency and high-spatial-frequency and images in which light and dark portions of the first illumination lights are exchanged with each other.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes an imaging element that images a subject through an imaging optical system including an objective lens disposed at a distal end part of the endoscope, a signal processing unit that processes a captured image signal, which is obtained by imaging the subject by the imaging element, to generate a captured image, an auxiliary measurement light emitting unit that emits planar auxiliary measurement light into a visual field of the imaging optical system from the distal end part, and a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the captured image including an intersection line formed in a portion where a plane formed by the auxiliary measurement light intersects the subject. The display control unit causes a scale serving as an index of the size of the subject to be displayed on the intersection line included in the captured image.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope, the flexible tube having a flexible tube base made of metal, a resin cover layer that covers an outer periphery of the flexible tube base, and a primer layer that includes a compound represented by formula (1) and that is disposed between the flexible tube base and the resin cover layer, in which the resin cover layer includes a polyurethane elastomer on a side in contact with the primer layer. X1 and X2 each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, or a carbamoyl group, Y1 represents a hydroxy group or an alkoxy group, and Y2 and Y3 each represent a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, or an alkyl group. L represents a single bond or a specific divalent group.

Abstract: A flexible tube insertion device includes a flexible tube section, at least one variable stiffness unit, at least one state detector, and a stiffness controller. The flexible tube section is segmented along an axial direction into segments and configured to be inserted into an insertion target. The variable stiffness unit is configured to vary bending stiffness of the flexible tube section in units at least one segment. The state detector is configured to detect information relating to shape information of the flexible tube section. The stiffness controller is configured to cause the variable stiffness unit to reduce bending stiffness of a portion of the flexible tube section including a place where the flexible tube section is easy to bend in units of at least one segment based on the shape information.

Abstract: A minimal invasive medical device comprises a reusable portion and a disposable portion connectable by a mechanism. The medical device further includes an actuation unit positioned in the reusable portion. The actuation unit is configured to deflect a tip of the disposable portion. The actuation unit is operable by at least one of a knob and an actuator to deflect the tip of the disposable portion. The configuration of the medical device enables in detaching the disposable portion from the reusable portion, which enables in reusing the medical device by replacing only the disposable portion, which facilitates in ensuring high hygiene and yet minimizing the surgical costs. Also, the medical device provides flexibility in repairing and serviceability.

Abstract: A single use endoscope device which is inserted inside a subject includes: a distal end portion which includes at least an imaging element; an operation unit which operates an operation of the endoscope device; a curved portion which can be curved inside the subject by operating the operation unit; a fractured portion which detaches the distal end portion from the curved portion; and a soft portion which is extended from the operation unit to the curved portion. The distal end portion, the curved portion and the soft portion are inserted in the subject, the operation unit, the curved portion, and the soft portion are discarded after use of the endoscope device, and the distal end portion and at least the imaging element included in the distal end portion are reused.

Abstract: An endoscope head or endoscope head attachment for retrofitting a generally known endoscope having an existing internal endoscope head has at least one individual optical unit for image transmission; a lighting source; and a working channel for guiding tools and/or for media to flow through. In addition, the endoscope head or attachment has an internal pivoting device which is designed to pivot at least one section of the endoscope head or attachment from a prograde orientation into a lateral or a retrograde orientation. The optical unit and the working channel of the endoscope head or attachment are coupled directly or indirectly to the pivoting device, so that they can be pivoted together with the latter.

Abstract: A protection cover for a nose endoscopy, and more particularly to a protection cover for a nose endoscopy that can prevent discharges generated during sneezing in a nose endoscopy from being ejected to a healthcare provider. The protection cover for a nose endoscopy includes: a fixed member coupled to the head of a wearer; and a main cover coupled to a lower portion of the fixed member and configured to cover a front surface of the face of the wearer, A through-hole for exposing the nostrils of the wearer to the outside is formed in the main cover.

Abstract: A system for propelling a magnetic robotic device through a human comprises a magnetic actuator device operable to generate a rotating magnetic field, and a magnetic robotic device comprising a compliant body and at least two permanent magnets supported by and spatially separated about the compliant body. A non-magnetic region can also be oriented between the at least two permanent magnets. The at least two permanent magnets can be alternating or non-alternating in polarity with each other. In response to application of the rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic actuator device and that is situated proximate the magnetic robotic device, the rotating magnetic field effectuates undulatory locomotion of the magnetic robotic device to propel the magnetic robotic device through a human, such as through a natural lumen. Further, the magnetic robotic device can optionally be supported by a catheter or endoscope to assist with propelling a distal end through a human.

Abstract: Biological tissue such as skeletal and cardiac muscle can be imaged by using an objective-based probe in the tissue and scanning at a sufficiently fast rate to mitigate motion artifacts due to physiological motion. According to one example embodiment, such a probe is part of a system that is capable of reverse-direction high-resolution imaging without needing to stain or otherwise introduce a foreign element used to generate or otherwise increase the sensed light. The probe can include a light generator for generating light pulses that are directed towards structures located within the thick tissue. The system can additionally include aspects that lessen adverse image-quality degradation. Further, the system can additionally be constructed as a hand-held device.

Abstract: An endoscope system according to the present invention includes: a second illumination unit that emits second illumination light; a first illumination unit that emits, simultaneously with the second illumination light, first illumination light that is light of a different wavelength band from the second illumination light and is for imaging two sets of image information about a subject different depths; an imaging unit that simultaneously images a first illumination image of the subject illuminated with the first illumination light and a second illumination image of the subject illuminated with the second illumination light; a separation processing unit that separates the two sets of image information from the first illumination image; and a separated-image creating unit that processes the second illumination image using the two sets of image information to create separated images.

Abstract: An integrated endoscope and visualization system comprises an endoscope, a visualization processing module and a 3D display device such as smart-glasses or naked-eye 3D display. The endoscope is equipped with two image capturing modules such as CMOS image sensors and can be disposable. The visualization processing module receives and encodes the images obtained by the two image capturing modules in order to generate an output visualization signal. The output visualization signal is transmitted to and displayed by the 3D display device in a 3D manner. The integrated endoscope and visualization system not only provides a 3D vision of surgical target during an endoscopic surgery operation, but also allow the medical personnel to walk or move during the surgery while keeping looking at the 3D images captured by the endoscope through wearable display devices.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a tip part for an endoscope including providing a camera assembly with an image sensor and a circuit board; providing a distal end segment having a distal end and a circumferential wall enclosing a spacing; providing an exterior housing having a circumferential wall enclosing a spacing; inserting the distal end of the camera assembly in the spacing of the exterior housing; positioning the proximal end of the exterior housing adjacent to the distal end of the distal end segment; injecting an adhesive into the spacing of the distal end segment so that at least parts of the circuit board are embedded in the adhesive; and allowing or causing the adhesive to harden; whereby the distal end segment, camera assembly and exterior housing form an assembled tip part of an endoscope attached to each other by means of the adhesive.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a tip part for an endoscope including providing a camera assembly, an exterior housing including a circumferential wall enclosing a spacing and a distal end wall integral with the circumferential wall and having an opening; inserting a lens barrel of the camera assembly in the spacing so that a distal end of the lens barrel of the camera assembly extends into the opening, and so that an axially extending adhesive spacing is provided between the opening and the lens barrel along a circumference of the lens barrel, a radial extent of the adhesive spacing gradually being reduced in a direction towards the spacing of the exterior housing; injecting an adhesive into the adhesive spacing; and allowing or causing the adhesive to harden so as to adhere the lens barrel to the distal end wall of the exterior housing.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscopic device, including: an image sensor section including an image sensor that senses and converts lights into an electrical signal; a substrate that is electrically connected to the image sensor section; and an intermediate unit, interposed between the image sensor section and the substrate, that electrically connects the image sensor section and the substrate.

Abstract: An endoscope cleansing accessory is described for use with an automatic endoscope reprocessing (AER) apparatus which utilizes the motive force provided by a flowing cleansing fluid already within the AER to actuate an actuator wheel of the endoscope during the cleansing process. The movement or actuation of the actuator wheel during cleansing in turn imparts a back and forth motion to an elevator platform or forceps raiser within the endoscope to loosen tissue and other particles that are then flushed out by the flowing cleansing fluid.