Abstract: This is an improved cleaning tool, called a duster, whose offset hinging can rotate around an axis to shift its footprint outside the position of the cleaning surfaces.

Abstract: A dishwasher including a nozzle capable of widening an injection region of washing water includes a main body, a washing tub provided inside the main body, and a nozzle configured to inject washing water into the inside of the washing tub, wherein the nozzle includes an injection port through which the washing water is injected, a guide portion configured to spirally guide the washing water injected through the injection port, and a leg portion configured to connect the guide portion and the injection port.

Abstract: The stationary gasket used in all kinds of dishwashers and similar household appliances, characterized in that; it ensures the sealing not by being compressed but by stretching and ensures sealing in both ways with a single part.

Abstract: A household dishwasher includes a washing chamber, a controller apparatus configured to perform a wash program from a number of wash programs for washing items to be washed arranged in the washing chamber, an optical sensor configured to capture an optical sensor signal of the washing chamber during performance of the wash program, and an evaluating unit configured to ascertain a subsequent loading of items to be washed by a user as a function of the captured optical sensor signal of the washing chamber, to determine a point in time of the subsequent loading in the wash program, and to perform a predetermined action as a function of the ascertained subsequent loading and the determined point in time.

Abstract: A detergent dispenser may be positioned to dispense detergent into a wash tub of a household appliance, and may include: a detergent carrier with a plurality of detergent units, each of the detergent units including one or more walls defining a cavity with a dispensing opening, and a door movable between an open and closed position; a housing for receiving the detergent carrier, the housing including a dispensing outlet; a carrier driver for moving the detergent carrier between a plurality of positions, each position orienting one of the dispensing units proximate the dispensing outlet, where when one of the dispensing units is proximate the dispensing outlet the door of the one of the plurality of dispensing units is open, otherwise the door is closed.

Abstract: A retracting rack for an appliance such as a dish washing appliance. The rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A spring may drive the rack towards the stowed position. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the rack in one or more positions. A release mechanism and/or a reset mechanism may be used to control the retracting cycle of the rack.

Abstract: A retracting rack for an appliance such as a dish washing appliance. The rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A spring may drive the rack towards the stowed position. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the rack in one or more positions. A release mechanism and/or a reset mechanism may be used to control the retracting cycle of the rack.

Abstract: Drying racks that can be nested during shipment and/or storage are described. One drying rack includes an upper portion having a first and second drying areas. The drying areas define a gap between their lower extents. The drying rack also includes a baseboard portion to catch liquid draining through the first drying area and a baseboard extension configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the baseboard extension extends beneath the second drying area so as to catch liquid draining through the second drying area and, in the second position, the baseboard extension overlaps the baseboard portion exposing the gap between the first drying area and the second drying area so as to enable nesting of the drying rack with other like-designed drying racks.

Abstract: Control of expansion of a depth of field using a birefringent mask is realized in a more preferred aspect. A medical image processing apparatus includes a control unit that performs control so as to generate a corrected image by executing image processing on an image obtained by imaging a subject image of a patient acquired via an optical system including a birefringent mask and an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding an application situation of high-pressure steam sterilization processing on the optical system, in which the control unit controls the image processing according to the application situation of the high-pressure steam sterilization processing.

Abstract: An optical module for endoscope includes an optical element including an external terminal, a housing in which an insertion hole into which an optical fiber is inserted is present and has a bottom and a bottom surface made of a transparent material, and a sealing plate that is bonded to the housing. The optical element is stored in an upper recess of the housing, the external terminal and a bonding electrode are connected using a bonding wire, and a wire recess in which a part of the bonding wire is stored is present in a bottom surface of the upper recess.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an active bending portion that is configured to be bent in a first direction according to a bending operation of an operator, a passive bending portion that is provided on a proximal end side of the active bending portion and is passively bent by receiving an external force without being bent according to the bending operation of the operator, and a flexible tube. The passive bending portion includes a first area including two coupling portions that couple two adjacent bending pieces rotatably around two rotation axes crossing at a first angle around a central axis of an insertion portion with respect to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and a second area including two coupling portions that couple another two adjacent bending pieces rotatably around two second rotation axes crossing at a second angle larger than the first angle with respect to the second direction.

Abstract: A rigidizing overtube includes an elongate flexible tube, one or more mounting elements attached to the flexible tube, and a plurality of engagers connected to the one or more mounting elements. The rigidizing overtube has a flexible configuration in which the plurality of engagers are configured to move relative to other engagers to accommodate bending of the flexible tube. The rigidizing overtube also has a rigid configuration in which the plurality of engagers are fixed relative to other engagers to prevent the flexible tube from bending.

Abstract: Medical devices are disclosed. An example surgical spacemaking device may include an elongate element configured for insertion into a patient's body and including a distal end portion and an internal lumen, an inner element disposed generally coaxially within the internal lumen of the elongate element, an expandable element disposed generally circumferentially about a distal end portion of the inner element, and an actuator operable to reposition the expandable element between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. In the contracted configuration, the expandable element may have a relatively small diameter and, in the expanded configuration, the expandable element may have a relatively large diameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens unit having a cover member which does not cause deviation in precision and capable of being manufactured efficiently at low cost. In a lens unit 10A, side surfaces of a cover member 14a continuing from a front end surface 29 to a rear end surface located at a lens side are formed in a regular quadrangular prism, at least two of corners of the regular quadrangular prism are in contact with an inner peripheral surface 27 of a housing space 17 of a holder 11a for housing the cover member 14a, a gap 34 is formed between each of the side surfaces of the cover member 14a and the inner peripheral surface 27 of the holder 11a, and an effective area of a light beam is located inside a light receiving area having a regular quadrangular shape surrounded by an outer peripheral edge of the front end surface 29 of the cover member 14a.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an observation through hole which is formed in a distal end portion body, an opening shape of the observation through hole being defined by a pair of long sides which face each other and a pair of short sides which face each other; grooves for cutting machining clearance, the grooves being formed at four corners where the long sides and the short sides respectively intersect with each other during machining the observation through hole; an observation lens being inserted into the observation through hole; and an adhesive material which is circumferentially disposed between the observation through hole and the observation lens. In such an endoscope, each groove is formed in contact with the short sides, and projects toward the outside of the observation through hole from the long sides.

Abstract: A coupler device for a forward viewing endoscope comprises a main body having a proximal end configured to attach to the distal end portion of the endoscope and a distal end portion that at least partially seals the distal end portion of the scope and allows for viewing of the surgical site. The coupler device may include a flexible working channel extension for attachment to the working channel of the endoscope. The coupler device provides a protective cover to reduce the ingress of debris, fluid, bacteria, or other unwanted matter from the working end of the endoscope which could lead to infection and decreased performance of the scope. A kit for use in an endoscopic procedure on a patient comprises the coupler device and an end viewing endoscope having a working channel, a light and a camera lens.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion; a first projecting portion; a second projecting portion; an illumination window disposed on an outer peripheral surface side of the first projecting portion, the illumination window being disposed about an axis along a longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion, the illumination window having a light emitting surface from which an illumination light for illuminating an inside of a subject is emitted in a direction which includes a sideward direction of the insertion portion; and a mask configured to restrict sideward emission of the illumination light from the illumination window, wherein the mask has a shape inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis direction so as to increase a quantity of the illumination light emitted toward the second projecting portion from a distal end side toward a proximal end side of a distal end portion of the insertion portion.

Abstract: Endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described for configuring a viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope with a light refracting element, such as glass and/or plastic prism for instance. The light refracting element can be utilized in and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light passing into the trocar through the trocar's window. As a result, the angled endoscope's field of view can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar's window, thus allowing the angled endoscope and viewing trocar to be used together to create ports in a patient, including initial ports of endoscopic surgical procedures.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope having an endoscope head with a working channel for guiding microtools, and an Albarran lever that is insertable on and detachable from the endoscope head, and having a tool guide surface with which a tool that is guidable through the working channel may come into contact in order to be deflected in the lateral direction of the endoscope head. An Albarran lever arrangement space is delimited by two flank sections of the endoscope head that extend in the distal direction. An Albarran lever pivot shaft, from which a shaft section protrudes with respect to the Albarran lever arrangement space with a length, is supported in one of the flank sections. The Albarran lever has a shaft insertion hole for inserting the shaft section, and has a width in a direction that is parallel to the shaft insertion hole.

Abstract: The invention refers to an endoscope head comprising an endoscope head body, in which at least one working channel is formed, wherein an Albarran lever capable of being pivoted is provided at the distal working channel end portion. The Albarran lever can be attached at and removed from the endoscope head body.

Abstract: A distal end portion of an endoscope including a holding portion; a prism holding frame; a cam; a traction member that applies, to the prism holing frame, a first moment of causing the prism holding frame to rotate in one direction through traction; and an elastic member including a secured portion and a pressing portion, the elastic member being configured to generate a second moment in a direction opposite to a direction of the first moment in the prism holding frame using a force applied to the prism holding frame through the pressing of the pressing portion to cause the prism holding frame to rotate in another direction.

Abstract: A kit for use in an endoscopic procedure on a patient comprises a device for use in the endoscopic procedure, such as an external accessory device for an endoscope or an endoscopic device configured for advancement through an opening into a patient. The kit further includes a coupler device for an endoscope that comprises a main body having a proximal end configured to attach to the distal end portion of the endoscope, and a mechanism for articulating an instrument passing through the endoscope so that instruments can exit the endoscope at various angles. The coupler device also provides a protective cover to reduce the ingress of debris, fluid, bacteria, or other unwanted matter from the working end of the endoscope which could lead to infection and decreased performance of the scope.

Abstract: A system for generating a 3D model of a surgical site includes a 3D endoscope and a computing device coupled to the 3D endoscope. The 3D endoscope includes a scanner for scanning a surface of a surgical site and a camera source for generating images of the surgical site. A 3D model of the surgical site, including objects therein, is generated using scan data and image data. The 3D model is updated by detecting a change in the surgical site, isolating a region of the surgical site where the change is detected, generating second scan data by scanning the surface of the isolated region, and updating the 3D model generated using the second scan data of the surface of the isolated region.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and related method includes an instrument body, a guide shaft distally projecting from the instrument body, and a first surgical tool. The guide shaft has a guide sidewall, a guide lumen, and a clearance opening radially extending through the guide sidewall in communication with the guide lumen. The first surgical tool has an elongate body and a distal head configured to deflect relative to the elongate body from a first position to a second position. The distal head in the first position is positioned within the guide lumen along the central axis. The distal head in the second position is deflected from the central axis and extends at least partially through the clearance opening thereby vacating at least a portion of the guide lumen for introducing a second surgical tool through the guide lumen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a digital camera, a speculum and an attachment means for attaching the camera to the speculum, wherein the speculum defines a first end with a first opening, and a second end with a second opening; and wherein the attachment means is attached to the first end of the speculum and the camera is has a first position substantially in the plane of the first opening such that it can view a region beyond the second opening. The device may be an otoscope and may be used in the visualization and treatment of the ear canal.

Abstract: This application presents to an endoscope having a compact distal tip, and to a method for constructing same. In some embodiments one or more optical and sensing elements are mounted directly on an internal surface of a lumen within an external housing, which housing comprises an outer wall of the endoscope tip. Space saved by eliminating intervening containing elements can be used to enhance endoscope performance and/or reduce endoscope size.

Abstract: An insertion portion of an endoscope includes: an image pickup unit having an observation unit and an image pickup cable; and a distal end frame member having a first hole and a second hole and having a contact surface with which a proximal end portion is brought into contact when the image pickup cable is provided in the second hole. The second hole has a shape in which the image pickup cable is rotatable together with the observation unit in a state where the image pickup cable is provided in the second hole.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope. The endoscope includes an objective lens provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, an image sensor in which a light receiving area is formed on a surface facing the objective lens, and a drive circuit substrate that is disposed on a back side of the image sensor and includes a drive circuit to drive the image sensor, the endoscope further including an electromagnetic shield that houses the image sensor and the drive circuit substrate, in which the electromagnetic shield includes: a first shield member including a cylinder that covers a side portion of the image sensor, a structure that is disposed between the image sensor and the objective lens and that has an opening that allows entrance of light from the objective lens, and a wiring pattern that is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and the structure.

Abstract: Video laryngoscope system including a video laryngoscope having a laryngoscope handle and a laryngoscope blade. The video laryngoscope system includes an image capture module with at least two stationary imaging units spaced apart along the laryngoscope blade for providing real-time video streams of a patient's airway passage during an intubation and a controller for enabling a clinician performing the intubation to select one or more of the real-time video streams for real-time display on a display screen to assist intubation of a patient.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a light source that is configured to emit primary light; plural illuminators that are configured to be irradiated with the primary light to emit plural respective illumination light generated based on the radiated primary light toward an observation object so that at least part of the plural illumination light overlap on the observation object; and an adjuster that is configured to desirably adjust a ratio of light quantities of the primary light that travels from the light source to the respective illuminators, so as to distribute the primary light to the respective illuminators.

Abstract: A medical device such as a catheter or endoscope device includes an illumination light source having one or more organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The OLEDs are energized to produce illumination light that is received by an image sensor or camera to produce images of tissue within a patient's body. A heat conductive polymer conducts heat away from the illumination light source.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system for guiding a cleaning implement and a method of use thereof are provided. The apparatus comprises a body and a guide. The body comprises a surface configured to be received by a valve port of a medical device. The guide comprises a first guide port, a second guide port, and a conduit. The first guide port is disposed at a first position on the surface of the body and the second guide port is disposed at a second position on the surface of the body that is different from the first position. The second position is configured to align the second guide port with a lumen of the medical device. The conduit extends through the body from the first guide port to the second guide port. The conduit comprises a contour configured to guide the cleaning implement between the first guide port and the lumen.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise endoscopes (e.g., arthroscopes) for viewing inside a cavity of a body. The endoscopes may include at least one solid state emitter such as a light emitting diode (LED) located at the distal end of the endoscope. The endoscope may comprise a thermally conductive cradle attached to the distal end of the endoscope. The thermally conductive cradle may be configured to dissipate heat generated by the solid state emitter away from the distal end of the endoscope. The thermally conductive cradle may also be electrically conductive. Further, the thermally conductive cradle may also function as a support structure for a plurality of lenses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods, devices, and systems that light and magnify a treatment site within the oral cavity without interfering with a dental treatment procedure. In particular, example embodiments of the present invention provide a virtual operatory system that includes an image capture subsystem connected to an image display subsystem. For example, the image capture subsystem can capture and communicate a live image of a treatment site to the image display subsystem for the dental professional to view while performing a dental treatment procedure. In at least one example embodiment, the virtual operatory system can also include an image rendering subsystem that can render the live image of the treatment site in one or more ways to provide an improved visual to the dental professional of the treatment site.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for intubation. The present disclosure relates to an image-guided laryngoscope comprising a housing having a translational assembly, a primary blade coupled to a distal end of the housing and having a channel, a camera assembly having an image capture device, a display holder coupled to a proximal end of the housing and configured to hold a display, and an endotracheal tube configured to translate within the channel of the primary blade.

Abstract: A laryngeal access system includes a laryngeal blade with a proximal portion and a distal portion, an inner channel extending longitudinally through the laryngeal blade, wherein an outer wall of the laryngeal blade has an opening therethrough extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion of the blade through which an object can pass through the outer wall into the inner channel, an articulating member provided at the distal portion of the blade, and an actuator provided at the proximal portion of the blade and coupled to the articulating member, wherein the actuator moves the articulating member from a first position, in which the articulating member has a first longitudinal axis, to a second position, in which the articulating member extends at an angle relative to the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscope is configured as a single-use (e.g., disposable) device. The bronchoscope includes an insertion tube having a proximal section adjacent the handle and a distal tip. An ultrasound transducer assembly is located at the distal tip. The ultrasound transducer assembly includes an ultrasound transducer array, transmit-and-receive circuitry for the ultrasound transducer array, and a flexible interconnection between the ultrasound transducer array and the transmit-and-receive circuitry. The insertion tube further includes an imaging lumen including one or more power cables and one or more communication wires that extend from the ultrasound transducer assembly through the proximal section and a working channel that is separate from the imaging lumen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring a sensitivity level across a visual field of a subject defined by a set of locations.

Abstract: A field of vision assessment is performed by reported positional feedback of visual markers at an outer circumference of a subject's field of vision. An array of visual markers arranged in a grid is rendered near a peripheral vision limit of the subject. The visual markers are disposed at known locations relative to an origin of the field of vision of the subject. Based on reported visual markers, a mapping of the visual markers to the location denotes a point on a periphery of limit of the visual field. The mapped points define vertices of a polyhedron having edges denoted by the vertices and the origin. The volume of the resulting polyhedron correlates to the field of vision of the subject, since as the periphery of the field of vision increases, the computed volume also increases.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus may include: a wavelength sweeping light source; a reference optical system; a calibration optical system; a light receiving element configured to receive calibration interference light which is a combination of calibration light and reference light; and a signal processor configured to sample a calibration interference signal outputted from the light receiving element when it receives the calibration interference light. The signal processor may sample the calibration interference light in at least first and second frequency bands, which are different and used for measuring a specific region of a subject eye. The ophthalmic apparatus calculates a difference between first and second waveforms, the first waveform being a waveform of the calibration interference signal that is sampled in the first frequency band and Fourier transformed, the second waveform being a waveform of the calibration interference signal that is sampled in the second frequency band and Fourier transformed.

Abstract: A refraction device includes a main body, a spherical power lens coupled to the main body, an astigmatic power lens movably coupled to the main body, and a visual display coupled to the main body and oriented toward an optical pathway extending through the spherical power lens and the astigmatic power lens. The visual display is configured to display an image for testing visual acuity.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor measures the phase distribution of a beam of light perpendicular to its axis of propagation. The Shack-Hartmann (S-H) wavefront sensor is based on segmentation of the incident light beam into small, spatially distributed, parts. Each of these parts is then incident on a lens, and the deviation of the focal spot from the lens optical axis is measured in two dimensions, usually by a camera or detector array. An array of lenses is used to characterize the wavefront of the entire beam.

Abstract: Methods for automated segmentation system for retinal blood vessels from optical coherence tomography angiography images include a preprocessing stage, an initial segmentation stage, and a refining stage. Application of machine-learning techniques to segmented images allow for automated diagnosis of retinovascular diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: Provided is a microscope apparatus including: a microscope section configured to image a subject's eye with an image sensor for performing magnified observation of the subject's eye; a holding section configured to hold the microscope section; a front lens insertion/removal unit configured to insert/remove a front lens for observing a posterior eye of the subject's eye onto an optical axis of the microscope section; and a control apparatus configured to execute an AF control that focuses the microscope section on an image-forming position of an image of the posterior eye by the front lens when the front lens is inserted onto the optical axis of the microscope section by the front lens insertion/removal unit.

Abstract: A device and method of ophthalmic diagnosis of lesions on retina utilizing a slit lamp apparatus with a pupil reader and at least one visible LED and one Infrared LED to detect a lesion on the retina of an eye.

Abstract: The multi-scale scanning imaging system (200) of the retina comprises according to an example a lighting and detection module (210) configured for emitting a lighting beam and for detecting a beam reemitted by the retina, a first scanning module (231) of the lighting beam and the reemitted beam, a first optical path, referred to as a “wide field” path, and a second optical path, referred to as a “small field” path, for focusing the lighting beam on the retina and for receiving the beam reemitted by the retina. The “wide field” path comprises a first optical system (205, 201) configured to conjugate a plane located near a plane of rotation of the scanning module and the plane (17) of the entrance pupil of the eye (10).

Abstract: A user-wearable sensor device may be configured to be directly or indirectly secured to a user or to an article worn by the user. The user-wearable sensor device may include at least one sensor configured to collect sensor data associated with an orientation of the user, a display unit including at least one LED or other visual indicator, a battery configured to provide power to at least the display unit, and a control system. The control system may be configured to determine the orientation of the user based on sensor data collected by the at least one sensor, maintain the display unit in a deactivated state in the absence of a defined activation input, detect a defined activation input, activate the deactivated display unit in response to detecting the defined activation input, and control the activated display unit based on the determined orientation of the user.

Abstract: An analyte monitoring system may include an analyte sensor, a transceiver, and a display device. The transceiver may be configured to operate in two or more modes of operation. The display device may be configured to communicate with the transceiver. The two or more modes of operation may include a clinical mode in which the transceiver receives first sensor data from the analyte sensor and calculates one or more first analyte levels using at least the received first sensor data but does not convey the one or more first analyte levels to the display device. The two or more modes of operation may include an unblinded mode in which the transceiver receives second sensor data from the analyte sensor, calculates one or more second analyte levels using at least the received second sensor data, and conveys the one or more second analyte levels to the display device.

Abstract: The invention includes a location tracking device in an RFID environment, a system and method for tracking tag objects. Preferred embodiments include location tracking for livestock and a system and method for categorizing animal health. The location tracking device is an active or passive RFID device having a low power, long range transceiver for tracking the location and movement of the tag animal. The RFID device further includes a temperature reader circuit that induces an activation voltage on an inductive coupled temperature sensor having an LC circuit. The activation voltage is selectively cycled on and off to measure the decay of the LC circuit by its resonant frequency. Changes in capacitance of the LC circuit are converted to temperature readings thereby providing temperature monitoring of the animal. The system and method includes logic in the form of predetermined movement categories which indicate whether an animal may be potentially sick or healthy.

Abstract: Monitoring of one or more key indicators can provide powerful insights into the operation and state of different physical systems. For example, continuous monitoring of multiple analytes in a subject allows for detailed insights into personal health as well as allowing for the implementation of preventative health measures. Herein are described design and processing methods for a small wireless multi-analyte sensing platform that can be used to monitor multiple analytes such as glucose, lactate, Urea and other physicochemical quantities. The design techniques and processing methods presented herein can be used for a multitude of other applications and are not limited to those described here.