Abstract: Various tamper resistant latches for product dispensers are provided herein. An example product dispenser includes a housing capable of being opened. When closed, the housing defines an at least partially enclosed internal space for receiving a supply of product and limiting access to the supply of product. A latch comprises a base portion mounted to the housing, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm and second arm each extend from the base portion and are each capable of being independently moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position such that either of the first arm or the second arm may move to the unlocked position without causing the other to also move to the unlocked position—thereby providing a tamper resistant latch where both the first arm and the second arm need to move to the unlocked position to enable opening of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for dispensing of paper products. The dispenser includes two vertically offset rollers configured to be inserted in a rolled paper product to support it in an elliptical shape.

Abstract: An expandable toilet paper roll holder. The device includes a base unit having a bottom wall, a rear wall, a pair of sidewalls, a front wall having a lower access opening, and an open upper end defining an interior volume. Multiple tiers positioned above the base unit are disposed in a telescopic arrangement, such that the tiers are moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. Each tier defines an interior channel configured to enclose a toilet paper roll. A removably attached handle includes a pair of prongs that extend into the interior volume of the base unit through a pair of vertically spaced apertures disposed on one sidewall of the base unit. Each prong supports a hollow core of a toilet paper roll within the interior volume of the base unit, such that a toilet paper roll is accessible through the lower access opening of the front wall.

Abstract: A forced-air hand dryer having means and apparatus for decontaminating air passing through the forced-air hand dryer. In general, the embodiments described comprise at least one or a plurality of airflow generators, at least one conduit for passing air through the conduits and to at least one decontamination system where the air undergoes filtration and decontamination. The air generated may be located upstream or downstream of a hand-receiving area where a user places his or her hands for drying.

Abstract: The present invention is a toilet seat that includes a top surface to support the user's body; a bottom surface designed to rest on a toilet bowl for support; and a lifter attached to the bottom surface for raising the toilet seat directly vertically above the toilet bowl and for tilting the toilet seat such that a rear portion of the toilet seat assumes a vertically higher position than front portion of the toilet seat while remaining above the toilet bowl, wherein the lifter is structured to move the toilet seat into the vertically higher position; and a handle attached to the toilet seat for manually moving the toilet seat into the vertically higher position.

Abstract: Incorporation of a materially superior hollow rubberized compressible seal (not the animal) into the seat and lid components of a toilet, thereby forming an improved air seal of the toilet bowl compartment and curtailing exfiltration of contaminated air and vapor through the nominal gaps between the lid and seat, and between the seat and bowl rim. The intentions of this historically significant advancement in toilet technology are to raise the standard of living for all of humanity and to enrich the inventor financially.

Abstract: Toilet bowl with foot support for multipurpose use, which combines the traditional toilet bowl and the traditional squat toilet, to offer a single sanitary fixture that provides a functional structure for use in the traditional position, seated with the feet on the floor, and while squatting, which comprises two foot supports on each side of the pre-formed toilet bowl, forming a single body; a second modified toilet bowl model, wherein the foot supports are formed by later inserting a set of solid pre-formed bars into the openings on each side of the modified toilet bowl. The invention provides a folding handle connected to the openings in the toilet bowls and; complemented, to facilitate the use of the invention, by a fixed grab bar/s screwed to the vertical sidewalls.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a canister defining a debris chamber, a vacuum hose adapted for fluid connection to the debris chamber, a lid mounted to the canister, and a motor cover mounted to the lid and including at least one hose retainer. The hose retainer includes at least two ribs and a retention portion attached to the ribs. The ribs and the retention portion are spaced from a central portion of the motor cover to define an insertion opening. The ribs and the retention portion deflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an open position when the vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening. The ribs and the retention portion are biased in a second direction towards the retention position such that the ribs exert a positive retention force on the vacuum hose when the vacuum hose is positioned within the hose retainer.

Abstract: The invention offers a vacuum cleaner nozzle and vacuum apparatus which can ensure air tightness and prevent vacuum mouth from tilting up. The vacuum cleaner nozzle offered is to be matched with air duct connecting portion of vacuum apparatus, which includes a connecting duct connected to air duct connecting portion; a nozzle main body, having exhaust port which corresponds to air duct connecting portion and is rotatably connected to the other end of connecting duct; a hollow accommodating part which is located in front of exhaust port as well as vacuum mouth which is provided on hollow accommodating part and directed toward surface to be cleaned; a flexible hose, locating between connecting duct and exhaust port with leak-proof fitting; a resilient component butted separately to connecting duct and nozzle main body, for keeping included angle between axis of connecting duct and support surface at predetermined angle.

Abstract: An in-line vacuum filter comprises a manifold having an inlet, an outlet, a collecting container, and an actuatable filter paddle. A flow of air generated by a source of negative pressure travels from the inlet to the outlet. The actuatable filter paddle is positioned within the manifold such that it can be actuated between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the actuatable filter paddle is placed within the flow of air and in the second position, the actuatable filter paddle is removed from the flow of air. The filter paddle is preferably arcuate concave and comprises a plurality of apertures. In the first position, the filter paddle gradually diverts objects larger than a width of the apertures away from the flow of air. Diverted objects may travel to a removable collection container.

Abstract: A cleaner capable of separating a dust separator from a main body and separating a dust container from the dust separator by using a button. The cleaner includes: a main body; a dust separator detachably coupled to the main body configured to separate dust contained in air; a dust container detachably coupled to the dust separator; and a button configured to separate the dust separator from the main body and separate the dust container from the dust separator, when the dust separator is separated from the main body.

Abstract: Provided is a cyclone dust collector with improved usability, a vacuum cleaner having the cyclone dust collector, and a handy-stick type vacuum cleaner having the cyclone dust collector. The handy-stick type vacuum cleaner includes the cyclone dust collector. The cyclone dust collector includes a suction duct configured to suction air in a first direction and provided with an air suction passage formed therein, a cyclone chamber configured to separate dust from air introduced through the suction duct by turning the air, and provided with a grille rotatably formed therein, and a dust collection chamber configured to collect the dust separated from the air in the cyclone chamber in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner (1; 1B) includes a housing (2; 100) that houses a fan (7) and a motor (8), which generates power that rotates the fan (7); one or more air-exhaust ports (10), which is provided in at least a portion of the housing (2; 100); and a sound-absorbing member (33) having a through hole (33). The sound-absorbing member (33) is disposed in an interior space of the housing (2; 100) so as to face the air-exhaust port(s) (10).

Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive operable to move the autonomous cleaning robot across a floor surface; a cleaning assembly configured to clean the floor surface; a receiver configured to receive an indication of cat activity in a cat box; and a controller configured to navigate the autonomous cleaning robot to the cat box to execute a cleaning mission in response to the received indication of cat activity.

Abstract: An autonomous vacuum cleaner is provided which can accurately acquire surrounding information related to target objects in the surroundings. An autonomous vacuum cleaner (1) includes: a vacuum cleaner body (2); a front sensor (31) configured to detect a target object at a far distance from the vacuum cleaner body (2); and a contact sensor (32) configured to detect a target object at a near distance from the vacuum cleaner body (2). A controller (5) is configured including a surrounding information generator (45) configured to generate surrounding information related to target objects around the vacuum cleaner body (2), on the basis of far information detected by the front sensor (31) and near information detected by the contact sensor (32).

Abstract: Absorbent laminated materials that include two spunbond nonwoven layers with a cellulose layer arranged in between the spunbond nonwoven layers are disclosed. The different layers of the absorbent laminated material are bonded through an ultrasonic treatment, and can further undergo an embossing step. In addition, the absorbent laminated materials may be used as disposable wiping products, among other applications.

Abstract: A handle-storable sponge mop for use at the end of a broom handle. The handle-storable sponge mop includes a sponge mop body shaped as a truncated square right prism having a leading face and a longest rectangular side which together form a leading beveled cleaning edge. A closed-end cylindrical channel extends partially into the sponge mop body perpendicularly through the square base face. The closed-end cylindrical channel receives and securely holds the handle end of the broom handle when the broom handle is fully inserted into the closed-end cylindrical channel. An open cylindrical channel extends completely through the sponge mop body, and can receive the broom handle such that the broom handle can pass through the open cylindrical channel so that the handle-storable sponge mop can be so stored on the broom handle. In some embodiments, the open cylindrical channel is in substantially perpendicular relationship with the closed-end cylindrical channel.

Abstract: Provided herein are a spray arm assembly and associated dishwasher. The spray arm assembly may include a spray arm and a satellite arm. The spray arm may have a body defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening spaced along the body, and the body may receive washing fluid at the inlet opening and direct at least a portion of the washing fluid to an outlet opening. The body may further define one or more fluid supply channels extending between and fluidly communicating the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The satellite arm may be rotatably coupled to the spray arm at the outlet opening, and a portion of the one or more fluid supply channels may extend past the outlet opening to direct at least a portion of the washing fluid past the outlet opening and back towards the inlet opening before entering the outlet opening.

Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub, a sump fluidly coupled to the tub, a discharge outlet, a drain assembly, and a check valve drain assembly including a seat assembly having a body with a first distal end and a second distal end, a fluid passage extending through the body, the body defining a valve seat having a sealing surface about the fluid passage and a flapper assembly operably coupled to the seat assembly and having a moveable portion configured to selectively move between a closed position where the moveable portion seals against the sealing surface and an opened position where the moveable portion raises to allow liquid through the fluid passage.

Abstract: A dishwasher has a treating chamber with four corners and a rotatable sprayer located within the treating chamber, where the sprayer includes two conduit segments which rotate about two different axes and a spray head which rotates about yet another axis. The combined rotation of the conduit segments moves the spray head in a non-circular path around the treating chamber.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a cabinet and a tub in the cabinet. The tub defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet for movement between a closed position wherein the wash chamber is sealingly enclosed and an open position permitting access to the wash chamber for loading and unloading of articles from the dishwashing appliance. The dishwashing appliance also includes a control console positioned on the door. The control console includes a console cover on an exterior surface of the door, a console bracket mounted within an interior of the door and proximate the console cover, and a circuit board attached to an interior surface of the console cover with a double-sided adhesive film. The double-sided adhesive film sealingly engages the console cover and the console bracket.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance includes a cabinet and a tub. The tub defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet for movement between a closed position wherein the wash chamber is sealingly enclosed and an open position permitting access to the wash chamber for loading and unloading of articles from the dishwashing appliance. The dishwashing appliance also includes a control console positioned on the door. The control console includes a console cover on an exterior surface of the door, a console bracket mounted within an interior of the door and proximate the console cover, and a circuit board attached to an interior surface of the console cover with a double-sided adhesive film. The console bracket includes a drainage surface. The drainage surface may have a three-dimensional hydrophilic surface texture and/or may slope towards a drain hole in the console bracket.

Abstract: Drying implements disclosed herein can provide a minimal, collapsible, dish drying pad encased in woven, silicone protection for recently washed kitchenware placed thereon. Such drying implements include a rapid absorption and drying diatomaceous earth panels that causes drain water to rapidly dissipate. This helps to prevent bacteria growth, by eliminating the moist environment where mold thrives. The mesh silicone layer or encasing keeps dishes protected and the kitchen looking fresh and modern. The drying implement shows various improvements for all types of drying jobs from dishes to produce. The drying implement folds upon its connected sections for smaller jobs and for easy storage when not in use.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes a sheath portion including an opening, a translucent balloon, an endoscope main body, and a display. The balloon includes a first index group having a plurality of balloon indices. Adjacent two of the plurality of balloon indices are different from each other. The balloon covers the opening and is configured to inflate and deflate. The endoscope main body is configured to be retracted into and projected from the opening. The endoscope main body is located inside the inflated balloon and is configured to observe an interior portion of a sinus. The display is configured to display an image obtained by the endoscope main body.

Abstract: There is provided an overtube that can suppress contact of an opening edge portion of a ventilation hole of the overtube with a lumen inner wall surface. The overtube includes an overtube body that has a distal end and a proximal end and allows an insertion part of an endoscope, which is to be inserted into a lumen, to be inserted therein, a balloon that is mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the overtube body, a protruding part that is formed on the outer circumferential surface, and an ventilation hole that is formed in the outer circumferential surface and allows the outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the overtube body to communicate with each other. On the outer circumferential surface, one of the protruding part or the ventilation hole is formed in a peripheral portion of the other.

Abstract: Apparatus for endoscopically retracting tissue, the apparatus comprising a sleeve adapted to be slid over the exterior of an endoscope; a balloon movably mounted to the sleeve; and at least one connector extending from the balloon and configured to be secured to tissue which is to be retracted; wherein the balloon is configured to be moved relative to the sleeve in order to retract the tissue.

Abstract: A connector apparatus of the present invention includes a receptacle into which a plug is inserted, a moving member configured to move in conjunction with insertion of the plug, and a sensor provided below the receptacle and configured to detect presence or absence of the plug in the receptacle, in which the moving member includes a first portion extending downward, a second portion, one end of which is connected to the first portion and another end of which is located above the one end, and a third portion, one end of which is connected to the second portion and configured to move in conjunction with the insertion of the plug to thereby switch between a first state in which the plug is disposed in a predetermined region and a second state in which the plug is not disposed in the predetermined region.

Abstract: A self-illuminating, flexible sheath includes a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The flexible sheath includes a self-luminating feature. The flexible sheath is configured to be received by a working channel of an endoscope.

Abstract: Disclosed is a case for the sterilization and conservation of thermolabile endoscopes for use, in cooperation with an automatic machine, for washing and sterilizing one of the endoscopes including multiple channels. The case includes: first and second shells; a reversible fastener between the first and second shells; connectors for the channels of the endoscope, allowing injection of process liquids and/or gas into the channels; an inlet connector and an outlet connector, allowing injection and discharge of process liquids and/or gas into and out of the case; a handle and supporting feet. The first and second shells reproduce in the plan view a shape with a substantially circular overlapping edge. The surface of the first and second shells includes a convex portion near the edge and a concave portion in the central zone, where the portions are connected to one another with a curved profile, free of corners.

Abstract: A device for performing surgical procedures, such as intracardiac procedures or neurosurgical procedures, includes a solid optical window formed of a transparent, compliant material, wherein the solid optical window includes a proximal side and a distal side, wherein a distal face of the solid optical window is configured to approach tissue during a surgical procedure; an imaging system embedded into the solid optical window and positioned to obtain an image through at least a portion of the distal face of the solid optical window; and a tool channel formed through the solid optical window from the proximal side to the distal side of the solid optical window, wherein the tool channel is configured to receive a tool for performing the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a mother endoscope, a baby endoscope and a fixing member. The mother endoscope includes a first insertion section, a first operation section, a treatment instrument insertion channel and an opening. The baby endoscope includes a second insertion section and a second operation section. The first operation section includes a projection portion. The second operation section includes a recess portion that is a recessed face formed such that at least part of the recessed face comes into face contact with a surface of the projection portion. The second operation section is fixed to the first operation section in a state where the recess portion is in contact with the surface of the projection portion.

Abstract: Endoscope window assembly designs and methods of assembling sub-millimeter imaging endoscopes are disclosed. An endoscope apparatus comprises an elongated cylindrical probe having rotating illumination optics in the middle and at least one detection fiber and a spectrometer connected to the detection fiber and a light source connected to the illumination optics and a processor for imaging. An optically transparent window is attached to the cylindrical probe at the distal end thereof, the window seals the rotating illumination optics inside the cylindrical probe, and the at least one detection fiber is located on the outer surface of the cylindrical probe. The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a window component that covers only the illumination component of the optical probe.

Abstract: A medical observation apparatus includes: a grip configured to be connected to an insertion portion inserted into a subject, the grip being gripped by a user; a transmission cable extending from the grip; a connector provided at an end portion of the transmission cable and configured to be detachably connected to a controller outside the medical observation apparatus; a heat generator provided inside the insertion portion or the grip, and configured to generate heat when driven; a signal transmission path included in the transmission cable, and configured to perform signal transmission between the controller and the grip; and a cooling channel configured to distribute a cooling fluid thermally connected to the heat generating portion, the cooling channel being an annular channel configured to circulate the cooling fluid within the medical observation apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a retractor. Specifically, this invention relates to a malleable retractor designed to retract soft tissue and create a surgical opening to provide visualization of and access to the spine.

Abstract: The foregoing application describes a system and method of performing a minimally invasive surgical operation. More specifically, the invention involves the use of disposable cannula and slender dilators of variable lengths, which incorporate a source of illumination to carry light to a surgical site and video capabilities for capturing and displaying images from a CMOS or CCD camera device. According to one embodiment, fiber optics run semi-circumferentially or along walls of the cannula/dilator and terminate at about a centimeter from the distal end of the cannula/dilator, thereby preventing illumination from “bottoming out” at the floor of the incision. According to one alternate embodiment, the light fibers may be fashioned in an annulus around one or more camera chips to provide illumination and video of the surgical site.

Abstract: A processor of an ophthalmologic image processing device acquires an ophthalmologic image photographed by an ophthalmologic image photographing device. The processor inputs the ophthalmologic image into a mathematical model trained by a machine learning algorithm to acquire a result of an analysis relating to at least one of a specific disease and a specific structure of a subject eye. The processor acquires information of a distribution of weight relating to an analysis by a mathematical model, as supplemental distribution information, for which an image area of the ophthalmologic image input into the mathematical model is set as a variable. The processor sets a part of the image area of the ophthalmologic image, as an attention area, based on the supplemental distribution information. The processor acquires an image of a tissue including the attention area among a tissue of the subject eye and displays the image on a display unit.

Abstract: A macular health measurement and storage system comprises a plurality of macular-pigment measurement machine for measuring macular pigment density in humans, a plurality of computers each of which is associated with a corresponding one the macular-pigment measuring machines, and a central host. The plurality of macular-pigment measurement machines include a device for receiving macular pigment data from a patient, at least one data transfer port, and at least one processor that enables the transfer of the macular pigment data from the transfer port. The plurality of computers include a first port coupled to the data transfer port of the corresponding macular-pigment measurement machine for receiving the macular pigment data. Each of the computers includes a second port for transferring patient data. The central host is coupled to the second ports on each of the plurality of computers. The central host includes a storage device for storing the patient data.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus that inspects a subject eye of a subject. The ophthalmologic apparatus includes an optometry device for inspecting the subject eye, a base for supporting the optometry device, an face supporter for holding the subject eye at an optometry position by supporting a face of the subject, and a changing device for relatively changing a positional relationship between the optometry position and the base in a working distance direction of the optometry device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for determining characteristic values of ametropia of a test person, comprising a device for generating optical test structures and a device for observing the test structures by the test person, said device comprising a correction unit for correcting possible ametropia phenomena of the test person. According to the disclosure, the optical test structures have at least two moving speckle patterns of different wavelengths. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding device for generating optical test structures for determining characteristic values of ametropia of a test person, and to a corresponding method for determining characteristic values of ametropia of a test person.

Abstract: A new technique is provided to easily grasp the form of the fundus and the like of the eye to be examined being depicted in a tomographic image. An ophthalmic information processing device includes an image rotation circuit and a display control circuit. The image rotation circuit rotates a tomographic image of the eye to be examined acquired by using optical coherence tomography while making a measurement optical axis be eccentric relative to a predetermined site of the eye to be examined, in accordance with an eccentric amount and an eccentric direction of the measurement optical axis relative to the predetermined site. The display control circuit causes a display device to display the tomographic image rotated by the image rotation circuit.

Abstract: An OCT system includes an OCT optical system and a reference attachment. The OCT optical system has a beam splitter for splitting light into a measurement optical path and a reference optical path, a photodetector, a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and first connectors provided at end portions of the first waveguide and the second waveguide respectively for indirectly or directly connecting the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The reference attachment has a third waveguide, and second connectors formed at both ends of the third wave guide and configured to be attachable to and detachable from the first connector, and is attached to and detached from the OCT optical system h attaching and detaching each of the second connectors to and from the first connector to change an optical path length of the reference optical path.

Abstract: An ophthalmic imaging system including an ocular lens and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging module is provided. The OCT imaging module is able to image both retina and anterior segment of eyes by switching a lens group into and out of the OCT light path. The OCT imaging module includes a retina imaging mode and an anterior segment imaging mode. In the retina imaging mode, there exists an intermediate image plane located between the ocular lens and the OCT imaging module. From the retina imaging mode, anterior segment imaging is achieved by inserting a switching lens group into the optical path inside the OCT imaging module or replacing the whole OCT imaging module of the retina mode, wherein, after the insertion, there exist a new intermediate image plane located inside the OCT imaging module and a conjugate of the entrance pupil of the OCT imaging module located between the ocular lens and the OCT imaging module.

Abstract: A method for assisting corneal severity identification, the method comprising obtaining a corneal configuration data set of a cornea to be examined by a tomography such as an optical coherence tomography; visualizing the corneal configuration data set of the cornea to be examined along with a number of pre-existing corneal configuration data sets of disorder corneas, disorder-suspect corneas and normal corneas obtained by the tomography using t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding in a two or three dimensional map, and judging corneal severity from the map.

Abstract: A base for a slit lamp having a table and a frame mounted to the table, the base comprising a carriage configured to support a biomicroscope, a first elongate member extending horizontally through the carriage, and a second elongate member extending horizontally through the carriage. The carriage is slidable axially along the first elongate member and the second elongate member to move the biomicroscope relative to the frame. The second elongate member provides a stabilizing force on the carriage to counteract an upward force exerted by the carriage and the biomicroscope mounted thereon.

Abstract: Ophthalmic imaging systems and related methods provide pseudo feedback to aid a user in aligning the user's eye with an optical axis of the imaging system. An ophthalmic imaging system includes an ophthalmic imaging device having an optical axis, a display device, an eye camera, and a control unit. The display device displays a fixation target viewable by the user. The eye camera images the eye to generate eye image data. The control unit processes the eye image data to determine a position of the eye relative to the optical axis, processes the position of the eye relative to the optical axis to generate a pseudo position of the eye relative to the optical axis, and causes the display device to display an indication that provides feedback to the user that the eye is located at the pseudo position of the eye relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: A method includes collecting, for a pitch, per pitch data that includes a plurality of first arm orientation data points and a plurality of second arm orientation data points. The method further includes analyzing the per pitch data to determine a release point arm orientation and an effort level. The method further includes calculating a per pitch stress level based on the release point arm orientation and the effort level. The method further includes calculating, for a set of pitches, a fatigue level based on the per pitch stress level of each pitch of the set of pitches.

Abstract: A system may obtain a set of features characterizing a segment of inertial measurement unit (IMU) data generated by an IMU of an ear-wearable device. The system may apply a machine learning model (MLM) that takes the features characterizing the segment of the IMU data as input. The system may determine, based on output values produced by the MLM, whether a user of the ear-wearable device has potentially been subject to physical abuse. The system may then perform an action in response to determining that the user of the ear-wearable device has potentially been subject to physical abuse.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for an organ has a substrate that conforms to a shape of the organ, and a plurality of processing units connected to the substrate and distributed throughout the substrate. Each of the processing units has a sensor, processing device and actuator. The sensor senses a condition of the organ and provides a sensed signal. The processing device receives the sensed signal from said sensor, analyzes the sensed signal and provides a control signal. The actuator applies an output pulse to the organ in response to the control signal from the processing device.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the pH of tissue in vivo. A Raman spectrometer is used to collect Raman spectra from the target tissue. The Raman spectra are baseline subtracted and assessed to determine the concentration of HPO4?2 and H2PO4?1 for the purposes of calculating the pH. The approach was validate in vitro using PBS solutions of known pH. The approach was confirmed in vivo using rat and swine models by probing the immediate vicinity of a contusive spinal cord injury (SCI) in the first minutes and hours after injury. Using a dynamic analysis and the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, the average of (N=12) noninvasive Raman-based pH measurements of CSF was 7.073±0.156 and at >95% confidence there is no statistically significant difference between the Raman-based and the physically sampled results.

Abstract: Even when an insertion object is inserted to a deep position of a subject or even when the insertion object is inserted into the subject at an angle close to a right angle, it is possible to confirm the position of the insertion object in a photoacoustic image. The insertion object is, for example, a hollow puncture needle 15 that includes an opening at a tip thereof. The puncture needle 15 includes a light guide member 152 that guides light emitted from a first light source to the vicinity of the opening, and a light emitting portion 153 that is provided in the vicinity of the opening and emits the light. First photoacoustic waves, which are caused. by the light emitted from the light emitting portion 153, are generated in the puncture needle 15. A first photoacoustic image is generated on the basis of the first photoacoustic waves.