Patents Issued in January 21, 2021
  • Publication number: 20210015319
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys JAMES, Michael James DOUGLAS, David Stephen CLARE, Chris PINCHES, Nicholas James SARDAR, Hugh James CROGGON, Damian LEE
  • Publication number: 20210015320
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys JAMES, Michael James DOUGLAS, David Stephen CLARE, Chris PINCHES, Nicholas James SARDAR, Hugh James CROGGON, Damian LEE
  • Publication number: 20210015321
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys JAMES, Michael James DOUGLAS, David Stephen CLARE, Chris PINCHES, Nicholas James SARDAR, Hugh James CROGGON, Damian LEE
  • Publication number: 20210015322
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys JAMES, Michael James DOUGLAS, David Stephen CLARE, Chris PINCHES, Nicholas James SARDAR, Hugh James CROGGON, Damian LEE
  • Publication number: 20210015323
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys JAMES, Michael James DOUGLAS, David Stephen CLARE, Chris PINCHES, Nicholas James SARDAR, Hugh James CROGGON, Damian LEE
  • Publication number: 20210015324
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys JAMES, Michael James DOUGLAS, David Stephen CLARE, Chris PINCHES, Nicholas James SARDAR, Hugh James CROGGON, Damian LEE
  • Publication number: 20210015325
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys JAMES, Michael James DOUGLAS, David Stephen CLARE, Chris PINCHES, Nicholas James SARDAR, Hugh James CROGGON, Damian LEE
  • Publication number: 20210015326
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel Emrys JAMES, Michael James DOUGLAS, David Stephen CLARE, Chris PINCHES, Nicholas James SARDAR, Hugh James CROGGON, Damian LEE
  • Publication number: 20210015327
    Abstract: A suction nozzle includes a casing which defines a suction chamber, and an agitator rotatably mounted within the suction chamber. The agitator is supported in the suction chamber by a support member. A drive assembly arranged to rotate the agitator about an axis is mounted to the casing via the support member, and is mounted to the support member via a first soft mounting member. The support member is mounted to the casing via a second soft mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Martin TAYLOR, Martin Deric CUTTING, Oliver Rayleigh STRUTT, Samuel Fraser TWIST
  • Publication number: 20210015328
    Abstract: A hose coupling system including an inlet fitting, which is to be arranged or is arranged on a vacuum cleaner, and including a tubular connection piece, which is to be connected or is connected to a suction hose, wherein the connection piece is to be inserted into the inlet fitting in the coaxial direction, wherein the hose coupling system has an actuable latching element by means of which the connection piece can be held in the inlet fitting in a form-fitting manner and can be released again as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Sonya WÖRZ, Hans RUPPRECHT, Xaver HANSLMEIER, Helmut SPECHT, John Van TAACK-TRAKRANEN
  • Publication number: 20210015329
    Abstract: A vacuum attachment apparatus for use on conventional service station or car wash vacuums is described. The apparatus is equipped with a rubberized female portion disposed on a wide end of the apparatus, which is configured to mate onto the default vacuum hose end. The apparatus facilitates the cleaning of small crevices with a commercial or industrial vacuum, which conventionally has too large of an intake to reach crevices such as those found between the seats of vehicles, under the seats, within the dash, and in other common locations standard on most contemporary vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Dennis Carter
  • Publication number: 20210015330
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of monitoring, analyzing, and/or validating the lifecycle and maintenance schedule of consumable wear components used in or by a semi-autonomous cleaning device can include scanning a unique identifier associated with a consumable component and receiving, at the cleaning device, data associated with the unique identifier. A signal associated with the data is sent from the cleaning device to a host device. After scanning the unique identifier, the consumable component is installed in or on the cleaning device. During use of the cleaning device, a status of the consumable component is monitored and a signal is sent to the host device in response to one or more characteristics associated with the consumable component meeting a criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Pablo Roberto MOLINA CABRERA, Derek KURSIKOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20210015331
    Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a robot body, a drive supporting the robot body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface, a pad holder attached to an underside of the robot body and configured to receive a removable cleaning pad, and a pad sensor configured to sense a pad type identifier on a central region of the cleaning pad. The pad type identifier includes a marker on the central region of the cleaning pad. The cleaning pad has a mounting card affixed thereto, and the pad type identifier includes an array of apertures that expose selected portions of the marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: John Reimels, Marcus R. Williams, Adam Goss, Isaac Fowler, Lucile Driscoll
  • Publication number: 20210015332
    Abstract: A ceiling joist and panel grove cleaner apparatus, which provides a means for applying constant cleaning positioning pressure upon both ceiling joists edges and panel groves. The cleaner apparatus comprises a mop flat head applicator with a pivotable hinged application guide, a swivel mount, a handle, an interchangeable joist-cleaning pad, and, an interchangeable panel-grove cleaning pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Lynda Lee Whittington
  • Publication number: 20210015333
    Abstract: An arm for a cleaning tool is configured so as to be extendable in the axial direction and includes at least: a first cylindrical body that has a hollow section and includes an inner surface; and a second cylindrical body that is inserted inside the hollow section. The first cylindrical body includes first engagement sections configured so as to be bendable towards the outside, at a first tip and the inner surface. The second cylindrical body includes an engagement member including: a coupling section that couples with the second cylindrical body at a second base end; a cylindrical section arranged inside the hollow section and having an outer surface; and second engagement sections arranged on the outer surface and configured so as to engage with the first engagement sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomokazu SUDA, Yasuhiko KENMOCHI, Yuuka MANABE, Ayuka YAMAMICHI
  • Publication number: 20210015334
    Abstract: A cleaning tool has a rotating section including: the pressing section including a rotation-control protrusion; a first coupling section; and a second coupling section. The second coupling section includes a plurality of rotation-control recessions that include: a base section that receives a sliding section; and a rotation-control wall section that fixes the arm angle by mating with a side surface section. The second coupling section also includes release-direction inclined sections whereby, in the housed state, the rotation-control protrusion can be moved from a first rotation-control recession to a second rotation-control recession, by the second coupling section sliding the sliding section to the first rotation-control wall section mated with the rotation-control protrusion, without pressing the pressing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Tomokazu SUDA, Yasuhiko KENMOCHI, Yuuka MANABE, Ayuka YAMAMICHI
  • Publication number: 20210015335
    Abstract: A mop cleaning device capable of separating clear water from wastewater includes a rotary mop, a bucket, a clear water container, and a valve for controlling on-off of water outflow, wherein the rotary mop comprises a rotary mop rod and a mop head, and the rotary mop rod is connected to the mop head; a support body for supporting the mop to realize rotation is disposed on the bucket; the clear water container has a clear water outlet, the liquid level in the clear water container is higher than the clear water outlet for clear water to flow to the mop head from the clear water container, and the valve is connected to the clear water outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: JIANGSU ZHOU JIJIE INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chenhui ZHU, Kaifeng LU
  • Publication number: 20210015336
    Abstract: A silverware pre-washing and washing system made up of a unitary basin with one to five, and preferably three, vertically movable porous baskets arranged radially around a central vertical lifting and lowering mechanism. The base with unitary basin contains a quantity of washing fluid(s) into which each of the vertically movable porous baskets may be repeatedly immersed. The base cover defines cylindrical ports through which the baskets are raised and lowered. The porous baskets include perforation arrays to allow washing fluid to flow in non-linear paths through the silverware contained in the basket, thereby washing all sides of the silverware and beneficially re-arranging the silverware in the basket as the washing process proceeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: John Cantrell, Richard Powers, Roger Shealy
  • Publication number: 20210015337
    Abstract: A dish washer and a washing method using the dish washer. As an inner washing tub is rotated in a state where a dish or a cooking utensil is accommodated in a receiving space such that a food side thereof faces an outer circumference of an inner washing tub, food residues are detached from the dish or the cooking utensil by a centrifugal force and thus the dish or the cooking utensil is efficiently washed. The configuration for generating a high-pressure water current is not required, so that it is possible to produce products at low cost, and the configuration is relatively simple, so that it is possible to produce products having various sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: WU IL Kim
  • Publication number: 20210015338
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher including a tub forming a washing chamber and a blowing unit configured to blow air into the tub, wherein the blowing unit includes a housing having a discharge port, a blowing fan disposed inside the housing, and a valve disposed between the blowing fan and the discharge port to prevent moisture from being introduced into the blowing fan, and the valve is configured to be rotated from a closed position to an open position by blowing of the blowing fan and return to the closed position again by an own weight thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Johannes BÜSING, Seung Wan YOO, Ji Sun YANG, Sung Soo HAN
  • Publication number: 20210015339
    Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having a spray zone with an associated spray system for spraying liquid onto wares passing therethrough and a collection tank below the spray zone. A strainer pan is located atop the collection tank and includes an optional first opening with an optional removable strainer bucket mounted therein and a second opening with a removable cutlery basket mounted therein. A method of washing cutlery with such a warewash machine is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: David L. FISCHER
  • Publication number: 20210015340
    Abstract: An endoscopic task supporting system including: an image storage that stores a plurality of endoscopic images acquired in a time series; a three-dimensional data generation unit that generates three-dimensional data indicating a three-dimensional shape of a predetermined part subject to observation, based on the plurality of endoscopic images stored in the image storage; a two-dimensional image generation unit that generates, from the three-dimensional data generated by the three-dimensional data generation unit, a two-dimensional image corresponding to a viewpoint position and a direction of line of sight entered; and a display control unit that causes a predetermined display unit to display the two-dimensional image generated by the two-dimensional image generation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gen HORIE
  • Publication number: 20210015341
    Abstract: A wireless endoscopic camera system includes a surgical endoscope for viewing tissue within a patient, an imager for converting an optical image viewed by the endoscope into digital image data, a processor for processing the digital image data, a transmitter for establishing at least one wireless link to a remote receiver and conveying the processed digital image data over the at least one wireless link, and a plurality of antennas of a camera head that are in communication with the transmitter for receiving the digital image data from the transmitter and wirelessly relaying the digital image data to the remote receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Reid COVER, Emmet MCCARTHY, Vasudev NAMBAKAM
  • Publication number: 20210015342
    Abstract: In this patent disclosure, a machine-learning-based system for automatically turning on/off a light source of an endoscope camera during a surgical procedure to ensure the safety of the surgical staff is disclosed. The disclosed system can receive a real-time video image captured by the endoscope camera, wherein the real-time video image is captured either inside the patient's body or outside of the patient's body. The system next processes the real-time video image using a first statistical classifier to classify the real-time video image as either being inside the patient's body or being outside of the patient's body. If the real-time video image is classified as being outside of the patient's body, the system next determines if the light source is turned on. If so, the system generates a control signal to immediately turn off the light source. Otherwise, the system continues receiving and processing real-time video images captured by the endoscope camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Jagadish Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20210015343
    Abstract: A surgical assistance apparatus includes circuitry configured to generate a first image to be displayed in a first display region and including a first operative field image of a surgical subject and a first visual annotation image superimposed on a predetermined region in an operative field of the first operative field image that corresponds to a physical region of the surgical subject. The circuitry is also configured to generate a second image to be displayed in a second display region and including a second operative field image and a second visual annotation image superimposed on an estimated region of the second operative field image that corresponds to the physical region of the surgical subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke UYAMA, Tsuneo HAYASHI, Koji KASHIMA, Masahito YAMANE
  • Publication number: 20210015344
    Abstract: A tool, consisting of an enclosure and a rotatable knob retained by, and protruding from, the enclosure. The tool has a tube having a proximal end that is retained by the enclosure, and the tube has an axis of symmetry. A Geneva drive is retained within the enclosure, the Geneva drive consisting of a drive wheel fixedly attached to the rotatable knob and a driven wheel fixedly attached to the proximal end of the tube, so that an axis of rotation of the driven wheel coincides with the axis of symmetry of the tube. Thus, a continuous rotation of the rotatable knob causes the tube to rotate about the axis of symmetry in discrete angular steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Yehuda Algawi, Ilya Sitnitsky
  • Publication number: 20210015345
    Abstract: An endoscope distal end cover (10) is a cover for protecting a distal end (20t) of an endoscope (20) which has an observation window at the distal end, including: a synthetic polymer film (13) which is to be located over the observation window (32) when the endoscope distal end cover is attached to the distal end of the endoscope, wherein the synthetic polymer film has a surface which includes a plurality of raised portions, when viewed in a normal direction of the synthetic polymer film, a two-dimensional size of the plurality of raised portions is in the range of more than 20 nm and less than 500 nm, and a static contact angle of water with respect to the surface is not less than 150°, and a static contact angle of hexadecane with respect to the surface is not less than 60°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: MIHO YAMADA, KIYOSHI MINOURA, TOKIO TAGUCHI, YASUHIRO SHIBAI
  • Publication number: 20210015346
    Abstract: A support unit for a medical camera head is described. The support unit is configured to rotate about an axis and including: an adapter configured to detachably mount a plurality of different medical scopes thereon; a light source supply system configured to supply light to the medical scope when mounted, the light source supply system being configured to pass through the axis; and an image sensor configured to capture an image from the medical scope, and wherein the axis is in the imaging direction of the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yohei KURODA, Kei TOMATSU, Tetsuharu FUKUSHIMA, Jun ARAI
  • Publication number: 20210015347
    Abstract: An optical coupler is disclosed for mounting at a distal end of an optical imaging device for visualizing a surface area covered with an opaque fluid and/or particulate matter. The coupler includes a visualization section at one end of the coupler and an attachment section connected to and extending away from the visualization section. The attachment section is dimensioned to be mounted at the distal end of the optical imaging device. The visualization section includes a proximal surface for engaging the distal end of the optical imaging device. The visualization section includes an outer surface spaced apart from the proximal surface. The outer surface extends continuously from a first outer side boundary across to a second opposite outer side boundary of the visualization section. The visualization section may include one or more supporting elements extending laterally away from the visualization section for facilitating passage of the optical coupler through an object, such as a body lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: James S. Titus
  • Publication number: 20210015348
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a device may include a shaft having a distal end and a lumen, the lumen terminating in a distally-facing opening. An instrument may be inserted through the shaft and may extend through the lumen and out of opening. The device may further include an elevator for engaging the instrument. The elevator may include an actuator extending through at least a portion of the shaft; and a body may be coupled to the actuator. A portion of the body may be configured to extend within the lumen and to apply a force to the instrument and move the instrument into contact with a surface of the lumen when the actuator is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan WILDER, Scott E. BRECHBIEL, James WELDON
  • Publication number: 20210015349
    Abstract: A medical device includes: a sheath; a first bending portion provided at a distal end side of the sheath; a second bending portion provided between the first bending portion and the sheath; a first wire fixed to a first wire fixing portion provided at a distal end side of the first bending portion and inserted in the sheath toward a proximal end side of the sheath; and a second wire fixed to a second wire fixing portion provided between the first bending portion and the second bending portion and inserted in the sheath toward the proximal end side of the sheath, wherein a part of the first wire positioned in the first bending portion and a part of the first wire positioned in the second bending portion have straightness, and at least a part of the second wire positioned in the second bending portion has straightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsutomu OKADA
  • Publication number: 20210015350
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are imaging systems and methods for simultaneous near-infrared light and visible light imaging of a sample comprising: a detector to form a fluorescence image of the sample and a visible image of the sample; a light source configured to emit infrared light to induce fluorescence from the sample; and a plurality of optics arranged to direct the infrared light toward the sample and form the fluorescence image of the sample and the visible light image of the sample on the detector, wherein the infrared light is directed to the sample substantially coaxially with fluorescence light received from the sample in order to decrease shadows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: BLAZE BIOSCIENCE, INC.
    Inventors: Pramod BUTTE, David KITTLE, Jeffrey PERRY
  • Publication number: 20210015351
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling an endoscope, comprising a. an endoscope adapted to provide real time images of FOV within a body cavity; said FOV defines FOVx-axis, FOVy-axis and FOVz-axis, b. a maneuvering system for maneuvering said endoscope; said maneuvering system defines an X-axis, a y-axis; and, a z-axis; c. control means adapted to receive commands of motions from a user to maneuver said endoscope; and d. a data processing system in communication with said control means, adapted to instruct said maneuvering system to maneuver said endoscope according to said commands of motions; wherein said data control means instructs said maneuvering system to maneuver said endoscope according to said commands of motions relative to said FOVx-axis, said FOVy-axis and said FOVz-axis, regardless of said X-axis, said y-axis and said z-axis as defined by said maneuvering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: TransEnterix Europe S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Gal Atarot, Yaron Levinson
  • Publication number: 20210015352
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua Makower, John Y. Chang, Ketan P. Muni, John H. Morriss, Hung V. Ha, Isaac J. Kim, Julia D. Vrany
  • Publication number: 20210015353
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an autonomous endoscopic system capable of controlling movement of an endoscope inserted into a protective sheath installed in the body of a patient may comprise: an endoscope operating device capable of operating a relative position of the endoscope with respect to the protective sheath, a rolling angle of the endoscope, and a bending angle of a bending portion which is located at the end of the endoscope and is bendable; and a control unit for controlling the endoscope operating device, wherein the control unit controls the endoscope operating device on the basis of a driving record of the endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicants: EASYENDO SURGICAL, INC., KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Byung Sik CHEON, Dong Soo KWON, Deok Gyoon CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20210015354
    Abstract: A device may include an elongated housing formed of an optically transparent material, the housing extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lateral wall extending from the proximal end to a distal tip of the housing, the housing defining a lumen extending into the housing from a proximal opening in the proximal end of the housing. The device also may include a first port extending through the lateral wall of the housing to open the lumen of the housing to an exterior of the housing, the first port being sized and shaped to receive therein a target portion of tissue to be inspected and/or treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin Windheuser, Peter Tabur, Oscar R. Carrillo, Shaun Dennis Comee, Kevin L. Bagley, Nestor Allan Ibanez, Michael McGovern
  • Publication number: 20210015355
    Abstract: A medical apparatus is described for providing visualization of a surgical site. The medical apparatus includes an electronic display disposed within a display housing, the electronic display configured to produce a two-dimensional image. The medical apparatus includes a display optical system disposed within the display housing, the display optical system comprising a plurality of lens elements disposed along an optical path. The display optical system is configured to receive the two-dimensional image from the electronic display, produce a beam with a cross-section that remains substantially constant along the optical path, and produce a collimated beam exiting the opening in the display housing. The medical apparatus can also include an auxiliary video camera configured to provide an oblique view of a patient on the electronic display without requiring a surgeon to adjust their viewing angle through oculars viewing the electronic display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: John Tesar
  • Publication number: 20210015356
    Abstract: An optometer may include a test object including a point light source and a collimator lens configured to collimate light from the point light source. The optometer may generate, for a user viewing the point light source through the collimator lens, an image of the point illumination source on a retina of an eye when the eye is in a rest position without triggering the eye to focus. A user-perceived deviation of the image of the point source from an in-focus image is indicative of visual refractive error of the user. A user may use the device with a naked eye to gauge visual refractive error of the eye or may use the device with corrective lenses to gauge the efficacy of the corrective lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Jan Hoogland
  • Publication number: 20210015357
    Abstract: Facilitation of dynamic eye condition self-diagnosis is provided. A system can include a memory and a processor that executes computer executable components. The computer executable components can include: a status component that determines attributes of a user; a visualization component that generates a set of visualizations including at least one of: moving text, moving images or video; a test component that generates a set of tests using a subset of the set of visualizations; an assessment component that assesses an ability of the user to identify the subset of the set of visualizations displayed by the set of tests; and a vision scoring component that scores a vision of the user to generate a vision score, wherein the vision score is based upon an assessment of the ability of the user to identify the displayed subset of the set of visualizations and the attributes of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Raghav Batta, Elnatan Mataev, Heidi E Fritz
  • Publication number: 20210015358
    Abstract: A vision screening apparatus includes first and second display units, a processor, and instructions which are executable by the processor. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to 1) carry out a photorefraction test of a subject, 2) estimate the subject's visual acuity based on the photorefraction test, 3) present the subject with a visual acuity check optotype for an interval of time, and 4) monitor for noncompliance with a visual acuity check protocol during at least part of the time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: William Shampine, Jennifer Bergstrom, Kathryn M. Coles, David L. Kellner, John Lane, Megan Schneider
  • Publication number: 20210015359
    Abstract: A patient interface for an ophthalmic system can include an attachment portion, configured to attach the patient interface to a distal end of the ophthalmic system; a contact portion, configured to dock the patient interface to an eye; and a contact element, coupled to the contact portion, configured to contact a surface of a cornea of the eye as part of the docking of the patient interface to the eye, and having a central portion with a central radius of curvature Rc and a peripheral portion with a peripheral radius of curvature Rp, wherein Rc is smaller than Rp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: ILYA GOLDSHLEGER, JEREMY DONG, TIBOR JUHASZ, WESLEY LUMMIS, FERENC RAKSI
  • Publication number: 20210015360
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a moveable light source, an image-acquisition device configured to acquire a plurality of images of at least a portion of a face of a patient, and at least one computer processor. The computer processor identifies a first eye of the patient within at least a first portion of the acquired images, and, in response thereto, drives the light source to direct light toward the patient's first eye. The computer processor measures a pupillary response of the first eye to the light being directed toward the first eye, by identifying a pupil of the patient's first eye in images belonging to the first portion of the acquired images that were acquired, respectively, prior to and subsequent to the light being directed toward the first eye. Other applications are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Glozman, Yonatan Amir
  • Publication number: 20210015361
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The system comprises a sensing arrangement and a control unit. The sensing arrangement collects eye movement data of a user. The control unit is in communication with the sensing arrangement and configured to compare the eye movement data to one or more baseline measurements of eye movement dynamics. The control unit is also configured to generate an alert indicating the presence or severity of the TBI for delivery to control unit administrator if the eye movement data diverges from one or more of the baseline measurements by a threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen L. Macknik, Susana Martinez-Conde
  • Publication number: 20210015362
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a control device and method that can focus on a desired position of a subject, and a surgical microscope system. The control device includes: an initial in-focus position detection unit configured to detect a focus position when focusing on a predetermined subject included in an observation image of an eye of a patient that is a surgical operation target as an initial in-focus position; and a calculation unit configured to determine an offset value indicating a distance between a target eye organ that is inside a corneal endothelium of the eye and the initial in-focus position on the basis of information regarding structure of an eyeball, and to calculate an in-focus position that is a focus position focused on the target eye organ on the basis of the offset value and the initial in-focus position. The present technology is applicable to the surgical microscope system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio SOMA, Tomoyuki OOTSUKI, Junichiro ENOKI, Tatsumi SAKAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20210015363
    Abstract: A slit lamp microscope of some embodiment examples includes an illumination system, first photographing system, first movement mechanism, and controller. The illumination system includes a slit forming unit that forms a slit for generating slit light and projects the slit light onto an anterior segment of a subject's eye from a first direction. The first photographing system photographs the anterior segment onto which the slit light is being projected, from a second direction different from the first direction. The first movement mechanism moves a movable portion that includes at least the slit forming unit. The controller performs a first control for the first movement mechanism to move the movable portion and a second control for the first photographing system to photograph the anterior segment a plurality of times in parallel with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: TOPCON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro OHMORI, Yasufumi FUKUMA, Satoshi YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210015364
    Abstract: Imaging various regions of the eye is important for both clinical diagnostic and treatment purposes as well as for scientific research. Diagnosis of a number of clinical conditions relies on imaging of the various tissues of the eye. The subject technology describes a method and apparatus for imaging of the back and/or front of the eye using multiple illumination modalities, which permits the collection of one or more of reflectance, spectroscopic, fluorescence, and laser speckle contrast images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Abhishek Rege, M. Jason Brooke
  • Publication number: 20210015365
    Abstract: Optical sensors, systems, and methods are described, which may be used to provide or analyze information about a subject. The optical sensor may be placed in proximity to the subject and may include optical sources and optical detectors. The optical sources may irradiate the subject with optical signals and the optical detectors can detect signals from the subject. Analysis of the detected signals can yield information about the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Invisio Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Muehlemann, Catherine Pace, Karim Haroud, Stefan Troller, Azadeh Khanicheh, Michel Bruehwiler, Jeffery J. Caputo, Russell L. Herrig, Omar Amirana, Joseph Culver, John Shambroom
  • Publication number: 20210015366
    Abstract: A system for classifying an activity and connectivity of a brain into at least one neuropsychiatric disorder from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. The system includes an imaging device, a network, and a brain activity analyzing server. The system (i) generate a three-dimensional (3D) structural MRI image and a 4D functional MRI images of the brain, (ii) extracts one or more features associated with one or more regions of the brain using a parcellation scheme, (iii) analyses, using a machine learning model, an intensity of at least one voxel in the one or more regions, and (iv) classifies the activity and the connectivity of the brain into at least one neuro-psychiatric disorder based on a percentage of variation of intensity of the at least one voxel in the one or more regions of the brain over the one or more features from a predefined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Rimjhim Agrawal
  • Publication number: 20210015367
    Abstract: A catheter system for optical coherence tomography includes an elongate catheter body, an optical fiber in the elongate catheter body, and an anamorphic lens assembly coupled with a distal end of the optical fiber. The optical fiber and the lens assembly are together configured to provide a common path for optical radiation reflected from a target and from a reference interface between the distal end of the optical fiber and the lens assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Himanshu N. PATEL, Manish KANKARIA, Kin F. CHAN
  • Publication number: 20210015368
    Abstract: An ultrasonic photoacoustic tomography system includes a mirror arrangement configured to redirect an incoming light beam defining a central axis such that the mirror arrangement reflects the incoming light beam to form a converging ring-shaped light beam. This converging ring-shaped light beam directs light originating from the incoming light beam radially inward covering a 360° circumferential range around the central axis. A closed-geometry acoustic detector is configured to pick up reactive sound waves from tissue irradiated by the converging ring-shaped light beam over the 360° circumferential range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Ivan Avrutsky, Mohammad Mehrmohammadi