Abstract: A versatile sanitizing and cleaning apparatus (10) has a reservoir (30), a removable base (40) at the bottom of the reservoir having electrodes (52, 54) that extend up into the reservoir (30) for electrolyzing water within the reservoir, and an opening (32) at the top end of the reservoir. A cap (60) having a valve (61) that is biased to the normally-closed position screws to the top of the reservoir (30), allowing the reservoir to be turned upside-down and inserted into a receiving portion (22) of a mop, thus allowing the mop (12) to use electrolyzed water for cleaning. Alternatively, instead of being used with the cap (60) and mop (12), the reservoir (30) and base (40) can be mated with a hand sprayer (64) allowing the reservoir (30), base (40), and hand sprayer (64) to be used as a spray bottle (69) to spray electrolyzed water for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: A wringer, for example for mops, includes one or more positioning elements to position a mop at least in one dimension in the wringer, for example to a desired depth in the wringer, to wring the mop. The positioning elements far other than a bottom surface of the wringer. A wringer is also disclosed in which a wringing surface is moved toward another wringing or a base surface in a drawing or pulling motion. A wringer is also disclosed where the wringing operation can be activated by a pivoting or other mechanism that can be operated from at least two positions, a plurality of spaced apart locations, from handles, or by way of structures positioned outside of a wringing envelope defined by wringing plates or other components contacting a mop element. The structures can be used to operate the wringer even if a handle of a mop element extends outward of the wringing envelope.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dish washer having a heat pump, and the dish washer may include a washing tank having an accommodation space for storing dishes therein; an injection arm disposed inside the washing tank, and provided with a plurality of nozzles to inject washing water or air to the dishes according to a washing stroke and a drying stroke; a duct unit that defines a passage for delivering air to the injection arm; a suction fan that suctions the air and supplies the air to the injection arm; and an air heating element provided inside the duct unit to heat the air to be supplied to the injection arm, wherein the injection arm is rotatably mounted about a rotary shaft, and the plurality of nozzles rotate the injection arm by a pressure that injects the air.

Abstract: A bucket cleaning apparatus is provided. The bucket cleaning apparatus includes a frame. One or more primary support members is coupled individually to the frame. A corresponding secondary support member is coupled to each primary support member. A scraper is coupled to one or more of each of the primary support members and secondary support members, wherein each scraper is adjustable with respect to the primary support member or secondary support member to which the scraper is coupled. A bucket may be inserted over the top of the primary support members such that the scrapers on at least the primary support members engage interior surfaces of the bucket to clean out the bucket as the bucket is rotated about the primary support members.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a insertion section to be inserted into a target; an imaging element to image the target; a drive section to conduct an insertion; a determination section to determine an insertion condition based on image information and insertion state information; a generation section to generate insertion control information based on a determination result; and a control section to control the drive section based on the insertion control information. The determination section determines whether an insertion can be continued by comparing newly acquired image information or newly acquired insertion state information with corresponding information stored in the storage. The generation section generates halt information when it is determined that the insertion cannot be continued.

Abstract: An endoscope observation assistance apparatus includes an image information acquiring part to acquire and display a captured image of a luminal organ captured by the endoscope device on a display, a lesion information acquisition part to detect a predetermined lesion based on the captured image and to acquire lesion information regarding the lesion, a lesion disappearance determination part to track the lesion based on the captured image and the lesion information and to determine whether or not the lesion has disappeared from the captured image, and a notification part to notify a determination result when the lesion disappearance determination part determines that the lesion has disappeared from the captured image. Alternatively, the notification part may notify a lesion detection when a short time period passes after the lesion detection by the lesion information acquisition part.

Abstract: A medical device includes an operation portion, an insertion portion that is insertable into a treatment instrument insertion channel of a mother endoscope, and a mounting portion provided at an operation portion to detachably mount the operation portion onto a bending operation member of the mother endoscope.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to diagnostic, surgical, and/or therapeutic devices for being introduced into the human or animal body or for in vitro examination of human or animal blood samples or other body cells, in particular to an endoscope or a disposable endoscope that includes at least one illumination light guide and/or image guide for transmitting electromagnetic radiation, the illumination light guide or image guide having a proximal end face for incoupling or outcoupling of electromagnetic radiation and a distal end face for incoupling or outcoupling of electromagnetic radiation. The proximal and/or distal end faces consist of plastic elements that are transparent at least partially or in sections thereof, the transparent plastic being biocompatible and/or having non-toxic properties to human or animal cell cultures for exposure durations of less than one day. This allows for the production of assemblies for disposable endoscopes, inter alia.

Abstract: A container for endoscopes, usable for the containment of endoscopes during washing, sterilization, drying and for the subsequent storage of endoscopes subjected to such operations, characterized in that it is provided with signaling means (7) applied to said container (2) and adapted to emit a signal if the pressure inside the same container (2) is below a pre-established value.

Abstract: A fibre endoscope system (100) comprises a catheter (10) with a probe head (10a) for entering into a body cavity (C) adjacent or near a sample region (S). A source fiber (11) has a first fiber ending (11a) and a signal fiber (12) has a second fiber ending (12a) both remote from the probe head (10a) but separate. A sampling fiber (13) has a third fiber ending (13a) disposed at the probe head (10a). A fiber coupler (15) is configured to optically couple at least the source fiber (11) to the sampling fiber (13), and the sampling fiber (13) to the signal fiber (12). A sampling fiber length (L13) of the sampling fiber (13) between a fiber coupler (15) and the third fiber ending (13a) is shorter than a source fiber length (L11) of the source fiber (11) between the fiber coupler (15) and the first fiber ending (11a).

Abstract: A medical imaging device in accordance with the present application includes a color separation prism, a fluorescence image sensor, a visible light image sensor, and a bandpass filter. The color separation prism splits light into first light belonging to a visible light wavelength band and second light belonging to a fluorescence wavelength band. The fluorescence image sensor is provided at an output side of the color separation prism and is configured to image at least part of the second light belonging to the fluorescence wavelength band separated by the dichroic film. The visible light image sensor is provided at the output side of the color separation prism and is configured to image at least part of the first light belonging to the visible light wavelength band separated by the dichroic film. The bandpass filter is disposed between the color separation prism and the fluorescence image sensor.

Abstract: In a light source apparatus for endoscope, when a light-emission amount of a second light source is less than or equal to a predetermined light-emission amount, a light source control circuit performs a first light-emission amount control of changing the light-emission amounts of the first to third light sources so as to allow a color balance to be maintained at a predetermined color balance. When the light-emission amount of the second light source is greater than the predetermined light-emission amount, the light source control circuit performs a second light-emission amount control of changing the light-emission amount of the third light source by a method different from the first light-emission amount control while changing the light-emission amounts of the first and second light sources by the same method as the first light-emission amount control so as to allow the color balance to be different from the predetermined color balance.

Abstract: This invention discloses a vitality-based photoplethysmography imaging (PPGI) system capable of determining the pulse frequency within the dental pulp, allowing for direct, accurate, real-time visualization of tooth vitality. The system comprises a transilluminating bitewing, capable of aligning and stabilizing a light source and an intraoral camera, which is operationally connected to a computing device that is equipped with video stabilization and digital signal processing algorithm (Pulp Assessment by Local Observation, i.e. PABLO) to assess pulp vitality via analyzing videos captured with the intraoral camera.

Abstract: Devices and systems are disclosed for managing and/or treating body tissues obstructing a hollow body lumen, including the prostatic lobe tissues obstructing the urethra, for example conditions including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) and associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). An implant is maintained in a constrained configuration within a distal portion of an elongated sheath so that is may be deployed by driving the implant with a pusher coaxially disposed within the sheath. An implant engaging element helps maintain control of the implant during deployment.

Abstract: A device includes a balloon configured for inflation with a light-diffusing fluid and configured, upon inflation, to expand a body lumen within which it is positioned and a flexible light-emitting device attached to the balloon having a light-emitting side facing radially inward toward the fluid so that, during a medical procedure, light emitted from the light-emitting side is diffused by the fluid and illuminates a treatment area within the body lumen proximal to the balloon.

Abstract: A device includes an elongated hollow member with a window for receiving tissue in an interior of the hollow member; a rigid member slidably coupled to the hollow member; and an actuation mechanism configured to move the rigid member longitudinally along a longitudinal axis through at least part of the window. When a ligation band is adjacent to the window and the rigid member is moved relative to the hollow member, the rigid member deforms the ligation band from an open position into a closed position around tissue received in the window.

Abstract: A probe device designed to view, illuminate, and operate on the internal surface of an organ, configured to provide stabilization of the device with respect to the patient through a plug portion, manipulation of the probe through a skirt control system, which can be modified for the ergonomic preferences of the user, and permits discrete control over probe segments and segment cells through manipulation of the pleats which form the skirt.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a surgical instrument 200 for performing an endoscopy or a laparoscopy. The surgical instrument 200 includes an adaptive element 100 capable of holding eyepiece of an endoscope 210 and a laparoscope 220. The adaptive element 100 is arranged on a camera head cover of the surgical instrument 200. Further, the adaptive element 100 is a holder having a cavity 110 which allows the eyepieces to fit positively therewithin.

Abstract: An augmented reality and extended reality surgical system. The system may comprise a wearable device, such as a head mounted display or glasses, that provides the user with virtual reality, augmented reality, and/or mixed reality for surgery visualization. This may allow the user to access 2D or 3D imaging, magnification, virtual visualization, six-degrees of freedom (6DoF) image management, and/or other images while still viewing real reality and thus maintaining a presence in the operating room.

Abstract: A visualization of choroidal blood vessel size is created. A vortex vein position is detected from a choroidal vascular image in which choroidal blood vessels have been visualized. Image processing is employed on the choroidal vascular image to extract first size choroidal blood vessels of a first size and to extract second size choroidal blood vessels of a second size different to the first size from the choroidal vascular image. A size analysis fundus image is generated in which a rectangular frame indicating the vortex vein position is displayed superimposed on the choroidal vascular image, and in which the first size choroidal blood vessels are displayed in red and the second size choroidal blood vessels are displayed in blue.

Abstract: A method of processing functional OCT image data, acquired by an OCT scanner scanning a retina that is being repeatedly stimulated by a light stimulus, to obtain a response of the retina to the light stimulus, comprising: receiving OCT image data generated by the OCT scanner repeatedly scanning the retina over a time period, and a sequence of stimulus indicators each indicative of a stimulation of the retina by the light stimulus in a respective time interval of a sequence of time intervals spanning the time period; calculating, for each stimulus indicator, a product of the stimulus indicator and a respective windowed portion of the sequence of B-scans comprising a B-scan based on a portion of the OCT image data generated while the retina was being stimulated in accordance with the stimulus indicator; and combining the calculated products to generate the indication of the response.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the wavefront effect of an optical system includes: illuminating a measurement mask (110, 310) with illumination light, producing an interferogram in a specified plane using a diffraction grating (150) from a wavefront from the illuminated measurement mask and traveling through the optical system; and capturing the interferogram with a detector (170). Different angular distributions of the illumination light incident on the measurement mask are produced via a mirror arrangement of independently settable mirror elements. A plurality of interferograms are captured in a plurality of measurement steps, wherein these measurement steps differ respectively in angular distribution of the illumination light that is incident on the measurement mask.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium includes computer-executable instructions that cause a processing unit of a user device to instruct a user to stand a predetermined distance from the user device, acquire an image of the user, and determine a user interpupillary distance based on the acquired image. The user interpupillary distance indicates a distance between the user's pupils in terms of pixels. The computer-executable instructions further cause the processing unit to determine a current distance between the user and the user device based on the user interpupillary distance, a predetermined interpupillary distance, a width of the acquired image in terms of pixels, and a field of view of the camera. Additionally, the computer-executable instructions cause the processing unit to display the current distance between the user and the user device on a display and display an eye chart when the determined current distance is equal to the predetermined distance.

Abstract: An example apparatus for predicting eye fatigue includes an image receiver to receive an image of an eye. The apparatus also includes a fatigue predictor to predict eye fatigue in the eye based on a calculated blood vessel density score of the eye in the image. The apparatus further includes an alert generator to generate an alert in response to predicting the eye fatigue.

Abstract: Relationships between morphological changes to an eye due to intraocular pressure changes and blood perfusion changes in the retina are determined by colocalizing retinal perfusion data and optic nerve head (ONH) mechanical deformation data. Perfusion changes from intraocular pressure (IOP) changes are determined by colocalizing retinal perfusion data with ONH mechanical deformation data. Optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) can be used to generate both retinal perfusion data and mechanical deformation data for an imaged volume. A three-dimensional model (e.g., connectivity map or connectivity model) of the vasculature can be generated from the OCT-A imaging data and used to predict changes in blood perfusion in various areas of the retina due to IOP-induced mechanical deformations.

Abstract: In the present invention, vortex vein positions are detected from a fundus image. The image processing method comprising: a step in which a choroidal blood vessel structure is analyzed from a fundus image; and a step in which vortex vein positions are detected based on the choroidal blood vessel structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to 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: An ophthalmological analysis system, comprising: an air-puff generating device configured to apply an air-puff to a user's at least one eye; and at least one sensors board configured to detect and record deformation of a cornea of the user during the air-puff; wherein the detection is a three dimensional (3D) active stereo detection; the sensors board further configured to find two applanation points and hysteresis of the cornea and to calculate intraocular pressure in the user's at least one eye accordingly.

Abstract: Provided are wireless electronic devices for thermally interfacing with a biological tissue. The device may have a flexible substrate; a thermal actuator supported by said flexible substrate configured to provide a thermal input to said biological tissue; a temperature sensor supported by said flexible substrate configured to measure a temperature to determine thermal conductivity of said biological tissue; and a wireless electronic system in electronic communication with said thermal actuator and said temperature sensor, wherein said wireless electronic system is configured to provide two-way communication with an external controller. Also provided are related methods of using the electronic devices, including for cosmetic, beauty, or medical applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a passive transponder system comprising a first or second conductor loop structure and a first and a second capacitive pressure sensor, wherein each conductor loop structure is coupled to one of said capacitive pressure sensors to form a resonant circuit, and the first conductor loop structure is positioned at a non-vanishing angle in relation to the second conductor loop structure. The resonant frequencies of the resonant circuits are selected such that they do not overlap to result in beating. The invention also relates to a pressure wave measuring device comprising such a passive transponder system, and a readout unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for dental imaging comprises a light source for generating light, an optics system for focusing the light, and a light-guiding part having an entrance face and an exit face. The light source, the optics system and the light-guiding part are arranged such that the light passes through the optics system, enters the light-guiding part via the entrance face, and exits the light-guiding part via the exit face. The optics system is configured such that, upon entering the light-guiding part, an outermost chief ray of the light with respect to an optical axis of the optics system is divergent to the optical axis and an outermost marginal ray of the light with respect to the optical axis is parallel or divergent to the optical axis.

Abstract: A device to measure with infrared radiation, then make a projection picture of, blood concentration inside the body of animals. Blood concentration in cancer masses increases, when compared to adjoining tissues, as flesh and bones, also with a disorganized capillary distribution. The device disclosed in this invention makes two types of images, a first image, which we call transmitted image, with infrared radiation that suffered no scattering as it propagates through the body or part of the body, and a second image, which we call scattered image, with radiation that suffered one or more scattering events, as it propagates through the body. Finally, a third image can be made from a combination of the first and second image after a suitable mathematical manipulation of the first and/or second images. Each of the three images may be used as an indication of cancer.

Abstract: This invention is a wearable optical breast imaging device (such as a “smart bra”) with at least one cup, multiple light emitters on the interior of the cup which emit light beams at different times, and multiple light receivers on the interior of the cup. Changes in the spectra of light energy caused by transmission of the light energy through breast tissue are analyzed to diagnose whether there is abnormal tissue within the breast and, if so, to identify the location of abnormal tissue within the breast.

Abstract: Provided are a measurement apparatus, a measurement instrument, a measurement system, a server, an analysis method, a storage medium and a data structure that easily enable good acoustic characteristics while improving the accuracy of body temperature detection. The measurement apparatus includes a metal tube having a first end and a second end; a measurement unit which is arranged at the first end 13a side of the metal tube and is capable of measuring electromagnetic radiation incident from the second end of the metal tube; a sound output unit configured to output sound; and a first path and a second path to the first end of the metal tube for sound outputted from the sound output unit, wherein the first path and the second path have different lengths.

Abstract: Systems and methods of using an animal wellness notification system to determine the wellness of an animal, the systems and methods comprising: attaching an animal wellness notification system component to an animal, monitoring the temperature of the animal to determine if the animal's temperature remains outside a selected temperature range for a selected time duration, and providing notice if the animal's temperature remained outside the selected temperature range for the selected time duration.

Abstract: Exemplified methods and systems facilitate presentation of data derived from measurements of the heart in a non-invasive procedure (e.g., via phase space tomography analysis). In particular, the exemplified methods and systems facilitate presentation of such measurements in a graphical user interface, or “GUI” (e.g., associated with a healthcare provider web portal to be used by physicians, researchers, or patients, and etc.) and/or in a report for diagnosis of heart pathologies and disease. The presentation facilitates a unified and intuitive visualization that includes three-dimensional visualizations and two-dimensional visualizations that are concurrently presented within a single interactive interface and/or report.

Abstract: The present approach relates to determining a reference value based on image data that includes a non-occluded vascular region (such as the ascending aorta in a cardiovascular context). This reference value is compared on a pixel-by pixel basis with the CT values observed in the other vasculature regions. With this in mind, and in a cardiovascular context, the determined FFR value for each pixel is the ratio of CT value in the vascular region of interest to the reference CT value.

Abstract: A finger blood monitor apparatus for easily measuring blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation includes a cylindrical housing defining a housing cavity. A front end has a finger aperture extending through to the housing cavity and a battery compartment is coupled within the housing cavity adjacent a battery aperture. A control panel is coupled within the housing cavity and has a plurality of control buttons extending through the sidewall. A CPU is coupled within the housing cavity and is in operational communication with the control panel and the battery compartment. A plurality of sensors is coupled within the housing cavity to measure a user's pulse, blood pressure, and peripheral oxygen saturation and display the readings on a plurality of display screens coupled within the sidewall.

Abstract: A system and a method for signal sensing are provided. The system for signal sensing includes a processor, a transmitter, a receiver, and an oscillator. The oscillator is coupled to the transmitter and the receiver. The oscillator generates a clock signal. The transmitter transmits a plurality of output signals according to the clock signal. The receiver receives a first output signal reflected by an object according to the clock signal and obtains a channel state information according to the first output signal. The processor identifies a state of the object according to the channel state information and outputs the state of the object.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for estimating compensatory reserve and predicting hemodynamic decompensation using physiological data are provided. In some embodiments, a system for estimating compensatory reserve is provided, the system comprising: a processor programmed to: receive a blood pressure waveform of a subject; generate a first sample of the blood pressure waveform with a first duration; provide the sample as input to a trained CNN that was trained using samples of the first duration from blood pressure waveforms recorded from subjects while decreasing the subject's central blood volume, each sample being associated with a compensatory reserve metric; receive, from the trained CNN, a first compensatory reserve metric based on the first sample; and cause information indicative of remaining compensatory reserve to be presented.

Abstract: A sensor substrate to detect heart failure decompensation comprises a substrate structure, wherein the substrate structure is configured to have a patient sit, recline, or lie on a surface of the substrate structure, one or more sensors in the substrate structure, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect a plurality of parameters of the patient when the patient is in contact with the substrate structure, an interface in the substrate structure to receive an output from the one or more sensors, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to detect heart failure decompensation in the patient from the plurality of parameters detected by the one or more sensors when the patient is in contact with the substrate structure.

Abstract: An electronic device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a touch screen. The electronic device includes a communication interface that may receive, from a touch pen, a pulse wave signal of a user which is measured from a finger of the user by the touch pen while the touch pen is placed on the touch screen. The electronic device includes a processor that may determine whether a measurement posture of the user is appropriate based on whether the finger touches the touch screen, and in response to determining that the user's measurement posture is appropriate, estimate bio-information of the user based on the received pulse wave signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining physiological information in a subject. The system includes; a light source positionable along a first location outside of the subject; a photo-sensitive detector positionable along a second location outside of the subject and configured to detect scattered light and generate a signal; a processor having a program and a memory, wherein the processor is operably coupled to the detector and configured to receive and store the signals generated over a period of time; wherein the processor is programmed to derive contrast metrics from the stored signals, calculate a waveform from the contrast metrics, decompose the waveform into basis functions and respective amplitudes, and compare the basis function amplitudes to determine the physiological information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunctional measuring device capable of determining carotid blood pressure, comprising: a heartbeat sensing unit to be disposed on a subject's chest in order to obtain heartbeat signals; a pulse sensing unit to be disposed on the subject's neck at a position corresponding to the subject's carotid arteries in order to obtain pulse signals; and a data calculation unit configured to communicate with the heartbeat sensing unit and the pulse sensing unit and to process signals coming from the heartbeat sensing unit and from the pulse sensing unit; wherein the data calculation unit obtains a mean arterial pressure of the subject's carotid arteries by calculating with the heartbeat signals coming from the heartbeat sensing unit and the pulse signals coming from the pulse sensing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carotid blood pressure detection device, comprising: a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit, and a controller connected or coupled to the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit. The first sensing unit is disposed on a subject's neck and adjacent to a first position of the subject's carotid arteries. The second sensing unit is disposed on the subject's neck and adjacent to a second position of the subject's carotid arteries. The controller derives a mean arterial pressure of a section of the subject's carotid arteries that lies between the first position and the second position of the subject's carotid arteries from pulse wave data measured and obtained by the first sensing unit and pulse wave data measured and obtained by the second sensing unit.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system for measurement and analysis of blood pressure of a test subject comprising a blood pressure measuring cuff unit; a waveform analysis subsystem coupled to said blood pressure measuring cuff unit via a network; and wherein said cuff unit acquires a digital pulse pressure waveform from a wrist of the test subject, said digital pulse pressure waveform is transmitted over said network to said waveform analysis subsystem, and said waveform analysis subsystem processes said digital pulse pressure waveform to extract one or more blood pressure parameters and hemodynamic parameters.

Abstract: According to an aspect there is provided an inflation apparatus (10) for use with an inflation-based non-invasive blood pressure, NIBP, measurement apparatus, the inflation apparatus comprising: an outlet (110) configured to be coupled to a cuff of the inflation-based NIBP measurement apparatus; a pump (120) configured to output a flow of gas at an output flow rate; a valve (130) disposed along a flow path between the pump and the outlet to selectively pass part of the flow of gas output by the pump; and a control unit (140) configured to control the flow resistance of the valve to provide a flow of gas to the outlet at a required flow rate for inflating the cuff.

Abstract: Various patient monitoring systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for monitoring physiological parameters of a patient. A noninvasive blood pressure monitor can include an inflatable cuff, a pressure transducer, an air pump, and a plurality of air paths connecting the inflatable cuff, the pressure transducer, and the air pump. The monitor can also include an acoustic filter provided along at least one of the air paths. In some cases, the monitor can include first and second air pumps, as well as a processor to independently control operating characteristics of the air pumps. The processor can also control the air pumps so as to provide a first inflation rate for the inflatable cuff during a non-measurement portion of an inflation phase and a second, higher inflation rate during a measurement portion of the inflation phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wearable device for monitoring blood-pressure.

Abstract: A tissue property sensing system includes a sensing assembly that is movable along a drive screw and includes an outer shaft, an anvil, a center drive, a piston, and a tension spring. The piston includes a distal arm having a distal portion and a head that extends from the distal portion. The piston is movable within the outer shaft to move the head in relation to the anvil between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration, the head of the piston and the anvil are positioned to clamp and occlude flow of blood within tissue. The tension spring is coupled to the center drive and to the piston to urge the piston towards the center drive and to urge the head of the piston towards the anvil.