Abstract: Disclosed herein are bathroom apparatus for grooming hair. The apparatus includes a base member and a hair gripping device.

Abstract: A water removal device is configured to remove residual water off a user after getting wet. A handle is configured to be held within a user's hand, the handle extending along a longitudinal axis between a bottom handle end to a top handle end. A wiping extension outwardly extends beyond the top handle end along the longitudinal axis from a proximal wiping extension end to a distal wiping extension end. The wiping extension has a plurality of wiping edges evenly disposed about the longitudinal axis and extending generally along the longitudinal axis. The entirety of the water removal device may be formed as a single contiguous part where it is made from an injection molded polymer.

Abstract: A method for loading a stack of individual paper units into a dispenser includes inwardly pushing on a pair of oppositely disposed end portions of respective lateral walls of the dispenser, thereby releasing a drawer of the dispenser for sliding movement of that drawer relative to a remainder of the dispenser. The drawer includes first and second, oppositely disposed sidewalls, a bottom wall, and an arcuate front wall that has a dispensing aperture. The bottom wall of the drawer extends between the first and second sidewalls of the drawer, and the sidewalls of the drawer define an open end of the drawer opposite the bottom wall and, jointly with the bottom wall and arcuate front wall, defines a storage volume of the drawer. The drawer is slid outwardly relative to a remainder of the dispenser to thereby expose the first and second sidewalls and bottom wall of the drawer.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a towel and/or a liquid, which stores information pertaining to an amount of the towel and/or liquid that is arranged in the apparatus and/or dispensed by the apparatus. The apparatus stores the information in a control data memory that is able to be written to only once. The control data memory is part of a radio chip. The apparatus stores the information pertaining to the dispensed amount in a comparison data memory that is erasable and rewritable. The apparatus automatically compares the information pertaining to the dispensed amount of the towel and/or liquid that is stored in the control data memory and in the comparison data memory with one another. The apparatus prevents the towel and/or liquid from being dispensed, or stores the information pertaining to the amount that is stored in the control data memory in the comparison data memory, if the information of the control data memory and that of the comparison data memory are not consistent with one another.

Abstract: A dispenser for provision of portions of a tissue web, a retrofit kit for a dispenser, a method for provision of portions of a tissue web, and a method for upgrading a dispenser. The dispenser comprises a first transport arrangement for unused tissue and a second transport arrangement for used tissue, a housing with a dispensing opening through which a tissue portion located between the first transport arrangement and the second transport arrangement protrudes, a detection arrangement comprising at least one sensor unit, preferably comprising a first sensor and a second sensor, for detecting a user change, and a control unit adapted to activate the second transport arrangement when a user change is detected.

Abstract: The hub described herein is adapted for specialized use with relatively larger diameter tissue roll cores and large width rolls. The hub prevents the practical use of smaller tissue rolls having smaller core diameters and/or being a smaller width roll. The hub allows for custom matching a bath tissue roll with a particular hub for quality control purposes. The hub facilitates the installation of a predetermined uniform bath tissue to be mounted in a dispenser with the hub.

Abstract: A portable urinal includes: a moisture solidification layer containing a super absorbent polymer; and a plate-shaped support member supporting the moisture solidification layer and having a hollow portion; and a shape retaining wire retaining the plate-shaped support member in the form of an alphabet “C”, wherein the shape retaining wire has a single closed curve in the form of covering the plate-shaped support member and is provided along the edge of the plate-shaped support member.

Abstract: A luminescent toilet seat assembly for rendering a toilet visible at night includes a toilet seat that is hingedly mountable to a toilet. The toilet seat is comprised of a resiliently compressible material to enhance comfort for a user sitting on the toilet seat. The toilet seat is comprised of a luminescent material such that the toilet seat is visible at night. A toilet lid is hingedly coupled to the toilet seat and the toilet lid is comprised of a luminescent material. Thus, the toilet lid is visible in at night. Additionally, the toilet lid is comprised of a resiliently compressible material.

Abstract: A toilet brush assembly is disclosed. The toilet brush assembly includes a hollow shaft body having an upper end and a bottom end, the bottom end includes a partially perforated surface, the hollow shaft body is adapted to accept a solid cleaning agent through the upper end of the hollow shaft body; and a plurality of bristles, the plurality of bristles is attached to the bottom end of the hollow shaft body.

Abstract: A cleaning system includes a robotic cleaner and an evacuation station. The robotic cleaner can dock with the evacuation station to have debris evacuated by the evacuation station. The robotic cleaner includes a bin to store debris, and the bin includes a port door through which the debris can be evacuated into the evacuation station. The evacuation station includes a vacuum motor to evacuate the bin of the robotic cleaner.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner comprises a cyclone having a dirt outlet in communication with a dirt chamber.

Abstract: A robotic cleaner may include a housing, an agitator, and one or more projections. The housing may have a front side, a back side opposite the front side, a left side, and a right side opposite the left side. The right and left sides extend between the front and back sides. The agitator may be configured to rotate about an agitator rotation axis, the agitator rotation axis extending substantially parallel to the front side. The one or more projections may extend from the housing. The one or more projections may include one or more cliff sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a brushroll for a surface cleaning apparatus. The brushroll includes an agitation element, such as bristles and/or microfiber, and a hollow core brush bar supporting the agitation element. The hollow core brush bar has a cavity at a center of the brush bar located at the brushroll axis. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising the brushroll is also disclosed.

Abstract: A disassembly mechanism configured to be disposed on a dust collector is provided, including: a fixation assembly, including a first fixation portion and a second fixation portion, the first and second fixation portions being configured to be disposed on a base and a barrel of the dust collector respectively, the second fixation portion including a slot; an actuating mechanism, including an engaging portion being disengageably engaged laterally with the slot and a connecting portion being movably disposed on the first fixation portion, and the engaging portion being movable with the second fixation portion. A dust collector including at least one aforementioned disassembly mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: A cleaner is disclosed. The cleaner may include a housing having an opening through which air is introduced into the housing. The cleaner may also include a filtering unit mounted in the inner space of the housing. The filtering unit may define a dust collection space between the filtering unit and the inner surface of the housing. In addition, the cleaning unit may be mounted to surround the filtering unit. A manipulation unit may raise or lower the cleaning unit within the dust collection space. Furthermore, brush protrusions may protrude from the cleaning unit toward the surface of the filtering unit.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a separator assembly that includes a first stage cyclonic separator and a clean air outlet that discharges airflow from the separator assembly. The separator assembly further includes a shroud having an air transfer portion forming an airflow passageway between a dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet and a guide wall extending from an upper end of a air transfer portion toward an upper end of a container. The dirty air inlet defines a perimeter having an upper point closest to the upper end of the container, and the guide wall is positioned substantially above the upper point. The air transfer portion is positioned substantially below the upper point, and the guide wall extends at an oblique angle relative to the separator axis.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a suctioning unit, a main body including a cyclone unit for separating dust from the air suctioned through the suctioning unit, a body forming a dust container for storing the dust separated by the cyclone unit, and a body cover for opening and closing the lower side of the body. A filter unit is arranged in the body for filtering air. An actuating unit is configured to move in the body along a space between the outside of the filter unit and the inner circumferential surface of the body.

Abstract: An exhaust motor of vacuum device comprises an electric motor comprising a motor casing and a drive shaft, and an air bucket connected to the electric motor. The air bucket defines an air inlet side and an air outlet side, at least one rotating fan driven by the drive shaft to generate a high-pressure airflow flowing from the air inlet side to the air outlet side is provided in the air bucket. The air bucket is provided with a diversion end plate forming a plurality of diversion passages, each of the diversion passages comprises an inlet and an outlet, and the inlet is located on an original output path of the high-pressure airflow. The diversion passages divert the high-pressure airflow to flow toward the motor casing, and turn the high-pressure airflow into a heat-dissipating airflow capable of exchanging heat with the motor casing.

Abstract: In order to achieve the objective of the present disclosure, a robot cleaner for performing autonomous navigation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a main body; a driving unit for moving the main body; an ultrasonic sensor for sensing a distance between the main body and an obstacle; and a controller for controlling the driving unit by using an output value of the ultrasonic sensor, wherein the ultrasonic sensor comprises: a transmitting unit, installed at one point on the outer surface of the main body, for emitting ultrasonic waves in a predetermined direction; a plurality of receivers, installed at positions spaced apart from the transmitting unit by a predetermined distance on the outer surface of the main body, for receiving ultrasonic waves reflected by the obstacle after being emitted from the transmitting unit; and an electrical signaling unit for electrically connecting at least one of the plurality of receivers to the transmitting unit.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the technical field of cleaning devices, and discloses a cleaning device. The cleaning device includes a machine body, a front bumper, a cleaning assembly, a collecting assembly and a water tank. The machine body is provided with a recess, and the cleaning assembly includes a roller for cleaning the ground. The roller is mounted between the machine body and the front bumper. The collecting assembly is provided with a wastewater outlet and mounted between the machine body and the roller and abuts against the roller. The water tank is provided with a wastewater inlet and is removably mounted in the recess. The wastewater flows into the water tank through the wastewater outlet and the wastewater inlet.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning apparatus that includes a housing adapted for movement over a surface to be cleaned and a headlight having at least one light emitting element internal to the housing. A light pipe is integrated with a cover for a brushroll, and conveys light emitted from the light emitting element to an exterior of the housing. Methods for operating the headlight are also disclosed.

Abstract: A floor cleaner including a vacuum source, a supply tank, and a recovery tank. The floor cleaner is configured to remove debris and fluid from a surface to be cleaned. The recovery tank includes a removably coupleable strainer configured to filter hair and large debris from a dirty fluid during emptying of the recovery tank.

Abstract: Provided are a robot cleaner and a method of controlling the same. The robot cleaner includes a main body, a driver included in the main body and supplying power for driving the robot cleaner to travel, first, second, and third rotation members that are rotated around first, second, and third rotation axes, respectively, using power of the driver and to which cleaners for wet cleaning of a cleaning target surface are fixedly installed, respectively, and a controller controlling at least one of a rotation direction or a rotation speed of the third rotation member to adjust a travel direction of the robot cleaner, wherein the third rotation axis is parallel to a perpendicular direction of the robot cleaner.

Abstract: A robot cleaner may have a body, a mop, and a tank to supply water to the mop. The tank may be magnetically coupled to the body via at least one magnet and be physically coupled to the body via a groove and a protrusion The protrusion may be a bent rib extending from the tank to couple to a groove in the body, or the protrusion may be a stopper attached to a spring attached to the body and coupling with a groove in the tank. The at least one magnet may be provided at a first side with respect to a left-right center, and the protrusion and groove may be provided at a second side opposite the first side. To remove the tank from the body, the tank may be pulled near the magnet to detach the tank at the magnet, and the tank may be rotated at a point on the second side.

Abstract: A mop with interchangeable head mechanism is an apparatus that facilitates the use of multiple mop heads with a single handlebar. The apparatus includes a handle shaft, an adapter neck, a retention bracket, at least one interchangeable head assembly, a first attachment mechanism, and a second attachment mechanism. The handle shaft allows a user to easily maneuver the at least one interchangeable head assembly from a distance. The adapter neck connects the retention bracket and the at least one interchangeable head assembly with the handle shaft. The retention bracket connects the at least one interchangeable head assembly with the adapter neck. The at least one interchangeable head assembly serves as the mop head. The first attachment mechanism locks and unlocks the handle shaft with the adapter neck. The second attachment mechanism locks and unlocks the at least one interchangeable head assembly with the retention bracket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for supervising consumption and inventory of appliance consumables. The system comprises an appliance monitor that is placed on or next to an appliance. The appliance module includes one or more sensors measuring physical properties affected by operational modes of the appliance. The appliance module includes a processor that determines in which operational mode the appliance is operating. A server identifies a utilization cycle of the appliance as a function of an aggregation of one or more operational modes. The server further determines an amount of consumption of the consumable connected with the utilization cycle. The server tracks an inventory of the consumable for the appliance. The server can respond accordingly by sending a message for, inter alia, placing an order for delivery of a new supply of the consumable or for a repair service visit to the site of the appliance.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a washing chamber, and an automatic metering device configured automatically meter a plurality of metering quantities from a supply of cleaning agent in the form of a solid material into the washing chamber. The automatic metering device is held in a vibration-insulated manner.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a detergent solution from a solid detergent into a dishwasher includes a dispenser that can collect water sprayed into the dishwasher and use the collected water to produce the detergent solution by dissolving a portion of the solid detergent, controlling the amount of the detergent solution produced, and releasing the produced detergent solution between cleaning cycles. The dispenser can perform these functions automatically without being electrically powered.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher. A dishwasher according to the present invention includes a tub forming a washing chamber for washing a washing target; a first circulation duct through which air discharged from the tub flow; an outside air inflow duct in which air introduced from an outside flow; a fan assembly sucking air thereinto from the first circulation duct and the outside air inflow duct and discharging the sucked air; a second circulation duct heating and supplying a portion of air discharged from the fan assembly to the tub; an exhaust duct discharging a remaining portion of air discharged from the fan assembly to the outside.

Abstract: A dish treating appliance for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation can include a tub having at least a rear wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of opposing side walls. The tub at least partially defines a treating chamber with an access opening. A rail mounting assembly includes a pair of braces. Each of the braces are coupled with a different one of the opposing side walls. A rail assembly is mounted to each of the braces. A dish rack is slidingly mounted to the rail assemblies for movement in and out of the treating chamber relative to the access opening.

Abstract: The present invention is a cleaning tool for dispensing foam. The cleaning tool includes a handle having a working end and a holding end, a cleaning head attached to the working end of the handle, a foaming mechanism, and an actuator to displace volume within the foaming mechanism. The foaming mechanism includes a chamber, an air pocket, an air tube having an air inlet, a fluid inlet, a fluid reservoir, and a foaming pump.

Abstract: A liquid drainage device, including a main body, including a main surface disposed on a top surface of the main body to receive at least one item thereupon, an elevated side disposed on at least a portion of a first end of the main body, and a tapered side disposed on at least a portion of a second end of the main body, such that the main surface directs a liquid from the elevated side toward the tapered side in response to the liquid contacting at least a portion of the main surface, a plurality of protruding members disposed on at least a portion of the main surface to prevent movement of the at least one item, and a liquid receiving groove longitudinally disposed along a center of the main surface to direct the liquid away from the main surface.

Abstract: An endoscope system comprises an endoscope and a display to display image content captured by the endoscope. The endoscope system also comprises one or more sensors located in a headrest and configured to detect an input at the headrest. The endoscope system also comprises a control module configured to receive one or more sensor signals from the one or more sensors. The one or more sensor signals indicate movement of the headrest with respect to a support on which the headrest is mounted or pressure applied to the headrest. The control module is also configured to adjust the image content displayed by the display in response to the one or more sensor signals.

Abstract: An endoscopic deployment device includes a body mountable on an endoscopic device, the body having a movable carrier couplable to an end effector device, the end effector device having an end effector shaft covered by an outer sheath and an end effector extending from a distal end of the end effector shaft, the outer sheath being sized and shaped for insertion through a working channel of the endoscopic device, the body having a carrier channel for the carrier to slide therein, wherein the end effecter is actuatable between an open position and a closed position; and a motor having a drive shaft coupled to the carrier, rotation of the drive shaft sliding the carrier in the carrier channel and actuating the end effector in response to a signal from one or more actuation buttons; wherein at least one vibration motor generates vibrations as an angular position of the motor changes.

Abstract: A medical probe includes a shaft, for insertion into a cavity of a patient body, and a distal-end assembly. The distal-end assembly is coupled to a distal end of the shaft and including a hollow tube, which is configured to deflect relative to a longitudinal axis of the hollow tube and to rotate about the longitudinal axis. The hollow tube having (i) an intrusion, having at least a first surface, and (ii) a protrusion, which is facing the intrusion and having a second surface. When the hollow tube is deflected, at least part of the protrusion protrudes into the intrusion so that a first section of the first surface and a second section of the second surface are facing one another, and when the hollow tube is deflected and rotated, the first and second sections of the first and second surfaces apply force to one another and thus resist rotation of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A manipulator system, has an elongated portion having a bending portion and a wire configured to bend the bending portion; an operation portion configured to generate a first force for pulling the wire by an operator; a motor configured to generate a second force for pulling the wire; a clutch mechanism configured to switch a pulling force to pull the wire between to at least one of the first force or the second force; a grasping-state detector configured to determine a grasping state of the operation portion by the operator; and a controller configured to control the motor and the clutch mechanism, wherein the controller is configured to obtain the grasping state from the grasping-state detector, generate a control signal for controlling the clutch mechanism according to the obtained grasping state, and transmit the control signal to the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A modular endoscope system comprises a first modular section comprising imaging and illumination units, and a patient-insertable second modular section that can be detached to the first modular section via an attachment mechanism, wherein the first modular section is positionable at a distal end section of the second modular section and is configured to illuminate and image a portion of a patient anatomy. A method of using a modular endoscopy system comprises attaching a first modular section of the modular endoscopy system to a second modular section of the modular endoscopy system, positioning at least a portion of the modular endoscopy system within a patient, illuminating and imaging a portion of a patient anatomy via the first modular section, removing the modular endoscopy system from the patient, and detaching the second modular section from the first modular section after removal of the modular endoscopy system from the patient.

Abstract: A modular endoscopy system comprises a first modular section comprising control and navigation functionality, and a patient-insertable second modular section user-detachably connectable to the first modular section via an attachment mechanism, wherein the first modular section is positionable at a proximal end section of the second modular section and is configured to steer and bend a portion of the second modular section. A method of using a modular endoscopy system comprises attaching a first modular section of to a second modular section of the modular endoscopy system, positioning a portion of the modular endoscopy system within a patient, steering a portion of the second modular section to an anatomy location of the patient via the first modular section, removing the modular endoscopy system from the patient, and detaching the second modular section from the first modular section after removal of the modular endoscopy system from the patient.

Abstract: An enhanced flexible robotic endoscopy apparatus includes a main body and flexible elongate shaft. The main body comprises a proximal end, a distal end and a housing that extends to the proximal end and the housing comprises a plurality of surfaces and a plurality of insertion inlets which reside on at least one of the surface of the housing at the proximal end of the main body, through which a plurality of channels for endoscopy are accessible. Each of the insertion inlets has insertion axis corresponding thereto, along which flexible elongate assemblies are insertable, with the insertion axes of the insertion inlets being parallel to the central axis of the flexible elongate shaft at the proximal end of the flexible elongate shaft.

Abstract: An endoscopic peripheral includes a flexible cable connecting a first end and a second end. The first end of a flexible cable including at least a camera and one or more lights positioned at a time of the first end. The tip is configured for insertion of at least a portion of the first end into a body of patient. The second end of the flexible cable terminates in a connector configured to physically connect the endoscopic peripheral to an electronic device external to the body of a patient. The electronic device powers the camera and the one or more lights and displays content captured by the camera.

Abstract: The subject matter discloses a medical imaging device, comprising a rigid elongated member, a rigid distal member connected to the rigid elongated member, wherein said distal member comprises a front camera and a first side camera and a foldable circuit board located within the distal member, said front camera and said first side camera are connected to foldable arms of the foldable circuit board, wherein said foldable circuit board is designed to be put in a foldable position and inserted into said distal member.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for the accurate acquisition of medical measurement data of a body part of patient. To assist in acquiring accurate medical measurement data, an automated diagnostic and treatment system provides instructions to the patient to allow the patient to precisely position a medical instrument in proximity to a target spot of a body part of patient. Based on a series of images acquired from a kiosk camera and an instrument camera, these instructions are generated. Subsequent images from instrument camera are analyzed by automated diagnostic and treatment system utilizing a database and deep convolution neural network (DCNN) to obtain measured medical data. An error threshold measurement by the automated diagnostic and treatment system may determine the accuracy of the instrument positioning and the medical measured data. The measured medical data may be communicated to a physician.

Abstract: An optical fiber scanning probe includes a rotor and at least one optical fiber. The rotor includes a torque rope rotatable about its central axis. The optical fiber is disposed on the rotor and eccentric relative to the torque rope. A central axis of the optical fiber is substantially parallel to the central axis of the torque rope. When the torque rope rotates about its central axis, the rotor brings a free end of the optical fiber to scan along an arc path.

Abstract: A dual endoscope system, comprising: a main endoscope having a first tubular shaft extending between proximal and distal ends; a secondary endoscope having a second tubular shaft with a distal portion bent with respect to the main endoscope; and a display device to display an image received from the main endoscope and/or the secondary endoscope. The main and secondary endoscopes are joined together along a length of the first and second tubular shafts and are configured to be simultaneously inserted into a lumen. The main endoscope is arranged to acquire a first image of a field of view inside the lumen, and the secondary endoscope is arranged to acquire a second image at an angle to the field of view. The display device displays the first image acquired by main endoscope and a graphic object depicting position and/or orientation of the secondary endoscope with respect to the main endoscope.

Abstract: Provided are an endoscope apparatus, an endoscope processor, and a method for operating the endoscope apparatus in which illumination light (observation mode) is automatically switched in response to detection of a detection target from an image to reduce the burden of an operator's switching operation. An endoscope sequentially captures images of a subject in a first observation mode in which first illumination light (white light) is used. It is determined whether a detection target is continuously detected from the sequentially captured images. If it is determined that the detection target is continuously detected, the observation mode is automatically switched to a second observation mode in which second illumination light (special light) is emitted. In response to an elapse of a certain period of time after the observation mode is switched to the second observation mode, the observation mode is automatically switched from the second observation mode to the first observation mode.

Abstract: Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.

Abstract: An instrument handle is provided. The instrument handle includes an elongated structure extending between a first end and a second end, the first end extending to a functional head component or is configured to couple to a removable functional head component, and the elongated structure is interrupted by a holding assembly having a through-hole configured to receive a solid object. The holding assembly can have one or more connectors configured to securably retain the solid object therein. A dental mirror including the instrument handle is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for the early detection of neurodegeneration are described. The method comprises the steps of: a) extracting samples of a plurality of eye-markers of a user from a video stream captured by a visible light camera; b) loading said samples of said plurality of eye-markers to a big data repository, analyzing and consolidating them into one biomarker for detecting multiple disorders by means of training a machine learning model; and c) determining the risk of said user to develop a neurodegenerative disease using said trained machine learning model as part of an early detection screening or diagnosis process.

Abstract: A medical ophthalmic system uses a patient-specific face mask to establish a predefined alignment between the ophthalmic system and an eye of a patient. The patient-specific face mask may optionally provide a light proof enclosure for the eye. The face mask may be coupled directly to an ophthalmic device, or its housing/enclosure, of the ophthalmic system. The face mask may be 3D printed based on a 3D model of the patient's face.

Abstract: A system includes: a first movable stage which is movable with respect to an eye of a subject; a second movable stage mounted on the first movable stage, wherein the second movable stage is movable with respect to the first movable stage; a fixation target disposed on the second movable stage; and an optical system disposed in an optical path between the fixation target and the eye, wherein the optical system is configured for projecting the fixation target upon the eye to accommodate the eye, and wherein moving the second movable stage to a position where the fixation target is moved away from the eye by an additional amount causes blur cues of the fixation target to indicate to the subject that the fixation target is moving away from the eye while the size of an image of the fixation target on the retina of the eye decreases.