Patents Issued in September 2, 2021
  • Publication number: 20210267409
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the operating parameters of espresso coffee machines, comprising: a filter-holder body configured to be associated with a water dispensing nozzle of an espresso coffee machine; said body internally defining a chamber for the passage of the water dispensed by said nozzle; a filling element arranged in said chamber and having a cavity for the passage of the water dispensed by the nozzle towards an outlet duct; a water outlet terminal element associated with said filter-holder body downstream of said chamber and defining said water outlet duct; and reading means for the water pressure and temperature values passing from the chamber to the outlet duct; said reading means comprise at least one pressure reading device operatively engaged with said water outlet terminal element and at least one temperature reading device operatively engaged at said cavity obtained in the filling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Daniele PAROLINI, Mario CONTI, Luigi VILLANUEVA
  • Publication number: 20210267410
    Abstract: A cold brew coffee brewing system to prepare cold brew coffee by extraction of coffee grounds with brew water in a single-past, non-immersion extraction operation uses a tower unit with first and second receiving locations to receive a pre-infusion container for preparation of a pre-infusion mixture of coffee grounds during a pre-infusion operation and to receive an extraction vessel containing the transferred pre-infusion mixture for extraction processing to prepare cold brew coffee product, which is collected in a collection container received in the second receiving location of the tower unit. A brew control system controls operation of the water dispensing system during a cold brewing process cycle, and including a controller unit having stored therein multiple profiles for different cold-brew coffee product that may be prepared at the direction of the controller unit. A network may include multiple such cold brew coffee brewing systems connected with a central server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Raymond K. Buerger
  • Publication number: 20210267411
    Abstract: A coffee puck removal device (10) to remove a coffee puck (24) from a portafilter (20) is disclosed herein. The coffee puck removal device (10) has an open compartment (22) containing the coffee puck (24), the coffee puck (24) having an exposed major outer face (26) and a major inner face (28) when the coffee puck (24) is located in the open compartment (22). The device (10) includes: a body (12) having a rim (14) surrounding an aperture (16), with the rim (14) being configured to engage the portafilter (20), with the open compartment (22) facing the body (12) to inhibit air passing between the portafilter (20) and the rim (14); and a vacuum source (30) to remove air from the aperture (16) so that air pressure applied to the major inner face (28) is greater than air pressure applied to the exposed major outer face (26) so that the coffee puck (24) is removed from the portafilter (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Duncan Bruce HELLMERS, Stephen John MCCLEAN, Pierce BARNARD, Caroline VALENTINA, Andrew Robert MORGAN, Andrew Domenic GREGORACE, Robert GRASSIA
  • Publication number: 20210267412
    Abstract: Air filtration, in particular in cooking appliances, such as for example deep fryers. In particular, an odorless lid suitable for any container that allows odors or volatile compounds to escape and more particularly for any food cooking appliance, the odorless lid comprises a filtering material of particles having a core-shell structure, wherein the activated carbon core is surrounded by a shell of a mesoporous sol-gel material based on functionalized or nonfunctionalized silica.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicants: ETHERA, COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES (CEA), CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Marie-Pierre SOM, Thu-Hoa TRAN-THI, Christophe THERON, William BAMOGO, Trung-Hieu NGUYEN
  • Publication number: 20210267413
    Abstract: A cooking device includes a cooking chamber containing a fire pot that receives pellet fuel for combustion under positive pressure from an air supply and an offset combustion chamber adjacent to the cooking chamber. The device includes a smoke valve that is selectively openable to allow gas flow from the offset combustion chamber to the cooking chamber, and a pressure conduit containing a pressure valve that, when open, provides positive pressure from the air supply to the offset combustion chamber and, when closed, inhibits positive pressure from the air supply to the offset combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: BRUCE ROBERTS, RAMIN KHOSRAVI RAHMANI, ANTHONY HAMILTON, SLEIMAN ABDALLAH
  • Publication number: 20210267414
    Abstract: An automatic cooking system is provided to reduce and/or optimize the amount of cooking medium required to operate the fryer, while improving the temperature and flow characteristics of cooking medium in the fryer. To this end, the cooking vat of the system is designed with one or more heating elements and one or more lanes for flow of cooking medium and food products between inlet and outlet ends, with the heating elements defining a low profile and/or being mounted externally to the cooking vat to avoid impeding flow of the cooking medium. One example of such a heating element is a printed heating element that is coupled to or directly printed on the cooking vat. This arrangement reduces the total volume of retained cooking medium needed to flow and move food products along a length of the cooking vat during a cooking process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicants: Henny Penny Corporation, Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly Reichelderfer, Stephen L. Wilks
  • Publication number: 20210267415
    Abstract: A foodstuff dispensing system is provided in which a foodstuff dispensing hopper comprises a gate rotatably mounted adjacent a bottom opening for selectively opening and closing the bottom opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Maxim K. Guyatt, Timothy Edward Gulliver, Mark James Whitcombe
  • Publication number: 20210267416
    Abstract: A heating control device for controlling a food processor is disclosed. During a heating process of the food processor, a temperature in a cup of the food processor is obtained at a predefined time interval. Whenever the obtained temperature in the cup reaches a current preset temperature threshold, the food processor starts a stirring operation for a first preset time period and stops after that, until the obtained temperature in the cup is greater than an upper limit of the preset temperature threshold. The preset temperature threshold is adjusted and defined as the current preset temperature threshold every time before the food processor starts the stirring operation. The heating control device for controlling the food processor solves a problem of a low accuracy in heating control that is caused by an unbalanced temperature in the cup of the food processor during the heating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kunren YIN, Weijun QIAO, Shuangjiang XU, Bin CHEN
  • Publication number: 20210267417
    Abstract: Provided is a kitchen apparatus (100) having a spiralizing mode for slicing a foodstuff into a strip or strips, and a further mode which is an alternative to the spiralizing mode. The kitchen apparatus comprises a hand held motorized drive system (102) and a foodstuff engagement tool (104). The foodstuff engagement tool engages with both the drive system and the foodstuff. The foodstuff is thus rotated by the drive system in the spiralizing 5 mode. The drive system is adapted to release the foodstuff engagement tool to enable adoption of the further mode. The kitchen apparatus comprises a cutter (106) adapted to slice the foodstuff into the strip(s) when the rotating foodstuff is advanced onto the cutter. The kitchen apparatus further includes a container (108) having an opening (110). The cutter is mounted on the container in the spiralizing mode such that the container receives the strip(s) via the 10 opening. Further provided is a method for spiralizing a foodstuff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Albert QUINESSER
  • Publication number: 20210267418
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice cream scoop or scoop for another food of semisolid consistency, comprising a bowl or spatula and a handle carrying said bowl or spatula, said scoop being adapted to make a portion in said bowl or spatula, preferably a spherical portion, of said ice cream or other food, when said bowl or spatula is moved through a bulk of said ice cream or other food. According to the invention, the scoop comprises dispensing means of at least one food sauce suitable for dispensing said food sauce on and/or within said ice cream or other food portion during the formation of said ice cream or other food portion in said bowl or spatula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Paolo LASCHET
  • Publication number: 20210267419
    Abstract: A kit has a handle with first and second handle portions asymmetrically disposed above a pivot. The pivot may be collinear with the first handle portion and connected by an offset leg to the second handle portion. Various instrument arms connected to instrument heads are preferably provided as a kit with the handle. The arms may be sectionally disposed or integral with instrument heads selected from the group of forks, such as meat forks, pasta forks, etc, grippers, spatulas, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Robin F. Bradford, Lawrence J. Bradford
  • Publication number: 20210267420
    Abstract: A retractable shower assembly is provided. The retractable door assembly includes a housing, a retractable door, and a spring roller. The housing includes a shelving cavity. The retractable door is operable to move between a retracted position in which the retractable door is retracted into the housing and an extended position in which the retractable door extends out of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Brian M. Kaule, Ken Hanna
  • Publication number: 20210267421
    Abstract: A hand drying apparatus includes an outer case and a squeezing and dispensing arrangement. The squeezing and dispensing arrangement includes a first supporting panel, a second supporting panel which is spacedly apart from the first supporting panel, and a plurality of driving rotors rotatably supported in the outer case for driving the fabric towel to move in a predetermined direction. The hand drying apparatus is operated between an idle mode and a drying mode, wherein in the idle mode, the first supporting panel and the second supporting panel are positioned and retained to space apart from each other, wherein in the drying mode, at least one of the first supporting panel and the second supporting panel is driven to move toward the other supporting panel for allowing the fabric sheet to contact with the user's hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Wei HUANG
  • Publication number: 20210267422
    Abstract: A paper dispenser for dispensing paper provided on a roll may include a cylindrical housing having a compartment dimensioned to receive the roll and a slot provided between an inner and an outer surface of the cylindrical housing to dispense paper from the roll. End walls may be removably provided proximate to longitudinal ends of the cylindrical housing. The paper dispenser may also include a decorative layer and a layer of absorptive material for dispensing fragrance. Additionally or alternatively, the dispenser may employ a flexible rod that supports the paper roll in a position that is further away from a support structure than would be possible with a rigid rod, and may provide illumination functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Louise Ann Perillo
  • Publication number: 20210267423
    Abstract: A drying device includes: a housing having a ventilation device provided therein; a drying nozzle provided in the housing, and having a ventilation groove from which an air flow generated by the ventilation device is discharged; and a driving motor for moving the drying nozzle forward and backward by rotating the drying nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: COWAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minsu SONG, Hyun Kang LEE, Youngpyo KIM, Dong Ik NAM
  • Publication number: 20210267424
    Abstract: A toilet includes a base, a cover, and a seat. The seat is rotatably coupled to the base, and the cover is rotatably coupled to the seat. The cover and the seat define an angled axis that is oriented upward and forward toward a front end of the base. The cover and the seat are each configured to rotate about the angled axis between a lowered position in which the cover and the seat are located adjacent the base and a stowed position in which the cover and the seat are oriented in an upward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Chanseol Chung, Karger D. Kohler, Daniel N. Halloran, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Keith E. Muellenbach, Jennifer Tarplee, Craig Loest
  • Publication number: 20210267425
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle (N) has a steering hinge arrangement (H1, H2) between a body (B) of the vacuum cleaner nozzle (N) and a connector (C) that is connectable to a unit having a handle, wherein the steering hinge arrangement (H1, H2) comprises first (H1) and second (H2) steering hinges, the first steering hinge (H1) being operational until a first steering angle, and the second steering hinge (H2) being operational from the first steering angle, a transmission ratio of the second steering hinge (H2) exceeding a transmission ratio of the first steering hinge (H1). As a result, a transmission ratio of the steering hinge arrangement (H1, H2) increases with an increasing steering angle also when the unit is substantially flat. The first steering angle may be determined by edges (E) on the first steering hinge (H1) interacting with a protrusion (P) on the second steering hinge (H2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jonne STEEMAN, Matthijs Hendrikus LUBBERS, Klaas HILVERDA
  • Publication number: 20210267426
    Abstract: A charging station is disclosed. The disclosed charging station comprises: a charging member configured to come into contact with a charging terminal of a robot vacuum cleaner to provide power to the charging terminal; a first light emitting member for emitting an infrared signal; and a reflecting member disposed to face the first light emitting member and reflect an infrared signal emitted from the first light emitting member, toward the front and sides of the charging station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jeayun SO, Chunseong KIM, Hankyeol KIM, Jihye SEO, Sangsik YOON
  • Publication number: 20210267427
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of floor treatment machines for scrubbing, polishing, sanding or burnishing floors, and in particular machines in which one or more driven rotatable work heads (such as scrubbing brushes) are provided for agitating the floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Simon Wiltshire
  • Publication number: 20210267428
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for cleaning a surface includes a liquid delivery system (12) for storing cleaning liquid and delivering the cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery system (14) and a control system. The control system includes a controller (122) that is coupled to a fluid level sensing assembly (98). Methods of operating the same include sensing foam or liquid with the fluid level sensing assembly (98).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Scholten, Jacob Resch, Jacob S. Boles, Bryan Lee Villaroman, Victoria J. Royale, Timothy R. Lambrix
  • Publication number: 20210267429
    Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a body, a controller supported by the body, a drive supporting the body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface in response to commands from the controller, and a pad holder attached to an underside of the body to hold a removable cleaning pad during operation of the robot. The pad includes a mounting plate and a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the mounting surface. The robot includes a pad sensor to sense a feature on the pad and to generate a signal based on the feature, which is defined in part by a cutout on the card backing. The mounting plate enables the pad sensor to detect the feature. The controller is responsive to the signal to perform operations including selecting a cleaning mode based on the signal, and controlling the robot according to a selected cleaning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Ping-Hong Lu, Joseph M. Johnson, Daniel Foran, Marcus Williams, Andrew Graziani
  • Publication number: 20210267430
    Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize one or more tubular spray elements that are both rotatable about longitudinal axes thereof and discretely directable by one or more tubular spray element drives between a plurality of rotational positions about the longitudinal axes thereof. Thus, through the provision of discretely directable tubular spray elements, fluid such as wash fluid and/or pressurized air may be focused in a wash tub, in many cases providing more efficient resource usage in the dishwasher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20210267431
    Abstract: A cleaning system (110) and a method for cleaning items to be cleaned (112) are proposed. The cleaning system (110) comprises: a) at least one cleaning apparatus (114), having at least one at least partially closed cleaning chamber (116) with at least one loading apparatus (118) for loading the items to be cleaned (112) with at least one cleaning liquid; and b) at least one transport system (144) for the automatic transport of the items to be cleaned (112), the transport system (144) comprising: a. at least one first conveying apparatus (146) for the inward transport of dirty items to be cleaned (112); b. at least one second conveying apparatus (148) for the transport of the dirty items to be cleaned (112) to the cleaning apparatus (114); c. at least one transfer apparatus (150) for the transfer of at least one part of the dirty items to be cleaned (112) from the first conveying apparatus (146) onto the second conveying apparatus (148); and d.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: MEIKO Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bruno Gaus
  • Publication number: 20210267432
    Abstract: A steam cleaning apparatus for cleaning and sanitizing glasses and other kitchenware. The steam cleaning apparatus comprises a water supply and a steam generating component. The steam generating component is configured to generate pressurized steam from the water supply. The steam generating component comprises an electric pump working in conjunction with an electric heater to generate the pressurized steam. The steam cleaning apparatus further comprises a steam cleaning chamber and a steam dispensing component. The steam cleaning chamber defines a steam cleaning space for retaining the glasses and kitchenware. The steam dispensing component receives the pressurized steam from the steam generating component and directs it into the steam cleaning chamber to steam clean the glasses and other kitchenware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Ravinder Fotedar
  • Publication number: 20210267433
    Abstract: A dishwasher comprising a goods drying system with an ejector at a bottom section of the dishwasher and configured to draw, via a first ejector channel arranged inside the dishwasher, goods drying air in a tub of the dishwasher to an outlet of the ejector where air exits the dishwasher. The drying air enters the first ejector channel at a top section of the dishwasher. A device at an opening of a second channel of the ejector draws air from outside the dishwasher into the second ejector channel to enable the transport of the goods drying air via the first ejector channel. Air drawn from the outside the dishwasher by the device exits via the ejector outlet. Air enters the tub of the dishwasher by an inlet at a bottom of the dishwasher and mixes with the goods drying air in the tub before entering the first ejector channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Magnus Wahlberg
  • Publication number: 20210267434
    Abstract: A medical image processing device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image signal obtained by capturing a subject image; and an image processor configured to set, in the image signal, a first area for displaying an image, and a second area having a smaller average luminance than the first area, set the second area on a screen according to a depth of field at a time of capturing the subject image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro YAMAGUCHI, Hiroshi USHIRODA
  • Publication number: 20210267435
    Abstract: A verification system for verifying features of a scene, the system including circuitry configured to receive initial information determined in accordance with a first analysis of the scene, produce at least one test image in accordance with test information indicating at least one feature of the scene to be verified, the at least one test image being at least one predetermined image selected in accordance with the test information, modified in accordance with the initial information, overlay the scene with the at least one test image, receive comparison information relating to a comparison of the at least one test image overlaid with the scene with the at least one predetermined image selected in accordance with the test information and generate a verification status of a feature of the scene in accordance with the received comparison information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher WRIGHT, Naoyuki HIROTA
  • Publication number: 20210267436
    Abstract: An endoscope hood is attached to an endoscope insertion section including an optical fiber that optically guides therapeutic light with which biological tissue is to be irradiated and outputs the therapeutic light, and including an observation optical system for observing the biological tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Susumu YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20210267437
    Abstract: An optical connecting device for a surgical instrument including a coupling for connecting first and second optical fiber bundles. The coupling including: a tubular sleeve having an outer surface defining an internal space for receiving an end of the first optical fiber bundle in the internal space of the tubular sleeve; a clamp movably disposed on the outer surface of the tubular sleeve, the clamp having one or more of a first convexity and a first concavity; and a union having one or more of a second convexity and a second concavity. The clamp has a continuous longitudinal opening along its longitudinal extension and on its outer side such that the clamp can be elastically deformed in a radial direction, and the clamp is configured to elastically deform such that one or more of the first convexity and the first concavity engages with one or more of the second convexity and the second concavity of the union.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin WIETERS, Alexander KRUEGER
  • Publication number: 20210267438
    Abstract: A medical system includes one or more medical devices for intra-body conveyance which include a host structure that defines an interior area, one or more data gathering system, one or more means for communication, for transmitting data from the data gathering systems. The medical device is configurable into a peripheral boundary of a size adapted to fit in a lumen of a living organism. The medical system includes an external processing device configured to receive the transmitted data from the means for communication. The external processing system is configured to perform data analysis on the data received from the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher J. Velis, Matthew P. Palmer, Nisha Veronica Varma
  • Publication number: 20210267439
    Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion that is covered with an exterior tube with an outer diameter of 1 mm or less, an observation optical system that includes a rectangular image sensor fixed to a tip of the insertion portion and having a length of one side of 60% or less of the outer diameter of the insertion portion, an illumination fiber that is arranged between an inner surface of the exterior tube and an edge of the observation optical system and penetrates the exterior tube, a cable bundle that is connected to the image sensor and penetrates the exterior tube, and a connector that is connected to the cable bundle and the illumination fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunihiko ONOBORI, Kohei IKETANI
  • Publication number: 20210267440
    Abstract: A method for determining a position of a tool being received by a catheter, the method including capturing first images with the tool as the tool is being installed in the catheter. The method also includes generating training images for a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) by replicating the first images and applying perturbations to the replicated first images. The method also includes training the DCNN by inputting the training images into the DCNN. The method also includes capturing second images with the tool as the tool is being installed in the catheter. The method also includes inputting the second images into the DCNN. The method also includes analyzing the second images with the trained DCNN. The method further includes determining a configuration of the tool based on the analyzed second images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jue LIN, Andrew J. HAZELTON, Changmeng LIU
  • Publication number: 20210267441
    Abstract: A method of processing images captured using an endoscope comprising a camera is disclosed. According to this method, regular images captured by the camera are received while the endoscope travels through a human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The regular images are mosaicked to determine any missed or insufficiently imaged area in a section of the human GI tract already travelled by the endoscope. If any missed or insufficiently imaged area is detected, information regarding any missed or insufficiently imaged area is provided. When a target area in the regular images is lack of parallax, the target area is determined as one missed area and an edge corresponding to a structure of the human lumen is highlighted. For a capsule endoscope, the endoscope can be configured to be controlled or steered to move so as to re-image the missed or insufficiently imaged area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kang-Huai Wang, Chenyu Wu, Mark Hadley, Gordon C. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20210267442
    Abstract: An imaging system for a patient is provided. The system includes an imaging probe having an elongate shaft with a proximal end, a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal portion. A rotatable optical core is positioned within the lumen of the elongate shaft. An optical assembly is positioned proximate the distal end of the rotatable optical core and is configured to direct light to tissue and collect reflected light from the tissue. An imaging assembly is constructed and arranged to optically couple to the imaging probe and the imaging assembly is configured to emit light into the imaging probe and receive the reflected light collected by the optical assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher L. Petersen, Christopher C. Petroff, Giovanni J. Ughi, Nareak Douk, R. Maxwell Flaherty, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20210267443
    Abstract: Improved fluorescent imaging and other sensor data imaging processes, including hyperspectral imaging, devices, and systems are provided to enhance endoscopes with multiple wavelength capabilities and providing sequential imaging and display. A first optical device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode with an imaging unit including one or more image sensors. A mechanism in the first optical device to automatically adjust the focus of the first optical device using one or more deformable, variable-focus lenses, wherein the automatic focus adjustment compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the light collected at distinct wavelength bands caused by the dispersive or diffractive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the first or second optical devices, or both. Further variable spectrum imaging is enhanced with the use of adjustable spectral filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: KARL STORZ SE & Co KG
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Christin Baumann
  • Publication number: 20210267444
    Abstract: An endoscope includes a dichroic prism assembly configured to receive light from an object image through an entrance face. The assembly includes a first prism and a further dichroic prism assembly for splitting light in three light components, the first prism having a cross section with corners designed so that an incoming beam is partially reflected twice inside and exits the first prism through an exit face towards a first sensor. The dichroic prism assembly includes a compensator prism between the first prism and the further dichroic prism assembly. A first path length travelled by the part of the incoming beam reflected twice inside the first prism towards the first sensor is the same as path lengths travelled by a part of the incoming beam entering the further dichroic prism assembly towards each of three sensors, accounting for adjustment for focal plane focus position difference in wavelengths at the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Quest Photonic Devices B.V.
    Inventor: Richard Johannes Cornelis Meester
  • Publication number: 20210267445
    Abstract: An endoscopic system including an endoscope, a light source for the endoscope and at least one image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of a body cavity. The light source is configured to emit light from the endoscope and into the body cavity such that the light is reflected off of a plurality of locations in the body cavity. The system also includes a control system for controlling both the light source and the at least one image sensor to vary parameters of the light source and the at least one image sensor such that the plurality of images have underexposed and overexposed regions. The endoscopic system could alternatively include a variable-attenuator element device adjacent the image sensor and configured to be located between the body cavity and the image sensor for capturing a single clear image with the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: John T. SHEN, Benjamin H. FEINGOLD, Vasudev NAMBAKAM, Amit A. MAHADIK, Brandon B. HUNTER
  • Publication number: 20210267446
    Abstract: To generate light with high color rendering properties while suppressing an occurrence of unevenness. The present disclosure provides a medical system (3000, 6000) including: a medical device (2000, 4000) provided with an imaging unit configured to image an observation object; and a light source apparatus (1000) configured to generate light to irradiate the observation object, wherein the light source apparatus has: a narrow-band light source (100) configured to emit narrow-band light of which a wavelength width is a narrow band; a wide-band light source (200) configured to emit wide-band light of which the wavelength width is wider than the narrow-band light; a combining unit (310) configured to combine the narrow-band light and the wide-band light; and an emission angle converting unit (400) configured to convert an emission angle of the narrow-band light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuaki IWANE, Tomoyuki OKI
  • Publication number: 20210267447
    Abstract: An apparatus for intraoral imaging has an illumination source that directs light to an object. An imaging apparatus forms an image at an image sensor array from reflected light from the object, the imaging apparatus having an optical stop along an optical axis. A phase modulator is disposed at or near the optical stop. An image processor conditions data from the image sensor array and provides processed image data of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Yiyi GUAN, Victor C. WONG, James R. MILCH
  • Publication number: 20210267448
    Abstract: A device for use during a medical imaging process, the device including a support structure and a plurality of radiopaque markers, the support structure configured to be positioned in proximity to at least a portion of a body of a patient during the medical imaging process, the plurality of radiopaque markers attached to the support structure, the plurality of radiopaque markers being positioned in a pattern such that an image capturing a given portion of the pattern is unique from an image capturing any other given portion of the pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Dorian AVERBUCH, Eliron AMIR, Willy FENCHENKO, Eyal COHEN, Yoel CHAIUTIN, Kirill PEVZNER, Dima SEZGANOV
  • Publication number: 20210267449
    Abstract: A self-expanding retractor is described for placement within the vaginal canal of a post-partum female to aid in performing a vaginal repair. The retractor provides improved exposure and enhanced visualization of an episiotomy or vaginal laceration repair site. The retractor is typically in the form of a foldable, trapezoidal frame defining a central aperture, and includes anterior stability posts at its corners and a panel spanning the central aperture. The panel is typically in the form of a surgical gauze pad for absorbing blood and fluids entering the surgical field. The retractor can be folded by a user for placement within the vaginal canal and then released, which allows it to expand to hold back swollen tissues from obstructing the repair site. The retractor is typically lightweight and compact and is configured to minimize slippage during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Richard B. BEAVEN
  • Publication number: 20210267450
    Abstract: A fundus illumination system includes an array of light sources, a first optical combiner, and a second optical combiner. The array of light sources are configured to be selectively enabled to emit non-visible light to illuminate a fundus of an eye. The first optical combiner is configured to receive reflected non-visible light that is reflected by the eye, direct a first component of the reflected non-visible light to a first camera to generate an image of the eye, and pass a second component of the reflected non-visible light. The second optical combiner is configured to receive a fundus imaging light responsive to the second component of the reflected non-visible light, and to direct the fundus imaging light to a second camera to generate an image of the fundus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Robin Sharma, Mohamed Tarek El-Haddad
  • Publication number: 20210267451
    Abstract: A device for ocular diagnostics may include one or more light sources configured to illuminate an anterior segment of a patient's eye, a diffuser positioned to receive light remitted from the anterior segment of the patient's eye, and configured to provide a pattern based on the light remitted, and an image sensor configured to obtain one or more images of the pattern to enable determination of one or more properties of the patient's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas J. DURR, Faisal MAHMOOD, Gregory MCKAY
  • Publication number: 20210267452
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for signal processing. The methods may include: directing a transmitter to transmit a beam of light to the subject; receiving a first signal collected by a first receiver according to a first receiving parameter of the first receiver, the first signal being reflected by the subject in response to the beam of light and at least comprising a photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal relating to the subject and a moving/vibrating signal relating to the subject; receiving a second signal collected by a second receiver according to a second receiving parameter of the second receiver, the second signal being reflected by the subject in response to the beam of light and at least comprising the moving/vibrating signal; identifying the PPG signal of the subject in the first signal by removing the moving/vibrating signal from the first signal based on the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: VITA-COURSE TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiyong WANG, Liang LI, Jiao YU
  • Publication number: 20210267453
    Abstract: A method, computer system, and computer program product for self-correcting temperature and notification are provided. The embodiment may include detecting a user body temperature. The embodiment may also include determining if the detected body temperature is within a pre-configured normal temperature range. The embodiment may further include in response to the detected body temperature is outside the pre-configured threshold temperature range, adjusting the body temperature to the pre-configured normal temperature range. The embodiment may also include notifying a user when the detected body temperature reaches pre-configured dangerous body temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kristina Anne MAULTSBY, Jaime Mae STOCKTON, Stephen GLANCY, David XIE
  • Publication number: 20210267454
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the combination of respiratory data from two or more different sensors in order to generate a combined waveform. The system of the present invention may comprise a set of two strain sensors, each strain sensor comprising a bare sensor and an adhesive layer to apply said sensors to the skin of a patient, one on the chest and one on the abdomen. The system may further comprise a computing device connected to both strain sensors in some form. As the distention of the patient's skin puts strain on the strain sensors, waveforms are transmitted from the sensors to the computing device where both waveforms are combined into a singular waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Chu, William E. Saltzstein
  • Publication number: 20210267455
    Abstract: A method of cardiac strain analysis uses displacement encoded magnetic resonance image (MRI) data of a heart of the subject and includes generating a phase image for each frame of the displacement encoded MRI data. Phase images include potentially phase-wrapped measured phase values corresponding to pixels of the frame. A convolutional neural network CNN computes a wrapping label map for the phase image, and the wrapping label map includes a respective number of phase wrap cycles present at each pixel in the phase image. Computing an unwrapped phase image includes adding a respective phase correction to each of the potentially-wrapped measured phase values of the phase image, and the phase correction is based on the number of phase wrap cycles present at each pixel. Computing myocardial strain follows by using the unwrapped phase image for strain analysis of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Sona Ghadimi, Changyu Sun, Xue Feng, Craig H. Meyer, Frederick H. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20210267456
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for in vivo tissue evaluation includes an elongated manipulator including an elongated proximal tube and an articulable distal portion, and a sensor provided at a distal end of the articulable distal portion, the sensor including a sensor head configured to be pressed against tissue and measure a reaction force of the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Panayiotis S. Shiakolas, Shashank Kumat, Samson Abimbola Adejokun
  • Publication number: 20210267457
    Abstract: An optically computed optical coherence tomography (OC-OCT) technology is disclosed. The OC-OCT system performs depth resolved imaging by computing the Fourier transform of the interferometric spectra optically. The OC-OCT system modulates the interferometric spectra with Fourier basis function projected to a spatial light modulator and detects the modulated signal without spectral discrimination. The optical computation strategy enables volumetric OCT imaging without performing mechanical scanning and without the need for Fourier transform in a computer. OC-OCT performs Fourier transform signal processing optically, without the need of mechanical scanning, and before data acquisition unlike traditional OCT methods and systems. The scan-less OCT imaging is achieved through the use of spatial light modulator (SLM) that precisely manipulates light wave to generate output with desired amplitude and phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Xuan Liu, Yahui Wang
  • Publication number: 20210267458
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are implemented for microscope imaging solutions. One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed toward an epifluorescence microscope. The microscope includes an image capture circuit including an array of optical sensor. An optical arrangement is configured to direct excitation light of less than about 1 mW to a target object in a field of view of that is at least 0.5 mm2 and to direct epi-fluorescence emission caused by the excitation light to the array of optical sensors. The optical arrangement and array of optical sensors are each sufficiently close to the target object to provide at least 2.5 ?m resolution for an image of the field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kunal Ghosh, Laurie D. Burns, Abbas El Gamal, Mark J. Schnitzer, Eric Cocker, Tatt Wei Ho