Abstract: An improved cap for a paper dispenser with an adjustable tension control and a tension grip having several ribs and a spring housing for accommodating a tension spring within the housing, a first and second circular end rings on the two end tips of the tension grip, a tension rod attached to the first circular end, a spring base having a threaded shaft, a tension adjustment dial, having a ribbed outer surface, and a plurality of braking blades, extending in a longitudinal direction to the plane of the tension adjustment dial and coming into frictional contact with an inner surface of the tension grip or the second end ring, for controlling the rotational speed and dispensing of the toilet paper.

Abstract: A waste burning toilet may operate on power generated from burning waste deposited in the toilet without connection to external electricity, a sewer, or water supply. A dryer connected to the toiled dries the waste prior to burning. The waste may be burnt in a firebox that is connected to the dryer. Heat from the firebox may be used to generate electricity that can power the components of the toilet system. The waste may be reduced to sterile ash.

Abstract: A sensor and a monitoring system for implementation on a toilet seat to detect: (a) the presence of an individual on the toilet seat; (b) the departure of the individual from the toilet seat; and (c) an overly long occupancy of the toilet seat by the individual. The sensor is incorporated either on the underside of the toilet seat or within the material structure of the seat. Included with the sensor in the system is an integrated interconnect component for allowing the operation of the dielectric shift sensor elements with a variety of control monitors associated with existing patient and nurse call alarm systems. The interconnect component and an appropriately structured interconnect cable are used to connect the dielectric shift sensor elements configured within or on the toilet seat with any of a variety of existing alarm/alert control unit modules.

Abstract: A floor cleaner including a base that includes a suction inlet, a brushroll chamber, and brushroll. The base further includes a brushroll cover releaseably attached to the base, the brushroll cover removable to access the brushroll chamber. The brushroll chamber includes a brushroll, an endcap, a tab extending from the endcap, a driven end and a non-driven end. The endcap includes the tab extending from the endcap. The tab is movable between an unfolded and a folded position. Upward movement of the tab in the unfolded position removes the brushroll from the brushroll chamber.

Abstract: An autonomous vacuum cleaner operable to navigate about a surrounding environment to perform a surface cleaning operation without continuous human input. The vacuum cleaner includes a suction nozzle and a suction motor and a fan assembly operable to generate an airflow through the vacuum cleaner from the suction nozzle through a debris separator to a clean air exhaust. The suction motor and the fan assembly having an axis of rotation and a fan of the fan assembly rotatable about the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is orientated horizontally. The debris separator includes a cyclonic separator operable to separate debris from the airflow and the cyclonic separator includes a cylindrical wall along a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separator being orientated horizontally.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner including: a secondary battery; an electric blower that generates negative pressure by consuming electricity stored in the rechargeable battery; and a control unit that controls driving of the electric blower, and changes discharge current of the rechargeable battery based on the difference between terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery while the electric blower is stopped and terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery after a predetermined time has elapsed since the electric blower has been started up. The electric vacuum cleaner can continue driving of an electric blower and increase operation time even in the state that the internal resistance of a rechargeable battery is increased.

Abstract: A cleaner includes a first cleaning module including a left spin mop and a right spin mop configured to contact the floor while rotating in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from an upper side, a second cleaning module configured to contact the floor in front of the first cleaning module, and a body supported by the first cleaning module and the second cleaning module. A point on the bottom surface of the left spin mop that receives the largest frictional force from the floor is located on a left-front side of the rotation center of the left spin mop, and a point on the bottom surface of the right spin mop that receives the largest frictional force from the floor is located on a right-front side of the rotation center of the right spin mop.

Abstract: A roller mop capable of self-cleaning, comprising a pull rod (41), a mop head component (1), and a cleaning basin capable of holding the mop head component (1). The pull rod (41) is grasped by a person to operate; a motor (15) in the mop head component (1) drives a roller (10) to clean the ground; after the mopping is ended, the mop head component (1) can be put in the cleaning basin for charging and washing with water. The roller mop provided with a trash bin (17) can receive a number of small trashes; labor intensity is reduced due to the driving of the motor (15); the mop can perform continuous operation, and thus high cleaning efficiency is achieved; moreover, the mop has a self-cleaning effect, and is easy to use.

Abstract: An electrical household appliance includes a base for producing steam having a steam generator including a boiling chamber and a liquid reservoir supplying the boiling chamber by gravity, the liquid flowing by gravity from the reservoir toward the boiling chamber until the liquid level in the boiling chamber reaches an equilibrium level, called the reference level, at which the liquid level prevents air from entering the reservoir, the boiling chamber including a steam outlet through which steam can escape toward a work tool, such as a smoothing brush, and a communication opening connected to a pipe having an evacuation opening closed with a removable stopper, wherein the pipe includes a scale-collecting container that is removable through the evacuation opening.

Abstract: A scratch-resistant mop, and methods of making same are presented. The mop has a pole having first and second ends and a rubber end cap secured to the first end of the pole. The mop has strips of absorbent chamois material cut from chamois sheets. The strips from each sheet have a common end margin. The common end margins are wrapped in alternating directions and attached to the end cap using waxed lines wrapped over each of the common end margins and about the base of the end plug. The strips of absorbent chamois material are pulled tightly back over the common end margins and waxed lines so that all the strips may be gathered and secured at a distal end of the end cap with a final waxed line, forming a scratch-resistant “apple” of the absorbent chamois material and free strips of the absorbent chamois material.

Abstract: A method for handling a clogging condition in a dishwasher may include detecting the clogging condition; upon detecting the clogging condition, interrupting a wash cycle of the dishwasher and executing a remedial operation to remove the clogging condition. The remedial operation may include executing a drain operation for a predetermined drain time during which a drain pump may be continuously or intermittently operated to drain water from a sump of the dishwasher; following the drain operation, executing a fill operation for a predetermined fill time during which a fill valve may be continuously or intermittently activated to add water to the dishwasher; and following the fill operation, executing a circulation operation during which a circulation pump may be continuously or intermittently operated to remove the clogging condition. A dishwasher and a control system for handling a clogging condition are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hand-held dish cleaning brush that includes an elongate handle with a scrubbing head at one end, the scrubbing head including a working part of an elastomer integrally formed with a plurality of bristles and with a plurality of scraping projections that are formed as an array of scraping teeth, wherein the bristles are not directly aligned with but off-set from the scraping teeth and pass between the scraping teeth when flexed forwardly or rearwardly toward the scraping teeth.

Abstract: An adhesive roller assembly is provided having a non-cylindrical roller. The non-cylindrical roller is rotatably affixed to a handle's distal end. In addition, adhesive tape is helically wrapped about the roller, and the adhesive tape includes perforations so as to facilitate the breaking of the adhesive tape into individual segments. Because the roller has a non-cylindrical circumferential surface, the adhesive tape is deformed to have a non-cylindrical exterior. The roller, and consequentially exterior of the adhesive tape, can take various forms. In preferred embodiments, the roller and tape exterior have a concave, convex, undulating, dimpled or bumpy surface. The adhesive tape is made of material providing increased elongation.

Abstract: A method for producing an endoscope that includes an endoscope head and an optic tube, including the steps of providing the endoscope head, providing the optic tube, and pushing a proximal end area of the optic tube into a distal end area of the endoscope head. The distal end area of the endoscope head is press-fitted with the proximal end area of the optic tube.

Abstract: A signal processing device includes a first internal module 61 that executes hardware processing, and second internal modules that execute software processing. The first internal module outputs an image signal, division position information indicating division positions, at which a frame of the image signal is divided by a predetermined amount of data, and a timing signal, to the second internal modules, and generates, based on the image signal that has been subjected to the software processing and input from the second internal modules, a video signal for display. Based on the timing signal and the division position information, the second internal modules sequentially execute image processing by the software processing on the image signal per the predetermined amount of data, and sequentially output the image signal per the predetermined amount of data that has been subjected to the image processing, to the first internal module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating the value of a physical parameter of biological tissue. The method comprises acquiring a colour image of the biological tissue from a single image capture device; extracting from the colour image at least two images in respective optical wavebands having a different spectral sensitivity from one another, whereby a given location in the biological tissue is present in each of the extracted images; providing a physical model of the optical properties of the biological tissue, wherein the optical properties of the biological tissue are sensitive to the value of said physical parameter; and estimating the value of the physical parameter at said given location based on an intensity value at that location for each extracted image. The estimating utilises the physical model of the optical properties of the biological tissue and the spectral sensitivity for each respective waveband.

Abstract: A single-use electronic endoscope has a hub, a shaft extending from the hub, flexible or rigid as desired, and an expandable distal tip extending from the shaft. Within the distal tip, an image sensor provides a field of view external from the endoscope. Illuminating elements or light guides within the distal tip emit light to illuminate the field of view. The distal tip also has a variable profile working channel that permits tools to be passed from the hub and into the field of view. The expandable working channel changes cross-sectional shape from a generally noncircular shape to a shape to accommodate the cross-sectional shape of the tool when expanded.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a first subassembly, a second subassembly, a third subassembly, and a fourth subassembly, which are sequentially assembled and tested in making the endoscope. The first subassembly includes a pressure-sealed electrical cable connected to an image capture unit. The second subassembly includes the first subassembly, a shell, a light pipe, and a lid. The third subassembly includes the second subassembly, a central tube, and a flange. The fourth subassembly includes the third subassembly, a base, a shaft, and optionally an articulating assembly.

Abstract: A portable handheld system for imaging of a throat of a patient, including: a mouthpiece including at least one bite guide for stabilizing the mouthpiece with respect to teeth of the patient when the patient bites on the at least one bite guide; intraoral optics operable to collect light from the throat of the patient and to direct the light towards an imaging sensor; and an imaging sensor operable to capture light directed by the intraoral optics to provide an image of the throat; wherein a mechanical connection between the mouthpiece and the intraoral optics constrains a spatial relationship of the intraoral optics with respect to the mouthpiece so that when the patient bites on the at least one bite guide: the intraoral optics is stabilized by the mouthpiece inside a mouth of the patient having a FOV which includes at least part of a tonsil of the patient.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system automatically calibrates tubular and flexible surgical tools such as endoscopes. By accounting for nonlinear behavior of an endoscope, the surgical robotic system can accurately model motions of the endoscope and navigate the endoscope while performing a surgical procedure on a patient. The surgical robotic system models the nonlinearities using sets of calibration parameters determined based on images captured by an image sensor of the endoscope. Calibration parameters can describe translational or rotational movements of the endoscope in one or more axis, e.g., pitch and yaw, as well as a slope, hysteresis, or dead zone value corresponding to the endoscope's motion. The endoscope can include tubular components referred to as a sheath and leader. An instrument device manipulator of the surgical robotic system actuates pull wires coupled to the sheath or the leader, which causes the endoscope to articulate.

Abstract: In order to support determination of a disease stage, there are provided a medical image processing system, an endoscope system, a diagnostic support apparatus, and a medical service support apparatus for reliably acquiring an index value relevant to visibility with respect to the state of red blood cells or the degree of irregularity of a gland duct structure according to the disease stage determination accuracy desired by a doctor. A light source unit emits a plurality of illumination light beams having different wavelength bands and different visibilities for red blood cells. An image acquisition unit acquires a plurality of medical images corresponding to respective illumination light beams by imaging an observation target illuminated with the respective illumination light beams. A red blood cell index value acquisition unit acquires a red blood cell index value, which is obtained by indexing the visibility of red blood cells, from each of the medical images.

Abstract: An autofocus control device includes a processor. The processor performs an image acquisition process of acquiring an object image captured by an imaging section, a treatment determination process of determining whether or not treatment is being performed based on the object image, a focus evaluation area setting process of setting either a preset area or a treatment area set based on the object image, as a focus evaluation area in the object image based on a determination result of the treatment determination process, and a focus control process of performing focus control of the imaging section based on a focus evaluation value of the focus evaluation area.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an endoscopic imaging apparatus, an endoscopic imaging system and a method of using the same. The endoscopic imaging apparatus includes a diagnostic imaging means, an external control device and an ingestible capsule endoscopy. The external control device positions and/or orientates the capsule endoscopy in a target area. The diagnostic imaging means is included in the capsule endoscopy for diagnostic imaging of a target area under the control of the external control device.

Abstract: Image rotation in an endoscopic fluorescence imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a rotation sensor for detecting an angle of rotation of a lumen relative to a handpiece of an endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm and/or from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a display image selecting portion that selectively outputs one of a surgical image and a gastrointestinal image inputted via an input portion or outputs both of the surgical image and the gastrointestinal image; a combining portion that generates, when both of the surgical image and the gastrointestinal image are outputted by the display image selecting portion, a composite image for performing two-screen display of the surgical image and the gastrointestinal image; and a processor that performs image judgment processing, the processor detecting whether a high-luminance area formed by illumination light radiated at a time of image pickup by the gastrointestinal endoscope exists in the surgical image; and deciding, when detecting that the high-luminance area exists in the surgical image when the surgical image is displayed in one screen, a display method for causing two-screen display based on the composite image to be displayed.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a sensor, and a temperature compensation circuit configured to perform temperature compensation of an output signal of the sensor, in a distal end portion. The temperature compensation circuit includes a differential amplifying section configured to amplify an output signal of the sensor, and a temperature sensing section in which a resistance is connected in series to a parallel connection portion of a temperature sensing element and a resistance.

Abstract: Components for an endoscopic vessel harvesting system suitable for harvesting target vessels such as the saphenous vein or radial artery for cardiac artery bypass graft surgery. The main components of such systems include a vessel dissector and a vessel harvester, both of which work in conjunction with a separately provided endoscope. The vessel dissector is an elongated cannula having a blunt tip for separating layers of facial around vessels. The tip may be movable, and is typically transparent to permit viewing forward of the tip using the endoscope. Internal features of the tip may reduce glare back to the endoscope. Several devices improve visibility through the tip by reducing interference from tissue or fluid on the tip. The vessel harvester also has an elongated cannula for receiving the endoscope. Several tools within the harvester permit manipulation, severing, and sealing of vessels forward of the distal end.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device that includes an image capturing unit configured to capture a tomographic image of a crystalline lens of a subject eye; a processor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions therein. The computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to execute: detecting a boundary between tissues in a tomographic image of the crystalline lens of the subject eye captured by the image capturing unit; determining whether the tissues defined by the boundary include an abnormality; and analyzing an analysis item associated with the abnormality.

Abstract: According to a method for determining metamorphopsia based on user interaction disclosed as an embodiment of the present invention, a test chart may be displayed to a user, an input from the user for a part which is perceived as being distorted in the displayed test chart may be received, and a metamorphopsia degree of the user may be accurately determined based on a distortion area selected according to the received input. Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a test chart may be displayed to a user, a response (e.g., distance values of points, an area value, etc. in a zone) for each zone for the test chart may be received from the user, and metamorphopsia of the user may be determined based on the received response.

Abstract: Provided is a technique with which it is possible to measure a subject's reaction by moving a visual target object in an arbitrarily defined direction as well as a horizontal direction. A dynamic visual acuity measuring device includes a projector projecting an index image pattern, a reflecting mirror reflecting light from the projector, a screen receiving light from the reflecting mirror and displaying the index image pattern, a movable casing holding and maintaining relative positions of the projector, the reflecting mirror, and the screen, a fixed casing supporting the movable casing, and a rotating shaft linking the movable casing rotatably to the fixed casing. In this device, the index image pattern displayed on the screen is moved in one direction by the reflecting mirror being displaced and a direction of movement of the index image pattern is changed in a coordinate system fixed to the fixed casing by the rotating shaft being rotated.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical device, includes obtaining a plurality of test images in each of which spectral intensities of a first color component, a second color component and a third color component are separately changeable, changing the spectral intensity of the first color component in at least a first test image, changing the spectral intensity of the second color component in at least a second test image, obtaining a spectral intensity Rs of the first color component and a spectral intensity Gs of the second color component satisfying a particular test condition when a subject is looking at the first and second test images, and manufacturing the optical device including an optical element configured to adjust spectral intensities of the first color component and the second color component, in light transmitted through the optical element, based on the spectral intensities Rs and Gs.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus of embodiments includes an OCT unit, an acquisition unit, and a specifying unit. The OCT unit is configured to acquire a tomographic image of a subject's eye using optical coherence tomography. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire a front image of the subject's eye. The specifying unit is configured to specify shape of a tissue of the subject's eye based on the tomographic image acquired by the OCT unit and the front image acquired by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: Traditional cognitive load estimation techniques rely on raw pupil size alone which is often prone to confound with changes in illumination, errors associated with sensor devices and irregular oscillations of pupil under constant light conditions. Estimation of cognitive load finds application in many domains including optimum work allocation, assessing a work environment and medical diagnosis. The present disclosure employs frequency domain analysis of pupil size variations to estimate load imposed by a cognitive task. A cognitive load metric based on power and frequency relations at mean frequency of the variation in pupil size addresses cognitive load estimation based on pupil dilation, wherein the pupil dilation is captured by employing low cost non-intrusive nearables.

Abstract: The invention includes a location tracking device in an RFID environment, a system and method for tracking tag objects. Preferred embodiments include location tracking for livestock and a system and method for categorizing animal health. The location tracking device is an active or passive RFID device having a low power, long range transceiver for tracking the location and movement of the tag animal. The RFID device further includes a temperature reader circuit that induces an activation voltage on an inductive coupled temperature sensor having an LC circuit. The activation voltage is selectively cycled on and off to measure the decay of the LC circuit by its resonant frequency. Changes in capacitance of the LC circuit are converted to temperature readings thereby providing temperature monitoring of the animal. The system and method includes logic in the form of predetermined movement categories which indicate whether an animal may be potentially sick or healthy.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and apparatuses for an integrated system and architectures comprising a central processing unit (CPU) located a substantial physical distance from a sample.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for tomographic imaging that provide for rapid illumination of multiple excitation locations across a large field of view by one or more beams of excitation light from one or more excitation sources. The approaches described herein utilize a galvanometer optical scanner to scan a beam of excitation light through a plurality of locations across a scan region corresponding to the field of view to be imaged. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein utilize beams of excitation light with specifically tailored shapes to maintain small spot sizes across the large scan region. The ability to scan over a large region while still maintaining small spot sizes provided by the approaches described herein allows for accurate, high-resolution tomographic imaging of large or multiple subjects, thereby expanding the capabilities of tomographic imaging systems.

Abstract: Eyelid illumination systems and methods for imaging meibomian glands for meibomian gland analysis are disclosed. In one embodiment, a patient's eyelid is IR trans-illuminated with an infrared (IR) light. A trans-illumination image of the patient's eyelid is captured showing meibomian glands in dark outlined areas, whereas non-gland material is shown in light areas. This provides a high contrast image of the meibomian glands that is X-ray like. The lid trans-illumination image of the meibomian glands can be analyzed to determine to diagnose the meibomian glands in the patient's eyelid. The eyelid may be trans-illuminated by a lid-flipping device configured to grasp and flip the eyelid for imaging the interior surface of the eyelid. Also, an IR surface meibography image of the meibomian glands may also be captured and combined with the trans-illumination image of the meibomian glands to provide a higher contrast image of the meibomian glands.

Abstract: A method includes: controlling a first layer of a panel so that first electrical signals generated based on the first driving signal are applied to first cells of the first layer, and light incident on the first layer is modulated into a first modulated light according to the first electrical signals; and controlling a second layer of the panel so that second electrical signals generated based on the second driving signal are applied to second cells of the second layer, and the first modulated light received from the first layer is modulated into a second modulated light according to the second electrical signals. A modulation resolution of the second modulated light output from the second layer is greater than that of the first modulated light due to at least two second cells of the second layer that modulate light modulated by one first cell of the first layer.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic imaging system and method for monitoring tissue temperature within a region of interest, which has an object of interest and a reference that are separated by at least one boundary. The system and method include a thermoacoustic imaging system with an adjustable radio frequency (RF) applicator configured to emit RF energy pulses into the tissue region of interest and heat tissue therein, an acoustic receiver configured to receive bipolar acoustic signals generated in response to heating of tissue in the region of interest, and one or more processors that process at least one received bipolar acoustic signal generated in the region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses to determine a peak-to-peak amplitude thereof and calculate a temperature at the at least one boundary using the peak-to-peak amplitude of the at least one bipolar acoustic signal.

Abstract: A photoacoustic probe which prevents foreign substances from entering and of which a portion of a light emitting unit to be easily damaged can be replaced is provided. An acoustic wave detector 24 detects acoustic waves. First and second light guide members 21 and 23, which form the light emitting unit, are arranged in series in a traveling direction of light. A frame body 11 holds the first light guide members 21, the second light guide members 23, and the acoustic wave detector 24. The first light guide members 21, is positioned close to a subject, is undetachably fixed to the frame body 11. Meanwhile, the second light guide members 23, which is positioned close to a light source, is detachably fixed to the frame body 11.

Abstract: A method for increasing accuracy of measurement of body temperature includes a step of collecting an infrared signal to obtain an infrared signal value (step 1), a step of collecting a skin image to obtain a calibrating emissivity (step 2), a step of obtaining a calibrated infrared signal value according to the calibrating emissivity and the infrared signal value obtained in step 1 (step 3), and a step of making a conversion into an actual body temperature (step 4). Accordingly, an actual temperature value of the skin surface can be attained to increase the accuracy of measurement effectively, thereby allowing the measured result to be more close to the real body temperature of a tested target.

Abstract: Provided are a means to detect a plurality of dynamics, a processing unit that calculates a temporal change in the detected dynamics, and an evaluation device that determines exacerbation of clinical conditions in heart failure of a patient based on the calculated change in the patient's dynamics over time. The present invention makes it possible to detect, early and with high accuracy, that the onset of acute heart failure is imminent.

Abstract: Closed cavity adjustable sensor mount systems include a sealed, closed cavity enclosing a sensor and forming a closed cavity sensor assembly. The closed cavity sensor assembly may be tilted and/or translated relative to a platform in order to adjust the orientation of the sensor to align it with an imaging optical axis. Following alignment, the closed cavity sensor assembly may be permanently or reversibly fixed in place. The closed cavity adjustable sensor mount systems may be part of medical imaging systems such as endoscopic imaging systems and/or open field imaging systems.

Abstract: The invention provides a neck-worn sensor (referred to herein as the ‘necklace’) that is a single, body-worn system that measures the following parameters from an ambulatory patient: heart rate, pulse rate, pulse oximetry, respiratory rate, temperature, thoracic fluid levels, stroke volume, cardiac output, and a parameter sensitive to blood pressure called pulse transit time. From stroke volume, a first algorithm employing a linear model can estimate the patient's pulse pressure. And from pulse pressure and pulse transit time, a second algorithm, also employing a linear algorithm, can estimate systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Thus, the necklace can measure all five vital signs along with hemodynamic parameters. It also includes a motion-detecting accelerometer, from which it can determine motion-related parameters such as posture, degree of motion, activity level, respiratory-induced heaving of the chest, and falls.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring bio-information in a non-invasive manner includes: a pulse wave sensor configured to measure a plurality of pulse wave signals having different wavelengths from an object; a contact pressure sensor configured to measure contact pressure of the object while the plurality of pulse wave signals are measured; and a processor configured to obtain an oscillometric waveform based on the contact pressure and the plurality of pulse wave signals having the different wavelengths, and obtain bio-information based on the oscillometric waveform.

Abstract: A pulse wave detection method includes: increasing a pressing force of a pressing member for pressing a strain sensor fixed thereto against a body surface, the flexible strain sensor having a plurality of strain detection elements arranged on a substrate; determining a deformation stop timing at which deformation of a detection face of the strain sensor has been stopped based on the strain detection signal detected by each of the plurality of strain detection elements in a pressure raising process in which the pressing force is increased; setting a level of the strain detection signal detected at the deformation stop timing as a reference level; calibrating the first strain detection signal detected after the deformation stop timing based on the reference level; and generating a pressure signal from the calibrated first strain detection signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes an insulating body provided with a number of electrically conductive leads and having a surface provided with a red LED aperture, an IR LED aperture and a photodetector aperture. The insulating body also includes an optical isolator optically separating the photodetector aperture from the red LED aperture and the IR LED aperture. A red LED is aligned with the red LED aperture, an IR LED is aligned with the IR LED aperture, and a photodetector is aligned with the photodetector aperture.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring blood perfusion, blood temperature, and thermal resistance using heat transfer and temperature measurements. The system uses a heat flux sensor, temperature sensor and electric resistance heater with a data analysis device using measurements before, during and after the thermal event provided by the heater.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for immobilizing and supporting a subject in a medical procedure. The system may include a treatment apparatus configured to generate a radiation beam, and a device for immobilizing a subject. The device may include an immobilizing component for immobilizing at least one portion of the subject, and a radio frequency (RF) coil configured to receive a magnetic resonance (MR) signal related to the at least one portion of the subject. The immobilizing component may be configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode may correspond to a positive pressure or a constant pressure related to the device. The second mode may correspond to a space of vacuum or substantially of vacuum related to the device. The RF coil may be located in the immobilizing component according to a position where the radiation beam is incident on the device.

Abstract: Accuracy degradation due to a signal loss is reduced, and susceptibility is calculated with high accuracy where, by using an MRI, at least one echo is acquired where spatial magnetic field inhomogeneity is reflected, and a complex image is calculated from the acquired echo. Three masks are calculated from the calculated complex image; a low-signal region mask representing a low signal region, a first high-signal region mask representing a high signal and high fat content region, and a second high-signal region mask representing a high signal and low fat content region. In calculating a susceptibility image from a frequency image or a magnetic field image generated from the complex image, the susceptibility image is obtained under the constraint that a region defined by the low-signal region is set as a background and the susceptibility of the region defined by the second high-signal region mask is set to a specific value.