Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a base, a portable cleaning unit removably mounted to the base and comprising at least one air treatment member, a portable cleaning unit energy storage member and a portable cleaning unit suction motor. The portable cleaning unit suction motor is operable on power provided by the portable cleaning unit energy storage member when the portable cleaning unit is removed from the base. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises or is connectable to a power cord. When the portable cleaning unit is mounted to the base and when the surface cleaning apparatus is connected to an external source of power by the power cord, the portable cleaning unit energy storage member is chargeable on power provided by the power cord provided by the external source of power and the portable cleaning unit suction motor is concurrently operable on power provided by the power cord provided by the external source of power.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner having a main body and a cyclonic air treatment stage wherein the pre-motor filter has an outer perimeter defining a volume and the cyclone axis and the motor axis each extend through a central portion of the volume and wherein the post-motor filter has a curved outer perimeter that defines a volume, the volume has a radially inner central portion and the cyclone axis and the motor axis each extend through the central portion of the volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides unique portable or stationary hose retraction systems in a single compact unit having an elongated hose, a chamber or plenum for storing the hose, a primary vacuum source for creating suction in the hose, and a secondary vacuum source for retracting the hose into the chamber. Embodiments may include one or more switches located at a distal end of the hose for controlling the primary and secondary vacuum sources. Other embodiments include a movable robotic unit with a proximity generating signal at the distal end of the hose, whereby the robotic unit may withdraw the hose as needed during use, and the secondary vacuum source may retract slack in the hose during use, or may retract the entire hose and the robotic unit after use.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a separator assembly having a container that defines a cyclonic separator about a separator axis. The container having a dirty air inlet that receives the airflow and debris to rotate around the separator axis in a first direction. A clean air outlet discharges the airflow from the separator assembly. A shroud forming an airflow passageway is between the dirty air inlet and the clean air outlet. The airflow passageway is formed by a plurality of vanes defining openings between adjacent vanes positioned to direct the airflow and debris in a second direction at least partially opposed to the first direction redirecting airflow into the shroud. A mesh screen is positioned on the shroud covering the airflow passageway and a filter at least partially within the shroud extends around the separator axis positioned in an airflow path between the plurality of vanes and the clean air outlet.

Abstract: A robotic cleaner is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a cleaning robot and a method for traveling along an edge, and a readable medium. The cleaning robot includes a body, where a rolling brush and a side brush are provided at a bottom of the body, the rolling brush and the side brush are transversely arranged at a front end of the cleaning robot, and one end of the rolling brush and the side brush are respectively arranged close to edges of two sides of the body; the cleaning robot further includes a control module and a ground medium identification sensor for detecting a type of a work surface, where the ground medium identification sensor sends a detection signal to the control module, and the control module controls the cleaning robot to travel along an edge with one side edge of the body according to the detection signal.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a user apparatus, a cleaning robot including the same, and a method of controlling the cleaning robot, and more particularly, to a technology in which the cleaning robot learns cleaning information about a cleaning area, and adjusts a suction power of the cleaning robot and a wideness of the cleaning area based on a battery charge amount of the cleaning robot.

Abstract: A method for routing a cleaning robot may include receiving an indication of a store shelf of a retail store and causing a first adjustment to a cleaning robot route of a cleaning robot within the retail store based on a location within the retail store corresponding to the store shelf. The first adjustment may be configured to enable an image sensor associated with the cleaning robot to capture images of at least one portion of the store shelf. The method may also include receiving a first image of the store shelf and analyzing the first image to determine a need for a second image of the store shelf. The method may further include, in response to the determined need, causing a second adjustment to the cleaning robot route within the retail store, which may enable the image sensor to capture the second image of the store shelf.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a cleaning base station. The cleaning base station includes a base and a vibration device. The vibration device includes a driving mechanism and a cleaning element. The driving mechanism is fixed to the base. The cleaning element is connected to the driving mechanism. The cleaning element is configured to contact a part-to-be-cleaned of a cleaning robot. The driving mechanism drives the cleaning element to vibrate so as to clean the part-to-be-cleaned of the cleaning robot. The present disclosure also discloses a cleaning robot system using the cleaning base station described above. The present disclosure has the advantages of reducing a user's burden of manual cleaning and avoiding contamination of a floor surface by the part-to-be-cleaned of the cleaning robot.

Abstract: Cleaning systems can remove pet hair from surfaces such as furniture and floors without requiring bulky and expensive vacuums. Hair cleaning systems can have an outer housing and a cylindrical basin that is coupled to the outer housing by a pivot. Features working in conjunction with slanted bristles enhance the efficacy of the cleaning systems.

Abstract: A cleaning cloth has on each of its transverse sides a tab designed to be automatically connected to and retained by a coupling device on a mop base.

Abstract: A disposable cleaning cloth includes a low weight substrate having a first face and an opposed second face. The disposable cleaning cloth further includes microfiber yarn sewn to the low weight substrate in a plurality of parallel rows of straight stiches. The straight stitches are substantially flush with the first and second faces of the substrate. A method of making a disposable cleaning cloth includes providing a low weight substrate having a first face and an opposed second face. The method further includes sewing a microfiber yarn to the low weight substrate in a plurality of parallel rows of straight stiches, such that the straight stitches are substantially flush with the first and second faces of the substrate.

Abstract: An automated cleaning machine may include one or more short cleaning cycles in which the duration of a cleaning cycle is shortened relative to the duration of a default cleaning cycle. During a short cleaning cycle, other cleaning cycle parameters may also be adjusted to ensure that the articles subjected to the short cleaning cycle are adequately cleaned and sanitized. For example, the wash temperature, rinse temperature, and/or cleaning product amounts or concentrations, may be adjusted to account for the shortened duration of the cleaning cycle. The automated cleaning machine may further include one or more short cycle mode(s) during which short cleaning cycle parameters are used and one or more default cycle mode(s) during which default cleaning cycle parameters are used.

Abstract: A system for loading a warewasher, which is embodied as a commercial conveyor warewasher. The loading system includes a gripping system having at least one parallel gripper (1), wherein the at least one parallel gripper (1) includes at least two clamping jaws (2, 3), between which a gripping region of the parallel gripper (1) is defined, wherein at least one of the at least two clamping jaws (2, 3) is segmented such that the at least one clamping jaw (2) is preferably automatically and/or self-adjustable at least in regions to a surface contour of a piece of washware to be gripped by the at least one parallel gripper (1).

Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber has a chassis supporting the tub. The chassis has a base and defines a space below the tub, and a terminal box having at least one enclosure wall defining an interior is located within the space. A wire connection box is located within the interior of the terminal box. The wire connection box includes a housing and multiple terminals, and is configured to receive and couple the electrical connection for the dishwasher and the electrical mains power line.

Abstract: A system (10) for loading at least one conveyor warewasher (1, 1?) with washware includes a feed conveyor belt (11) for delivering washware to at least one loading region of the conveyor warewasher (1, 1?) and a detection system (15), in particular an optical one, configured to detect at least one of the following parameters of the washware on the feed conveyor belt (11) when delivering the washware (9a, 9b, 9c) to the loading region: (i) a type of the washware, (ii) a degree of soiling of the washware, and/or (iii) an order of the washware and/or an alignment of the washware relative to the feed conveyor belt (11). The detection system (15) has an assigned evaluation device, which is configured to control the delivery of the washware to the at least one loading region as a function of at least one of the detected parameters.

Abstract: [Problem] To allow a plurality of doctors spatially isolated from each other to cooperate in a more preferable aspect. [Solution] A medical observation system includes: a first medical signal processing device including a first signal processing unit configured to acquire first image data corresponding to a result of image capturing of an affected part by a medical observation device and provide first signal processing to the first image data; and a second medical signal processing device including a second signal processing unit configured to acquire second image data corresponding to the result of image capturing from the first medical signal processing device through a predetermined network and provide second signal processing to the second image data. The second signal processing unit transmits information related to the second signal processing to the first medical signal processing device.

Abstract: A continuum robot control device, configured to control operations of a continuum robot having a bendable portion that is bent by driving at least part of a plurality of wires, includes a kinematics computing unit that computes a driving amount lk1b of the at least part of the plurality of wires, based on a target bending angle that is a target value for a bending angle of the bendable portion, a compensation amount computing unit that computes a compensation amount for compensation of the driving amount lk1b, based on the target bending angle, and a displacement of one of the plurality of wires at the target bending angle, and an adding unit and position control unit that set a driving control amount of performing driving control of the at least part of the plurality of wires, based on the driving amount and the compensation amount obtained by computation.

Abstract: A system comprises an instrument having a bendable portion with first and control elements extending in the bendable portion and a control system operably coupled to an actuator and a sensor. The control system operates to, while the bendable portion is in a neutral position, command the actuator to move the first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element and command the actuator to move the second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element. The control system also receives a first control element calibration position after moving the first control element the first amount and receives a second control element calibration position after moving the second control element the second amount. The control system also commands the actuator to bend the bendable portion from the neutral position and determine a resulting shape of the bendable portion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an insertion device for a single port robotic surgery apparatus includes a plurality of instrument channels positioned in an interior of a housing and extending along substantially an entire length of the housing, the plurality of instrument channels configured to removably house a plurality of surgical instruments, a plurality of openings in a rear exterior surface of the housing, the plurality of openings providing access to the plurality of instrument channels and configured to facilitate insertion of the plurality of surgical instruments into the plurality of instrument channels, and an illumination device supported at least partially at the rear exterior surface of the housing and positioned proximal to the plurality of openings, the illumination device configured to illuminate the openings to facilitate insertion of the plurality of instruments through the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A flexible tube insertion apparatus includes an insertion section inserted into an insertion target conduit, a rigidity variable member disposed inside the insertion section and capable of changing rigidity, and a binding member configured to bind a proximal end portion of the rigidity variable member to be capable of changing a pressing force applied to an outer circumferential surface of the proximal end portion.

Abstract: An articulated medical device having a hollow core, capable of large degrees of maneuverability through small spaces of a patient to reach a target with minimal invasiveness, and once the medical device has reached the target, allowing a medical tool to be guided through the hollow chamber for facilitating medical procedures, including endoscopes, cameras, and catheters, at the target.

Abstract: A distal end unit includes: an image pickup unit made using a wafer level optics technique; a distal end frame forming an external shape of an insertion portion, the distal end frame being constituted by a resin molded article; an image pickup unit containing room containing the image pickup unit in an interior of the distal end frame, the image pickup unit containing room including a first opening portion and a second opening portion that are continuously formed, the first opening portion being positioned on the distal end surface of the distal end frame, the second opening portion being positioned on a side surface of the distal end frame; and a filler having light blocking property, the image pickup unit containing room being filled with the filler, the filler forming the external shape of a distal end portion with the distal end frame.

Abstract: A distal end unit of an endoscope includes: a distal end frame body that is constituted by a resin molded article configuring a molded interconnect device, that is provided with an image pickup unit containing room, and that is provided with an observation opening portion that opens the image pickup unit containing room on a distal end surface exposed to an exterior; a metal layer that is provided along a flat surface of the observation opening portion; a cover glass that closes the observation opening portion; a solder layer that is bonded to the metal layer and that holds the cover glass on the distal end frame body; and an adhesive layer that covers the solder layer, the metal layer is provided at a position corresponding to a groove provided on the flat surface, and the solder layer is disposed in an interior of the groove.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a distal end portion in which an optical unit and a treatment instrument channel are held such that a photographing optical axis, a central axis of the distal end portion, and a central axis of the treatment instrument channel are linearly aligned When viewed from an end face of the distal end portion. The first magnet and the second magnet are arranged at non-rotationally-symmetric positions with respect to the photographing optical axis, and a region of the optical unit, which is on a side where a distance between the first magnet and the second magnet on an arc of a circle around the photographing optical axis is short, faces the treatment instrument channel.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope that can fix a guidewire and stably hold a treatment tool. The endoscope includes a distal end body (36) having an elevator housing (62) that opens toward a first direction, a treatment tool lead-out port (80) that opens inside of the elevator housing (62), and an elevator (60) that is provided inside of the elevator housing (62) so as to be rotatable between an elevated position and a lowered position, the elevator (60) having a treatment tool guiding surface (60a). A facing wall portion (66), which is on a proximal end side and an opening part of the elevator housing (62), has a concave surface (96) that is formed on an inner side of the elevator housing (62) and a convex surface (94) that is formed at a position closer than the concave surface (96) to an opening.

Abstract: A scope system is provided including an elongate tube with a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The scope system also includes at least one accessory channel including a tubular structure with an accessory lumen extending therethrough, the at least one accessory channel movably disposed at least partially within the lumen of the elongate tube. The at least one accessory channel includes a distal section and a forward-viewing configuration and a side-viewing configuration. In the forward-viewing configuration, the distal section of the at least one accessory channel is substantially parallel to the distal portion of the elongate tube and in the side-viewing configuration, the distal section of the at least one accessory channel is arced at a radius greater than a radius of the distal portion of the elongate tube.

Abstract: A single-use sterile light source apparatus for endoscopy is provided. One example apparatus includes a main body acting as casing, a connection port configured to attach to an endoscope, a LED light emitter capable of producing light with different intensities, at least one circuit board coupled to the LED light emitter, a non-rechargeable battery unit, and a power switch for controlling the intensity of the LED light emitter.

Abstract: There is provided a medical holding apparatus including: a first actuator configured to cause a medical optical tool that guides light from a body cavity of a subject to a camera head during a surgical operation, to rotate about an optical axis of the medical optical tool and a rotation mechanism configured to support the camera head that acquires an image of the body cavity of the subject via the medical optical tool, the camera head being rotatable about the optical axis of the medical optical tool independently from the medical optical tool.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system to control a movement of a magnetic capsule using an external magnet control system. The external magnet control system includes more than one external magnetic balls, and at least one external magnetic ball can be moved freely in five degrees of the freedom.

Abstract: A falloposcope intended for use with a hysteroscope to access, image, and collect samples from a patient's fallopian tube includes a cannula having an angled tip oriented to engage a fallopian tube os when the cannula is transcervically introduced to a patient's uterus through the hysteroscope. The catheter has a distal viewing tip configured to be advanced from a distal end of the cannula into the patient's uterus through a cervical os. A viewing chamber has a wide proximal end attached to the distal viewing tip of the catheter, and the viewing chamber is at least partially transparent and typically tapers in a distal direction to provide a clear viewing zone for the endoscope as well as atraumatic advancement into the fallopian tube.

Abstract: An endoscope can include a substantially rigid elongate body. A visualization channel can extend through the elongate body. An elongate viewing instrument that can advance distally and retract proximally through a visualization channel of the elongate body. The elongate viewing instrument can include a distal portion that is pre-biased to assume a curved shape when the distal portion is unconfined. The distal portion can curve when the distal portion is advanced distally to exit the visualization channel and can straighten when the distal portion is retracted proximally to enter the visualization channel. A distal end of the elongate viewing instrument can further include a light port that is configured to illuminate a target and provide an image of the illuminated target.

Abstract: A set light amount-adjustment unit performs at least one of adjustment of the amount of second illumination light that is set at a first switching timing at which illumination light is switched to the second illumination light from first illumination light or adjustment of the amount of first illumination light that is set at a second switching timing at which illumination light is switched to the first illumination light from second illumination light.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a light source unit that emits normal light and first specific light having a peak wavelength different from that of each of red light, green light, and blue light included in the normal light, a dichroic filter that transmits first specific return light which is return light from a subject illuminated with the first specific light and that reflects return light from the subject illuminated with the normal light, a CMOS sensor on which the return light of the normal light is incident, and a CMOS sensor on which the first specific return light is incident.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a cleaning assembly that enables cleaning of a lens of the endoscope during a surgical procedure to maintain a clear image without having to remove the endoscope from the patient's body. The cleaning assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer operatively coupled to the lens to provide vibration thereto to remove fluids and debris from the lens, and an ultrasonic generator providing driving signals to the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A method for operating a heating system of an endoscope. The endoscope including a heating element and a temperature sensor in a distal region of the endoscope and a supply unit outside of the endoscope, the supply unit being connected to the heating element and the temperature sensor, wherein the supply unit activates and deactivates a power supply for the heating element on a basis of a temperature measurement value ascertained by means of the temperature sensor using two-state control, and a monitoring unit including a monitoring circuit which is powered by the power supply for the heating element. The method including: monitoring, with the monitoring circuit, the temperature sensor for a malfunction; and interrupting the power supply to the heating element if the malfunction of the temperature sensor is determined.

Abstract: Disclosed is speculum and related methods to comfortably dilate a woman's vaginal canal during a pelvic exam.

Abstract: A device and system providing remote eye examinations at examination stations is provided. Using patient-operated vision testing at the remote examination stations, a vision determination of a user is ascertained. Should eyeglasses be determined to provide vision correction for such a vision determination, the patient or a parent of the patient is provided a communication of such in a message. The patient can also be referred to a local eye care professional for treatment and provision of corrective lenses.

Abstract: A vision testing system is provided that tests the vision of an associated patient. A display of the vision testing unit includes a first surface for displaying a vision test thereon. A processing unit is operatively associated with the display and selectively displays optotypes on the first surface. A monitoring system senses a distance between the associated patient and the display, and operationally interfaces with the processing unit to provide data representative of the distance of the associated patient from the display. A cue may be provided to the associated patient in response to the sensed distance. In addition, ambient lighting conditions may be sensed at the display and brightness of the display altered in response to the ambient light.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a support structure. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of sensors positioned on the support structure. The apparatus also comprises a camera positioned on the support structure. The camera has a field of view that includes an eye of a user. The apparatus also includes one or more processors and memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processors to detect ambient condition data using the plurality of sensors. The processors also capture imaging data that includes the eye using the camera. The processors determine a first predefined state of the eye based on the detected ambient condition data and the captured imaging data. The processors further dispense a fluid proximate to the eye in accordance with the first predefined state of the eye.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing surface contrast to display images for microsurgical applications are disclosed. According to an aspect, an imaging system includes an OCT apparatus configured to capture OCT data of an eye. The OCT image data can include depth-resolved images of reflected light intensity over a period of time. The imaging system also includes a controller configured to determine movement of the eye relative to the OCT imaging field-of-view. The controller may also determine a location within the imaged portion of the eye which tracks with the eye movement. Further, the controller may apply a color gradient to render OCT images of the eye based on a position relative to the determined location of the eye tracking location. The controller may also control a display to display the OCT images with the applied color gradient.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein provide improved methods for accurately identifying and locating the visual axis of the eye and its intersection with the iris plane. In one embodiment, a visual axis identification system includes a fixation light source, a camera, and a processing system. During operation thereof, the patient focuses their gaze onto two or more fixation light spots provided by the fixation light source upon an optical axis thereof, which creates two or more corresponding images on or near to the patient's retina. The patient's head is then rotated relative while the patient continuously maintains their gaze on the fixation light spots. The patient's visual axis may be located by determining the location of the optical axis of the fixation light source relative to the patient's eye when the centers of the multiple images coincide in the patient's view.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting an intraocular lens, for implantation into an eye, includes a controller having a processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The controller is configured to selectively execute a machine learning model trained with a training dataset. Execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to obtain pre-operative objective data for the patient, including one or more anatomic eye measurements. The controller is configured to obtain pre-operative questionnaire data for the patient, including at least one personality trait. The pre-operative objective data and the pre-operative questionnaire data are entered as respective inputs to the machine learning model. A predicted subjective outcome score for the patient is generated as an output of the machine learning model. The intraocular lens is selected based in part on the predicted subjective outcome score.

Abstract: Devices and method for determining a pupil size of a subject having closed eyelids.

Abstract: An example system for tracking motion of an eye during an eye treatment includes an image capture device configured to capture a plurality of images of an eye. The system includes controller(s) including processor(s) that receive the plurality of images from the image capture device. The processor(s) implement a plurality of trackers. Each tracker is configured to detect a respective feature in the plurality of images and provide, based on the respective feature, a respective set of data relating to motion of the eye. The respective features detected by the plurality of trackers are orthogonal relative to each other and the respective sets of data provided by the plurality of trackers are independent of each other. The processor(s) coalesce the sets of data from the plurality of trackers and determine an indicator of the motion of the eye based on the coalesced sets of data.

Abstract: A low cost fundus camera uses LED light sources placed adjacent the camera's imaging stop, and thereby eliminates the need for optics for introducing the light source to the camera's optical path. Lens reflex in the pupil relay is avoided by using only reflective optics in the pupil relay. Reflex from the LEDs is mitigated by actuating each LED separately, one at a time, and capturing a separate image with each actuated LED. Reflex-free regions of each captured image are extracted and combined to create a composite, reflex-free image.

Abstract: Ophthalmic imaging devices and related methods employ self-alignment of a user with an optical axis of the imaging device. An ophthalmic imaging device includes a retinal imaging assembly, a housing assembly, and a viewer assembly. The retinal imaging assembly has an optical axis. The retinal imaging assembly is attached to the housing. The housing assembly is configured to rest on a horizontal surface during operation of the retinal imaging assembly. The optical axis is oriented at an angle from the horizontal surface when the housing assembly rests on the horizontal surface. The viewer assembly is coupled with the housing assembly. The viewer assembly includes an interface surface shaped for engagement with each head of a plurality of different user's and to accommodate repositioning of the head to align a pupil of the user with the optical axis.

Abstract: A wearable eyewear device, methods of use and systems are described that allow a person wearing the eyewear device to accurately measure the intraocular pressure of their eye, and dispense a medication to the eye when needed.

Abstract: An input interface is configured to receive a signal corresponding to vital information that exhibits temporal variation. When at least one instruction stored in a memory is executed by a processor, waveform information (W) is generated based on the signal; a value of a profile factor of the waveform information (W) is obtained every time a predetermined time period is elapsed; and the value is displayed on the display section (15). The profile factor includes at least one of a rising angle, a top portion angle, a falling angle, a rising velocity, an absolute value of the rising velocity, a top portion velocity, an absolute value of the top portion velocity, a falling velocity, an absolute angle of the falling velocity, an under-waveform area, a rising-falling time interval, a falling-rising time interval, a rising-rising time interval and a falling-falling time interval.

Abstract: A personalized acute care treatment kit is provided that includes components necessary for a lay caregiver to treat an acute cardiac event. The kit includes a medication box provided with medications selected according to the needs of the owner, a CPR device, a pacemaker, a defibrillator, monitoring and diagnostic devices and a computing device. The computing device is provided with a mobile application that captures patient data from the devices in the kit and automatically sends an alarm to a treatment professional when the patient data exceeds a predetermined threshold and establishes a communication link to with the treatment professional to allow the treatment professional to instruct the lay caregiver in using the contents of the kit to provide acute care.