Abstract: A system for controlling at least one cooking device includes a temperature sensing device that couples with a food item and control circuitry in communication with the temperature sensing device. The control circuitry is configured to receive temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the food item at a first time, determine a duration between the first time and a second time corresponding to the food item being at a target food temperature, determine an elapsed time for said at least one cooking device to generate a target heating temperature, compare the duration to the elapsed time, and communicate a first signal to activate said at least one cooking device based on the comparison of the duration to the elapsed time.

Abstract: A storable grill may have a grill body and a grill top having a flat surface, the grill top being configured to attach to and/or sit on the grill body. The grill body may include two opposing points at which the grill body may be attachable to a base and about which the grill body may be rotatable between a usable position and a storable position, the opposing points being offset from a center of the grill body. A footprint of the grill may be smaller in the storable position than in the usable position.

Abstract: A cooking system is provided and includes a housing including an internal volume, the internal volume including an upper surface. A cooking container is removably positioned within the internal volume along an insertion axis, the cooking container having a cooking volume positioned therein. An air movement device is positioned within the internal volume, and configured to generate an air flow through the cooking volume of the cooking container. A heating element is positioned within the internal volume.

Abstract: A cooking system is provided and includes a housing including an internal volume, the internal volume including an upper surface. A cooking container is removably positioned within the internal volume along an insertion axis, the cooking container having a cooking volume positioned therein. An air movement device is positioned within the internal volume, and configured to generate an air flow through the cooking volume of the cooking container. A heating element is positioned within the internal volume.

Abstract: A smaller heating cooker including an inner casing and an outer casing. The inner casing includes a first inner sidewall, a second inner sidewall, a third inner sidewall, and a fourth inner sidewall. The outer casing includes a first outer sidewall, a second outer sidewall, a third outer sidewall, and a fourth outer sidewall. The size of gap between an inner surface of the first outer sidewall and an outer surface of the first inner sidewall and the size of a gap between an inner surface of the second outer sidewall and an outer surface of the second inner sidewall are smaller than the size of a gap between an inner surface of the third outer sidewall and an outer surface of the third inner sidewall and the size of a gap between an inner surface of the fourth outer sidewall and an outer surface of the fourth inner sidewall.

Abstract: An improved herb and spice grinder includes a top section with teeth, a grinding section with teeth, an annular spacer, and a base section, the annular spacer includes an upwardly-depending dividing wall and a plurality of doors hingedly coupled superjacent the dividing wall so as to enable each herb and/or spice to be separated prior to grinding. The herbs and/or spices are loaded into the grinding section. The top section is rotatably attached to the grinding section, and the annular section is rotatably attached between the grinding section and the base section in a stacked fashion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coffee grinder, which comprises a storage chamber for storing coffee beans; a driving assembly having an output shaft; a grinding cartridge; a grinding assembly comprising a grinding wheel rotatably fitted in a grinding base so as to grind coffee beans therebetween; a control circuit board; one or more battery electrically connected to the control circuit board; and a powder receptacle; wherein, the grinding cartridge is longitudinally connected and communicated with the storage chamber at a top end and the powder receptacle at a rear end; the grinding assembly is installed in the grinding cartridge; and the driving assembly is longitudinally disposed in the storage chamber with the output shaft coupled to the grinding assembly to drive the grinding wheel to rotate.

Abstract: A receiving vessel for a kitchen appliance with a wall forming a receiving space and with a component attached to the wall. A first antenna for wireless communication is arranged at the component, that a second antenna for wireless communication is arranged at the component. A first adapting network is arranged at the component, wherein the first adapting network is connected to the first antenna and to the second antenna. The first adapting network is configured to adapt characteristics of the first antenna and/or the second antenna for transmitting a signal. Also described are a system and a method.

Abstract: A system for processing foodstuffs includes a container platform, a blade platform, and a locking mechanism. The container platform defines a container receptacle configured to receive a container including foodstuffs. The blade platform includes blades configured to rotate to process the foodstuffs. The locking mechanism is configured to couple the container platform to the blade platform to form a blending chamber including the blades and the container subsequent to determining that the container is received by the container receptacle and prior to rotation of the blades.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance with a base unit, wherein the base unit has a first communication module configured for wireless communication, with a receiving vessel. The receiving vessel has a wall with a penetrating opening, and with an accessory part. The accessory part has a second communication module configured for wireless communication. In order to avoid a diversion of the signal transmission around the receiving vessel, it is proposed that a connecting element is provided, wherein the connecting element is intended for arrangement in the penetrating opening of the wall of the receiving vessel. The connecting element is adapted to transmit signals between the first communication module and the second communication module. Also described are a connecting element and a method for transmitting an information signal.

Abstract: A showerhead includes an inlet configured to receive water from the supply conduit. An inner spray portion is coupled to the inlet. A first spray outlet is coupled to the inner spray portion, and the first spray outlet selectively receives water from the inlet and discharges water from the showerhead in a first discharge direction. An outer spray portion is pivotably coupled to the inner spray portion. A second spray outlet is coupled to the outer spray portion, and the second spray outlet selectively receives water from the inlet and discharges water from the showerhead in a second discharge direction. A third spray outlet is coupled to the outer spray portion, and the third spray outlet selectively receives water from the inlet and discharges water from the showerhead in a third discharge direction. The third discharge direction is substantially opposite the second discharge direction.

Abstract: A toilet assembly, comprising a bowl; a plurality of air inlet openings; and a plurality of air outlet openings, wherein the bowl, the air inlet openings, and the air outlet openings are in flow communication, and the toilet assembly is configured to direct an air flow from the bowl, through the air inlet openings, and through the air outlet openings.

Abstract: A portable toilet includes a waste material receiving bowl having an inwardly sloping cross-section. The inwardly sloping cross-section has a plurality of angular flat sidewalls structured to direct toilet treatment and waste material solutions towards a storage zone of the bowl. The portable toilet also includes a plurality of agitators tethered within the bowl. The agitators may have a plurality of angular surfaces that aid in the formation of turbulent eddies within the toilet treatment solution. The toilet treatment and waste material solutions disposed within the bowl are agitated or dislodged, respectively, within an interior surface of the bowl by contact with the agitators while the portable toilet is manually oscillated.

Abstract: A portable toilet transfer device comprises a clip configured to engage a toilet bowl, including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, comprising an interior side portion including a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior engagement member positioned at the distal end, an exterior side portion including a proximal end, a distal end, and an exterior engagement member positioned at the distal end, and a central portion connected to the proximal end of the interior side portion and the proximal end of the exterior side portion, and a handle connected to the clip. Methods of manufacture and use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has a housing comprising a first portion that houses a suction motor. A cyclone unit is positioned in an air flow passage upstream from the suction motor. The cyclone unit comprises a cyclone and a dirt collection region that is positioned forward of the cyclone. The cyclone unit front end has an openable door. The cyclone air outlet comprises an assembly which includes a screen. The assembly is moveable relative to the cyclone unit sidewall in a common direction with the cyclone axis of rotation whereby the assembly and the sidewall are separable from each other in a forward direction.

Abstract: A wet and dry vacuum cleaner having a vacuum cleaner head, having a dirt container and having an inlet fitting which is designed for the connection of a suction hose, wherein the inlet fitting is connected in terms of flow to an inlet connector, which is situated in the wet and dry vacuum cleaner, of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner such that dirt particles that are drawn in can pass via the inlet connector into the dirt container, wherein the inlet connector is designed as a diffuser with horizontal outflow. Furthermore, the inlet connector of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner may have a Y shape in the sense that the inlet connector comprises one inflow opening for the suction flow and two outlet openings.

Abstract: A hand-held vacuum cleaner includes a main body including a casing and a motor fan assembly arranged in the casing. A dirt container is rotatably connected to the main body and has a hollow barrel communicating with the casing. A nozzle has a first end fixed to the barrel and a second opposite end defining an air inlet communicating with the barrel to allow air to be sucked into the air inlet. A connection assembly includes a first connection member, a second connection member and multiple rolling members. The first connection member is fixed to the main body and has a first surface. The second connection member is connected to one end of the barrel and rotatably connected to the first connection member. The second connection member has a second surface facing the first surface. The first surface defines a circular groove, and the second surface defines multiple receiving holes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaner station including: a suction flow path having an inlet end communicating with a dust bin of a cleaner; and a dust collecting part connected to an outlet end of the suction flow path and collecting dust inside the dust bin of the cleaner. The dust collecting part includes: a dust collecting body having a dust inlet connected to the outlet end of the suction flow path; an inlet tube extending inward from a circumferential surface of the dust inlet and having an end forming a curvature circle with a specific curvature when viewed from one side; and an inlet tube cover disposed at the end of the inlet tube and opening and closing the inlet tube. Accordingly, by closing the inlet tube when the dust collecting part is separated from the cleaner station, the cleaner station may prevent dust from scattering, winged insects from escaping or odors from spreading.

Abstract: Disclosed are an air duct assembly and a cleaning device. The air duct assembly comprises a dirt collecting box, a filter, a cyclone separator and a fan. The dirt collecting box is provided with a dirt collecting cavity and the dirt collecting box is also provided with a dirt inlet and an air outlet communicated with the dirt collecting cavity. The filter is arranged in the air outlet, the cyclone separator is connected with the air outlet, and the fan is connected with the cyclone separator. The fan drives an air flow to enter into the dirt collecting cavity from the dirt inlet, and enter the cyclone separator from the air outlet after being guided, and then enter the fan from the cyclone separator.

Abstract: A method for identifying a brush type of a cleaning device includes: acquiring a detection voltage of a brush motor, the detection voltage being less than a starting voltage of the brush motor; acquiring a first impedance of the brush motor, in response to inputting the detection voltage to the brush motor; and determining a brush type corresponding to the brush motor based on the first impedance and a correspondence between impedances and brush types stored.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a robot cleaner for cleaning a stair. The robot cleaner includes a main body configured to rotate around a first shaft. The robot cleaner further includes at least one leg each configured to rotate around a second shaft. The robot cleaner also includes at least one connector each configured to connect each leg to the main body. Each connector comprises a first end attached to the first shaft and a second end attached to the second shaft. The robot cleaner is configured to climb the stair by first lifting the main body onto a tread of the stair through rotations of the main body and the at least one connector and then lifting the at least one leg onto the tread through rotations of the at least one connector and the at least one leg.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for controlling a robot cleaner to climb a stair. The robot cleaner includes a main body, at least one leg, and at least one connector connecting each leg to the main body. The method includes rotating the main body relative to the at least one leg to be substantially vertical to a thread of the stair. The method further includes rotating the main body to lay flat on the tread. The method also includes rotating the at least one leg to align with the at least one connector. The method additionally includes rotating the at least one leg to lay flat on the tread.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a washing method and device, a base station, and a storage medium. The washing method is used for a base station which is to be used cooperatively with a cleaning robot. The base station includes a base station body and a washing assembly. The washing assembly is movably disposed on the base station body. The washing method includes: acquiring second relative position information of the washing assembly and the base station body; and controlling an initial running direction of the washing assembly according to the second relative position information.

Abstract: An operating method of a cleaning robot. More particularly, the operating method including: receiving, from a server device, a lock setting request to set the cleaning robot to a lock state; setting the cleaning robot to the lock state by inactivating an operation button of the cleaning robot or inactivating a voice recognition function of the cleaning robot, based on the lock setting request; providing information indicating that the cleaning robot is in the lock state; and based on a user input to release the cleaning robot from the lock state being identified, restarting the cleaning robot in a lock release state.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has a surface cleaning head and an upper portion moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between a storage position and a floor cleaning position, the upper portion comprising a drive handle. A portable cleaning unit is removably mounted to the surface cleaning head. The portable cleaning unit has air treatment member assembly having first and second opposed openable doors. The treatment member assembly has an air treatment chamber that is removably mounted to the portable cleaning unit. The surface cleaning apparatus is operable in a floor cleaning mode in which the portable cleaning unit is provided as part of the surface cleaning head. The portable cleaning unit is also useable in an above floor cleaning mode in which the portable cleaning unit is removed from the surface cleaning head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robotic system for facade operation of a building facade, including: a plurality of propelling elements on an unmanned aerial vehicle to enable the unmanned aerial vehicle to hover in any position for various tasks; one or more end effectors on the unmanned aerial vehicle to perform various tasks; and an enclosed system to confine the operation space of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Abstract: The present application discloses a self-moving device, including a body, a chassis and a sensing unit. The body includes: a fluid storage apparatus used for storing a fluid; a cleaning liquid supply system used for supplying a cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned; and a dirty water recovery system used for recovering dirty water. The chassis is arranged at the lower part of the body for use in supporting the body. The sensing unit is arranged directly on the chassis.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head may include a fluid distributor configured to distribute a cleaning fluid, an agitator configured to absorb at least a portion of the distributed cleaning fluid and to agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned, a fluid stripper configured to remove, from the agitator, at least a portion of the distributed cleaning fluid absorbed by the agitator, a debris container, and a removable cover. The debris container may include a solid debris chamber and a fluid debris chamber. The removable cover may include a fluid catch plate configured to transfer at least a portion of the cleaning fluid removed from the agitator by the fluid stripper to the fluid debris chamber, the fluid catch plate being configured to selectively transition between an in-use position and a cleaning position when the removable cover is removed from the surface cleaning head.

Abstract: An evacuation station for collecting debris from a cleaning robot includes a controller configured to execute instructions to perform one or more operations. The one or more operations includes initiating an evacuation operation such that an air mover draws air containing debris from the cleaning robot, through an intake of the evacuation station, and through a canister of the evacuation station and such that a receptacle received by the evacuation station receives at least a portion of the debris drawn from the cleaning robot. The one or more operations includes ceasing the evacuation operation in response to a pressure value being within a range. The pressure value is determined based at least in part on data indicative of an air pressure, and the range is set based at least in part on a number of evacuation operations initiated before the evacuation operation.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head may include a fluid distributor configured to distribute a cleaning fluid, an agitator configured to absorb at least a portion of the distributed cleaning fluid and to agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned, a fluid stripper configured to remove, from the agitator, at least a portion of the distributed cleaning fluid absorbed by the agitator, a debris container, and a removable cover. The debris container may include a solid debris chamber and a fluid debris chamber. The removable cover may include a fluid catch plate configured to transfer at least a portion of the cleaning fluid removed from the agitator by the fluid stripper to the fluid debris chamber, the fluid catch plate being configured to selectively transition between an in-use position and a cleaning position when the removable cover is removed from the surface cleaning head.

Abstract: A surface cleaner operable to clean a surface. The surface cleaner includes a housing having a handle and a base pivotably coupled to the handle, the handle configured to move the base along the surface. The surface cleaner includes a supply tank configured to store a liquid, a heater including a reservoir, a pump positioned between the supply tank and the heater, the pump operable to draw the liquid from the supply tank and pump the liquid into the reservoir, the heater operable to superheat the liquid. The surface cleaner also includes a pressure control element in fluid communication with the heater and operable to depressurize the liquid into vapor, a nozzle disposed in the base and in fluid communication with the pressure control element, the nozzle configured to dispense the vapor, and a cleaning pad coupled to the base such that the cleaning pad directly contacts the surface.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head may include a fluid distributor configured to distribute a cleaning fluid, an agitator configured to absorb at least a portion of the distributed cleaning fluid and to agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned, a fluid stripper configured to remove, from the agitator, at least a portion of the distributed cleaning fluid absorbed by the agitator, a debris container, and a removable cover. The debris container may include a solid debris chamber and a fluid debris chamber. The removable cover may include a fluid catch plate configured to transfer at least a portion of the cleaning fluid removed from the agitator by the fluid stripper to the fluid debris chamber, the fluid catch plate being configured to selectively transition between an in-use position and a cleaning position when the removable cover is removed from the surface cleaning head.

Abstract: A disposable cleaning pad having a grout cleaning brush includes a bristle attachment for use with a disposable pad. The bristle attachment is molded into a rectangular base piece forming a stand-alone removable brush that can be removably attached to a disposable pad. A top rectangular piece of similar dimensions to the base is connected to the end portion of the base by way of a hinge. The ends opposite the hinge have mating clasps that allow for the brush assembly to be securely yet removably fastened to an existing cleaning pad which is then mounted in the normal manner to the cleaning system. The brush assembly enjoys a longer life than that expected from a disposable cleaning pad thus the brush assembly may be reused many times before it needs to be replaced.

Abstract: A sprayer sponge mop device comprising a telescoping handle with an ergonomic grip and a pivotal mop head at the bottom end is disclosed. The mop head accommodates a removable sponge for absorbing spills. A planar plate is disposed within the mop head and operates using a lever to squeeze excess liquid from the sponge. Additionally, the device includes a reservoir positioned on the handle for storing a cleaning solution that is sprayed using a trigger via a nozzle directly in front of the mop head. The trigger is operatively connected to the reservoir by a clutch wire, enabling a user to control the dispensing of the cleaning solution. The multifunctional tool combines the cleaning of a sponge mop with the convenience of a spray mop.

Abstract: A mop holder for a mop system for cleaning clean rooms, arranged and adapted to releasably hold a mop cover, wherein the mop holder comprises an aramid fiber-reinforced and/or carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. In at least one embodiment, the mop holder comprises at least one holding wing that has a longitudinal rib which is curved towards an upper side of the mop holder, and the longitudinal rib extends from a flat section to the upper side.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a dishwasher appliance includes a fine filter insertable within a sump of the dishwasher appliance, the fine filter including a fine filter housing and a filter screen attached to the fine filter housing; a filter basket removably coupled to the fine filter, the filter basket defining a peripheral cage and a base cup provided below the peripheral cage, wherein the base cup is selectively sealed with the fine filter housing; a resilient member provided within the base cup of the filter basket, the resilient member being movable between an open position and a closed position; and a drain fitting selectively coupled with the filter basket via the resilient member.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided, and includes an external housing containing a tub for receiving dishes. The dishwasher configured to receive water from a water source of a dwelling via an external supply line, which includes a valve for directing water between the tub and a water reservoir. Water received into the reservoir will be cooler than the water utilized in the tub to wash dishes. A water pump is connected to the reservoir so that during the drying cycle, the relatively cool water of the reservoir can be pumped through one or more conduits that are in contact with various surfaces of the tub so as to cool the tub interior and cause moisture contained therein to condense and drain out of the tub thereby efficiently enhancing the drying performance of the dishwasher.

Abstract: A dishwasher assembly includes: a dishwasher having a rinsing container that provides a rinsing chamber and receives washware to be cleaned, the rinsing container having a loading opening for loading the rinsing container with washware; a cover arranged over the dishwasher, the cover projecting beyond the rinsing container on a loading side thereof to form an overhang; and an operating device, which is arranged on an underside, facing the dishwasher, of the overhang, the operating device being connected for communication to a controller of the dishwasher, a dishwasher action being initiable by a user-actuation of the operating device.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an identification unit that identifies the type of an image obtained by image capturing of a photographic subject, a recognition unit that performs a recognition process of recognizing the photographic subject by using the image, and a notification unit that gives a notification of whether the recognition process functions for the image of a specific type identified by the identification unit. The identification unit identifies the type of the image by determining an operation mode, the model of an endoscope used in image capturing of the photographic subject, or whether or not a drug is administered to the photographic subject.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope including an insertion portion, an imaging sensor disposed at a proximal end thereof so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and an optical element that tilts an optical axis, a robotic arm, and at least one processor. The processor transmits a first signal to the moving device, detects a first moving direction of an object, estimates a first amount of rotation of the optical element by using first two images before and after the transmission with respect to the imaging sensor based on the first movement direction, transmits a second signal to the robotic arm, detects a second moving direction of the object by using second two images before and after the transmission, and estimates a second amount of rotation between the robotic arm and the endoscope based on the second moving direction and the first amount of rotation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a medical imaging system, a medical imaging device, and a control method that enable appropriate outputting of an image according to surgery. The medical imaging system includes a surgery mode setting unit that sets a surgery mode, and a selection processing unit that performs, on the basis of the surgery mode, selection of switching a display image from among a Near image focused on a near point, a Mid image focused on a middle point, a Far image focused on a far point, and an EDOF image obtained by extending a depth of field by combining those images, the Near image, the Mid image, and the Far image being captured by three pieces of imaging elements having different optical path lengths from one imaging lens. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a medical imaging system capable of capturing an EDOF image.

Abstract: An endoscopy device and a method of manufacturing an endoscopy device are disclosed. The endoscopy device comprises: a body having a handle portion and a housing portion, the housing portion having an outlet; a switching mechanism disposed in the housing portion; a rigid outer tube detachably coupled to the housing portion at the outlet, and a flexible inner tube extendable from the outer tube, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to retract or extend the inner tube outwardly through the outer tube.

Abstract: A distal end cover includes a cover body having a cylindrical shape. The cover body includes first and second body portions, a first opening formed in the first body portion and the second body portion, a second opening that can receive a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope and is formed on a side opposite to the first body portion with respect to the second body portion, a third opening provided in the second body portion and included in the first opening, a fourth opening provided in the first body portion and included in the first opening, and a first periphery portion forming one side of the fourth opening. The first periphery portion is a side farthest from the third opening than other sides of the fourth opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a medical imaging system and an imaging device capable of achieving high image quality with a simpler configuration. An imaging module includes a branching optical system that branches light incident via an imaging lens in three directions and emits the light, and three imaging elements that receive light emitted from the branching optical system in the three directions and perform imaging. Then, the three imaging elements are arranged at positions having different optical distances from the principal point of the imaging lens by a shift amount ?Z, and the shift amount ?Z is calculated from ?Z=2×DoF×M (1<M<2) by using a depth of focus DoF of the imaging lens set on the basis of a pixel pitch p of the imaging elements and an aperture value F of the imaging lens, and a correction term M. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a medical imaging system.

Abstract: A cylindrical instrument has a tube with a movable element (1677; 16(2)) and first further element (1675; 16(1); 16(3)). The movable element (1677; 16(2)) has a movable element extending portion (1603a; 1702a1; 2002b) adjacent to a movable element indented portion (1603b; 1702b1; 2002a/2002c). In a manufactured state the movable element extending portion (1603a; 1702a1; 2002b) is located opposite a first further element indented portion (1601b; 1701b; 2001b) at a first distance and the movable element indented portion (1603b; 1702b1; 2002a/2002c) is located opposite a first further element extending portion (1601a; 1701a; 1701c; 2001a/2001c) at a second distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for endoscopic operations are described. For example, the disclosure provides an endoscopic system with an endoscope support configured to hold an endoscope. The endoscope includes a shaft and an image capturer positioned at a distal end of the shaft, the image capturer configured to capture an image. The endoscopic system further includes a cannula support configured to hold a cannula, with the image capturer being insertable through the cannula. The endoscopic system also includes a controller with a processor, the controller configured to determine a pose of a point of the endoscope based on a first location of a first point and a second location of a second point, the first point being of the endoscope and the second point being of the cannula, where the pose of the point is a pose of a frame of reference originating at the point.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that enable optical image stabilization and image sensor alignments. By enabling image sensors to be adjusted based on identified misalignments, users of the systems and methods disclosed herein can adjust imaging during the course of a surgery or surgical procedure, without needing to stop the surgery or surgical procedure to manually realign optical components. The optical image stabilization allows for adjustment of sensor components to compensate for shifts or other movement of imaging devices and to maintain focus on a target object. The optical image stabilization also includes digital masks that can be overlaid on an image to block distracting mask shifting.

Abstract: A method of assembling an endoscope includes inserting a pair of pull wires through an endoscope shaft, coupling distal ends of the pair of pull wires to a distal end of an endoscope shaft, coupling proximal ends of the pair of pull wires to a control wheel assembly, rotationally securing the control wheel assembly into a handle of the endoscope device, and coupling a control level to the control wheel assembly via an opening in the handle. Manipulation of the control lever causes rotation of the control wheel assembly, which then causes deflection of the distal end of the endoscope shaft via the pull wires. The control wheel assembly includes an arcuate member that covers at least a portion of the control wheel assembly to prevent external contaminants from entering the opening in the handle adjacent the control lever.

Abstract: An endoscope including a proximal handle and an insertion cord (6). The handle includes an operating member (81) for the bending section. A first pull-wire and a second pull-wire are connected to the bending section. The first pull-wire partially is surrounded by a first guide tube so as to present a first proximal pull-wire section (191a) extending from a proximal end (193a) said first guide tube and the second pull-wire is partially surrounded by a second guide tube so as to present a second proximal pull-wire section (192a) extending from a proximal end of said second guide tube (194a). The first pull-wire section (191a) is in engagement with a wire guide on the operating member (81) and connected to the operating member, and the first pull-wire section (191a) is joined with the second pull-wire section (192a) at a location between the operating member (81) and the proximal end (194a) of the second guide tube.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a bendable member for an imaging endoscope and an imaging endoscope incorporating said bendable member. The bendable member comprises a series of constructional elements arranged longitudinally in series along the bendable member and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements that permit bending between adjacent constructional elements, wherein, when the bendable member is straight, a first living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements has a different bending stiffness to a second living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements.