Abstract: Power circuitry for non-thermal plasma generation; optionally therapeutic plasma. Non-thermal plasma is generated distally by a catheter-like device which is flexible, narrow (e.g., diameter<5 mm), and longitudinally extended to reach, e.g., 50-100 cm into body cavities. A plasma probe power transmission cable is a part of the power generating circuit, its intrinsic impedance contributing to and constraining the time constant of an entraining RC circuit whose resonant frequency entrains the frequency of power generation by feedback. Variable length, construction and/or manufacture (for example) of the plasma probe potentially lead to different time constants. In some embodiments, transformer coupling is divided into a plurality of stages, allowing the final-stage transformer inductance to be selected with sufficient headroom to allow the use of compensation componentry to mask probe variability and maintain a targeted operating frequency.

Abstract: Power circuitry for cold plasma generation; optionally plasma for therapeutic use. Cold plasma generation occurs at the distal end of a catheter-like device which is flexible, narrow (e.g., less than 5 mm in diameter), and longitudinally extended to reach, e.g., 50-100 cm into body cavities. A cable used for power transmission is a part of the power generating circuit, its intrinsic impedance being a major contributor to and constraint on the time constant of an entraining RC circuit whose resonant frequency entrains the frequency of power generation. In some embodiments, inductive transformer coupling to the entraining/transmission line circuit is used to generate voltage gain. In some embodiments, transformer coupling is divided into a plurality of stages.

Abstract: Power circuitry for non-thermal plasma generation; optionally therapeutic plasma. Non-thermal plasma is generated distally by a catheter-like device which is flexible, narrow (e.g., diameter <5 mm), and longitudinally extended to reach, e.g., 50-100 cm into body cavities. A plasma probe power transmission cable is a part of the power generating circuit, its intrinsic impedance contributing to and constraining the time constant of an entraining RC circuit whose resonant frequency entrains the frequency of power generation by feedback. Variable length, construction and/or manufacture (for example) of the plasma probe potentially lead to different time constants. In some embodiments, transformer coupling is divided into a plurality of stages, allowing the final-stage transformer inductance to be selected with sufficient headroom to allow the use of compensation componentry to mask probe variability and maintain a targeted operating frequency.

Abstract: Power circuitry for cold plasma generation; optionally plasma for therapeutic use. Cold plasma generation occurs at the distal end of a catheter-like device which is flexible, narrow (e.g., less than 5 mm in diameter), and longitudinally extended to reach, e.g., 50-100 cm into body cavities. A cable used for power transmission is a part of the power generating circuit, its intrinsic impedance being a major contributor to and constraint on the time constant of an entraining RC circuit whose resonant frequency entrains the frequency of power generation. In some embodiments, inductive transformer coupling to the entraining/transmission line circuit is used to generate voltage gain. In some embodiments, transformer coupling is divided into a plurality of stages.

Abstract: Power circuitry for non-thermal plasma generation; optionally therapeutic plasma. Non-thermal plasma is generated distally by a catheter-like device which is flexible, narrow (e.g., diameter <5 mm), and longitudinally extended to reach, e.g., 50-100 cm into body cavities. A plasma probe power transmission cable is a part of the power generating circuit, its intrinsic impedance contributing to and constraining the time constant of an entraining RC circuit whose resonant frequency entrains the frequency of power generation by feedback. Variable length, construction and/or manufacture (for example) of the plasma probe potentially lead to different time constants. In some embodiments, transformer coupling is divided into a plurality of stages, allowing the final-stage transformer inductance to be selected with sufficient headroom to allow the use of compensation componentry to mask probe variability and maintain a targeted operating frequency.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing eyeglasses are provided. The method may include providing a blank (63) with an outcoupling element (25) and machining the blank to provide a light receiving surface based on the at least one physiological parameter. Corresponding blanks and sets of eyeglasses are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an intraocular device which is implanted entirely in an eye of a subject and includes photosensors which detect photons representing an image in a gaze direction of the subject, and stimulating electrodes which apply currents to the retina. The apparatus further includes an extraocular device including an imaging device which captures a wide-field image. The apparatus further includes processing circuitry which (i) receives the wide-field image from the imaging device of the extraocular device, (ii) receives a signal from the photosensors of the intraocular device, (iii) based on the signal from the photosensors, process the wide-field image from the imaging device to generate image data representative of a sub-portion of the wide-field image, and (iv) cause the electrodes to apply currents to the retina based on the image data. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an intraocular device which is implanted entirely in an eye of a subject and includes photosensors which detect photons representing an image in a gaze direction of the subject, and stimulating electrodes which apply currents to the retina. The apparatus further includes an extraocular device including an imaging device which captures a wide-field image. The apparatus further includes processing circuitry which (i) receives the wide-field image from the imaging device of the extraocular device, (ii) receives a signal from the photosensors of the intraocular device, (iii) based on the signal from the photosensors, process the wide-field image from the imaging device to generate image data representative of a sub-portion of the wide-field image, and (iv) cause the electrodes to apply currents to the retina based on the image data. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for accessing a pericardial space of a subject. The method includes advancing a guide member toward a heart, having (a) a transparent blunt distal end, and (b) a side-facing suction port. During advancing of the guide member, an imaging device disposed in the guide member generates an image of part of the heart. Subsequently to contacting the pericardium with the suction port, the imaging device is retracted proximally in the guide member. Subsequently, a portion of the pericardium is drawn into the guide member through the suction port. Following the drawing of the portion into the guide member, an image of the pericardium disposed within the suction port, is generated. Subsequently, a puncturing element is advanced in the guide member to puncture the portion of the pericardium that is in the guide member. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for accessing a pericardial space of a subject. The method includes advancing a guide member toward a heart, having (a) a transparent blunt distal end, and (b) a side-facing suction port. During advancing of the guide member, an imaging device disposed in the guide member generates an image of part of the heart. Subsequently to contacting the pericardium with the suction port, the imaging device is retracted proximally in the guide member. Subsequently, a portion of the pericardium is drawn into the guide member through the suction port. Following the drawing of the portion into the guide member, an image of the pericardium disposed within the suction port, is generated. Subsequently, a puncturing element is advanced in the guide member to puncture the portion of the pericardium that is in the guide member. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an extraocular device, which includes an eyeglasses frame, which is placed in front of an eye of a subject, and a power source coupled to the eyeglasses frame and configured to emit a beam of light that is outside of 380-750 nm. A light-guiding element is coupled to the eyeglasses frame and at least one optical coupling-in element and at least one optical coupling-out element are optically coupled to the light-guiding element. The coupling-in element is positioned such that the beam of light is directed into the light-guiding element via the coupling-in element, and the coupling-in and coupling-out elements are positioned such that the beam diverges from a focal point located within 3 mm of the coupling-out element. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a method for transmission of power and data during a plurality of consecutive time intervals. During a power-transmission portion of each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals, a power signal, in which no data is encoded, is transmitted. During a power-and-data-transmission portion of each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals, a power-and-data signal, in which is encoded a single bit, is transmitted. The power-and-data signal includes: (a) a high-level power-and-data signal portion, and (b) a low-level power-and-data signal portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (120) is provided comprising: a longitudinal guide member (220) (a) comprising a blunt distal end (160) having an outer surface (164) at least part of which is transparent, (b) configured to be advanced distally toward a heart of a subject, and (c) shaped to define an at least partially distally-facing and side-facing suction port (660) at a distal portion (662) of the longitudinal guide member (220). The apparatus is configured to facilitate drawing a portion of a pericardium of the heart through the suction port and into the longitudinal guide member. The apparatus additionally comprises a puncturing element (50) configured to puncture the portion of the pericardium while the portion of the pericardium is in the longitudinal guide member. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a method for transmission of power and data during a plurality of consecutive time intervals. During a power-transmission portion of each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals, a power signal, in which no data is encoded, is transmitted. During a power-and-data-transmission portion of each of the plurality of consecutive time intervals, a power-and-data signal, in which is encoded a single bit, is transmitted. The power-and-data signal includes: (a) a high-level power-and-data signal portion, and (b) a low-level power-and-data signal portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an extraocular device, which includes an eyeglasses frame, which is placed in front of an eye of a subject, and a power source coupled to the eyeglasses frame and configured to emit a beam of light that is outside of 380-750 nm. A light-guiding element is coupled to the eyeglasses frame and at least one optical coupling-in element and at least one optical coupling-out element are optically coupled to the light-guiding element. The coupling-in element is positioned such that the beam of light is directed into the light-guiding element via the coupling-in element, and the coupling-in and coupling-out elements are positioned such that the beam diverges from a focal point located within 3 mm of the coupling-out element. Other applications are also described.