Abstract: A method for navigation assistance in a medical procedures, the method may include (i) obtaining evaluated images that capture the OOI and the background; wherein the evaluated images are acquired at other points of time during which the one or more injection agents do not flow through at the least one of the BVSs; (ii) determining evaluated image features of the evaluated images by the machine learning process trained to extract the features; (iii) generating predicted BVSs maps for the evaluated images, based on the reference BVSs map information; and (iv) responding to the generating of the predicted BVSs maps and the dynamic movement of the OOI.

Abstract: Synchronized stimulation of cardiac tissue can be implemented by implanting two or more rectifier-based AM receivers into different positions within a subject's heart. Each receiver is tuned to a different frequency, and generates an output signal that is capable of stimulating cardiac tissue when a signal at the corresponding tuned frequency arrives at the receiver. An AM transmitter can activate any given one of the receivers by transmitting a signal into the subject's body at the proper frequency. A controller controls the transmitter by commanding the transmitter to transmit pulses of AC at different frequencies at different times, so that when those pulses are received by the correspondingly-tuned receivers, each of the receivers will generate respective output signals that stimulate respective parts of the heart at respective times to promote improved cardiac performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the cardiac function and cardiac output of a patient comprises a waveform generator that generates alternating voltage pulses, a controller to control the timing of the pulses, and electrodes that deliver the alternating voltage pulses to the patient's body. The alternating voltage pulses induce a field of alternating current pulses within the patient's body. As the pulses pass through a cardiac ventricle (or atrium), they increase the concentration of Ca2+ at the appropriate cardiomyocyte sites, and thereby increase the strength and duration of the ventricular (or atrial) contractions. In alternative embodiments, the electric field may be used to strengthen the contractions of non-cardiac muscle (e.g., skeletal muscle).

Abstract: A navigation system for catheter-based interventions, the system comprising a processing device; an angiogram x-ray system connected by data transfer connection to the processing device and capable of capturing angiographic images of a patient; an electrocardiogram monitoring device that is also connected by data transfer connection to the processing device and to the x-ray system; a medical instrument to be inserted into the area of the patient captured by the angiographic image; a position capture module for getting position information about the position of the medical instrument, the unit connected by data transfer connection to the processing device, wherein the processing device is capable of triggering the capturing of the angiographic images as a roadmap and superimposing on the roadmap the position information about the medical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for control of a procedure, comprising: a communications interface; a control console, wherein the control console is adapted to provide control commands via the communications interface to at least one of: at least one imaging device or at least one medical instrument used to perform the procedure; and, at least one radiation shield attached to the control console and positioned between the control console and a patient on which the procedure is being performed, wherein the apparatus is separately movable from at least one of the at least one imaging device, the patient or the at least one medical instrument.

Abstract: A remote control catheterization system comprising: a propelling device, which controllably inserts a flexible, elongate probe into the body of a patient; and a control unit, in communication with the propelling device, and comprising user controls which are operated by a user of the system remote from the patient to control insertion of the probe into the body by the propelling device, wherein the user controls include an intuitive user interface comprising a handle that can be moved longitudinally, forward and back along a longitudinal axis, and also can be moved rotationally, in rotation around the longitudinal axis; the intuitive user interface comprising motion sensors that detect longitudinal motion and rotational motion of the handle and convert them to signals; and signal communication circuitry that communicates the signals to the control unit for commanding the propelling device to move the probe in respective direction and distance as the handle.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting motion from at least one of a plurality of motion sources into linear, rotary, or combined linear and rotary motion of an elongated device, the apparatus comprising a transmission for translating the motion to linear or rotary motion of the elongated device.

Abstract: A remote control catheterization system comprising: a propelling device, which controllably inserts a flexible, elongate probe into the body of a patient; and a control unit, in communication with the propelling device, and comprising user controls which are operated by a user of the system remote from the patient to control insertion of the probe into the body by the propelling device, wherein the user controls include an intuitive user interface comprising a handle that can be moved longitudinally, forward and back along a longitudinal axis, and also can be moved rotationally, in rotation around the longitudinal axis; the intuitive user interface comprising motion sensors that detect longitudinal motion and rotational motion of the handle and convert them to signals; and signal communication circuitry that communicates the signals to the control unit for commanding the propelling device to move the probe in respective direction and distance as the handle.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a lumen, comprising: at least one mapping tool, wherein the at least one mapping tool is adapted and constructed to provide at least a partial map of an internal surface of the lumen; a display, adapted and constructed to permit the identification of at least one point of interest in the lumen, using the at least partial map; at least one sensor, wherein data retrieved from the at least one sensor is compared to the at least partial map for navigating at least one procedural instrument within the lumen; and, wherein treatment by the at least one procedural instrument occurs when sensed data compared with the at least partial map indicates the that least one procedural instrument is at at least one point of interest. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, treatment is performed from a remote location in relation to the patient. Optionally, a propulsion apparatus navigates at least one procedural instrument in a lumen in response to commands from a controller.

Abstract: The present invention is of methods of preventing restenosis and promoting vascular re-healing. Specifically, the present invention is of a method of exposing the luminal wall of a blood vessel to a substance by deploying a drug-eluting polymer film inside the lumen of a blood vessel during or following angioplasty.

Abstract: An apparatus for control of a procedure, comprising: a communications interface; a control console, wherein the control console is adapted to provide control commands via the communications interface to at least one of: at least one imaging device or at least one medical instrument used to perform the procedure; and, at least one radiation shield attached to the control console and positioned between the control console and a patient on which the procedure is being performed, wherein the apparatus is separately movable from at least one of the at least one imaging device, the patient or the at least one medical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting motion from at least one of a plurality of motion sources into linear, rotary, or combined linear and rotary motion of an elongated device, the apparatus comprising a transmission for translating the motion to linear or rotary motion of the elongated device.

Abstract: Stents which are inserted into a body lumen preferably are made of materials which are not radiopaque enough, such as S.S. 316L. X-ray visualization of a stent enables an accurate positioning of the stent and also a follow-up of its functioning within the patient's body. The radiopaque markers described here are rivets made of a material which is more radiopaque than the stent substance so the location of the stent can be identified.

Abstract: This application is directed to a stent delivery system for introducing a flexible, generally cylindrical, self-expandable stent.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a stent delivery system for implanting a flexible, generally cylindrical, expandable, coiled stent. The system comprises a catheter defining at least one lumen and having at least two longitudinally displaced openings or sets of openings ,a flexible, self-expandable coiled stent having discrete proximal and distal end sections, said stent being wound circumferentially around said catheter and coils of the stent being more closely wound at the proximal and/or distal end sections, and one or two release wires cooperating with restraining means so that as the release wire or wires are with-drawn proximally, the proximal and distal end sections of the stent are released in such a manner that coils of the stent unwind and the length of the unwound stent is not substantially less than the length of the portion of the unreleased stent that is not more closely wound.

Abstract: Stents which are inserted into a body lumen preferably are made of materials which are not radiopaque enough, such as stainless steel 316L. X-ray visualization of a stent enables an accurate positioning of the stent and also a follow-up of its functioning within the patient's body. The radiopaque markers described here are rivets made of a material which is more radiopaque than the stent substance so the location of the stent can be identified. Preferably the stents are heat treated so that atoms from the stent material migrate into the marker material and vice versa.

Abstract: A stent is provided for having variable flexibility and stiffness along its length. The stent comprises portions of the stent having different bending and durability characteristics, and may be fabricated, using any of a variety of methods, out of any of a variety of materials.

Abstract: A stent (1) is provided for having variable flexibility and stiffness along its length. The stent (1) comprises portions (5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) of the stent having different bending and durability characteristics, and may be fabricated, using any of a variety of methods out of any of a variety of materials.

Abstract: This application is directed to a stent delivery system for introducing a flexible, generally cylindrical, self-expandable stent.

Abstract: This application is directed to a stent delivery system for introducing a flexible, generally cylindrical, self-expandable stent.