Abstract: A method of monitoring sleep of a sleeping subject is disclosed. The method comprises determining a phase shift of input radiofrequency signals received from the subject during sleep relative to output radiofrequency signals transmitted to the subject during sleep, calculating cardiac output based on the phase shift, and using the cardiac output for identifying sleep apnea events.

Abstract: A surgical method of treating morbid obesity via bariatric procedures, carried out endoluminally and transluminally using endoscopic devices that are introduced through natural body openings without the necessity of creating any incisions in the abdominal wall.

Abstract: A method of predicting onset of electromechanical dissociation in a heart of a subject is disclosed. The method comprises: extracting from the composite input signal an electrocardiac signal and determining electrical activity of the heart based on the electrocardiac signal; extracting from the composite input signal a radiofrequency signal and determining blood flow measure based on the radiofrequency signal; and if the blood flow measure is below a predetermined threshold and the electrical activity is above a predetermined threshold, then predicting the onset of electromechanical dissociation.

Abstract: A method of processing a signal pertaining to at least one electrical property of an organ of a subject is disclosed. The method comprises determining a physiological condition of the subject, selecting a frequency band, filtering the signal according to the frequency band, and dynamically adapting the frequency band in response to a change in the physiological condition.

Abstract: A method of diagnosis is disclosed. The method comprises: acquiring an absolute component and a phase component of an input signal indicative of an impedance of an organ of a subject; determining baseline blood flow of the subject based on the phase component; determining transient changes in blood flow based on at least the absolute component; and displaying the baseline blood flow and the transient changes in blood flow.

Abstract: The invention is an endoscopic device comprising an elongated flexible insertion tube, either one or two linear staplers permanently fixed to the distal tip of the flexible insertion tube, and a video camera on the distal tip to provide real time viewing of the stapling site. Each of the linear staplers is adapted to insert one or more rows of staples into tissue held between the stapler jaws. At least one of said staplers comprises a knife blade that is movable parallel to the rows of staples to cut the tissue after staples have been fired. The endoscopic device of the invention can be used in a variety of surgical procedures.

Abstract: A method of predicting onset of electromechanical dissociation in a heart of a subject is disclosed. The method comprises: extracting from the composite input signal an electrocardiac signal and determining electrical activity of the heart based on the electrocardiac signal; extracting from the composite input signal a radiofrequency signal and determining blood flow measure based on the radiofrequency signal; and if the blood flow measure is below a predetermined threshold and the electrical activity is above a predetermined threshold, then predicting the onset of electromechanical dissociation.

Abstract: A method of estimating exercise capacity of a subject is disclosed. The method uses output radiofrequency signals transmitted to the subject during exercise and input radiofrequency signals received from the subject during exercise. The method comprises: determining a phase shift of the input radiofrequency signals relative to the output radiofrequency signals; calculating cardiac output based on the phase shift; and using the cardiac output for estimating the exercise capacity of the subject.

Abstract: A surgical method of treating morbid obesity via bariatric procedures, carried out endoluminally and transluminally using endoscopic devices that are introduced through natural body openings without the necessity of creating any incisions in the abdominal wall.

Abstract: A method of monitoring sleep of a sleeping subject is disclosed. The method comprises determining a phase shift of input radiofrequency signals received from the subject during sleep relative to output radiofrequency signals transmitted to the subject during sleep, calculating cardiac output based on the phase shift, and using the cardiac output for identifying sleep apnea events.

Abstract: A surgical method of treating morbid obesity via bariatric procedures, carried out endoluminally and transluminally using endoscopic devices that are introduced through natural body openings without the necessity of creating any incisions in the abdominal wall.

Abstract: A method for medically employing ultrasound within a body cavity of a patient. An end effector is obtained having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. A biocompatible hygroscopic substance is obtained having a non-expanded anhydrous state and having an expanded and fluidly-loculated hydrated state. The end effector, including the transducer assembly, and the substance in substantially its anhydrous state are inserted into a body cavity (such as endoscopically inserted into a uterus) of a patient. The transducer assembly is used to medically image and/or medically treat patient tissue (such as stopping blood flow to, and/or ablating, a uterine fibroid). A system for medically employing ultrasound includes the end effector and the substance. In another system, the end effector includes the substance. The substance in its hydrated state expands inside the body cavity providing acoustic coupling between the wall of the body cavity and the transducer assembly.

Abstract: A first method for ultrasound uterine medical treatment includes obtaining an end effector having an ultrasound medical-treatment transducer assembly, identifying a blood vessel which supplies blood to a portion of the uterus, and medically treating the blood vessel with ultrasound from the transducer assembly to substantially seal the blood vessel to substantially stop the supply of blood from the blood vessel to the portion of the uterus. In one example, shrinkage of a uterine fibroid is accomplished through use of the end effector endoscopically inserted into the uterus. A second method for ultrasound uterine medical treatment includes endoscopically inserting the end effector into the uterus and medically treating the endometrium lining with ultrasound from the transducer assembly to ablate a desired thickness of at least a portion of the endometrium lining to substantially stop abnormal uterine bleeding from the endometrium lining.

Abstract: A method for medically employing ultrasound within a body cavity of a patient. An end effector is obtained having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. A biocompatible hygroscopic substance is obtained having a non-expanded anhydrous state and having an expanded and fluidly-loculated hydrated state. The end effector, including the transducer assembly, and the substance in substantially its anhydrous state are inserted into a body cavity (such as endoscopically inserted into a uterus) of a patient. The transducer assembly is used to medically image and/or medically treat patient tissue (such as stopping blood flow to, and/or ablating, a uterine fibroid). A system for medically employing ultrasound includes the end effector and the substance. In another system, the end effector includes the substance. The substance in its hydrated state expands inside the body cavity providing acoustic coupling between the wall of the body cavity and the transducer assembly.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for identifying tissue cells, such as cancerous cells. The device can include a swallowable capsule having a detector. A patient can be given a substance which includes a marker material (such as a radioactive marker or a magnetic marker material), and which substance can be preferentially bound to or otherwise associated with the particular cell type.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for identifying tissue cells, such as cancerous cells. The device can include a swallowable capsule having a detector. A patient can be given a substance which includes a marker material (such as a radioactive marker or a magnetic marker material), and which substance can be preferentially bound to or otherwise associated with the particular cell type.