Abstract: Apparatus is described including a tool, the tool including a shaft having a distal portion that is sized and shaped to be inserted into a subject during a surgical procedure. The tool includes a tissue-treatment tip, at the distal portion, that defines a beam deflector. An optical fiber is positioned to emit laser energy into the beam deflector. The beam deflector has a deflector surface, a first portion of which is shaped and positioned to reflect the laser energy toward a tissue-treatment tip surface, and a second portion of which is configured to absorb the laser energy and thermally conduct the absorbed energy to the tissue-treatment tip surface. The tissue-treatment tip surface is configured to thermally conduct the absorbed energy to the tissue by contacting the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for payment transfer between a paying party and a recipient party. Optionally and preferably, payment transfer is made by using a prepaid card, which has many security and administrative advantages. Other payment methods may also optionally be used. Also, optionally a plurality of micropayments are provided to a plurality of recipients. The paying party is optionally a media content provider while the recipient party is optionally a user who provides content, although many different combinations of paying/recipient parties may optionally be implemented.

Abstract: A system and method for payment transfer between a paying party and a recipient party. Optionally and preferably, payment transfer is made by using a prepaid card, which has many security and administrative advantages. Other payment methods may also optionally be used. Also, optionally a plurality of micropayments are provided to a plurality of recipients. The paying party is optionally a media content provider while the recipient party is optionally a user who provides content, although many different combinations of paying/recipient parties may optionally be implemented.

Abstract: A system and a method for supporting e-commerce transactions in multiple currencies, in which the local currency of the buyer is different from the local currency of the vendor, such that the exchange between the currencies is hedged at the time of sale of the product. The system and method enable the buyer to receive a final price for the product before the transaction is performed. The system and method also provide a mechanism for the actual exchange between the currencies of the buyer and of the vendor, such that the aspects of the transaction regarding payment are fully supported. Preferably, online hedging of the currency transactions is performed, in order to reduce the risk involved with predetermination of prices.