Abstract: A system is provided for use with a subject suffering from primary or metastatic solid tumors. The system includes nanoparticles including a magnetic metallic core and a phase-change material (PCM) surrounding the magnetic metallic core and configured to absorb latent heat of fusion by undergoing a phase change that occurs at a phase-change temperature of 42-80 degrees C. A radiofrequency (RF) transmitter is configured to transmit energy, in a pulse train alternating between high power and low power at a pulse frequency of 0.5 Hz-2 Hz, to at least a portion of the subject's body, such so that the nanoparticles are heated to the phase-change temperature of the PCM, store energy from the pulse train in the PCM as latent heat of fusion, and release the stored energy from the PCM during an entirety of each low power phase of the pulse train. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided for use with a subject suffering from cancer that includes one or more primary or metastatic solid tumors. The system includes nanoparticles including a magnetic metallic core and a phase-change material (PCM) that surrounds the magnetic metallic core and is configured to absorb latent heat of fusion by undergoing a phase change that occurs at a phase-change temperature of 42-80 degrees C. A radiofrequency (RF) transmitter is configured to transmit energy, in a pulse train alternating between high power and low power at a pulse frequency of 1 Hz-5 Hz, to at least a portion of the subject's body, such so that the nanoparticles are heated to the phase-change temperature of the PCM, and store energy from the pulse train in the PCM as latent heat of fusion. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a heating device (26) configured to heat at least a portion of a subject's body. A nanoparticle (22) is configured to be administered to the subject, the nanoparticle including at least one inner core (30) that includes a magnetic material having a Curie temperature; a phase-change-material layer (31) that surrounds the inner core and that comprises a phase-change material that is configured to absorb latent heat of fusion by undergoing a phase change selected from the group consisting of: solid to liquid, and gel to liquid, the phase-change occurring at a phase-change temperature that is lower than the Curie temperature; and an outer layer (32) disposed around the phase-change-material layer, the outer layer comprising a plurality of nano-subparticles (34) that are separated from one another, such as to form a segmented layer. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided for use with a subject suffering from cancer that includes one or more primary or metastatic solid tumors. The system includes nanoparticles including a magnetic metallic core and a phase-change material (PCM) that surrounds the magnetic metallic core and is configured to absorb latent heat of fusion by undergoing a phase change that occurs at a phase-change temperature of 42-80 degrees C. A radiofrequency (RF) transmitter is configured to transmit energy, in a pulse train alternating between high power and low power at a pulse frequency of 1 Hz-5 Hz, to at least a portion of the subject's body, such so that the nanoparticles are heated to the phase-change temperature of the PCM, and store energy from the pulse train in the PCM as latent heat of fusion. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a heating device (26) configured to heat at least a portion of a subject's body. A nanoparticle (22) is configured to be administered to the subject, the nanoparticle including at least one inner core (30) that includes a magnetic material having a Curie temperature; a phase-change-material layer (31) that surrounds the inner core and that comprises a phase-change material that is configured to absorb latent heat of fusion by undergoing a phase change selected from the group consisting of: solid to liquid, and gel to liquid, the phase-change occurring at a phase-change temperature that is lower than the Curie temperature; and an outer layer (32) disposed around the phase-change-material layer, the outer layer comprising a plurality of nano-subparticles (34) that are separated from one another, such as to form a segmented layer. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a subject suffering from cancer. A nanoparticle (22) includes an inner core (30) that comprises a phase-change material that is configured to absorb latent heat of fusion by undergoing a phase change. An outer layer (32) disposed around the inner core includes a plurality of nano-spheres (34) of at least one metal, and a plurality of molecules (38) of a substance that binds preferentially with cancerous cells relative to non-cancerous cells. The nanoparticle has a volume of at least 65,000 nm3 and is elongatable into an ellipsoid, such that, when the nanoparticle is maximally elongated, each of the semi-axes defined by the ellipsoid is greater than 5 nm, and at least two of the semi axes of the ellipsoid are less than 30 nm. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a subject suffering from cancer. A nanoparticle (22) includes an inner core (30) that comprises a phase-change material that is configured to absorb latent heat of fusion by undergoing a phase change. An outer layer (32) disposed around the inner core includes a plurality of nano-spheres (34) of at least one metal, and a plurality of molecules (38) of a substance that binds preferentially with cancerous cells relative to non-cancerous cells. The nanoparticle has a volume of at least 65,000 nm3 and is elongatable into an ellipsoid, such that, when the nanoparticle is maximally elongated, each of the semi-axes defined by the ellipsoid is greater than 5 nm, and at least two of the semi axes of the ellipsoid are less than 30 nm. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a subject suffering from cancer. A nanoparticle (22) includes an inner core (30) that comprises a phase-change material that is configured to absorb latent heat of fusion by undergoing a phase change. An outer layer (32) disposed around the inner core includes a plurality of nano-spheres (34) of at least one metal, and a plurality of molecules (38) of a substance that binds preferentially with cancerous cells relative to non-cancerous cells. The nanoparticle has a volume of at least 65,000 nm3 and is elongatable into an ellipsoid, such that, when the nanoparticle is maximally elongated, each of the semi-axes defined by the ellipsoid is greater than 5 nm, and at least two of the semi axes of the ellipsoid are less than 30 nm. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a subject suffering from cancer. A nanoparticle (22) includes an inner core (30) that comprises a phase-change material that is configured to absorb latent heat of fusion by undergoing a phase change. An outer layer (32) disposed around the inner core includes a plurality of nano-spheres (34) of at least one metal, and a plurality of molecules (38) of a substance that binds preferentially with cancerous cells relative to non-cancerous cells. The nanoparticle has a volume of at least 65,000 nm3 and is elongatable into an ellipsoid, such that, when the nanoparticle is maximally elongated, each of the semi-axes defined by the ellipsoid is greater than 5 nm, and at least two of the semi axes of the ellipsoid are less than 30 nm. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided, including, delivering into a heart of a patient an annuloplasty ring structure including a body portion and an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a size of the body portion of the annuloplasty ring structure, the adjusting mechanism including a housing, and following the delivering, moving the housing with respect to the body portion. Other applications are also described.