Abstract: Apparatus (610) for closure of a left atrial appendage (220) of a heart, comprising a deployment device (520) configured to enter a pericardial region of the heart and to be advanced toward an outer surface of the left atrial appendage; and first and second rigid longitudinal rod elements (630) coupled to each other by at least one coupling suture (552), the first and second rigid longitudinal rod elements (630) being deployable by the deployment device on opposing external surfaces of the left atrial appendage, and configured to compress tissue of the left atrial appendage due to pulling of at least one proximal portion of the coupling suture (552). Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method of treating an intervertebral disc of a subject is provided, comprising implanting, within a nucleus pulposus of the disc, at least three intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces at different respective locations; and implanting one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the disc. Control circuitry is activated to configure the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be cathodes, and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be one or more anodes, and to drive the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to electroosmotically drive fluid into the nucleus pulposus to increase pressure in the disc. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes midplane treatment electrodes, configured to be disposed over a superior sagittal sinus, outside and in electrical contact with a skull of a head of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from Alzheimer's disease; and lateral treatment electrodes, configured to be disposed between 1 and 12 cm of a sagittal midplane of the skull. Control circuitry is configured to treat the subject by electroosmotically driving fluid from a subarachnoid space to the superior sagittal sinus, by applying one or more treatment currents between (a) one or more of the midplane treatment electrodes and (b) one or more of the lateral treatment electrodes.

Abstract: A method is described, including: (i) advancing a catheter to a first portion of a renal artery, the catheter having a plurality of electrodes coupled thereto; (ii) using one or more of the electrodes to apply ablating energy at a first portion of the renal artery; (iii) using one or more of the electrodes to apply excitatory current at a second portion of the renal artery that is at or efferent to the first portion; (iv) using a physiological sensor, sensing that a physiological response to the excitatory current is below a threshold response; (v) subsequently, advancing the catheter distally, and (vi) subsequently, using one or more of the electrodes to apply ablating energy at a third portion of the renal artery that is the same as or efferent to the second portion. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Paranasal sinus apparatus is provided, including a hole-forming member configured to form a hole through a bone wall of a paranasal sinus of a subject. An implant is provided, having a proximal end and a distal end, and which is shaped to define a lumen. The implant is couplable to the hole-forming member, and is securable to the wall and extendable through the hole, such that the proximal end is disposed external to the paranasal sinus and the distal end is disposed within the paranasal sinus. The implant includes a biodegradable material. 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 that includes a parenchymal electrode, configured to be implanted in brain parenchyma of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from Alzheimer's disease; and a ventricular electrode, configured to be implanted in a ventricular system of a brain of the subject. Control circuitry is configured to drive the parenchymal and the ventricular electrodes to clear a substance from the brain parenchyma into the ventricular system. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes disposing midplane treatment electrodes over a superior sagittal sinus, outside and in electrical contact with a skull of a head of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Lateral treatment electrodes are disposed between 1 and 12 cm of a sagittal midplane of the skull. The subject is treated by electroosmotically driving fluid from a subarachnoid space to the superior sagittal sinus, by activating control circuitry to apply one or more treatment currents between (a) one or more of the midplane treatment electrodes and (b) one or sore of the lateral treatment electrodes. Other embodiments are also described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a method for treating a paranasal sinus of a subject. The method includes forming an artificial hole in a wall of the paranasal sinus, and, via the artificial hole, opening a natural ostium of the paranasal sinus. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method for use with a blood-glucose-reduction device is provided. The method includes using a sensor, sensing a parameter indicative of a level of skeletomotor activity of a subject, and generating a signal in response thereto. In response to the signal from the sensor indicating that the level of skeletomotor activity exceeds a skeletomotor-activity threshold, reduction of blood glucose of the subject is reduced by the blood-glucose-reduction device.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens implant is provided that includes a bowl-shaped posterior lens unit, which comprises a posterior lens, and has an inner surface; an anterior floating lens unit, which comprises an anterior lens; and a plurality of levers, which (a) are in jointed connection with the anterior floating lens unit and the posterior lens unit, and (b) are arranged to move the anterior floating lens unit toward and away from the posterior lens unit, in an anterior-posterior direction. The lens implant is shaped such that the inner surface limits posterior motion of the anterior floating lens unit.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising: (1) applying an excitatory current to renal nerve fibers of a subject; (2) determining a change in a parameter of the subject in response to the excitatory current, the parameter being a fastest rate of increase in arterial pressure during a systolic upstroke of an arterial pressure wave of the subject; (3) in response to the change, deciding whether to ablate the renal nerve fibers; and (4) in response to the deciding, applying ablation energy to the renal nerve fibers. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a method that includes (i) identifying that it is desired to apply electrical stimulation to a pancreas of a subject, and (ii) in response to the identifying, placing an intravascular support structure within a blood vessel of the subject. The intravascular support structure has at least one electrode coupled thereto, the at least one electrode being configured to stimulate the pancreas of the subject by driving an electric current through tissue of the pancreas of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided, including a sensor, configured to sense a cardiac cycle of a patient and to generate a signal in response thereto. A pressure mechanism is coupled to a site of an artery of the patient, and, in response to the signal, enhances blood flow of the patient in a downstream direction by compressing the artery. A valve is implanted upstream of the site, and inhibits blood flow in an upstream direction due to operation of the pressure mechanism. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is configured to drive first action potentials orthodromically in a first direction along a nerve of a subject, and second action potentials orthodromically along the nerve in an opposite direction to the first direction. The apparatus includes: (1) first and second excitation units configured to be placed in a proximity of the nerve of the subject; (2) a blocking unit disposed between the excitation units and placeable in a proximity of the nerve of the subject; and (3) a control unit, configured: (i) to drive the first and second excitation units to apply, respectively, first and second excitatory currents to the nerve of the subject, and (ii) to drive the blocking unit to apply a blocking current to the nerve of the subject that blocks action potentials that propagate from the first and second excitatory units toward the blocking unit. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the aqueous outflow of fluid through a trabecular meshwork and into a Schlemm's canal of an eye. A liquid hydrogel precursor solution is introduced into the Schlemm's canal, during a medical procedure. The liquid hydrogel precursor solution is crosslinked to form a water-permeable flexible semi-solid hydrogel in the Schlemm's canal, during the medical procedure. The hydrogel is left in the Schlemm's canal upon conclusion of the medical procedure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus for treating a subject for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The apparatus includes an implant, an imaging device, and a control unit. In response to a set of training images received from the imaging device, the control unit learns an association between a position of a head of the subject and OSA of the subject. In response to the association, the control unit establishes, for an OSA-related parameter, at least two distinct thresholds corresponding to respective different head positions. Subsequently, at a second time, the control unit selects a threshold that corresponds to the position of the subject's head, and if the value of the OSA-related parameter passes the selected threshold, treats the subject for OSA by driving the implant to apply current to an anatomical site of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Paranasal sinus apparatus is provided, including a hole-forming member configured to form a hole through a bone wall of a paranasal sinus of a subject. An implant is provided, having a proximal end and a distal end, and which is shaped to define a lumen. The implant is couplable to the hole-forming member, and is securable to the wall and extendable through the hole, such that the proximal end is disposed external to the paranasal sinus and the distal end is disposed within the paranasal sinus. The implant includes a biodegradable material. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method comprising providing a reflective region at a far side of tissue of a subject is provided. The method includes assessing whether the reflective region is in a desired location, by means of acoustic sensing; and in response to assessing that the reflective region is in the desired location, activating an ultrasound transducer to ablate the tissue by applying ultrasound energy to a near side of the tissue, such that at least a portion of the transmitted energy is reflected by the reflective region onto the tissue of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating obstructive blood flow disorders, is provided, including (1) an external device, configured for placement outside of a body of a subject and to sense a factor of the subject, and to generate a signal in response to the sensed factor, and (2) an implant, which comprises a wireless receiver for receiving the signal, and an effector element, the implant configured and positioned to alter a blood flow of the subject in response to the signal.