Abstract: A method for improving an ejection fraction of a patient in need thereof, including positioning a pulmonary artery manipulation device in a target blood vessel, within the pulmonary vasculature of the patient; and impairing the activity of at least one sympathetic nerve, nerve fiber or neuron, using the pulmonary artery manipulation device, to denervate the target blood vessel, thereby improving the ejection fraction of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention in some embodiments thereof relates to a method for selectively modifying nerve activity without causing substantial damage to non-targeted tissue, comprising introducing a catheter device comprising one or more ultrasonic transceivers to the pulmonary artery lumen, receiving, using the one or more ultrasonic transceivers, echo signals reflected from the non-targeted tissue following emission of ultrasound energy by the one or more transceivers, analyzing the received echo signals to identify at least one of a type and location of the non-targeted tissue relative to the one or more transceivers, and emitting ultrasound energy from the one or more ultrasonic transceivers in accordance with the analysis, to modify nerve activity without substantially damaging the identified non-targeted tissue.

Abstract: The present invention in some embodiments thereof relates to a method for selectively modifying nerve activity without causing substantial damage to non-targeted tissue, comprising introducing a catheter device comprising one or more ultrasonic transceivers to the pulmonary artery lumen, receiving, using the one or more ultrasonic transceivers, echo signals reflected from the non-targeted tissue following emission of ultrasound energy by the one or more transceivers, analyzing the received echo signals to identify at least one of a type and location of the non-targeted tissue relative to the one or more transceivers, and emitting ultrasound energy from the one or more ultrasonic transceivers in accordance with the analysis, to modify nerve activity without substantially damaging the identified non-targeted tissue.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a method for controlling a treatment effect on blood vessel tissue during an ultrasonic treatment, the method comprising positioning an ultrasonic transducer device in the blood vessel lumen; controlling a treatment effect by controlling fluid flow, wherein controlling comprises deploying a fluid restrictor at a location relative to the transducer effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. According to some embodiments there is provided an ultrasonic transducer device sized for placement in a body lumen, and comprising a fluid restrictor effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. In some embodiments, the fluid is blood.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a devices and methods for intravascular denervation and assessment thereof and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods for renal denervation. Some embodiments of the invention relate to an intravascular catheter configured for ultrasonic ablation of the tissue, comprising a plurality of piezoelectric transceivers. In some embodiments, an intravascular distancing device is provided, the device adapted for obtaining at least a minimal distance between an ultrasound emitting element and a tissue, such as the blood vessel wall. Some embodiments of the invention relate to assessment of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) treatment effectiveness. Some embodiments of the invention relate to processing echo of signals, such as processing of signals to characterize physical and/or mechanical properties of the blood vessel.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method and/or a device of treating tissue near a first lumen comprising inserting an energy emission element into a second lumen and delivering energy in an amount sufficient to cause one or more spaced apart areas of tissue damage at preselected locations in tissue near the first lumen. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a carotid artery wall, for example, to reduce signal conduction. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a wall of a lumen in a limb, for example, to increase blood flow. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a wall of a heart, for example, to stop abnormal signal propagation.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a devices and methods for intravascular denervation and assessment thereof and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to devices and methods for renal denervation. Some embodiments of the invention relate to an intravascular catheter configured for ultrasonic ablation of the tissue, comprising a plurality of piezoelectric transceivers. In some embodiments, an intravascular distancing device is provided, the device adapted for obtaining at least a minimal distance between an ultrasound emitting element and a tissue, such as the blood vessel wall. Some embodiments of the invention relate to assessment of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) treatment effectiveness. Some embodiments of the invention relate to processing echo of signals, such as processing of signals to characterize physical and/or mechanical properties of the blood vessel.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention a method and/or a device of treating tissue near a first lumen comprising inserting an energy emission element into a second lumen and delivering energy in an amount sufficient to cause one or more spaced apart areas of tissue damage at preselected locations in tissue near the first lumen. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a carotid artery wall, for example, to reduce signal conduction. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a wall of a lumen in a limb, for example, to increase blood flow. There is also provided a method and/or a device for treating a wall of a heart, for example, to stop abnormal signal propagation.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a method for controlling a treatment effect on blood vessel tissue during an ultrasonic treatment, the method comprising positioning an ultrasonic transducer device in the blood vessel lumen; controlling a treatment effect by controlling fluid flow, wherein controlling comprises deploying a fluid restrictor at a location relative to the transducer effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. According to some embodiments there is provided an ultrasonic transducer device sized for placement in a body lumen, and comprising a fluid restrictor effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. In some embodiments, the fluid is blood.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of reducing excess mucosa production and/or secretion in the respiratory tract, comprising: introducing into a respiratory tract lumen a device configured for damaging nerve tissue or blocking neural conduction in the surroundings of said lumen, the device comprising a plurality of energy emitters; positioning the energy emitters of the device inside the lumen at a distance from walls of the lumen; and activating the energy emitters to emit energy suitable to damage the nerve tissue enough to suppress parasympathetic nerve activity which causes excess mucosa production and/or secretion.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a method for controlling a treatment effect on blood vessel tissue during an ultrasonic treatment, the method comprising positioning an ultrasonic transducer device in the blood vessel lumen; controlling a treatment effect by controlling fluid flow, wherein controlling comprises deploying a fluid restrictor at a location relative to the transducer effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. According to some embodiments there is provided an ultrasonic transducer device sized for placement in a body lumen, and comprising a fluid restrictor effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. In some embodiments, the fluid is blood.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a therapeutically active agent usable in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), for use in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, as well as methods of treating PAH, said treatment and methods comprising administering such an active agent and effecting pulmonary artery denervation in the subject. In some aspects, a sub-therapeutically effective amount of the active agent is administered. In some aspects, the method is devoid of administering such an active agent for at least one month subsequent to the denervation. Further disclosed is a method of treating PAH comprising determining a responsiveness of the subject to at least one therapeutically active agent usable in treating PAH; and effecting pulmonary artery denervation in a subject responsive to the active agent(s).

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of reducing excess mucosa production and/or secretion in the respiratory tract, comprising: introducing into a respiratory tract lumen a device configured for damaging nerve tissue or blocking neural conduction in the surroundings of said lumen, the device comprising a plurality of energy emitters; positioning the energy emitters of the device inside the lumen at a distance from walls of the lumen; and activating the energy emitters to emit energy suitable to damage the nerve tissue enough to suppress parasympathetic nerve activity which causes excess mucosa production and/or secretion.

Abstract: Method for ameliorating secondary pulmonary hypertension in a patient including determining a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of the patient suffering from secondary pulmonary hypertension; assessing a change in the PVR in response to a selection treatment; and treating the patient with a pulmonary artery manipulation device to provide pulmonary artery denervation if the patient is determined to suffer from fixed PH, thereby ameliorating the secondary pulmonary hypertension of the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a therapeutically active agent usable in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), for use in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, as well as methods of treating PAH, said treatment and methods comprising administering such an active agent and effecting pulmonary artery denervation in the subject. In some aspects, a sub-therapeutically effective amount of the active agent is administered. In some aspects, the method is devoid of administering such an active agent for at least one month subsequent to the denervation. Further disclosed is a method of treating PAH comprising determining a responsiveness of the subject to at least one therapeutically active agent usable in treating PAH; and effecting pulmonary artery denervation in a subject responsive to the active agent(s).

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to methods and/or apparatus for measuring the effectiveness of a renal denervation treatment. In some embodiments, a method for determining effectiveness of the denervation treatment comprises tracking at least one of arterial wall movement, arterial blood flow rate, arterial blood flow velocity, blood pressure and arterial diameter at one or more selected locations in the renal artery over time, and assessing the effectiveness of said renal denervation treatment according to results obtained by tracking.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a method for controlling a treatment effect on blood vessel tissue during an ultrasonic treatment, the method comprising positioning an ultrasonic transducer device in the blood vessel lumen; controlling a treatment effect by controlling fluid flow, wherein controlling comprises deploying a fluid restrictor at a location relative to the transducer effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. According to some embodiments there is provided an ultrasonic transducer device sized for placement in a body lumen, and comprising a fluid restrictor effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. In some embodiments, the fluid is blood.

Abstract: According to some embodiments there is provided a method for controlling a treatment effect on blood vessel tissue during an ultrasonic treatment, the method comprising positioning an ultrasonic transducer device in the blood vessel lumen; controlling a treatment effect by controlling fluid flow, wherein controlling comprises deploying a fluid restrictor at a location relative to the transducer effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. According to some embodiments there is provided an ultrasonic transducer device sized for placement in a body lumen, and comprising a fluid restrictor effective to block at least a portion of fluid flowing upstream, downstream or adjacent the transducer. In some embodiments, the fluid is blood.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of reducing excess mucosa production and/or secretion in the respiratory tract, comprising: introducing into a respiratory tract lumen a device configured for damaging nerve tissue or blocking neural conduction in the surroundings of said lumen, the device comprising a plurality of energy emitters; positioning the energy emitters of the device inside the lumen at a distance from walls of the lumen; and activating the energy emitters to emit energy suitable to damage the nerve tissue enough to suppress parasympathetic nerve activity which causes excess mucosa production and/or secretion.

Abstract: Method for ameliorating secondary pulmonary hypertension in a patient including determining a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of the patient suffering from secondary pulmonary hypertension; assessing a change in the PVR in response to a selection treatment; and treating the patient with a pulmonary artery manipulation device to provide pulmonary artery denervation if the patient is determined to suffer from fixed PH, thereby ameliorating the secondary pulmonary hypertension of the patient.