Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a mechanical support element that is placed inside a first vein of a subject. At least one electrode disposed on the mechanical support element is placed inside the first vein, in a vicinity of a site upstream of a bifurcation with a second vein of the subject. A control unit enhances downstream blood flow from the first vein by driving the at least one electrode to divert blood downstream into the second vein by constricting the first vein at the upstream site, by driving the at least one electrode to apply a current to the vicinity of the site. The mechanical support element prevents the first vein from collapsing by providing mechanical support to the vein. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus 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 at least one electrode, the implant configured to drive the electrode to apply current to an aortic and/or vagal site of the subject in response to the signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a heart of a subject, including a set of one or more electrodes. A control unit paces the heart by driving a first electric current via the electrode set into tissue of the subject, in accordance with a first set of parameters. The control unit stimulates nitric oxide production by a portion of the heart by driving a second electric current via the electrode set into the portion of the heart, in accordance with a second set of parameters. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a mechanical support element that is placed inside a first vein of a subject. At least one electrode disposed on the mechanical support element is placed inside the first vein, in a vicinity of a site upstream of a bifurcation with a second vein of the subject. A control unit enhances downstream blood flow from the first vein by driving the at least one electrode to divert blood downstream into the second vein by constricting the first vein at the upstream site, by driving the at least one electrode to apply a current to the vicinity of the site. The mechanical support element prevents the first vein from collapsing by providing mechanical support to the vein. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including identifying a subject as suffering from a condition selected from the group consisting of congestive heart failure, diastolic heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and hypertension. In response to the identifying, an electrode is placed on the subject's aorta at an aortic site that is between a bifurcation of the aorta with the subject's left subclavian artery and a bifurcation of the aorta with the subject's fifth intercostal artery. The subject is treated by electrically stimulating the aortic site by driving a current into the aortic site, via the electrode. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided, including an electrode that is placed in contact with an artery of a subject. A control unit drives the electrode to perform a function with respect to the artery, the function selected from the group consisting of: driving a current into the artery, and sensing an electrical parameter of the artery. A transmitter is placed in a vein of the subject that is in a vicinity of the artery, the transmitter being wiredly connected to the control unit. The control unit is configured to drive the electrode by wirelessly transmitting a signal via the transmitter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided, including an elongate element that is inserted into a subject's artery via a catheter, the catheter being configured to be withdrawn from the artery subsequent to the insertion. Expandable elements are disposed on the elongate element, the expandable elements comprising respective distal tips that are substantially aligned with the elongate element. During insertion of the elongate element via the catheter, the expandable elements are in contracted states thereof. In response to the withdrawal of the catheter from the artery, the expandable elements cause the artery to change a shape thereof, by the expandable elements expanding such that the distal tips of the expandable elements contact respective contact points on the wall of the artery. Subsequently, the distal tips of the expandable elements are freed from the contact points upon pulling of the elongate element. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including identifying a subject as suffering from a condition selected from the group consisting of congestive heart failure, diastolic heart failure, and hypertension. In response to the identifying, an electrode is placed on a vagus nerve of the subject at a vagal site that is between (a) a vagal bifurcation with a thoracic cardiac branch of the subject, and (b) thoracic vagal branching into the esophageal plexus of the subject. The subject is treated by driving a current into the vagal site, via the electrode. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, apparatus is provided, including a sensing electrode configured to be implanted at a non-cardiac site in a vicinity of an aorta of a subject and to detect an electrical parameter of the aorta, and a control unit configured to receive the detected parameter and to generate an output in response to the detected parameter. Additional embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for tracking multimedia content includes generating a first feature vector of a first multimedia object, extracting a second multimedia object from a transmission of digital traffic, generating a second feature vector of the second multimedia object, and determining a similarity of the second feature vector to the first feature vector. Responsively to the similarity, the second multimedia object is identified as an instance of the first multimedia object.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting potable water from the environment air comprises a moisture collecting system having dew-forming surfaces and disposed so that the air drawn into the apparatus passes therethrough and moisture from the air condenses in the dew-forming surfaces. The apparatus also comprises a water reservoir capable of receiving water collected as moisture in the moisture collecting system. The water reservoir has a bottom and a side surface constituting a surface of revolution around a longitudinal axis of the reservoir, the reservoir having an outlet port formed at the bottom thereof along the longitudinal axis, for the withdrawal of water from the reservoir, and a circulation inlet port formed in the side surface. The circulation inlet port is designed so as to enable the introduction of water into the reservoir tangentially to the surface.