Abstract: A method and system for hair treatment comprising a laser module configured for generating non-ablative laser; a handpiece connected to the laser module configured to receive the non-ablative laser and deliver a fractional pattern of the non-ablative laser to a treatment site on a person's scalp. A controller for controlling parameters of the non-ablative laser to apply the hair and activating the laser module for a predetermined treatment time, at a predetermined pulse rate, and a predetermined pulse duration. Delivering, by the handpiece, the non-ablative laser to the treatment site on the person's scalp; and deactivating, by the controller, the laser module.

Abstract: A system for an online community based on Structured Dialogs offering organizations the opportunity to create online communities and have a dialog with users on their status, condition, and progress without the risk of adverse event reports by users. The system may include an interface that limits user communication to Structured Dialogs comprising controlled vocabulary elements of specific choices, including pop-ups, drop downs, and sliders. The system includes a personal health and wellness management tool coupled with the community to enable the user to manage his or her medication and condition using Structured Dialogs and thus making the interaction more interesting and effective for users. The system may also include an information repository “Info” Layer that can offer articles that are relevant to users. The “We”, “Me” and “Info” Layers can share statistics and Structured Dialogs data.

Abstract: A system for an online community based on Structured Dialogs offering organizations the opportunity to create online communities and have a dialog with users on their status, condition, and progress without the risk of adverse event reports by users. The system may include an interface that limits user communication to Structured Dialogs comprising controlled vocabulary elements of specific choices, including pop-ups, drop downs, and sliders. The system includes a personal health and wellness management tool coupled with the community to enable the user to manage his or her medication and condition using Structured Dialogs and thus making the interaction more interesting and effective for users. The system may also include an information repository “Info” Layer that can offer articles that are relevant to users. The “We”, “Me” and “Info” Layers can share statistics and Structured Dialogs data.

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 comprising a reflection-facilitation element, which is disposed in the pericardial cavity of a subject and on a first side of a tissue of the subject. The reflection-facilitation element comprises an inflatable member, having a first side and a second side, and configured to be inflated while disposed in the pericardial cavity, and a plurality of electrodes, comprising at least a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being disposed on the first side of the inflatable member. The apparatus further comprises an ultrasound transducer placed on a second side of the tissue of the subject, and configured to apply ultrasound energy to the tissue of the subject such that at least a portion of the energy reaches the inflatable member. The inflatable member reflects at least a portion of the ultrasound energy that reaches the inflatable member.

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 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 comprising a reflection-facilitation element, which is disposed in the pericardial cavity of a subject and on a first side of a tissue of the subject. The reflection-facilitation element comprises an inflatable member, having a first side and a second side, and configured to be inflated while disposed in the pericardial cavity, and a plurality of electrodes, comprising at least a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being disposed on the first side of the inflatable member. The apparatus further comprises an ultrasound transducer placed on a second side of the tissue of the subject, and configured to apply ultrasound energy to the tissue of the subject such that at least a portion of the energy reaches the inflatable member. The inflatable member reflects at least a portion of the ultrasound energy that reaches the inflatable member.

Abstract: Apparatus (120) is provided comprising: a longitudinal guide member (220) (a) comprising a blunt distal end (160) having an outer surface (164) at least part of which is transparent, (b) configured to be advanced distally toward a heart of a subject, and (c) shaped to define an at least partially distally-facing and side-facing suction port (660) at a distal portion (662) of the longitudinal guide member (220). The apparatus is configured to facilitate drawing a portion of a pericardium of the heart through the suction port and into the longitudinal guide member. The apparatus additionally comprises a puncturing element (50) configured to puncture the portion of the pericardium while the portion of the pericardium is in the longitudinal guide member. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus comprising a longitudinal guide member comprising a blunt distal end having an outer surface at least part of which is transparent. The guide member is advanced distally toward a heart of a subject. A sheath is shaped and sized to surround the guide member and shaped to define an at least partially distally-facing suction port at a distal end of the sheath. A portion of a pericardium of the heart is drawn through the suction port and into the sheath, when the suction port is distal to the guide member. A puncturing element punctures the portion of the pericardium while the portion of the pericardium is in the sheath, and a puncturing-element-restraining element inhibits passage of a distal tip of the puncturing element out of the distal end of the sheath. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for ablating tissue of a subject is provided. The apparatus includes a reflection-facilitation element (20) having an inflatable element (22), which is placed at a first side of the tissue of the subject; and an introducer (24), coupled to the inflatable element which delivers a fluid to the first side of the tissue, such that a portion of the fluid is disposed within the inflatable element, and another portion of the fluid is disposed outside of the inflatable element. The apparatus also includes an ultrasound tool (90), having at least one ultrasound transducer (92), which is placed at a second side of the tissue, and applies ultrasound energy such that at least a portion of the applied energy is reflected by the fluid. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system for an online community based on Structured Dialogs offering organizations the opportunity to create online communities and have a dialog with users on their status, condition, and progress without the risk of adverse event reports by users. The system may include an interface that limits user communication to Structured Dialogs comprising controlled vocabulary elements of specific choices, including pop-ups, drop downs, and sliders. The system includes a personal health and wellness management tool coupled with the community to enable the user to manage his or her medication and condition using Structured Dialogs and thus making the interaction more interesting and effective for users. The system may also include an information repository “Info” Layer that can offer articles that are relevant to users. The “We”, “Me” and “Info” Layers can share statistics and Structured Dialogs data.