Abstract: Apparatus is provided for delivery of an implantable neural stimulator to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of a subject. The apparatus includes a tool having a proximal portion and having a distal portion coupled to the implantable neural stimulator; and a slide-bar at the proximal portion of the tool. The slide-bar includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion of the slide-bar is coupled to the stimulator such that distal advancement of the proximal portion of the slide-bar produces distal advancement of the stimulator. The proximal and distal portions of the slide-bar include respective magnetic coupling elements. The magnetic coupling elements are configured to couple the proximal and distal portions of the slide-bar to each other unless a distally-directed force applied to the distal portion of the slide-bar exceeds a threshold. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with an optical fiber shape-sensing system. The apparatus includes an optical fiber, optically couplable to the optical fiber shape-sensing system, and configured to change shape during advancement through a greater palatine canal of a subject. The apparatus additionally includes a delivery tool configured to be removably coupled to the optical fiber and to distally advance the optical fiber through the greater palatine canal. The apparatus further includes a neural stimulator implant, configured to apply electrical stimulation to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the subject. The neural stimulator implant is not in contact with the optical fiber, and is shaped and sized to be delivered to the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) by the delivery tool. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided including identifying a subject as being at risk of cognitive decline due to cardiac surgery. The method further includes implanting at least one neural stimulator in a vicinity of a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the subject, and applying stimulation to the SPG by activating the neural stimulator at least during the cardiac surgery. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided including an implantable neural stimulator which is advanced through a greater palatine canal to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of a subject and has an implant-impedance-sensing electrode. The apparatus further includes an auxiliary impedance-sensing electrode and first and second wires, electrically coupled respectively to the implant-impedance-sensing and auxiliary-impedance-sensing electrodes. Impedance-based navigation circuitry includes a voltage generator configured to apply, current between the implant-impedance-sensing and auxiliary-impedance-sensing electrodes through the wires; an impedance sensor configured to measure an impedance between the implant-impedance-sensing and auxiliary-impedance-sensing electrodes based on the applying of the current; and a disposition tracker configured to determine, based on a change in the measured impedance, a disposition of the implantable neural stimulator in the greater palatine canal. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided including shaping a thermoplastic material on a dental arch of a subject and utilizing the shaped thermoplastic material to facilitate inserting of a steerable implantable neural stimulator into a greater palatine foramen of the subject. The method further includes advancing the stimulator through a greater palatine canal of the subject to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is described, the apparatus including an oral surgical guide. The oral surgical guide includes an arch portion configured to be placed on a dental arch of a subject; and an extension portion extending from the arch portion, and shaped to define a guide hole. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with an optical fiber shape-sensing system. The apparatus includes an optical fiber, optically couplable to the optical fiber shape-sensing system, and configured to change shape during advancement through a greater palatine canal of a subject. The apparatus additionally includes a delivery tool configured to be removably coupled to the optical fiber and to distally advance the optical fiber through the greater palatine canal. The apparatus further includes a neural stimulator implant, configured to apply electrical stimulation to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the subject. The neural stimulator implant is not in contact with the optical fiber, and is shaped and sized to be delivered to the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) by the delivery tool. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject is provided, including applying electrical stimulation to a site of the subject selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve. The stimulation is configured to excite nervous tissue of the site at a strength sufficient to induce at least one neuroprotective occurrence selected from the group consisting of: an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject, and a release of one or more neuroprotective substances, and insufficient to induce a significant increase in permeability of a blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the subject.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject is provided, including applying electrical stimulation to a site of the subject selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve. The stimulation is configured to excite nervous tissue of the site at a strength sufficient to induce at least one neuroprotective occurrence selected from the group consisting of: an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject, and a release of one or more neuroprotective substances, and insufficient to induce a significant increase in permeability of a blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the subject.

Abstract: Apparatus is described, the apparatus including an oral surgical guide. The oral surgical guide includes an arch portion configured to be placed on a dental arch of a subject; and an extension portion extending from the arch portion, and shaped to define a guide hole. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes one or more electrodes, configured to be applied to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, or a lesser deep petrosal nerve; and a control unit, configured to drive the electrodes to apply electrical stimulation to the site, and configure the stimulation to excite nervous tissue of the site at a strength sufficient to induce at least one neuroprotective occurrence selected from the group consisting of: an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF), and a release of one or more neuroprotective substances, and insufficient to induce a significant increase in permeability of a blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Abstract: A method for treatment is provided, including identifying that a subject has suffered from an adverse cerebrovascular event, excluding Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Responsively to the identifying, beginning at least nine hours after the event, electrical stimulation is applied to a site of the subject selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve. The stimulation is configured to excite nervous tissue of the site at a strength sufficient to induce at least an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and/or a release of one or more neuroprotective substances.

Abstract: A method for treatment is provided, including identifying that a subject has suffered from an adverse cerebrovascular event, excluding Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Responsively to the identifying, beginning at least nine hours after the event, electrical stimulation is applied to a site of the subject selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve.

Abstract: Apparatus for treatment is provided, including one or more electrodes, configured to be applied to a site of a subject, and adverse cerebrovascular condition treatment functionality. The functionality comprises a control unit configured to drive the one or more electrodes to apply electrical stimulation to the site during a plurality of stimulation periods which includes at least first and last stimulation periods, set an inter-period interval between initiation of the first stimulation period and initiation of the last stimulation period to be at least 24 hours, and configure the stimulation during the first and last stimulation periods to induce at least one neuroprotective occurrence selected from the group consisting of: an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject, and a release of one or more neuroprotective substances.

Abstract: A method is provided, including identifying an electrical stimulation protocol as being suitable for augmenting genesis of one or more cell populations in at least one brain region of the subject. The cell genesis is augmented by applying the identified stimulation protocol to an SPG, a greater palatine nerve, a branch of the greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, a lesser deep petrosal nerve, a maxillary nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve, a nasopalatine nerve, a peripheral site that provides direct or indirect afferent innervation to the SPG, or a peripheral site that is directly or indirectly efferently innervated by the SPG.

Abstract: Apparatus for application to a subject is provided, including an elongated support element having a length of between 1.8 cm and 4 cm, and having proximal and distal ends; and one or more electrodes fixed to the support element in a vicinity of the distal end thereof, and adapted to apply an electrical current to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the subject. The apparatus further includes a receiver, fixed to the support element, and electrically coupled to the electrodes; and a wireless transmitter, adapted to be placed in an oral cavity of the subject, and to be wirelessly coupled to the receiver. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided including identifying that a subject has suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and treating a complication of the SAH by stimulating at least one site of the subject in conjunction with treating the SAH, the site selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve.

Abstract: Apparatus for treatment is provided, including one or more electrodes, configured to be applied to a site of a subject, and adverse cerebrovascular condition treatment functionality. The functionality comprises a control unit configured to drive the one or more electrodes to apply electrical stimulation to the site during a plurality of stimulation periods which includes at least first and last stimulation periods, set an inter-period interval between initiation of the first stimulation period and initiation of the last stimulation period to be at least 24 hours, and configure the stimulation during the first and last stimulation periods to induce at least one neuroprotective occurrence selected from the group consisting of: an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject, and a release of one or more neuroprotective substances.

Abstract: Apparatus for application to a subject is provided, including an elongated support element having a length of between 1.8 cm and 4 cm, and having proximal and distal ends; and one or more electrodes fixed to the support element in a vicinity of the distal end thereof, and adapted to apply an electrical current to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the subject. The apparatus further includes a receiver, fixed to the support element, and electrically coupled to the electrodes; and a wireless transmitter, adapted to be placed in an oral cavity of the subject, and to be wirelessly coupled to the receiver. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: In a distal targeting system a hand-held location pad is integral with a guide section for a drill or similar surgical instrument, and has a plurality of magnetic field generators. A sensor, such as a wireless sensor, having a plurality of field transponders, is disposed in an orthopedic appliance, such as an intramedullary nail. The sensor is capable of detecting and discriminating the strength and direction of the different fields generated by the field generators. Control circuitry, preferably located in the location pad is responsive to a signal of the sensor, and determines the displacement and relative directions of an axis of the guide section, and a bore in the orthopedic appliance. A screen display and optional speaker in the location pad provide an operator-perceptible indication that enables the operator to adjust the position of the guide section so as to align its position and direction with the bore.