Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus (200) is provided for use with a fluid pressure source (240). The gastrointestinal apparatus (200) includes a guiding element (214), adapted to be inserted into a colon, and a piston head (220) coupled to a distal portion of the guiding element (214). The piston head (220) is adapted to be inflated to form a first pressure seal between the piston head (220) and a wall of the colon after the guiding element (214) has been inserted into the colon, and be advanced distally through the colon in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source (240) applied to an external surface of the piston head (220). The apparatus (200) further includes a gastrointestinal tool (210) adapted to be advanced along the guiding element (214), and an annular balloon (228) coupled around a distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210), the balloon (228) expandable to form a second pressure seal between the distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210) and the wall of the colon.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided, including an elongate carrier (24), configured to be advanced through an esophagus (20) of a subject. An anchor member (30) is coupled to a distal end of the carrier, and configured to be mounted in a stomach (32) of the subject in a vicinity of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (34) of the subject. An imaging capsule (26) is configured to move with respect to the carrier when the anchor member is in the vicinity of the LES. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a hole closure device that is configured to be deployed by expanding inside a subject's body. An insertion device includes an outer tube and an inner pushing element. The outer tube constrains the hole closure device from expanding, during insertion of the hole closure device into the subject's body. The pushing element causes at least a portion of the hole closure device to self expand by pushing the portion out of a distal end of the outer tube, by the pushing element being advanced distally with respect to the outer tube. A safety element is couplable to the pushing element and is configured to prevent the hole closure device from expanding, by preventing distal advancement of the pushing element with respect to the outer tube, when the safety element is coupled to the pushing element. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) is provided for use in a gastrointestinal tract (40) of a patient, including an inflatable device (22) configured to be moved through the gastrointestinal tract (40) to a treatment site in response to a difference between fluid pressure proximal to the inflatable device (22) and fluid pressure distal to the inflatable device (22). An optical system (24) coupled to the inflatable device (22) configured to image the gastrointestinal tract (40). A working channel (32) coupled to the inflatable device (22) and shaped to define a channel lumen therein to provide access from outside of the patient to the treatment site. A tool (34) configured to be passed through the channel lumen and to emerge from a distal end of the working channel (32). The tool (34) comprises a tool steering mechanism (44) to facilitate steering of the tool (34) from outside of the patient. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus (10) is provided, including a guiding element (16) and an inflatable mechanical device (96), adapted to pull the guiding element (16) through a colon of a patient. A gastrointestinal tool (12) is shaped to define a bore (14) therethrough, and the guiding element (16) is adapted to pass through the bore (14). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a trocar (40) that defines a lumen therethrough, configured to provide a passage through skin of a subject into a body of the subject. A cannula (60) is configured to be placed into the subject's body via the passage provided by the trocar, the cannula being configured to be slidable with respect to the trocar. The cannula includes an outer tube (64) having a first expandable element (77) disposed at a distal end thereof, and an inner tube (62) having a second expandable element (72) disposed at a distal end thereof, the inner tube being configured to be slidable with respect to the outer tube. A vacuum port (61) applies vacuum pressure to the first expandable element via a space (65) between the inner and outer tubes of the cannula. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a body lumen is provided including an introducer tube configured to be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a subject. A guide member is coupled to a distal end of the introducer tube and is configured to be mounted in a vicinity of a valve of the subject. The apparatus also includes a capsule removably coupled to a distal portion of the introducer tube, and configured to be decoupled from the introducer tube and propelled through a small intestine of the subject once the guide member has been mounted in the vicinity of the valve. The apparatus also includes a gas supply configured to propel the capsule distally through the small intestine by generating positive gas pressure proximal to the capsule. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided, including an elongate carrier (24), configured to be advanced through an esophagus (20) of a subject. An anchor member (30) is coupled to a distal end of the carrier, and configured to be mounted in a stomach (32) of the subject in a vicinity of a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (34) of the subject. An imaging capsule (26) is configured to move with respect to the carrier when the anchor member is in the vicinity of the LES. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided including identifying a subject as suffering from a disorder of an organ of the subject. In response to the identifying, a shaft is inserted into the organ, not via a natural lumen of the subject. Using a laser beam emitted from a distal portion of the shaft, a portion of the organ is ablated. A vicinity of the portion of the organ is cooled by introducing a fluid to the vicinity, and, subsequently aspirating the fluid therefrom, the introduction and aspiration of the fluid being performed via the shaft, while the shaft is inside the organ. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) is provided for use in a gastrointestinal tract (40) of a patient, including an inflatable device (22) configured to be moved through the gastrointestinal tract (40) to a treatment site in response to a difference between fluid pressure proximal to the inflatable device (22) and fluid pressure distal to the inflatable device (22). An optical system (24) coupled to the inflatable device (22) configured to image the gastrointestinal tract (40). A working channel (32) coupled to the inflatable device (22) and shaped to define a channel lumen therein to provide access from outside of the patient to the treatment site. A tool (34) configured to be passed through the channel lumen and to emerge from a distal end of the working channel (32). The tool (34) comprises a tool steering mechanism (44) to facilitate steering of the tool (34) from outside of the patient. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided for use with a biologically-compatible-fluid pressure source. The apparatus includes an inflatable guide member (30), configured to be mounted in a vicinity of a small intestinal site, and to form a pressure seal upon inflation. An elongate carrier (24) is configured to be slidably advanced through the guide member into a small intestine (20) of the subject. An imaging capsule (26) is coupled to a distal portion of the carrier. The imaging capsule includes an imaging element (42) and a piston head (40). The piston head forms a pressure seal with a wall of the small intestine and is advanced distally through the small intestine in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus (10) is provided, including a guiding element (16) and an inflatable mechanical device (96), adapted to pull the guiding element (16) through a colon of a patient. A gastrointestinal tool (12) is shaped to define a bore (14) therethrough, and the guiding element (16) is adapted to pass through the bore (14). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus (200) is provided for use with a fluid pressure source (240). The gastrointestinal apparatus (200) includes a guiding element (214), adapted to be inserted into a colon, and a piston head (220) coupled to a distal portion of the guiding element (214). The piston head (220) is adapted to be inflated to form a first pressure seal between the piston head (220) and a wall of the colon after the guiding element (214) has been inserted into the colon, and be advanced distally through the colon in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source (240) applied to an external surface of the piston head (220). The apparatus (200) further includes a gastrointestinal tool (210) adapted to be advanced along the guiding element (214), and an annular balloon (228) coupled around a distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210), the balloon (228) expandable to form a second pressure seal between the distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210) and the wall of the colon.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a body lumen is provided including an introducer tube configured to be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a subject. A guide member is coupled to a distal end of the introducer tube and is configured to be mounted in a vicinity of a valve of the subject. The apparatus also includes a capsule removably coupled to a distal portion of the introducer tube, and configured to be decoupled from the introducer tube and propelled through a small intestine of the subject once the guide member has been mounted in the vicinity of the valve. The apparatus also includes a gas supply configured to propel the capsule distally through the small intestine by generating positive gas pressure proximal to the capsule. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Printing cylinder supporting unit for a printing machine, with a supporting frame (27) and supporting means mounted on said supporting frame for rotatably supporting one of several printing cylinders (1), which are designed so that in the operating state they make contact along a contact line (6) with a substrate (3) that is to be printed, which printing cylinders (1) can have different diameters, the supporting means comprising at least three supporting bearings (11.1, 12.1, 13.1), each of which interacts at the position of a bearing point with the bearing surface (5) of a bearing ring fixed concentrically on the printing cylinder (1). The bearing points lie on a common circle with variable diameter.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal system including a carrier including an actuator in operative communication with at least one traction member, the actuator moving the at least one traction member relative to the carrier, wherein the at least one traction member is movably supported across supports extending from the carrier, and wherein a portion of the at least one traction member between the supports is sufficiently compliant so as to deform in conformance with a shape of a gastrointestinal tract during traction therealong.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal system including a carrier including an actuator in operative communication with at least one traction member, the actuator moving the at least one traction member relative to the carrier, wherein the at least one traction member is movably supported across supports extending from the carrier, and wherein a portion of the at least one traction member between the supports is sufficiently compliant so as to deform in conformance with a shape of a gastrointestinal tract during traction therealong.

Abstract: An ingestible imaging system including an ingestible housing including an imaging sensor and a motor-driven propulsion device.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus including a guidewire, and a gastrointestinal tool including a guiding member formed with a bore, the guidewire passing through the bore.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus including a guidewire, and a gastrointestinal tool formed with a bore, the guidewire passing through the bore.