Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus that includes a network interface (28) and a processor (30). The processor is configured to receive, via the network interface, speech of a subject (22) who suffers from a pulmonary condition related to accumulation of excess fluid, to identify, by analyzing the speech, one or more speech-related parameters of the speech, to assess, in response to the speech-related parameters, a status of the pulmonary condition, and to generate, in response thereto, an output indicative of the status of the pulmonary condition. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus that includes a network interface (28) and a processor (30). The processor is configured to receive, via the network interface, speech of a subject (22) who suffers from a pulmonary condition related to accumulation of excess fluid, to identify, by analyzing the speech, one or more speech-related parameters of the speech, to assess, in response to the speech-related parameters, a status of the pulmonary condition, and to generate, in response thereto, an output indicative of the status of the pulmonary condition. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system for delivering and placement of a medical prosthesis into an ostium of a tract system of an organism is described. The system comprises a stent delivery device that includes a delivery catheter having one or more lumens extending between proximal and distal ends. The stent delivery device also includes an inflatable balloon mounted on the distal end of the delivery catheter for expanding and deploying the medical prosthesis placed on the balloon, and a stent deployment site locator configured for locating an exact place for positioning the medical prosthesis. The deployment site locator comprises an expandable flexible structure including a plurality of filament elements interconnected between a locator proximal end and a locator distal end; thereby forming a unitary structure. The filaments can extend from a locator proximal end towards a locator distal end and then return after winding to the proximal end to form a plurality of filament loops.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for measuring a user's lung capacity and stamina, to detect Chronic Heart Failure, COPD or Asthma, comprising: providing a client application on a user's mobile communication device, said client application comprising executable computer code for: instructing the user to fill his lungs with air and utter vocal sounds within a certain range of loudness (decibels) while exhaling; receiving and registering by the mobile communication device said user's vocal sounds; stopping the registering of vocal sounds; measuring the length of the vocal sounds receiving time within said range of loudness, said time proportionate the user's lung volumes; and displaying the length of sound received time results on the mobile communication device screen.

Abstract: A retrieval apparatus for entrapping and retaining an object located in a body for its extraction therefrom is described. The retrieval apparatus includes a snare and a snare control assembly. The snare has a proximal section and a distal section, and comprises a plurality of filaments extending from a proximal end of the proximal section towards the distal section, and then returning to the proximal end to form a plurality of loops. In the deployed state, the loops are interlaced to each other within the proximal section and are free and not interleaved within the distal section. Segments of the filaments of the distal section are bent with respect to segments of the filaments of the proximal section such that the retrieval snare in the contracted, state forms a hollow cavity extending from die distal section towards the proximal section.

Abstract: A cutting balloon assembly and a method for fabrication of the assembly is described. The cutting balloon assembly comprises a delivery catheter, an expandable balloon mounted on the catheter distal end, and a scoring mesh disposed around the expandable balloon. The scoring mesh comprises interlacing filaments that extend from a mesh proximal end towards a mesh distal end, form distal filament loops at said mesh distal end, and then return to the mesh proximal end. At least a part of the interlacing filaments forms one or more permanent links with neighboring filaments between the mesh proximal end and the mesh distal end.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a cutting balloon assembly is described. The method includes providing a predetermined number of filaments having predetermined properties, diameter and length and fabricating a scoring mesh on a weaving jig having a plurality of pins disposed circumferentially about the jig's surface. The fabrication of the scoring mesh includes placing the filaments between the pins and interlacing the filaments to form a scoring mesh by interweaving and intertwining at least a part of filament to form one or more permanent links with neighboring filaments. The fabrication of the scoring mesh also includes forming distal and proximal filament loops that protrude from the mesh distal and proximal ends, respectfully. The scoring mesh is mounted on an expandable balloon mounted on a distal end of a delivery catheter.

Abstract: A retrieval apparatus for entrapping and retaining an object located in a body for its extraction therefrom is described. The retrieval apparatus includes a snare and a snare control assembly. The snare has a proximal section and a distal section, and comprises a plurality of filaments extending from a proximal end of the proximal section towards the distal section, and then returning to the proximal end to form a plurality of loops. In the deployed state, the loops are interlaced to each other within the proximal section and are free and not interleaved within the distal section. Segments of the filaments of the distal section are bent with respect to segments of the filaments of the proximal section such that the retrieval snare in the contracted, state forms a hollow cavity extending from die distal section towards the proximal section.

Abstract: A retrieval apparatus for entrapping and retaining an object located in a body for its extraction therefrom is described. The retrieval apparatus includes a snare and a snare control assembly. The snare has a proximal section and a distal section, and comprises a plurality of filaments extending from a proximal end of the proximal section towards the distal section, and then returning to the proximal end to form a plurality of loops. In the deployed state, the loops are interlaced to each other within the proximal section and are free and not interleaved within the distal section. Segments of the filaments of the distal section are bent with respect to segments of the filaments of the proximal section such that the retrieval snare in the contracted state forms a hollow cavity extending from the distal section towards the proximal section.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a cutting balloon assembly is described. The method includes providing a predetermined number of filaments having predetermined properties, diameter and length and fabricating a scoring mesh on a weaving jig having a plurality of pins disposed circumferentially about the jig's surface. The fabrication of the scoring mesh includes placing the filaments between the pins and interlacing the filaments to form a scoring mesh by interweaving and intertwining at least a part of filament to form one or more permanent links with neighboring filaments. The fabrication of the scoring mesh also includes forming distal and proximal filament loops that protrude from the mesh distal and proximal ends, respectfully. The scoring mesh is mounted on an expandable balloon mounted on a distal end of a delivery catheter.

Abstract: A cutting balloon assembly and a method for fabrication of the assembly is described. The cutting balloon assembly comprises a delivery catheter, an expandable balloon mounted on the catheter distal end, and a scoring mesh disposed around the expandable balloon. The scoring mesh comprises interlacing filaments that extend from a mesh proximal end towards a mesh distal end, form distal filament loops at said mesh distal end, and then return to the mesh proximal end. At least a part of the interlacing filaments forms one or more permanent links with neighboring filaments between the mesh proximal end and the mesh distal end.

Abstract: A system for delivering and placement of a medical prosthesis into an ostium of a tract system of an organism is described. The system comprises a stent delivery device that includes a delivery catheter having one or more lumens extending between proximal and distal ends. The stent delivery device also includes an inflatable balloon mounted on the distal end of the delivery catheter for expanding and deploying the medical prosthesis placed on the balloon, and a stent deployment site locator configured for locating an exact place for positioning the medical prosthesis. The deployment site locator comprises an expandable flexible structure including a plurality of filament elements interconnected between a locator proximal end and a locator distal end; thereby forming a unitary structure. The filaments can extend from a locator proximal end towards a locator distal end and then return after winding to the proximal end to form a plurality of filament loops.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of a Cannabidiol (CBD) compound for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treatment as well as for the prevention of at least one fundamental parameter affecting a vascular system selected from (a) the cardiovascular system; (b) the peripheral vascular system; or (c) a combination of (a) and (b); as well as pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic methods for treating the above. A fundamental parameter may include blood/plasma lipid profile; atherosclerosis plaque load; size of heart scar; thickness of heart scar; and cardiac function in general. In accordance with a preferred embodiment the invention concerns treatment of heart scars as well as preventing the formation of heart scars.

Abstract: A biodegradable stent is comprised of a stereocomplex of polylactide enantiomers. The unique characteristics of stereocomplex polymers allows for the stent to have variable material characteristics along its length, while retaining uniform geometry. Thus, the stent is designed to be flexible upon insertion through the blood vessels while still retaining its rigidity and support upon expansion within the vessel. Furthermore, the material characteristics can be manipulated such that high strengths are possible even with small thicknesses of struts within the stent.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for protecting the renal system from contrast dyes injected into the circulatory system during procedures such as angiograms and angioplasty. The device includes a catheter having a draining portion and an occluding portion. The device is inserted into the coronary sinus at a predetermined time, the occluding portion is inflated, and the contrast-injected blood is diverted. This blood may be reintroduced into the coronary arteries several times.