Abstract: Apparatus (20) for use with pancreaticobiliary secretions that enter a gastrointestinal tract of a subject at an anatomical entry location, the apparatus (20) comprising: a pancreaticobiliary secretion-diversion guide (30) configured to collect the pancreaticobiliary secretions from the anatomical entry location and deliver the pancreaticobiliary secretions to a location in the gastrointestinal tract that is distal to the anatomical entry location; and an anchoring system (40) comprising one or more helical anchors (80) located within the gastrointestinal tract and configured to apply pressure to a wall of the gastrointestinal tract in order to maintain the pancreaticobiliary secretion-diversion guide in place.

Abstract: Apparatus (200) for use with pancreaticobiliary secretions that enter a gastrointestinal tract at an anatomical location. A secretion-diversion guide (370) comprises: a proximal portion (124); a distal portion (126); first and second anchors (36/38) coupled to the proximal and distal portions which apply pressure to the tract to maintain guide (370) in place; a collection-facilitation tube (280), between the anchors, having an inner surface (245) and an outer surface (246), the inner surface defining a lumen for passage of food. The outer surface inhibits contact of the secretions with food and defines a space (7) between the outer surface and the tract. A diversion tube (290) is in communication with the space and passes secretions from the space distally, and inhibits food-secretion contact. An intragastric anchor (170/171/172) coupled to guide (370), located in the stomach, maintains the guide in place. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for use with pancreaticobiliary secretions that enter a gastrointestinal tract of a subject at an anatomical entry location, the apparatus (20) comprising: a pancreaticobiliary secretion-diversion guide (30) configured to collect the pancreaticobiliary secretions from the anatomical entry location and deliver the pancreaticobiliary secretions to a location in the gastrointestinal tract that is distal to the anatomical entry location; and an anchoring system (40) comprising one or more helical anchors (80) located within the gastrointestinal tract and configured to apply pressure to a wall of the gastrointestinal tract in order to maintain the pancreaticobiliary secretion-diversion guide in place.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a system for placement of a cannula and an internal shaft into a patient including a base, a linear drive mechanism coupled to the base and a rotation mechanism coupled to the base. The base includes an attachment mechanism configured to be mechanically coupled to the patient to maximize placement accuracy. The system further includes a cannula coupled to the linear drive mechanism. The cannula has a longitudinal axis, a lumen, and a distal opening. The linear drive mechanism is configured to move the cannula in a linear direction along the longitudinal axis into the body and the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the cannula about the longitudinal axis. The system further includes a shaft drive mechanism coupled to the linear drive mechanism and the rotation mechanism and a shaft slidably housed within the lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: An intravascular filter includes at least one elongated support member configured to assume a retention configuration, such as a generally helical form about a central axis, and at least one flexible elongated filter member supported by the support member. The filter member is configured to assume a predefined filter form in such a manner as to form an obstacle to passage through the vessel, in a direction parallel to central axis, of particles having dimensions greater than the predefined value. The support member and the filter member are preferably prepared in a generally straight configuration to facilitate minimally invasive deployment.

Abstract: An intravascular filter includes at least one elongated support member configured to assume a retention configuration, such as a generally helical form about a central axis, and at least one flexible elongated filter member supported by the support member. The filter member is configured to assume a predefined filter form in such a manner as to form an obstacle to passage through the vessel, in a direction parallel to central axis, of particles having dimensions greater than the predefined value. The support member and the filter member are preferably prepared in a generally straight configuration to facilitate minimally invasive deployment.