Abstract: A computer appliance including a front-end interface communicating with a client computer, a back-end interface communicating with a storage, a compressor receiving native next generation sequencing (NGS) data from an application running on the client computer via the front-end interface, the application being programmed to process native NGS data, adding a compressed form of the native NGS data into a portion of an encoded data file or data object, and storing the portion of the encoded data file or data object in the storage via the back-end interface, and a decompressor receiving a portion of an encoded data file or data object from the storage via the back-end interface, decompressing the portion of the encoded data file or data object to generate therefrom native NGS data, and transmitting the native NGS data to the client via the front-end interface, for use by the application running on the client.

Abstract: A system for communicating wireless signals includes a passive optical network (PON) between a central office (CO) and network subscribers. The CO has an optical line terminal (OLT) and a wireless base station. An RF/Optic converter converts base station radio frequency (RF) signals to and from corresponding optical signals. An optical combiner combines signals of the OLT and signals of the RF/Optic converter for communication over the PON with at least one optical network unit (ONU) at a location of one or more of the network subscribers, so that signals of the OLT and converted wireless base station signals are carried together over the PON. A fiber mounted wireless antenna unit (FMCA) having an optical interface and a wireless antenna, and communicating wireless signals of the wireless antenna with the ONU, including performing conversions between wireless RF signals and optical signals.

Abstract: A suturing needle is disclosed having a main longitudinal axis, a distal sharp portion and proximal portion along said axis. The distal portion is hollowed, and the hollow is approximately parallel to said axis. A further embodiment of the suturing needle is disclosed such that the distal portion comprises a notched open bore located at the needle's extreme distal end. Other embodiments of the suturing assembly are described accommodating a suture in the needle bore.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a subject's body, vagina, vaginal fornix, uterus, and uterine artery. A fornix-engaging structure is inserted into the vagina and engages the vaginal fornix. A rod is inserted into the subject's body via the fornix-engaging structure, such that a distal end of the rod passes through vaginal tissue at a first vaginal site until the distal end of the rod is at a first extrauterine site outside of the uterine artery, but in a vicinity of a portion of the uterine artery that supplies a uterine fibroid. A rod-guide is coupled to the fornix-engaging structure, and guides the distal end of the rod to the first extrauterine site. A uterine artery compression device is disposed on the distal end of the rod. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including at least one rigid structure configured to be inserted into a subject's fornix such that distal end of the rigid structure is at a site anterior to a perivascular adipose layer of at least one of the subject's left and right broad ligaments. At least one uterine artery compression device is placed posterior to the broad ligaments and compresses at least one of the subject's left and right uterine arteries by pressing the at least one broad ligament against the rigid structure. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An assisted anastomosis apparatus and a method thereby for reconnecting the urethral stump to the neck of the bladder after removal of the prostate during a prostatectomy, comprising two suture units, namely a urethral stump suturing unit (1a) and a bladder suturing unit (1b), at least a section of said urethral stump suturing unit (1a) has suitable dimensions to be introduced into a bladder neck and at least a section of said bladder suturing unit (1b) has suitable dimensions to be introduced into a urethral stump; such that each needle pulls the suture leading from its equivalent position on the urethral stump through the wall of the bladder neck.

Abstract: The present invention provides a urethral catheter 200 adapted for anastomosis following radical prostatectomy, comprising an inflated activating balloon 60 adapted for concurrently (i) pressing said-bladder neck 140 to saidurethra stub 120; (ii) effectively stretching suture 90; (iii) activating locks 80 that non-reversibly catch saidsutures 90; and (iv) cutting saiddistal portion thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a subject's body, vagina, vaginal fornix, uterus, and uterine artery. A fornix-engaging structure is inserted into the vagina and engages the vaginal fornix. A rod is inserted into the subject's body via the fornix-engaging structure, such that a distal end of the rod passes through vaginal tissue at a first vaginal site until the distal end of the rod is at a first extrauterine site outside of the uterine artery, but in a vicinity of a portion of the uterine artery that supplies a uterine fibroid. A rod-guide is coupled to the fornix-engaging structure, and guides the distal end of the rod to the first extrauterine site. A uterine artery compression device is disposed on the distal end of the rod. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided, including distally advancing an implant through a urethra of a patient until the implant emerges in a bladder of the patient, and facilitating expanding of a pre-operative perimeter of a portion of the urethra to a post-operative perimeter of the portion of the urethra that is larger than the pre-operative perimeter by proximally retracting the implant and implanting the implant in prostate tissue surrounding the urethra. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anastamosis suturing device (ASD), comprising an integrated suturing mechanism comprising a plurality of suturing wires, each of the wires is incorporated within a set of distal and proximal threading needles being positioned in a similar angular orientation, selected inter alia from 12?, 2?, 4?, 6?, 8? and 10? o'clock. the middle portion of each of the wires is arranged in a stack arrangement. Each needle is either operated separately or integrally with at least one another.

Abstract: A suturing needle is disclosed having a main longitudinal axis, a distal sharp portion and proximal portion along said axis. The distal portion is hollowed, and the hollow is approximately parallel to said axis. A further embodiment of the suturing needle is disclosed such that the distal portion comprises a notched open bore located at the needle's extreme distal end. Other embodiments of the suturing assembly are described accommodating a suture in the needle bore.

Abstract: A system for communicating wireless signals includes a passive optical network (PON) between a central office (CO) and network subscribers. The CO has an optical line terminal (OLT) and a wireless base station. An RF/Optic converter converts base station radio frequency (RF) signals to and from corresponding optical signals. An optical combiner combines signals of the OLT and signals of the RF/Optic converter for communication over the PON with at least one optical network unit (ONU) at a location of one or more of the network subscribers, so that signals of the OLT and converted wireless base station signals are carried together over the PON. A fiber mounted wireless antenna unit (FMCA) having an optical interface and a wireless antenna, and communicating wireless signals of the wireless antenna with the ONU, including performing conversions between wireless RF signals and optical signals.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an automated, a semi-automated, a surgeon-guided quasi-automated and/or a fully surgeon's controlled surgical system surgical system useful for performing a fully automated medical procedure within a body cavity such that faultless and quick medical procedure is obtained. Each of the surgical systems comprises: (a) at least one effecter for performing the medical procedure; (b) at least one maneuverable platform reversibly coupled with the effecter; the platform provides the effecter with a scheduled set of independent displacements selected from a group consisting of up to six (degrees of freedom) DOFs, namely linear movement along the X,Y,Z-coordinates, and radial movement around the X,Y,Z coordinates, such that the time-resolved spatial position of the effecter is defined by the up to six coordinates (three-dimensional spatial position, 3DSP); and (c) sensing and processing means.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an intraluminal tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being shaped to provide a longitudinal lumen. A treatment element, having a proximal end and a distal end, is disposed within the lumen of the tube. A handle assembly is coupled to the proximal end of the tube. A user offset controller is coupled to the handle assembly, and is configured to set an offset of the distal end of the treatment element with respect to the distal end of the tube. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a cutting wire electrode, comprising at least one elongated shaft with a main longitudinal axis having at least one bore located at its distal portion, said bore being approximately perpendicular to said main longitudinal axis; and at least one wire loop located in the distal portion of said shaft; said loop comprising at least one continuous portion adapted to cut biological tissues, especially by electrocoagulation, and at least one abutment, wherein said abutment is adapted to be anchored within said bore and hence integrating said loop with said shaft.

Abstract: An assisted anastomosis apparatus and a method thereby for reconnecting the urethral stump to the neck of the bladder after removal of the prostate during a prostatectomy, comprising two suture units, namely a urethral stump suturing unit (1a) and a bladder suturing unit (1b), at least a section of said urethral stump suturing unit (1a) has suitable dimensions to be introduced into a bladder neck and at least a section of said bladder suturing unit (1b) has suitable dimensions to be introduced into a urethral stump; such that each needle pulls the suture leading from its equivalent position on the urethral stump through the wall of the bladder neck.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dual action linear-rotational resectoscope comprising: (a) a resection loop and loop shaft which are raised to high electrical tension for either resection or cauterisation; (b) an endoscope tube electrically insulated from the loop shaft; (c) an insulating sheath comprising an inner and outer sheath between which fluid is free to flow, surrounding both the loop shaft and the endoscope tube; (d) a handle by which an operator controls both linear and rotational motion of the resector-loop such that the operator performs a resection by using either rotational motion of the resector-loop, linear motion of the resector-loop or any combination of the two; and, (e) a dual-action actuating mechanism useful for manoeuvring the resector-loop adjacent to a body portion to be treated in a sequence of rotational and linear maneuvers; the maneuvers are selected from a group consisting of linear motion followed by rotational motion, rotational motion followed by linear motion, only rotation