Abstract: A device and a method for treatment of a urethra that is constricted due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are provided, including a delivery tool (101) advanced to a location in an area of the urethra that is to be treated. The delivery tool (101) includes an expandable element (400) that expands within the urethra such as to enlarge the urethra, a tissue cutter (412) that forms a cut in the urethra, subsequently to the expandable element expanding to dilate the urethra, and an implant (410) that maintain the urethra in a dilated state. The implant (410) includes a shape-memory material and is shaped to define two end sections and a middle section (1202) disposed between the two end sections. The shape memory-material is shape set such that in an unconstrained configuration of the implant (410), the middle section (1202) is substantially straight. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body passage cleansing device suitable for being passed through an internal channel of an endoscope, comprising a distal plug having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said plug comprises channels, apertures and/or nozzles which are capable of allowing the passage of a fluid therethrough from said proximal end to said distal end, wherein said plug is connected to the distal end of a wire or other actuating means; wherein at least an outer portion of said distal plug is capable of being elastically deformed such that the external diameter and/or outline thereof may be reduced in response to inwardly-directed compression forces exerted thereon; and wherein said channels, apertures and/or nozzles are in a closed conformation when said distal plug is subject to said compression forces, and in an open conformation when said plug is not subject to said compression forces.

Abstract: A rigid head for use in a working channel of an endoscope is provided, the rigid head comprising: a body having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis, the body having at least one channel disposed along the longitudinal axis configured to guide fluid in or out of the working channel, wherein the rigid head is configured for disposal within a working channel of an endoscope, the at least one channel configured to guide fluid in and out of the working channel of the endoscope. Body passage devices and methods are provided that allow the guidewire and/or rigid head to be extended in different length endoscope working channels.

Abstract: A body passage device and method for irrigating and/or cleaning the working channel of an endoscope or patient tissue is provided. The body passage device and method limits unwanted lateral and/or vertical movement of the spray head, guidewire, and/or tube surrounding the guidewire. Body passage devices and methods are provided that allow the guidewire and/or spray head to be extended to universally adapt to a variety of different length endoscope working channels.

Abstract: The present invention may provide devices suitable for insertion into a body passage. The devices may include a conduit and a distal head region located at the distal end of said conduit. A plurality of apertures on the surface of said head region and conduit may be used to direct a liquid spray outwards from said device. The apertures may be designed and spatially arranged such that when the device is inserted into a body passage, the liquid spray emitted from said apertures may be capable of both reducing the frictional contact between the device and the walls of said passage and of cleansing said passage of undesired solid and other particulate matter.

Abstract: The present invention may provide devices suitable for insertion into a body passage. The devices may include a conduit and a distal head region located at the distal end of said conduit. A plurality of apertures on the surface of said head region and conduit may be used to direct a liquid spray outwards from said device. The apertures may be designed and spatially arranged such that when the device is inserted into a body passage, the liquid spray emitted from said apertures may be capable of both reducing the frictional contact between the device and the walls of said passage and of cleansing said passage of undesired solid and other particulate matter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body passage cleansing device suitable for being passed through an internal channel of an endoscope, comprising a distal plug having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said plug comprises channels, apertures and/or nozzles which are capable of allowing the passage of a fluid therethrough from said proximal end to said distal end, wherein said plug is connected to the distal end of a wire or other actuating means; wherein at least an outer portion of said distal plug is capable of being elastically deformed such that the external diameter and/or outline thereof may be reduced in response to inwardly-directed compression forces exerted thereon; and wherein said channels, apertures and/or nozzles are in a closed conformation when said distal plug is subject to said compression forces, and in an open conformation when said plug is not subject to said compression forces.

Abstract: A mechanical vibration sensor adapted to be brought into contact with an object for sensing mechanical vibrations in the object, includes a body of a soft elastomeric material having high transmissivity and low attenuation properties with respect to a preselected type of energy waves; and a pair of transducers mounted, by mounting members having high attenuation properties with respect to the energy waves, in spaced relationship to each other to define a transmission channel between the transducers. Such sensor is particularly useful in a method and apparatus for controlling snoring by a person, by utilizing a stimulus device effective, when sensing snoring, to immediately produce a response in the person tending to interrupt the person's snoring.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices suitable for insertion into a body passage, wherein said devices comprise a conduit and a distal head region located at the distal end of said conduit, and wherein a plurality of apertures on the surface of said head region and conduit may be used to direct a liquid spray outwards from said device. The apertures are designed and spatially arranged such that when the device is inserted into a body passage, the liquid spray emitted from said apertures is capable of both reducing the frictional contact between the device and the walls of said passage and of cleansing said passage of undesired solid and other particulate matter.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to a sleeve device comprising a thin-walled elongate internal tubular membrane which is suitable for being fitted around the external surface of an elongate medical instrument, wherein at least one longitudinally-disposed inflatable channel having a closed distal end is affixed to the outer surface of said membrane, and wherein each of said inflatable channels is capable of being expanded laterally such that an elongate medical instrument fitted with said sleeve and inserted into a body cavity would become anchored within said cavity, and such that the walls of said inflatable channel(s) would define the boundaries of one or more additional longitudinally-disposed large volume channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a predetermined condition of a panel by transmitting a cyclically-repeating energy wave through the material (41) of the panel from first location (43a) to a second location (43b); measuring the transit time of the cyclically-repeating energy wave from the first location to the second location; and utilizing the measured transit time to detect the predetermined condition including the force on, the temperature of, a deformation in, the fatigue condition of, or a fracture in, structural panel, the presence of a force applied to, water on, or breakage in of the panel.

Abstract: A mechanical vibration sensor adapted to be brought into contact with an object for sensing mechanical vibrations in the object, includes a body of a soft elastomeric material having high transmissivity and low attenuation properties with respect to a preselected type of energy waves; and a pair of transducers mounted, by mounting members having high attenuation properties with respect to the energy waves, in spaced relationship to each other to define a transmission channel between the transducers. Such sensor is particularly useful in a method and apparatus for controlling snoring by a person, by utilizing a stimulus device effective, when sensing snoring, to immediately produce a response in the person tending to interrupt the person's snoring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a predetermined condition of a panel by transmitting a cyclically-repeating energy wave through the material (41) of the panel from first location (43a) to a second location (43b); measuring the transit time of the cyclically-repeating energy wave from the first location to the second location; and utilizing the measured transit time to detect the predetermined condition including the force on, the temperature of, a deformation in, the fatigue condition of, or a fracture in, structural panel, the presence of a force applied to, water on, or breakage in of the panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an imaging system while imaging a patient's body or part thereof, by sensing a cyclically-occurring physiological condition of the patient over a plurality of cycles, and producing a sensor output signal corresponding thereto; analyzing the sensor output signal over the plurality of cycles to identify at least one time point of each cycle in which the sensor output signal exhibits a minimum deviation in the plurality of cycles; and utilizing the at least one time point of minimum deviation for gating the imaging system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the force applied to a fastening bolt by: transmitting a cyclically-repeating energy wave through the fastening bolt; measuring the transit time of the cyclically-repeating energy wave from a first location to a second location; and utilizing the measured transit time to produce a measurement of the force. In a described preferred embodiment, the bolts fastens a seat of a vehicle to the vehicle frame such that the measured transit time provides a measurement of the force applied to the vehicle seat by the seat occupant.