Abstract: A method for characterizing application layer denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks comprises generating a plurality of dynamic applicative signatures by analyzing at the application layer application layer requests received during an on-going DDoS attack, a dynamic applicative signature characterizing each received request based on frequent application layer attributes appearing in the received requests, wherein the requests are represented as a set of paraphrases, each paraphrase representing a specific aspect of a request's structure, the frequent application layer attributes being determined based on frequency of paraphrases in the set; characterizing each of the received requests based on one of the dynamic applicative signatures, the characterization providing an indication for each request whether a request is generated by an attack tool executing the on-going DDoS attack; and causing a mitigation action on the received request generated by the attack tool based on the generated dynamic applicative signatur

Abstract: A tubular system is configured to transluminally deliver an implant comprising a tissue anchor having a coupling head and a distal helical tissue-engaging element, into a heart of a subject. The tissue anchor is slidable through a channel of the system, the channel being slidable within a catheter. An anchor driver is configured, while coupled to the coupling head of the tissue anchor, to drive the tissue anchor through the system and out the system's distal end, to anchor the tissue-engaging element to tissue of the heart. While a first electrode is in contact with the subject and a second electrode is inside the heart of the subject, a control unit receives an electrophysiological signal from the electrodes, and based on the electrophysiological signal, indicates a position of the second electrode inside the heart. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for mitigating of randomized denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks directed against a protected entity during an attack time period are provided. The method includes receiving a packet during the attack time period; selecting a cluster defining legitimacy characteristics from at least one cluster of packets that best fits the received packet, wherein legitimacy characteristics of a cluster are learned during a peacetime period; determining a legitimacy score for the received packet based on the legitimacy characteristics of the selected cluster; determining based on the legitimacy score if the received packet is not legitimate; and applying a mitigation action on the received packet upon determination that the packet is not legitimate.

Abstract: A stand comprises a track. A first handle is mountable on the stand such that the stand supports the first handle. A first catheter defines a first lumen, and is coupled to the first handle. A second handle is mountable on the stand proximally from the first catheter in a manner in which the stand also supports the second handle. A second catheter defines a second lumen, and is coupled to the second handle. The second catheter is extendable through the first lumen. A third handle is slidably mountable on the track proximally from the second handle, such that the third handle is axially slidable along the track. A third catheter defines a third lumen, and is coupled to the third handle. A distal end of the third catheter is advanceable out of the second lumen. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for generating dynamic applicative signatures of by application layer flood attack tools are provided. The method includes determining a plurality of different attributes of requests received during an on-going DDoS attack; clustering at least one attribute of the plurality of different attributes, wherein the clustering is based on values of the plurality of different attributes; determining clusters of attributes representing most frequent structures of the requests received during the on-going DDoS attack; and generating, based on the determined clusters of attributes, signature of an application layer flood attack tool executing the on-going DDoS attack.

Abstract: A catheter stabilization system comprises a catheter and a stabilizer. The catheter has a steerable distal end. The stabilizer is coupled with the catheter at a position that is proximal to the steerable distal end. The stabilizer is movable radially outward relative to the catheter to stabilize the catheter during flexing of the distal end of the steerable catheter.

Abstract: A catheter, advanced toward an anatomical site, has a proximal end and a steerable distal end. An anchor is advanced through the catheter. An anchor driver drives the anchor out of the catheter's distal end, anchoring the anchor at the site. A first constraining member engages tissue, and inhibits, after the anchor has been driven out of the catheter and before the anchoring, movement of at least the anchor driver's distal end, on a first axis between the anchor driver's distal end and a site at which the first constraining member engages the tissue. A second constraining member inhibits, after the anchor has been driven out of the catheter and before the anchoring, movement of at least the anchor driver's distal end, on a second axis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A catheter device includes a tube that has a distal opening that is configured to be transluminally advanced into the subject; and an extracorporeal unit that is coupled to a proximal end of the tube. A series of cartridges is arranged along the extracorporeal unit, each of the cartridges having an initial position in which the cartridge holds a respective anchor. Each of the cartridges is, moveable from the initial position to a deployment position while remaining coupled to the extracorporeal unit. A driver is configured to, for each of the anchors, sequentially, while the respective cartridge is in the deployment position, move the anchor out of the respective cartridge and through the tube toward the distal opening. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A first catheter has a first lumen therealong, a first-catheter proximal portion, and a steerable first-catheter distal portion that is transluminally advanceable to the heart. A second catheter has second lumen therealong, a second-catheter proximal portion, and a steerable second-catheter distal portion. The second catheter extends through the first lumen, such that the second-catheter proximal portion extends proximally out from the first-catheter proximal portion, the second-catheter distal portion extends distally out from the first-catheter distal portion, and within at least the first-catheter proximal portion, the first lumen and the second lumen are coaxial on a longitudinal axis. A first handle is coupled to the first-catheter proximal portion, and extends obliquely away from the first-catheter proximal portion at a nonzero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. A second handle is coupled to the second-catheter proximal portion, and is disposed proximally from the first handle.

Abstract: An anchor-handling device comprises a housing shaped to define a channel having an anchor-storage zone and a proximal opening. A tissue anchor is stored in the anchor-storage zone. The anchor-handing device is configured such that, while the tissue anchor is stored in the anchor-storage zone, the tissue anchor is movable out of the anchor-storage zone toward the proximal opening in response to a proximally-directed force being applied to the tissue anchor. The anchor-handling device comprises an element that serves as an indicator of movement of the tissue anchor out of the anchor-storage zone toward the proximal opening by the element moving in response to the proximally-directed force. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Anchor deployment systems and tools are provided. An anchor deployment tool can include a flexible tube including a distal anchor manipulation portion. The tool can also include a deployment element, which is positionable within the flexible tube, and is configured to, while the distal anchor manipulation portion is proximate an implantable device, (i) engage the anchors in the flexible tube, (ii) advance each of the anchors in a distal direction to the distal anchor manipulation portion, and (iii) anchor the implantable device to tissue of a subject by deploying each of the tissue anchors through the implantable device and into the tissue.

Abstract: An anchor-handling device comprises a housing shaped to define a channel having an anchor-storage zone and a proximal opening. An anchor driver comprises an anchor-engaging head, the anchor-engaging head being dimensioned to be advanceable through the proximal opening toward the anchor-storage zone. A tissue anchor is stored in the anchor-storage zone, and comprises a coupling head configured to be locked to the anchor-engaging head. The tissue anchor is movable out of the anchor-storage zone toward the proximal opening in response to a proximally-directed force being applied to the tissue anchor by the anchor driver. The anchor-handling device comprises an element that serves as an indicator of movement of the tissue anchor out of the anchor-storage zone toward the proximal opening, by moving in response to the proximally-directed force such that at least part of the element protrudes out of the housing. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A tube and a set of anchors, are transluminally advanced toward a heart of a subject. Tabs are distributed axially along an anchor storage area of the tube, each of the tabs protruding medially from a circumferential wall of the tube. The anchors are disposed in the anchor storage area, a first anchor engaged and restrained by a first tab at a first axial location of the tube, and a second anchor engaged and restrained by a second tab at a second axial location of the tube proximal from the first axial location. The first anchor is engaged by the driver at the first axial location, advanced to a distal end of the tube, and anchored to tissue of the heart. Subsequently, the second anchor is engaged by the driver at the second axial location, advanced to the distal end of the tube, and anchored to the tissue.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a handle, a catheter shaft, and a steering mechanism. The catheter shaft extends from the handle to a flexible distal end portion. The steering mechanism is configured to steer the flexible distal end portion. The steering mechanism can include a steering element a control member, and one or more actuation elements. Actuating the control member can move the steering element to increase and/or decrease tension in one or more actuation elements.

Abstract: System for use with tissue of a heart comprises a tissue anchor comprising an engaging head that has a coupling eyelet that defines an eyelet plane, and a helical tissue-coupling element, reversibly anchorable to the tissue, and having a central helix axis that lies on the eyelet plane. The system also comprises an anchor driver, having a distal portion that has a casing that defines a slot, the slot defining a slot plane, and dimensioned to receive at least part of the eyelet therein in a manner in which the eyelet plane is coplanar with the slot plane. The anchor driver also comprises a detent, configured to reversibly inhibit movement of the eyelet with respect to the slot. The anchor driver is configured to anchor the tissue anchor to the tissue by rotating the tissue anchor by applying a rotational force to the eyelet. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, for use with a tissue anchor, the apparatus comprising an implant and an anchor-delivery tool. The implant is dimensioned to be advanced into a body of a subject. The tool comprises an anchor-delivery channel and an implant-gripping element. The anchor-delivery channel defines a lumen, and is dimensioned to be moveable within the implant. The implant-gripping element is disposed at a distal end portion of the anchor-delivery channel, and comprises multiple teeth configured to reversibly grip an inner wall of the implant during implantation of the tissue anchor via the anchor-delivery channel. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A radiopaque frame is transluminally advanced to an atrium of a heart of a subject. The frame is expanded within a valve adjacent the atrium such that part of the frame remains disposed in the atrium. While the frame remains expanded within the valve, progressive portions of an annuloplasty structure are progressively positioned and anchored around the annulus using multiple anchors by, for each of the anchors sequentially (i) while fluoroscopically imaging the frame and a distal end of a delivery tool, and facilitated by mechanical guidance from the frame, positioning the distal end of the delivery tool between the frame and a wall of the atrium; and (ii) driving the anchor into the annulus laterally from the frame. Subsequently, the frame is contracted and withdrawn from the subject while leaving the annuloplasty structure anchored around the annulus. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a tissue anchor and an anchor driver. The apparatus includes a housing, shaped to define a channel. The channel includes (i) an anchor-storage zone, and (ii) a proximal opening configured to provide access for the anchor driver to the anchor-storage zone. The channel is configured to enable sliding of the tissue anchor therewithin to be stored in the anchor-storage zone. The apparatus also includes a retaining member, shaped to define a cradle for cradling and holding the tissue anchor in the anchor-storage zone. The retaining member includes a pillar pivotable with respect to the cradle, and configured to support the tissue anchor at the cradle. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for treating a native heart valve of a patient includes anchoring a plurality of anchors of an implant into tissue around an annulus of the valve. At the annulus, a force-distribution element is incorporated into the implant such that the force-distribution element extends along a longitudinal portion of the elongate contracting member. The method can also include circumferentially tightening the annulus by pulling the plurality of anchors closer together, such as by actuating a contracting mechanism of a contracting system, such that (i) the contracting mechanism, coupled to an elongate contracting member of the implant, applies a longitudinal tensioning force to the elongate contracting member, and (ii) the force-distributing element distributes the longitudinal tensioning force over at least two of the anchors. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Methods are described for use with a valve of a heart of a subject, the valve having an annulus, a first leaflet and an opposing leaflet, the heart having an atrium upstream of the valve, and a ventricle downstream of the valve. A tissue anchor, and an implant that includes a flexible frame, are transluminally advanced to the atrium. The implant is deployed within the atrium. Via anchoring of the tissue anchor to the annulus of the valve, the implant is secured within the heart by a first part of the frame being secured to the annulus, such that the frame extends over the first leaflet toward the opposing leaflet with a first side of the frame facing the first leaflet. Part of the frame can be disposed between the first leaflet and the opposing leaflet. Other embodiments are also described.