Abstract: An apparatus configured to lock an intrabody implant over a thread passing through the implant includes a lock body configured to advance to the implant over the thread and including at least one rotatable element, the lock body being configured to grip the thread proximally to the implant upon rotation of the rotatable element, and a rotation-maintaining element, configured to inhibit a reversal of the rotation of the rotatable element by engaging with the lock body. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A hypnotherapy system includes wearable element and non-wearable elements, delivers instructions and media segments, measures state or activity of a subject and provides post hypnotic re-enforcement stimuli to the subject. The system includes a storage unit storing personalized session scripts for hypnotherapy sessions for the subject, where a hypnotherapy session includes dedicated media-based treatment processes to control different stages of hypnosis and follow up posthypnotic re-enforcement suggestions. The system includes a script handler to run the session scripts from the storage unit for a hypnotherapy session selected by the subject, allows the session scripts to be synchronized to different sleep stages and updates the session scripts according to an analysis of readings of the wearable element and non-wearable elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for implantation at an annulus (75) of an intracardiac valve includes an annuloplasty ring (110) comprising a plurality of rotatably adjoining segments (112). The ring is configured to pass over multiple threads (58), respective distal ends of which are distributed over the annulus, and, while passing over the threads, expand from a collapsed state to an expanded state by virtue of the segments rotating with respect to each other. The apparatus further comprises a lock (114), configured to lock the ring in the expanded state at the valve by inhibiting rotation of the segments with respect to each another. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus, device and method are provided for executing a clot or plaque removal procedure. In one embodiment, a clot removal device may include a clot holding element for penetrating a target clot and stabilizing the clot in its position; a controllable distal filter that can be extended to cover the target clot; a distal filter, openable downstream from the clot, designed to substantially prevent flow through of clot elements, and further designed to drag the clot out of a vessel, for retrieving by the clot removal device.

Abstract: A hypnotherapy system includes at least one of: a wearable element and a non-wearable element to deliver instructions and media segments, measure state or activity of a subject and to provide at least one post hypnotic re-enforcement stimuli to the subject, a storage unit storing personalized session scripts for hypnotherapy sessions for the subject, where a hypnotherapy session comprises dedicated media-based treatment processes to control different stages of hypnosis and follow up posthypnotic re-enforcement suggestions, and at least one processor implementing a hypnotherapy unit, the hypnotherapy unit includes a script handler at least to run the session scripts from the storage unit for a hypnotherapy session selected by the subject; to allow session scripts to be synchronized to different sleep stages and to update session scripts according to an analysis of readings of at least one of: the wearable element and the non-wearable element.

Abstract: An intravascular device configured to treat an aneurysm that includes a support structure including metal struts configured to be positioned in a body lumen and defining a central fluid passage that extends axially along the support structure, and a knitted mesh cover disposed over an exterior thereof and across a radial arc and along a length of the support structure sufficient to exceed an opening of an aneurysm to be treated, and the cover includes a polymer fiber having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns and apertures therethrough, the apertures being sized to prevent blood from passing through the device to prevent further expansion of the aneurysm. Devices including apertures that are at least 20 microns and sized to minimize or prevent an aneurysm-filling material from exiting the aneurysm through the knitted mesh cover and support structure, and methods of stenting, are also encompassed.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to lock an intrabody implant over a thread passing through the implant includes a lock body configured to advance to the implant over the thread and including at least one rotatable element, the lock body being configured to grip the thread proximally to the implant upon rotation of the rotatable element, and a rotation-maintaining element, configured to inhibit a reversal of the rotation of the rotatable element by engaging with the lock body. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A cognitive state alteration system includes at least one of: a wearable element and a non-wearable element to measure state or activity of a subject and to provide at least one stimulus to the subject, a storage unit to store session scripts for cognitive state alteration processes and a cognitive state alteration unit having a script handler at least to run session scripts associated with a cognitive state alteration process selected by the subject from the storage unit and to update the scripts according to an analysis of the readings of the at least one of: the wearable element and the non-wearable element.

Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus (20) that includes an assembly of tubes (34), each one of the tubes being shaped to define a tube lumen (62). The apparatus further includes a plurality of tissue anchors (60), each one of the tissue anchors being disposed within a respective one of the tube lumens, an expandable annular structure (36), including a plurality of teeth (40), coupled to the assembly of tubes, and a plurality of control wires (38) coupled to the annular structure, configured to position the tubes for deployment of the tissue anchors from the tube lumens, by manipulating the annular structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a thread (58) and a tissue anchor (60) coupled to the thread. The anchor includes a proximal portion (60p), shaped to define one or more appendages (82), a distal portion (60d), and a plurality of strips (84) joining the proximal portion to the distal portion. The anchor is configured to anchor the thread at tissue (42) of a subject by virtue of the appendages expanding radially, and the strips expanding radially to form respective loops at a distal side of the tissue, upon removal of a radially-constraining force from the anchor. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An intravascular device configured to treat an aneurysm that includes a support structure including metal struts configured to be positioned in a body lumen and defining a central fluid passage that extends axially along the support structure, and a knitted mesh cover disposed over an exterior thereof and across a radial arc and along a length of the support structure sufficient to exceed an opening of an aneurysm to be treated, and the cover includes a polymer fiber having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns and apertures therethrough, the apertures being sized to prevent blood from passing through the device to prevent further expansion of the aneurysm. Devices including apertures that are at least 20 microns and sized to minimize or prevent an aneurysm-filling material from exiting the aneurysm through the knitted mesh cover and support structure, and methods of stenting, are also encompassed.

Abstract: An enhanced stent apparatus includes an implantable element, constructed of a flexible, biocompatible material configured to be positioned in a body lumen. An inner structure is located on an inner surface of said implantable element, wherein the inner structure is made of metal, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures. An outer structure is located on an outer surface of said implantable element, wherein the outer structure is made of metal, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures.

Abstract: A cognitive state alteration system includes at least one of: a wearable element and a non-wearable element to measure state or activity of a subject and to provide at least one stimulus to the subject, a storage unit to store session scripts for cognitive state alteration processes and a cognitive state alteration unit having a script handler at least to run session scripts associated with a cognitive state alteration process selected by the subject from the storage unit and to update the scripts according to an analysis of the readings of the at least one of: the wearable element and the non-wearable element.

Abstract: Various stent assemblies for placement in a body lumen that includes a support element comprising metal struts constructed to be positioned in a body lumen, and a knitted layer or cover disposed over an interior, an exterior, or both, of the support element and along an entire length thereof, wherein the knitted layer or cover comprises a single polymer fiber or metal wire having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns, wherein the support element and knitted cover together have apertures sized 100 microns to 300 microns in diameter, or alternatively from 200 microns to 1500 microns, to block larger debris when the stent assembly is properly placed in a body lumen. Methods of stenting a body lumen by applying the stent assembly to a patient in need of treatment and expanding the stent assembly in situ are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a thread (58) and a tissue anchor (60) coupled to the thread. The anchor includes a proximal portion (60p), shaped to define one or more appendages (82), a distal portion (60d), and a plurality of strips (84) joining the proximal portion to the distal portion. The anchor is configured to anchor the thread at tissue (42) of a subject by virtue of the appendages expanding radially, and the strips expanding radially to form respective loops at a distal side of the tissue, upon removal of a radially-constraining force from the anchor. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A cognitive alteration system includes a storage unit at least to store one or more scripts, each to control a cognitive alteration process where the process comprises first and second in session media-based treatment processes and an out of session reinforcement stimulus process between the first and second in session processes, and where the storage unit stores both a script per in session process and a script per out of session process; a script handler at least to run at least one script; at least one of a wearable and a non-wearable element to sense an attribute of a subject or to provide an output to the subject during one of the in session and out of session processes; an information analyzer at least to perform analysis of the readings of the at least one element, an integrator to integrate the analysis and a script updater to update at least one of the scripts.

Abstract: An apparatus, device and method are provided for executing a clot or plaque removal procedure. In one embodiment, a clot removal device may include a clot holding element for penetrating a target clot and stabilizing the clot in its position; a controllable distal filter that can be extended to cover the target clot; a distal filter, openable downstream from the clot, designed to substantially prevent flow through of clot elements, and further designed to drag the clot out of a vessel, for retrieving by the clot removal device.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 20a) includes a plurality of flexible tube guides (35), an annular assembly of tubes (34), each of the tubes being slidably disposed within a respective one of the tube guides, a plurality of threads (58), each of which comprising a distal end that is carried by a respective one of the tubes, and an expandable annular structure (36) coupled to the tube guides, configured to expand the assembly of tubes, from a collapsed configuration, over tissue (42) of a subject, by moving the tube guides radially outward. The apparatus further includes a plurality of control wires (40) coupled to the tube guides, configured to position the tubes, subsequently to the expansion of the assembly, for deployment of the threads from the tubes and into the tissue, by flexing the tube guides.

Abstract: An intravascular device configured to treat an aneurysm that includes a support structure including metal struts configured to be positioned in a body lumen and defining a central fluid passage that extends axially along the support structure, and a knitted mesh cover disposed over an exterior thereof and across a radial arc and along a length of the support structure sufficient to exceed an opening of an aneurysm to be treated, and the cover includes a polymer fiber having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns and apertures therethrough, the apertures being sized to prevent blood from passing through the device to prevent further expansion of the aneurysm. Devices including apertures that are at least 20 microns and sized to minimize or prevent an aneurysm-filling material from exiting the aneurysm through the knitted mesh cover and support structure, and methods of stenting, are also encompassed.

Abstract: Methods of providing a stent assembly that includes a stent jacket formed from an expansible mesh structure having apertures and that includes a fiber having a diameter of about 7 micrometers and about 40 micrometers, and an expansible stent operatively associated with the stent jacket. The method further comprises administering to the subject an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) eluted from the stent assembly.