Abstract: A delivery apparatus for a medical device implant can include an outer catheter and a flexible delivery catheter. The outer catheter can have an axially extending shaft and a first lumen extending co-axially through the axially extending shaft. The flexible delivery catheter can have an elongate shaft having a flexible section extending along a distal portion of the elongate shaft, and the flexible section of the elongate shaft can be positioned or adjusted between a first, delivery configuration and a second, activated configuration. The delivery catheter can have a pull wire extending co-axially through a second lumen axially extending through the elongate shaft. A distal end of the pull wire can be fixedly secured or attached to the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: Methods of implanting docking devices for prosthetic valves at a native heart valve include positioning a distal end of a delivery catheter into a first chamber of a heart, advancing a tubular body of a docking device from within the delivery catheter so that the distal end of the tubular body is advanced between native valve leaflets and positioned in a second chamber of the heart. The methods further include inserting a coil into a lumen of the docking device so that the tubular body adopts a configuration, releasing a proximal end of the docking device in the first chamber, inserting a replacement valve in an inner space of the docking device, and radially expanding the replacement valve until there is a retention force between the replacement valve and the docking device to hold the replacement valve in a stable position in the native valve.

Abstract: A system is in various embodiments configured to treat a native heart valve, such as to secure a prosthetic heart valve within a native valve. Embodiments of the system include a docking device with different coil portions, such as an upper coil and a lower coil, where the device is configured to assume an axially expanded state and an axially compressed state. In the axially expanded state, the entire upper coil can be positioned on a first side of the lower coil relative to the central axis and/or the entire upper coil and the entire lower coil have a positive pitch relative to each other. In the axially compressed state, at least a portion of the upper coil can be positioned on a second side of at least a portion of the lower coil opposite to the first side relative to the central axis and/or at least a portion of the upper coil has a negative pitch relative to at least a portion of the lower coil.

Abstract: A fluid extraction implantable system shaped and sized to be implanted in a patient, including: a fluid extraction chamber having a flat and thin shape connected to a draining tube and including at least one external flat surface, wherein the at least one external flat surface is configured to be attached to a tissue surface when a negative pressure is applied on the draining tube, wherein the chamber extracts fluids from the tissue by applying the negative pressure through the flat surface on the attached tissue surface.

Abstract: A method for delivering a prosthetic valve to a native annulus of a heart can include inserting a delivery apparatus into a patient's body, advancing the delivery apparatus to an implantation location within the native annulus, retracting a delivery sheath of the delivery apparatus relative to the prosthetic valve to expose the prosthetic valve from a distal end of the delivery sheath, and after the prosthetic valve is exposed from the delivery sheath, expanding the prosthetic valve from a radially compressed state to a radially expanded state by reducing axial tension on a first end and a second end of the prosthetic valve.

Abstract: Docking devices can be configured to be positioned at a native valve of a human heart to provide structural support for docking a prosthetic valve. The docking devices generally have coiled structures that define an inner space in which the prosthetic valve can be held. Some docking devices can be adjusted from a first wider configuration which facilitates easier advancement of the docking device around the valve anatomy, to a second narrower configuration after the docking device has been delivered to more securely hold the prosthetic valve. The docking device may also be better held in position at the native valve after adjustment to the narrower configuration. Some docking devices include a stabilization segment or double coil configuration, where a main coil region is configured to securely hold a prosthetic valve, while a stabilization coil region is configured to more stably hold the docking device at the native valve.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for a prosthetic implant can include an elongate first shaft, a first suture guide coupled to the first shaft, an elongate second shaft, and a second suture guide coupled to the second shaft. The first shaft can extend coaxially through the second shaft and the second suture guide, the first suture guide can be disposed distal to the second suture guide, and the first suture guide and the second suture guide can be configured to be axially movable relative to each other.

Abstract: An anchoring system and related methods are provided for treatment of dilated hearts and of functional valve regurgitation, the system comprising one or more self-expandable or manually expandable anchors and associated devices for fixating a valve splint within the heart. For example, a spade-shaped assembly may be configured to be deployed in a right ventricle of the heart and to stabilize a puncturing instrument to puncture the septum. Various puncturing instruments may also be part of the anchoring system, including one or more of a flexible needle having a multiplicity of slits disposed along the length of the needle, a trocar catheter with a retractable head, and a catheter needle having a blunt introducer to protect nearby tissue within the heart during advancing a guidewire. A cutter catheter and puncture location catheter may also be part of the system and be used during treatment.

Abstract: A disposable/removable tip attachable on a distal end of a fiber bundle, allowing transmitting light energy from the fiber bundle to an eyelid and comprising a contact surface made of bio-compatible material, which allows to contact the eyelid and in addition an add-on device, comprising a fiber bundle, having a distal and proximal end, wherein a disposable/removable tip is attachable to the distal end, while the proximal end is connected to an optical coupler, designed for optical and/or energy coupling with a lightguide of a Meibomian gland expression (MGX) treatment device.

Abstract: A system is in various embodiments configured to treat a native heart valve, such as to secure a prosthetic heart valve within a native valve. Embodiments of the system include a docking device with different coil portions, such as an upper coil and a lower coil, where the device is configured to assume an axially expanded state and an axially compressed state. In the axially expanded state, the entire upper coil can be positioned on a first side of the lower coil relative to the central axis and/or the entire upper coil and the entire lower coil have a positive pitch relative to each other. In the axially compressed state, at least a portion of the upper coil can be positioned on a second side of at least a portion of the lower coil opposite to the first side relative to the central axis and/or at least a portion of the upper coil has a negative pitch relative to at least a portion of the lower coil.

Abstract: A device is in various embodiments configured to repair a native heart valve or to secure a prosthetic heart valve within a native valve of the heart of a patient. Embodiments of the device include at least an upper coil and a lower coil, where the device is configured to assume an axially expanded state where the entire upper coil is positioned on a first side of the lower coil relative to the central axis, and an axially compressed state where at least a portion of the upper coil is positioned on a second side of at least a portion of the lower coil opposite to the first side relative to the central axis.

Abstract: Docking devices can be configured to be positioned at a native valve of a human heart to provide structural support for docking a prosthetic valve. The docking devices generally have coiled structures that define an inner space in which the prosthetic valve can be held. Some docking devices can be adjusted from a first wider configuration which facilitates easier advancement of the docking device around the valve anatomy, to a second narrower configuration after the docking device has been delivered to more securely hold the prosthetic valve. The docking device may also be better held in position at the native valve after adjustment to the narrower configuration. Some docking devices include a stabilization segment or double coil configuration, where a main coil region is configured to securely hold a prosthetic valve, while a stabilization coil region is configured to more stably hold the docking device at the native valve.

Abstract: A method is provided including shaping a thermoplastic material on a dental arch of a subject and utilizing the shaped thermoplastic material to facilitate inserting of a steerable implantable neural stimulator into a greater palatine foramen of the subject. The method further includes advancing the stimulator through a greater palatine canal of the subject to a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is described, the apparatus including an oral surgical guide. The oral surgical guide includes an arch portion configured to be placed on a dental arch of a subject; and an extension portion extending from the arch portion, and shaped to define a guide hole. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for a prosthetic implant can include an elongate first shaft, a first suture guide coupled to the first shaft, an elongate second shaft, and a second suture guide coupled to the second shaft. The first shaft can extend coaxially through the second shaft and the second suture guide, the first suture guide can be disposed distal to the second suture guide, and the first suture guide and the second suture guide can be configured to be axially movable relative to each other.

Abstract: An anchoring system and related methods are provided for treatment of dilated hearts and of functional valve regurgitation, the system comprising one or more self-expandable or manually expandable anchors and associated devices for fixating a valve splint within the heart. For example, a spade-shaped assembly may be configured to be deployed in a right ventricle of the heart and to stabilize a puncturing instrument to puncture the septum. Various puncturing instruments may also be part of the anchoring system, including one or more of a flexible needle having a multiplicity of slits disposed along the length of the needle, a trocar catheter with a retractable head, and a catheter needle having a blunt introducer to protect nearby tissue within the heart during advancing a guidewire. A cutter catheter and puncture location catheter may also be part of the system and be used during treatment.

Abstract: A device is in various embodiments configured to repair a native heart valve or to secure a prosthetic heart valve within a native valve of the heart of a patient. Embodiments of the device include at least an upper coil and a lower coil, where the device is configured to assume an axially expanded state where the entire upper coil is positioned on a first side of the lower coil relative to the central axis, and an axially compressed state where at least a portion of the upper coil is positioned on a second side of at least a portion of the lower coil opposite to the first side relative to the central axis.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject is provided, including applying electrical stimulation to a site of the subject selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve. The stimulation is configured to excite nervous tissue of the site at a strength sufficient to induce at least one neuroprotective occurrence selected from the group consisting of: an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject, and a release of one or more neuroprotective substances, and insufficient to induce a significant increase in permeability of a blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the subject.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject is provided, including applying electrical stimulation to a site of the subject selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve. The stimulation is configured to excite nervous tissue of the site at a strength sufficient to induce at least one neuroprotective occurrence selected from the group consisting of: an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject, and a release of one or more neuroprotective substances, and insufficient to induce a significant increase in permeability of a blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the subject.

Abstract: Apparatus is described, the apparatus including an oral surgical guide. The oral surgical guide includes an arch portion configured to be placed on a dental arch of a subject; and an extension portion extending from the arch portion, and shaped to define a guide hole. Other applications are also described.