Abstract: Assessing an insurance situation of a field by obtaining crop insurance policies related to a specific crop field, collecting at least one time-based image of the specific crop field, extracting time-based environmental features from the time-based image, and assessing an occurrence of an insurance event in the specific crop field by matching the extracted features to conditions included in the insurance policies related to the specific crop field.

Abstract: A probe (24) is provided for use with an elongate medical instrument (20). The probe (24) is configured to be advanced through vasculature of a body of a subject, and includes a distal longitudinal probe-portion (26) and one or more loops (30). The one or more loops (30) are disposed along the distal longitudinal probe-portion (26) and are configured to be looped around a distal longitudinal medical-instrument-portion (28) of the elongate medical instrument (20) when the distal longitudinal probe-portion (26) is positioned at least partially alongside a distal longitudinal medical-instrument-portion (28) within the body, thereby mechanically coupling the distal longitudinal probe-portion (26) to the distal longitudinal medical-instrument-portion (28) within the body. The probe (24) is configured to bend the elongate medical instrument (20) within the body when the distal longitudinal probe-portion (26) is mechanically coupled to the distal longitudinal medical-instrument-portion (28).

Abstract: An agricultural monitoring system, apparatus and method(s) for providing crop-related forecasts by performing the steps of receiving seasonal image data from at least one source, where the seasonal image data is associated with at least one agricultural field, processing the seasonal image data using a Bayesian framework, where the Bayesian framework comprises one or more crop models configured to predict, based on the seasonal image data, one or more probabilities indicative of at least one crop state, updating at least one crop model of the Bayesian framework based on the one or more probabilities, and outputting a forecast of the at least one crop state based on the one or more probabilities.

Abstract: A valve-delivery-assist tool (20, 120, 220, 320) is provided for use during a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure on a native aortic valve. The valve-delivery-assist tool (20, 120, 220, 320) includes a delivery catheter (22); an aortic-valve cusp guide (24), which deflects laterally upon being released from the delivery catheter (22); and a conduction-tissue protector (26, 126), which includes a sheet (28, 128) and expands upon being released from a distal end (29) of the delivery catheter (22).

Abstract: An agricultural monitoring system, apparatus and method(s) for providing crop-related forecasts by performing the steps of receiving seasonal image data from at least one source, where the seasonal image data is associated with at least one agricultural field, processing the seasonal image data using a Bayesian framework, where the Bayesian framework comprises one or more crop models configured to predict, based on the seasonal image data, one or more probabilities indicative of at least one crop state, updating at least one crop model of the Bayesian framework based on the one or more probabilities, and outputting a forecast of the at least one crop state based on the one or more probabilities.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes implanting a first tissue-engaging element in a first portion of tissue in a vicinity of a heart valve. A second tissue-engaging element, which is connected to a third tissue-engaging element by a longitudinal sub-member, is implanted in a second portion of tissue of an annulus, and the third tissue-engaging element is implanted in a third portion of tissue of the annulus. A fourth tissue-engaging element is implanted in a portion of a blood vessel that is in contact with an atrium. While the longitudinal sub-member engages the longitudinal member at a junction therebetween, at least a first leaflet of the heart valve is drawn toward at least a second leaflet of the heart valve by adjusting a distance between the portion of the blood vessel and the first portion of tissue in the vicinity of the heart valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An occluder device is provided for occluding a cardiovascular defect or a gap between a medical device and adjacent body tissue, the device including a compliant balloon defining a fluid-tight balloon chamber and a balloon channel forming a longitudinal passage from a proximal to a distal side of the balloon, the balloon including a fluid port for filling a fluid into the balloon chamber. A tip and a base are coupled to the distal and the proximal sides of the balloon, respectively. At least one connecting strut is attached to the tip and to the base. An elongate actuator is disposed longitudinally slidable in the balloon channel and connected to the tip, and longitudinally slidable with respect to the base so as to set a distance between the tip and the base. A lock is configured to maintain the distance between the tip and the base. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An occluder device is provided for occluding a cardiovascular defect or a gap between a medical device and adjacent body tissue, the device including a compliant balloon defining a fluid-tight balloon chamber and a balloon channel forming a longitudinal passage from a proximal to a distal side of the balloon, the balloon including a fluid port for filling a fluid into the balloon chamber. A tip and a base are coupled to the distal and the proximal sides of the balloon, respectively. At least one connecting strut is attached to the tip and to the base. An elongate actuator is disposed longitudinally slidable in the balloon channel and connected to the tip, and longitudinally slidable with respect to the base so as to set a distance between the tip and the base. A lock is configured to maintain the distance between the tip and the base. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus including a joint spacer for treatment of a joint of a human subject. The joint spacer includes a bioresorbable stent having compressed and expanded configurations and a covering that covers an external surface of the stent. The joint spacer is configured to be inserted into a space of the joint, and is shaped, when the bioresorbable stent is in the expanded configuration, to provide mechanical support to the joint until the bioresorbable stent resorbs into a body of the subject. Treating a joint of a human subject includes inserting a joint spacer into a space of the joint while a bioresorbable stent of the joint spacer is in a compressed configuration, and transitioning the bioresorbable stent to an expanded configuration within the joint, such that the joint spacer provides mechanical support to the joint until the bioresorbable stent resorbs into a body of the subject.

Abstract: A tissue anchor includes a shaft, a tissue-coupling element, and a flexible elongate tension member. The tissue-coupling element includes a wire, which is shaped as an open loop having more than one turn when the tissue anchor is unconstrained. The tension member includes a distal portion that is fixed to a site on the open loop, a proximal portion, which has a longitudinal segment that runs alongside at least a portion of the shaft, and a crossing portion, which (i) is disposed between the distal and the proximal portions along the tension member, and (ii) crosses at least a portion of the open loop when the tissue anchor is unconstrained. The tissue anchor is configured to allow relative axial motion between the at least a portion of the shaft and the longitudinal segment of the proximal portion of the tension member when the tissue anchor is unconstrained.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for performing dacryocystorhinostomy and an apparatus for performing dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), the apparatus comprising a dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) tool, which includes a perforating shaft having a distal perforating-shaft perforating tip configured to form a bypass between a lacrimal sac and a nasal cavity through a lateral side of the lacrimal sac, a lacrimal bone, and nasal mucosa and a DCR guide, which includes a nasal guide component, which is configured to be inserted into the nasal cavity and has a nasal-guide channel having a proximal opening and an at least partially laterally facing distal opening, and a lacrimal guide component, which is shaped so as to define a lacrimal-guide channel that is configured to orient the distal perforating-shaft perforating tip with respect to the DCR guide during advancing of the distal perforating-shaft perforating tip through a lacrimal passageway and into the lacrimal sac, until the distal perforating-shaft

Abstract: Systems and methods for directing a device to a target region within a body cavity are provided. One embodiment includes a first catheter having a handle, an expandable cage, and a lumen therethrough, the expandable cage having a plurality of members that expand to engage a wall of the body cavity, a second catheter within the first catheter lumen having a hub at a distal end, and a plurality of pairs of wires secured at a first end within the handle of the first catheter and secured at a second end to the hub of the second catheter, each pair of wires being movable in conjunction with each other by manipulation of the handle so as to move the hub, a first pair of wires movable to move the hub in a first direction and a second pair of wires movable to move the hub in a second direction.

Abstract: A coaptation-assist device (20, 120A, 120B, 120C, 320A, 320B, 420, 720) is provided for treating a native atrioventricular valve, including a loop-shaped ventricular anchor (30, 130, 330, 430, 730) which includes an anchor-loop wire loop (50, 150, 350, 450, 750), which defines at least a portion of a border of the loop-shaped ventricular anchor, and is configured to be positioned in a ventricle, extending between a ventricular apical area and a subannular surface of a target native leaflet, and to remain anchored in position against surrounding anatomy, including the subannular surface, a ventricular wall, and the ventricular apical area. A neo-leaflet (32, 132A, 132B, 132C, 332A, 332B, 332A, 332B, 432, 732) is supported by the loop-shaped ventricular anchor and is configured to at least partially replace function of the target native leaflet by providing a surface of coaptation (34, 434, 734) for one or more opposing native leaflets that oppose the target native leaflet. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes first and second tissue-engaging elements, and first and second flexible longitudinal members, coupled at respective first end portions thereof to the first and the second tissue-engaging elements, respectively. The apparatus further includes a first flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element coupled to a second end portion of the first flexible longitudinal member, a second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element coupled to a second end portion of the second flexible longitudinal member, and a flexible longitudinal guide member reversibly coupled to the first flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element. The first and second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling elements are configured to be couplable together to couple together the first and the second flexible longitudinal elements. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) tool (10) includes a perforating shaft (30) having a distal perforating tip (32) configured to form a bypass between a lacrimal sac and a nasal cavity through a lateral side of the lacrimal sac, a lacrimal bone, and nasal mucosa. A DCR guide (20) includes a nasal guide component (40) configured to be inserted into the nasal cavity and having a distal guide tip (42); and a lacrimal guide component (50) shaped so as to define a guide channel (52) that orients the DCR guide (20) with respect to the distal perforating tip (32) during advancing of the distal perforating tip (32) through a lacrimal passageway and into the lacrimal sac, until contact of the distal perforating tip (32) with the distal guide tip (42) blocks further advancing of the distal perforating tip (32). The DCR guide (20) constrains the distal guide tip (42) to fall in a path of advancement of the distal perforating tip (32). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A surgical fastener instrument (30) includes an outer delivery tube (36); an inner delivery shaft (42), disposed at least partially in the outer delivery tube (36); and a handle (44) coupled to a proximal portion (46) of the outer delivery tube (36), and including a user control element (48) arranged to rotate the inner delivery shaft (42) with respect to the outer delivery tube (36). A suture fastener (32) is removably disposed in the outer delivery tube (36) in an unlocked conical helical configuration. Distal advancement of the inner delivery shaft (42), when one or more portions of one or more sutures (22) pass through respective portions of the suture fastener (32), transitions the suture fastener (32) from the unlocked configuration to a locked planar spiral configuration, in which the one or more sutures (22) are fixedly coupled to the suture fastener (32). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) tool (10) includes a perforating shaft (30) having a distal perforating tip (32) configured to form a bypass between a lacrimal sac and a nasal cavity through a lateral side of the lacrimal sac, a lacrimal bone, and nasal mucosa. A DCR guide (20) includes a nasal guide component (40) configured to be inserted into the nasal cavity and having a distal guide tip (42); and a lacrimal guide component (50) shaped so as to define a guide channel (52) that orients the DCR guide (20) with respect to the distal perforating tip (32) during advancing of the distal perforating tip (32) through a lacrimal passageway and into the lacrimal sac, until contact of the distal perforating tip (32) with the distal guide tip (42) blocks further advancing of the distal perforating tip (32). The DCR guide (20) constrains the distal guide tip (42) to fall in a path of advancement of the distal perforating tip (32). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A suture-securing device includes a first tubular element, shaped to define a first lumen therethrough, and having first and second ends; and a second tubular element, shaped to define a second lumen therethrough, and having first and second ends. The suture-securing device is configured to have (a) an unlocked configuration in which the first end of the second tubular element is disposed closer to the first end of first tubular element than is the second end of the second tubular element, and the sutures are disposable within and slidable through the first and second lumens, and (b) a locking configuration in which the second end of the second tubular element is disposed closer to the first end of first tubular element than is the first end of the second tubular element, and the sutures are inhibited from sliding through the first and second lumens. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A tension system (10) is provided, including first and second tissue anchors (20A, 20B) configured to be anchored to two target sites, respectively; and first and second tethers (24A, 24B), coupled to the first and the second tissue anchors (20A, 20B), respectively. An implantable force gauge (30) includes first and second components (31A, 31B), which are fixed to the first and the second tethers (24A, 24B), respectively, and which are non-integral with each other and are configured to be coupled together in situ so as to couple the first and the second tissue anchors (20A, 20B) together via the first and the second tethers (24A, 24B), for applying variable tension between the two target sites.

Abstract: An occlusion device (20) includes a compliant balloon (5) including an inflation port (3) for filling and unfilling a fluid into and from a balloon chamber (26). A distal tip element (10) and a proximal base element (4) are disposed at distal and proximal sides (28B, 28A) of the balloon (5), respectively. An elongate actuating element (9) is disposed longitudinally slidable in a balloon lumen (6) forming a longitudinal passage (27) from the proximal side (28A) to the distal side (28B) of the balloon (5), connected to the distal tip element (10), and longitudinally moveable with respect to the proximal base element (4) so as to set a distance between the distal tip element (100 and the proximal base element (4). A locking mechanism (2) is configured to maintain, between the distal tip element (10) and the proximal base element (4), the distance set using the elongate actuating element (9).