Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of a target tissue with a laser beam in which the target tissue is immersed in a liquid medium within a body lumen. The laser device is configured to provide one or more laser pulses which are configured by a controller to have an energy sufficient to form one or more vapor bubbles in the liquid medium at the distal delivery end of the fiber. The one or more pulses are configured by the controller to: first, cause a vapor bubble to be formed distally of the distal end portion of the endoscope and around the distal delivery end of the optical fiber; second, cause a second bubble to be formed distally of the first bubble; and, third, inflate the second bubble as the first bubble has begun to collapse to expand an amount sufficient to displace a substantial portion of the liquid medium from the space between the distal delivery end of the fiber and the target tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of a target tissue with a laser beam in which the target tissue is immersed in a liquid medium within a body lumen. The laser device is configured to provide one or more laser pulses which are configured by a controller to have an energy sufficient to form one or more vapor bubbles in the liquid medium at the distal delivery end of the fiber. The one or more pulses are configured by the controller to: first, cause a vapor bubble to be formed distally of the distal end portion of the endoscope and around the distal delivery end of the optical fiber; second, cause a second bubble to be formed distally of the first bubble; and, third, inflate the second bubble as the first bubble has begun to collapse to expand an amount sufficient to displace a substantial portion of the liquid medium from the space between the distal delivery end of the fiber and the target tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes a male-connector body comprising at least one mating surface, and shaped to define a hollow core. A plurality of electrically-conductive male-connector terminals are coupled to the mating surface of the male-connector body. A longitudinal insert is configured to, by moving inside the hollow core, push the male-connector terminals radially outward. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes a male-connector body comprising at least one mating surface, and shaped to define a hollow core. A plurality of electrically-conductive male-connector terminals are coupled to the mating surface of the male-connector body. A longitudinal insert is configured to, by moving inside the hollow core, push the male-connector terminals radially outward. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes a male-connector body comprising at least one mating surface, and shaped to define a hollow core. A plurality of electrically-conductive male-connector terminals are coupled to the mating surface of the male-connector body. A longitudinal insert is configured to, by moving inside the hollow core, push the male-connector terminals radially outward. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus that includes at least one electrically-conducting plate, configured for placement on a body of a subject, and one or more tubes coupled to a surface of the electrically-conducting plate, the tubes being configured to carry a fluid over the electrically-conducting plate while the electrically-conducting plate is on the body of the subject and electric current passes through the electrically-conducting plate. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of a target tissue with a laser beam in which the target tissue is immersed in a liquid medium within a body lumen. The laser device is configured to provide one or more laser pulses which are configured by a controller to have an energy sufficient to form one or more vapor bubbles in the liquid medium at the distal delivery end of the fiber. The one or more pulses are configured by the controller to: first, cause a vapor bubble to be formed distally of the distal end portion of the endoscope and around the distal delivery end of the optical fiber; second, cause a second bubble to be formed distally of the first bubble; and, third, inflate the second bubble as the first bubble has begun to collapse to expand an amount sufficient to displace a substantial portion of the liquid medium from the space between the distal delivery end of the fiber and the target tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes a male-connector body comprising at least one mating surface, and shaped to define a hollow core. A plurality of electrically-conductive male-connector terminals are coupled to the mating surface of the male-connector body. A longitudinal insert is configured to, by moving inside the hollow core, push the male-connector terminals radially outward. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one electrode configured to contact a body tissue of a living subject, and an electrosurgical generator, which is configured to drive radio-frequency electrical currents through the at least one electrode and to measure the electrical currents passing through the at least one electrode. The apparatus includes a neutral electrode configured for attachment to a body surface of the living subject. The apparatus also includes a switch connected between the neutral electrode and the generator, and a controller coupled to open and close the switch and to assess, based on a response of the measured electrical currents to opening and closing of the switch, whether the neutral electrode is attached to the body surface of the subject.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes a male-connector body comprising at least one mating surface, and shaped to define a hollow core. A plurality of electrically-conductive male-connector terminals are coupled to the mating surface of the male-connector body. A longitudinal insert is configured to, by moving inside the hollow core, push the male-connector terminals radially outward. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes a connector. The connector includes a connector body including at least one mating surface having a first longitudinal end, and a second longitudinal end that is narrower than the first longitudinal end. A plurality of electrically-conductive terminals are coupled to the mating surface of the connector body. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes a male-connector body comprising at least one mating surface, and shaped to define a hollow core. A plurality of electrically-conductive male-connector terminals are coupled to the mating surface of the male-connector body. A longitudinal insert is configured to, by moving inside the hollow core, push the male-connector terminals radially outward. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes a male-connector body comprising at least one mating surface, and shaped to define a hollow core. A plurality of electrically-conductive male-connector terminals are coupled to the mating surface of the male-connector body. A longitudinal insert is configured to, by moving inside the hollow core, push the male-connector terminals radially outward. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes a male-connector body comprising at least one mating surface, and shaped to define a hollow core. A plurality of electrically-conductive male-connector terminals are coupled to the mating surface of the male-connector body. A longitudinal insert is configured to, by moving inside the hollow core, push the male-connector terminals radially outward. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes a connector. The connector includes a connector body including at least one mating surface having a first longitudinal end, and a second longitudinal end that is narrower than the first longitudinal end. A plurality of electrically-conductive terminals are coupled to the mating surface of the connector body. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems facilitate catheterization of a living subject by passing a fluid through an irrigation conduit. Heat energy is delivered to the conduit to create a heated pod of irrigation fluid that propagates downstream from the heat source. A departure time of the pod from a first location in the conduit is recorded, and an arrival time of the pod is detected at a second location that is downstream from the first location. A transit time of the pod from the first location to the second location is determined, and the flow of the fluid is adjusted responsively to the transit time.

Abstract: Methods and systems facilitate catheterization of a living subject by passing a fluid through an irrigation conduit. Heat energy is delivered to the conduit to create a heated pod of irrigation fluid that propagates downstream from the heat source. A departure time of the pod from a first location in the conduit is recorded, and an arrival time of the pod is detected at a second location that is downstream from the first location. A transit time of the pod from the first location to the second location is determined, and the flow of the fluid is adjusted responsively to the transit time.

Abstract: A baseband receiver, consisting of a receiver input port, configured to receive a baseband signal generated in response to electrical activity in tissue of a human patient. The receiver includes a modulator, configured to modulate a local oscillator signal with the baseband signal, and an isolating device configured to receive the modulated local oscillator signal at an input port of the device and in response to generate a modulated output local oscillator signal at an output port of the device. The receiver further includes a demodulator configured to demodulate the modulated output local oscillator signal with the local oscillator signal so as to recover the baseband signal.

Abstract: A baseband receiver, consisting of a receiver input port, configured to receive a baseband signal generated in response to electrical activity in tissue of a human patient. The receiver includes a modulator, configured to modulate a local oscillator signal with the baseband signal, and an isolating device configured to receive the modulated local oscillator signal at an input port of the device and in response to generate a modulated output local oscillator signal at an output port of the device. The receiver further includes a demodulator configured to demodulate the modulated output local oscillator signal with the local oscillator signal so as to recover the baseband signal.