Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device having first and second longitudinal ends, the device having a length of less than 80 mm when the device is unconstrained. The device includes struts arranged such that, when the device is unconstrained, along a continuous portion of the device having a length that is at least 5 mm, a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts is more than 1.5 times as great as a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts within longitudinal portions of the device within 3 mm of the longitudinal ends of the device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device shaped to define (a) at least two artery-contact regions, the artery-contact regions comprising struts that are configured to stretch an arterial wall by applying pressure to the arterial wall, and (b) at least two crimping regions that comprise locking mechanisms configured to prevent the crimping regions from becoming crimped due to pressure from the wall of the artery on the artery-contact regions. The crimping regions are configured to be crimped during insertion of the device, via a catheter, by the locking mechanisms being unlocked during insertion of the device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly includes a central optical fiber core having a longitudinal axis surrounded by a cladding layer along the longitudinal axis, a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; it further comprises a layer of a material at least partially surrounding the cladding layer; the layer of material may be light-sensitive; and, at least two electrodes may be embedded at least partially along the longitudinal axis within the layer of light-sensitive material. The light-sensitive material may be a photoresist material, and the photoresist material characteristics change proportional to the amount of light impinging on the photoresist material. These characteristics may include one or more of electrical resistance changes or voltage changes.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a body lumen includes an operator unit which may be hand held by an operator. A cannula is operatively associated with the operator unit and the cannula includes two parallel lumens. At least one of two lumens terminates at its distal end before the distal end of the other lumen and wherein one of the two lumens is contained at most partially within the other lumen.

Abstract: A multiple cavity laser system includes: a controller configured to operate the system as well as a plurality of laser cavities, each of the laser cavities having an output end wherein, when activated by the controller, an output laser beam is emitted from the output end of each of the laser cavities. The output laser beams when activated are directed, either directly or indirectly, to a rotating mirror. The rotating mirror is operatively connected to the controller and a servo motor. The servo motor, under direction of the controller, redirects the output laser beams along a common optical axis and the output laser beams of the plurality of laser cavities are combined along the common optical axis.

Abstract: A multiple cavity laser system includes: a controller configured to operate the system as well as a plurality of laser cavities, each of the laser cavities having an output end wherein, when activated by the controller, an output laser beam is emitted from the output end of each of the laser cavities. The output laser beams when activated are directed, either directly or indirectly, to a rotating mirror. The rotating mirror is operatively connected to the controller and a servo motor. The servo motor, under direction of the controller, redirects the output laser beams along a common optical axis and the output laser beams of the plurality of laser cavities are combined along the common optical axis.

Abstract: Laser safety glasses for use in laser medical and cosmetic procedures on a patient include a pair of safety glasses wherein the safety glasses include a pair of lenses, one or more of the lenses being structured to absorb one or more predetermined wavelengths of laser energy light; a screen is mounted on at least one lens of the pair of lenses, the screen being operatively associated with a system one of internal or external to the glasses configured to generate and provide information regarding the medical or cosmetic procedure to a wearer of the laser safety glasses through the screen.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a body lumen includes an operator unit which may be hand held by an operator. A cannula is operatively associated with the operator unit and the cannula includes two parallel lumens. At least one of two lumens terminates at its distal end before the distal end of the other lumen and wherein one of the two lumens is contained at most partially within the other lumen.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly includes a central optical fiber core having a longitudinal axis surrounded by a cladding layer along the longitudinal axis, a distal end portion and a proximal end portion; it further comprises a layer of a material at least partially surrounding the cladding layer; the layer of material may be light-sensitive; and, at least two electrodes may be embedded at least partially along the longitudinal axis within the layer of light-sensitive material. The light-sensitive material may be a photoresist material, and the photoresist material characteristics change proportional to the amount of light impinging on the photoresist material. These characteristics may include one or more of electrical resistance changes or voltage changes.

Abstract: A multiple cavity laser system includes: a controller configured to operate the system as well as a plurality of laser cavities, each of the laser cavities having an output end wherein, when activated by the controller, an output laser beam is emitted from the output end of each of the laser cavities. The output laser beams when activated are directed, either directly or indirectly, to a rotating mirror. The rotating mirror is operatively connected to the controller and a servo motor. The servo motor, under direction of the controller, redirects the output laser beams along a common optical axis and the output laser beams of the plurality of laser cavities are combined along the common optical axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device having first and second longitudinal ends, the device having a length of less than 80 mm when the device is unconstrained. The device includes struts arranged such that, when the device is unconstrained, along a continuous portion of the device having a length that is at least 5 mm, a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts is more than 1.5 times as great as a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts within longitudinal portions of the device within 3 mm of the longitudinal ends of the device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device having first and second longitudinal ends, the device having a length of less than 80 mm when the device is unconstrained. The device includes struts arranged such that, when the device is unconstrained, along a continuous portion of the device having a length that is at least 5 mm, a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts is more than 1.5 times as great as a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts within longitudinal portions of the device within 3 mm of the longitudinal ends of the device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a blood vessel of a subject. An annular antenna is placed inside the blood vessel such that radial expansion of the antenna is limited by a circumference of the blood vessel. A transmitter generates an inductive current in the antenna, by transmitting RF energy toward the antenna. A control unit measures the inductive current in the antenna, and, in response thereto, determines a physiological parameter of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a blood vessel of a subject, including a stent (20) configured to be placed in the blood vessel. The stent includes at least first (32), second (34), and third (36) strut portions disposed along the stent. The first and second strut portions are coupled to one another at a first junction (37A) that facilitates bending of the first and second strut portions with respect to one another. The second and third strut portions are coupled to one another at a second junction (37B) that facilitates bending of the second and third strut portions with respect to one another. At least one electrode (22) is disposed on at least an outer surface of the stent. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Laser safety glasses for use in laser medical and cosmetic procedures on a patient include a pair of safety glasses wherein the safety glasses include a pair of lenses, one or more of the lenses being structured to absorb one or more predetermined wavelengths of laser energy light; a screen is mounted on at least one lens of the pair of lenses, the screen being operatively associated with a system one of internal or external to the glasses configured to generate and provide information regarding the medical or cosmetic procedure to a wearer of the laser safety glasses through the screen.

Abstract: A multiple cavity laser system includes: a controller configured to operate the system as well as a plurality of laser cavities, each of the laser cavities having an output end wherein, when activated by the controller, an output laser beam is emitted from the output end of each of the laser cavities. The output laser beams when activated are directed, either directly or indirectly, to a rotating mirror. The rotating mirror is operatively connected to the controller and a servo motor. The servo motor, under direction of the controller, redirects the output laser beams along a common optical axis and the output laser beams of the plurality of laser cavities are combined along the common optical axis.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a body lumen includes an operator unit which may be hand held by an operator. A cannula is operatively associated with the operator unit and the cannula includes two parallel lumens. At least one of two lumens terminates at its distal end before the distal end of the other lumen and wherein one of the two lumens is contained at most partially within the other lumen.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a blood vessel of a subject, including a stent (20) configured to be placed in the blood vessel. The stent includes at least first (32), second (34), and third (36) strut portions disposed along the stent. The first and second strut portions are coupled to one another at a first junction (37A) that facilitates bending of the first and second strut portions with respect to one another. The second and third strut portions are coupled to one another at a second junction (37B) that facilitates bending of the second and third strut portions with respect to one another. At least one electrode (22) is disposed on at least an outer surface of the stent. Other applications are also described.