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: Within a delivery passage of a catheter, an elongated and flexible annuloplasty structure is transluminally advanced toward a heart of a subject while the annuloplasty structure is in a substantially linear configuration in which a distal end of the annuloplasty structure is closer than a proximal end of the annuloplasty structure to a distal opening of the catheter. Subsequently, the distal end of the annuloplasty structure is advanced, followed by the proximal end of the annuloplasty structure, out of the catheter and into an atrium of the heart. Within the atrium, the annuloplasty structure is transitioned toward a ring form by the distal end of the annuloplasty structure being brought towards the proximal end of the annuloplasty structure. While the annuloplasty structure remains in the ring form, the annuloplasty structure is placed against tissue of the annulus and is anchored to the tissue.

Abstract: A medical pump, comprising: a fluid housing having a plurality of intake openings, sealed by at least one intake valve, and an outlet opening sealed by an outlet valve; a piston which is sealing the fluid housing and connected to a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism pulls the piston to draw fluid from one of the plurality of intake openings and pushes the piston to discharge the fluid into the outlet opening; and a selecting valve enclosing at least two tubes, each providing fluid to one of the plurality of intake openings, wherein the selecting valve closes one of the at least two tubes while opening another of the at least two tubes.

Abstract: A medical pump, comprising: a fluid housing having a plurality of intake openings, sealed by at least one intake valve, and an outlet opening sealed by an outlet valve; a piston which is sealing the fluid housing and connected to a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism pulls the piston to draw fluid from one of the plurality of intake openings and pushes the piston to discharge the fluid into the outlet opening; and a selecting valve enclosing at least two tubes, each providing fluid to one of the plurality of intake openings, wherein the selecting valve closes one of the at least two tubes while opening another of the at least two tubes.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and devices usable for annuloplasty are provided. These can include an annuloplasty system comprising a segment having a lumen therethrough, the segment being positionable in a vicinity of a surface of a heart valve of a heart. The system can include a tube having a distal portion that is movable through the lumen of the segment and a distal end passable through an opening in the segment that is in fluid communication with the lumen. One or more tissue anchors are deliverable through the tube, the tissue anchor(s) being shaped so as to define a tissue coupling element. The distal portion of the tube can be removably positioned within the lumen of the segment, and, while so positioned, to deploy the tissue coupling element from the distal end of the tube in order to penetrate the tissue coupling element into cardiac tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: There is provided a system for mixed imaging modalities including impedance based analysis of a body portion of a patient, comprising: multi conductor busbar(s), each connected to a controller and at least two of multiple sensing components, a controller arranged to: iteratively perform: sequentially activate as a current source, a first sensing component previously un-used as the current source in earlier iterations, sequentially activating as a current sink, a second sensing component previously un-used as the current sink in earlier iterations, obtain surface voltages, by sequentially activating each of the other sensing components as a respective voltage sensor, and obtaining a respective voltage reading while alternating current is transmitted between the first and second sensing components, wherein the voltages and current obtained for each pair of first and second sensing component of each iteration are provided for computation of a 3D dataset of 3D impedance values of the body portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for occluding hollow body structures, such as blood vessels, and for attaching tissue layers together by providing implantable elements on opposite sides of the structure or tissue layers and drawing the implants together to occlude the body structure and/or bring the tissue layers together. The implants are deliverable in a low-profile configuration and self-expand to an enlarged configuration. The implantable elements are delivered by transfixing the body structure, then releasing the implants on opposite sides of the body structure and drawing the implants together to effect an occlusion or attachment. The implants are configured to apply oppositely directed forces to opposite surfaces of the tissue layers at alternate, circumferentially spaced locations and may constrain the tissue in a serpentine pattern or in a direct clamping pattern. The implants grip the tissue in a manner that defines a pressure zone about the transfixion aperture that prevents leakage from the aperture.

Abstract: A tympanoplatic patch applicator comprising: a handle disposed with a deployment control; a deployment stem comprising multiple nested sleeves connected to the handle; a patch configured to be affixed to the distal end of the deployment stem via an actuation filament embedded in the deployment stem; and a filament-based deployment system controllable by the deployment control, wherein the deployment stem is configured to position the patch at the internal side of a perforated tympanic membrane in the middle ear by introducing the patch into the ear canal and penetrating the perforated tympanic membrane with the distal end of the deployment stem, and wherein the filament-based deployment system is configured to release the patch from the distal end of the deployment stem, thereby deploying the patch on the internal side of the perforated tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A naso/orogastric device having backflow blocking means and comprises a naso/orogastric tube sized and shaped for being disposed within the esophagus so that at least a distal end thereof being placed in the stomach lumen of a patient, at least one elastic esophageal body, positioned along the naso/orogastric tube, having a pressure dependent volume, at least one esophageal sensor that detects fluid around at least one segment of the naso/orogastric tube, and a pressure regulator that regulates a pressure within the elastic esophageal body according to the detection.

Abstract: A medical pump, comprising: a fluid housing having a plurality of intake openings, sealed by at least one intake valve, and an outlet opening sealed by an outlet valve; a piston which is sealing the fluid housing and connected to a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism pulls the piston to draw fluid from one of the plurality of intake openings and pushes the piston to discharge the fluid into the outlet opening; and a selecting valve enclosing at least two tubes, each providing fluid to one of the plurality of intake openings, wherein the selecting valve closes one of the at least two tubes while opening another of the at least two tubes.

Abstract: A device for retarding birth, forming a lumen for surrounding a uterine cervix, the device including an upper ring for surrounding the uterine cervix, and an anchoring mechanism for anchoring the device on the cervix. A tool for inserting a device for retarding birth, the device including a device lumen for surrounding a uterine cervix, the tool including a plurality of rods attached to two rings, forming a longitudinal tool lumen, each rod including a connector for attaching to the device for retarding birth at a distal end of the rod, and a mechanism at a proximal end of the rod, for detaching the device for retarding birth at the distal end of the rod. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Within a delivery passage of a catheter, an elongated and flexible annuloplasty structure is transluminally advanced toward a heart of a subject while the annuloplasty structure is in a substantially linear configuration in which a distal end of the annuloplasty structure is closer than a proximal end of the annuloplasty structure to a distal opening of the catheter. Subsequently, the distal end of the annuloplasty structure is advanced, followed by the proximal end of the annuloplasty structure, out of the catheter and into an atrium of the heart. Within the atrium, the annuloplasty structure is transitioned toward a ring form by the distal end of the annuloplasty structure being brought towards the proximal end of the annuloplasty structure. While the annuloplasty structure remains in the ring form, the annuloplasty structure is placed against tissue of the annulus and is anchored to the tissue.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for delivering multiple tissue fasteners with needle and fastener assemblies each of which comprises a hollow needle adapted to be passed through tissue layers to be fastened, the needle containing a proximal and a distal implant, the implants being configured to self-expand when ejected from the needle, the implants being lockable to each other after ejection in response to drawing the implants together with tissue gripped between the implants.

Abstract: A tympanoplatic patch applicator comprising: a handle disposed with a deployment control; a deployment stem comprising multiple nested sleeves connected to the handle; a patch configured to be affixed to the distal end of the deployment stem via an actuation filament embedded in the deployment stem; and a filament-based deployment system controllable by the deployment control, wherein the deployment stem is configured to position the patch at the internal side of a perforated tympanic membrane in the middle ear by introducing the patch into the ear canal and penetrating the perforated tympanic membrane with the distal end of the deployment stem, and wherein the filament-based deployment system is configured to release the patch from the distal end of the deployment stem, thereby deploying the patch on the internal side of the perforated tympanic membrane.

Abstract: A medical pump, comprising: a fluid housing having a plurality of intake openings, sealed by at least one intake valve, and an outlet opening sealed by an outlet valve; a piston which is sealing the fluid housing and connected to a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism pulls the piston to draw fluid from one of the plurality of intake openings and pushes the piston to discharge the fluid into the outlet opening; and a selecting valve enclosing at least two tubes, each providing fluid to one of the plurality of intake openings, wherein the selecting valve closes one of the at least two tubes while opening another of the at least two tubes.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing mechanism for a fluid dispensing device, comprising an elastic sleeve surrounding a bag for filling with fluid for dispensing, the bag having a circumference and being folded at a plurality of folding locations around said circumference, thereby to unfold evenly under said sleeve during a filling process of pressurized filling of said bag with fluid, the mechanism further comprising an anchoring column. The bag is folded around the anchoring column.