Abstract: The present invention provides a portable handheld static-electricity generator and a method thereof for alleviating pain in at least one portion of patient's body, comprising: a movable brush, a polymer assembly comprising a rubbing-surface portion upon which the brush rubs and an automatically-operated mechanical unit. The polymer assembly having affinity to a defined charge such that when the movable brush rubs the rubbing-surface of the polymer assembly for a predefined time a static electricity is generated.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an intracardiac annuloplasty structure configured for placement on an annulus of a heart valve, a first rotatable ring coupled to the annuloplasty structure and a second rotatable ring coupled to the annuloplasty structure. The first and second rotatable rings are arranged such that the first rotatable ring is rotatable to contract the annuloplasty structure while the second rotatable ring remains stationary, and the second rotatable ring is rotatable to contract the annuloplasty structure while the first rotatable ring remains stationary. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system for occluding a hollow structure, the system comprising: a plurality of occluders; and an applicator for storing the plurality of occluders and serially delivering the occluders so as to occlude the hollow structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for clamping tissue layers and occluding hollow anatomical structures are disclosed.

Abstract: An iris retractor made of two slender elements operatively coupled via a joining mechanism, wherein each slender element has an iris grabbing hook located at its distal end; and a handle located at the proximal end of the slender element, wherein the joining mechanism is configured to endow the iris retractor with at least two configurations: a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the length of each slender element is between 4 mm to 14 mm.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a plurality of helical tissue anchors and an intracardiac annuloplasty structure defining a plane for placement on a heart valve annulus. The annuloplasty structure includes a plurality of compressible subunits, and a plurality of anchor mounts alternately disposed with respect to the plurality of compressible subunits. Each anchor mount (a) defines at least one opening for passage therethrough of a respective helical tissue anchor, (b) defines a path for passage therethrough of the helical tissue anchor, the path being aligned along an axis that is at a non-zero angle with respect to the plane of the annuloplasty structure, and (c) provides a structural element in the path for corkscrewing a distal portion of the helical tissue anchor therearound. Other embodiments are also described.

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: Apparatus is provided, including an intracardiac annuloplasty structure. A first adjustment member has an end at a first location at first portions of the annuloplasty structure that are opposite each other. A second adjustment member has an end at a second location at the second portions of the annuloplasty structure that are opposite each other. The annuloplasty structure, the first-adjustment-member end, and the second-adjustment-member end are disposed within a catheter during delivery. After delivery, the first-adjustment-member end is moveable with respect to the annuloplasty structure toward and away from a plane of the annuloplasty structure to adjust a relative disposition of the first portions, and the second-adjustment-member end is moveable independently of the first-adjustment-member end and with respect to the annuloplasty structure toward and away from the plane to adjust a relative disposition of the second portions. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A feeding tube device for postpyloric feeding that comprises a bendable feeding tube having a proximal end, a central portion and, and a distal end and a delivery lumen therealong for conducting a digestible substance therethrough, an imaging unit having an image sensor mounted on a tip of the distal end to image an imaging space thereinfront, and a tilting mechanism for tilting the distal end in relation to the central portion. The distal end has at least one lateral tilt and feeding opening therealong for delivering the digestible substance therethrough, the at least one lateral tilt and feeding opening are laid out so that when the tilting mechanism tilts the distal end the at least one lateral tilt and feeding opening narrows.

Abstract: A naso/orogastric device that comprises a naso/orogastric tube sized and shaped for being disposed within the esophagus so that at least a distal segment thereof being placed in the stomach lumen of a patient and at least one self expending element disposed around a peripheral surface of the naso/orogastric tube and having a first thickness in a compressed state and a second thickness in an expanded state, the at least one self expending element switching from the compressed state to the expanded state when absorbing moisture. The first thickness is thinner than the second thickness.

Abstract: An iris retractor made of two slender elements operatively coupled via a joining mechanism, wherein each slender element has an iris grabbing hook located at its distal end; and a handle located at the proximal end of the slender element, wherein the joining mechanism is configured to endow the iris retractor with at least two configurations: a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the length of each slender element is between 4 mm to 14 mm.

Abstract: An iris retractor made of two slender elements operatively coupled via a joining mechanism, wherein each slender element has an iris grabbing hook located at its distal end; and a handle located at the proximal end of the slender element, wherein the joining mechanism is configured to endow the iris retractor with at least two configurations: a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the length of each slender element is between 4 mm to 14 mm.

Abstract: An iris retractor made of two slender elements operatively coupled via a joining mechanism, wherein each slender element has an iris grabbing hook located at its distal end; and a handle located at the proximal end of the slender element, wherein the joining mechanism is configured to endow the iris retractor with at least two configuration: a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the length of each slender element is between 4 mm to 14 mm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for delivering multiple occluders laparoscopically, percutaneously, and for open surgical procedures. Occluders can be delivered in a minimally invasive procedure to a hollow structure such as a blood vessel. The device allows occlusion without requiring catheterization or extraction of the needle from the body between occluder deployments. An occluder delivery device similar to a syringe is provided that injects occluders directly to the region of interest. The device can hold several occluders at a time, so that multiple occluders can be delivered to a desired location or to multiple nearby locations with only a single injection of the delivery needle.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an intracardiac annuloplasty structure. A first adjustment member has an end at a first location at first portions of the annuloplasty structure that are opposite each other. A second adjustment member has an end at a second location at the second portions of the annuloplasty structure that are opposite each other. The annuloplasty structure, the first-adjustment-member end, and the second-adjustment-member end are disposed within a catheter during delivery. After delivery, the first-adjustment-member end is moveable with respect to the annuloplasty structure toward and away from a plane of the annuloplasty structure to adjust a relative disposition of the first portions, and the second-adjustment-member end is moveable independently of the first-adjustment-member end and with respect to the annuloplasty structure toward and away from the plane to adjust a relative disposition of the second portions. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an intracardiac annuloplasty structure configured for placement on an annulus of a heart valve, a first rotatable ring coupled to the annuloplasty structure and a second rotatable ring coupled to the annuloplasty structure. The first and second rotatable rings are arranged such that the first rotatable ring is rotatable to contract the annuloplasty structure while the second rotatable ring remains stationary, and the second rotatable ring is rotatable to contract the annuloplasty structure while the first rotatable ring remains stationary. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a plurality of helical tissue anchors and an intracardiac annuloplasty structure defining a plane for placement on a heart valve annulus. The annuloplasty structure includes a plurality of compressible subunits, and a plurality of anchor mounts alternately disposed with respect to the plurality of compressible subunits. Each anchor mount (a) defines at least one opening for passage therethrough of a respective helical tissue anchor, (b) defines a path for passage therethrough of the helical tissue anchor, the path being aligned along an axis that is at a non-zero angle with respect to the plane of the annuloplasty structure, and (c) provides a structural element in the path for corkscrewing a distal portion of the helical tissue anchor therearound. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An articulating medical instrument comprising of: a substantially straight proximal segment; a substantially straight distal segment; an articulation mechanism having a straight configuration in which the proximal and distal segments form a substantially straight line and at least one articulated configuration in which the proximal and distal segments form an articulation angle of less than 180 degrees between the segments, the articulation mechanism being configured for increasing or decreasing the articulation angle; and one or more drive mechanisms configured for transferring force from the proximal segment to the distal segment, wherein the drive mechanism does not follow substantially straight lines between the proximal and distal segments passing through the apex of the articulation angle.

Abstract: A new device for suturing a first hollow organ to a second hollow organ, comprising: a guiding-shaft, configured for temporary attachment to a fastenable-suture and guidance of the same via the tissues of the first and second hollow organs; and a foldable arm, configured to receive the guiding-shaft with the fastenable-suture. The device configured to manipulate the guiding-shaft and the foldable arm via the lumens of the first and second hollow organs, such that the fastenable-suture is guided and fastened to a tied-suture in a single act. According to a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises at least one additional guiding-shaft, for at least one additional fastenable-suture and at least one additional foldable arm; such that at least two independent tied-sutures are simultaneously delivered, from the lumens of the first and second hollow organs, in a single act.

Abstract: A method for performing an annuloplasty includes positioning an annuloplasty ring structure along an atrial surface of an annulus of a heart valve. While a distal portion of a tube is longitudinally advanced through a channel of the ring structure, it faces a first portion of tissue of the annulus. A first tissue anchor is anchored to the first portion of tissue, from within the channel, while the distal end of the tube faces the first portion of the tissue. After moving the distal portion of the tube to a second portion of the structure, the second portion of the structure is anchored to a second portion of tissue by anchoring a second tissue anchor to the second portion of the tissue while the distal end of the tube faces the second portion of the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.