Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a subject's body, vagina, vaginal fornix, uterus, and uterine artery. A fornix-engaging structure is inserted into the vagina and engages the vaginal fornix. A rod is inserted into the subject's body via the fornix-engaging structure, such that a distal end of the rod passes through vaginal tissue at a first vaginal site until the distal end of the rod is at a first extrauterine site outside of the uterine artery, but in a vicinity of a portion of the uterine artery that supplies a uterine fibroid. A rod-guide is coupled to the fornix-engaging structure, and guides the distal end of the rod to the first extrauterine site. A uterine artery compression device is disposed on the distal end of the rod. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A sleeve for use with a circulation enhancement device, the sleeve substantially encircles a user's leg at the region of the user's calf muscle and includes two end-straps of non-stretchable material configured to connect to opposite lateral sides of the circulation enhancement device to enable intermittent tightening and relaxing of the sleeve around the user's leg by pulling and releasing both end straps, the two end straps extend in opposite directions along a common longitudinal axis. At least one of the two end straps is connectable to the circulation enhancement device by passing through a loop in one of the opposite lateral sides of the circulation enhancement device; and at least one end strap includes attachment means configured to be attached at various positions along the sleeve, after passing through the loop, to enable adjusting the sleeve to fit the user's leg.

Abstract: An endotracheal device that comprises an endotracheal tube sized and shaped for being disposed within the trachea so that at least a distal segment thereof being placed in the windpipe lumen of a patient and at least one self expending element disposed around a peripheral surface of the endotracheal 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: 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 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: An iris retractor (10, 30, 50, 150, 170, 190, 200) including a plurality of hooks (12, 32, 52, 152, 172, 192, 202) disposed or formed at a distal end of slender elements (14, 34, 54, 154, 174, 194, 204), and a proximal handle (20, 40, 60, 176, 196, 206) at a proximal end of the slender elements (14, 34, 54, 154, 174, 194, 204), the slender elements (14, 34, 54, 154, 174, 194, 204) resiliently moving between retracted and expanded positions by manipulation of the slender elements, wherein in the retracted position, the hooks (12, 32, 52, 152, 172, 192, 202) are close to one another and the slender elements (14, 34, 54, 154, 174, 194, 204) are close to one another, and wherein in the expanded position, the hooks are separate and spaced apart from each other and distal portions of the slender elements are separate and spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: A fastener for attaching a device to a catheter used to mediate a procedure in a patient's body, the fastener dimensioned so that it and the device can be introduced into the patient's body with the catheter and comprising: a clutch controllable to lock the fastener onto and to unlock the fastener from the catheter; and a controller operable to control the clutch selectively to Clock onto and unlock from the catheter when the catheter and fastener are inside a body of a patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including at least one rigid structure configured to be inserted into a subject's fornix such that distal end of the rigid structure is at a site anterior to a perivascular adipose layer of at least one of the subject's left and right broad ligaments. At least one uterine artery compression device is placed posterior to the broad ligaments and compresses at least one of the subject's left and right uterine arteries by pressing the at least one broad ligament against the rigid structure. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable device for enhancing circulation in a limb comprising at least one strap for encircling the limb, a motor and a mechanism driven by said motor for intermittently actuating a first transition from a relaxed state to a strained state of the strap and a second transition from the strained state to the relaxed state. The mechanism includes at least one energy storing element operatively disposed between the motor and the strap and at least one energy releasing mechanism coupling between the energy storing element and the strap. The energy releasing mechanism enables fast release of energy stored in said storing element and the use of the energy so released to effectuate at least one abrupt transition between said relaxed and strained states.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for enhancing circulation by intermittently tightening and relaxing a closure encircling a limb. The device comprises a continuously operating motor, at least one rotating element and a mechanism driven by the motor for intermittently rotating the rotating element in a first direction to tighten the closure and in a second opposite direction to relax the closure, thereby applying a cyclic pressure on the limb.

Abstract: An assisted anastomosis apparatus and a method thereby for reconnecting the urethral stump to the neck of the bladder after removal of the prostate during a prostatectomy, comprising two suture units, namely a urethral stump suturing unit (1a) and a bladder suturing unit (1b), at least a section of said urethral stump suturing unit (1a) has suitable dimensions to be introduced into a bladder neck and at least a section of said bladder suturing unit (1b) has suitable dimensions to be introduced into a urethral stump; such that each needle pulls the suture leading from its equivalent position on the urethral stump through the wall of the bladder neck.

Abstract: The present invention provides a urethral catheter 200 adapted for anastomosis following radical prostatectomy, comprising an inflated activating balloon 60 adapted for concurrently (i) pressing said-bladder neck 140 to saidurethra stub 120; (ii) effectively stretching suture 90; (iii) activating locks 80 that non-reversibly catch saidsutures 90; and (iv) cutting saiddistal portion thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for repairing a valve of a heart of a patient which includes an annulus and at least first and second leaflets. The apparatus includes an annuloplasty structure, a plurality of tissue anchors, and a plurality of flexible longitudinal guide members removably coupled to the structure. Each of the guide members is configured to facilitate anchoring of the annuloplasty structure to the annulus of the patient by a respective one of the anchors. The guide members are configured to be advanced toward the annulus simultaneously with the annuloplasty structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a tube (421) shaped to define a tube lumen at least one implant (100) reversibly coupled to the tube (421), and configured for implantation within a body of a patient. The apparatus also comprises two or more longitudinal guide members (470) disposed at least in part along a distal portion of the tube (421), the longitudinal guide members (470) having distal portions thereof configured to be reversibly coupled to the implant (100), and arranged such that application of a force to a first one of the longitudinal guide members (470) steers the distal portion of the tube (421) toward a first location along the implant (100), and application of a force to a second one of the longitudinal guide members (470) steers the distal portion of the tube (421) toward a second location along the implant (100). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a subject's body, vagina, vaginal fornix, uterus, and uterine artery. A fornix-engaging structure is inserted into the vagina and engages the vaginal fornix. A rod is inserted into the subject's body via the fornix-engaging structure, such that a distal end of the rod passes through vaginal tissue at a first vaginal site until the distal end of the rod is at a first extrauterine site outside of the uterine artery, but in a vicinity of a portion of the uterine artery that supplies a uterine fibroid. A rod-guide is coupled to the fornix-engaging structure, and guides the distal end of the rod to the first extrauterine site. A uterine artery compression device is disposed on the distal end of the rod. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided, including distally advancing an implant through a urethra of a patient until the implant emerges in a bladder of the patient, and facilitating expanding of a pre-operative perimeter of a portion of the urethra to a post-operative perimeter of the portion of the urethra that is larger than the pre-operative perimeter by proximally retracting the implant and implanting the implant in prostate tissue surrounding the urethra. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anastamosis suturing device (ASD), comprising an integrated suturing mechanism comprising a plurality of suturing wires, each of the wires is incorporated within a set of distal and proximal threading needles being positioned in a similar angular orientation, selected inter alia from 12?, 2?, 4?, 6?, 8? and 10? o'clock. the middle portion of each of the wires is arranged in a stack arrangement. Each needle is either operated separately or integrally with at least one another.

Abstract: A suturing needle is disclosed having a main longitudinal axis, a distal sharp portion and proximal portion along said axis. The distal portion is hollowed, and the hollow is approximately parallel to said axis. A further embodiment of the suturing needle is disclosed such that the distal portion comprises a notched open bore located at the needle's extreme distal end. Other embodiments of the suturing assembly are described accommodating a suture in the needle bore.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a surgical equipment, having a proximal portion and a distal portion at least reversibly or temporarily interconnected along a main longitudinal axis (shaft P:D); said proximal portion is insertable into a body cavity, and having at least one manoeuvrable effecter; said effecter is adapted to be either manoeuvred linearly along said axis (linear effecter) or to be manoeuvred rotationally around said axis (rotational effecter); said distal portion comprising a handset located outside the body; said handset is adapted to manoeuvre said effecter with either a linear motion along said axis (linear handset) or a rotational motion around said axis (rotational handset); said effecter comprising a proximal effecting means and a distal converter; said converter translates either linear motion to rotational motion or rotational motion to linear motion; so as said rotational effecter is adaptable to a linear handset, and vice versa, a linear effecter is adaptable to a rotational handset.