Abstract: A method of changing a catheter into a distal steering tool catheter includes adding to an existing catheter a tube assembly that passes through the catheter, the tube assembly including an internal tube and an external tube whose distal ends are coupled to each other and which are arranged for longitudinal axial movement relative to one another, and providing a tube manipulator coupled to the tube assembly, which is operative to cause relative axial movement of the internal and external tubes and bending of a distal portion of at least one of the internal and external tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an implant including a tissue-adjusting member including a longitudinal member, and a tissue anchor coupled to the tissue-adjusting member and configured to be anchored into the tissue of the patient. A tissue-coupling element is coupled to the longitudinal member. A delivery tool is reversibly couplable to the implant and is configured to deliver the implant to the tissue of the patient. The delivery tool includes an elongate shaft, a tissue-coupling-element holder coupled to a portion of the elongate shaft, the tissue-coupling-element holder being configured to hold the tissue-coupling element during delivery of the implant to the tissue of the patient, and an actuating element configured to rotate the tissue anchor so as to facilitate anchoring of the tissue anchor into the tissue of the patient while not rotating the tissue-coupling-element holder with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide solid controlled-release penetrating member for exposure to the intestinal lumen environment and delivery of an active agent across or within the small intestine lumen wall and having a tissue penetrating tip, especially advantageous for active agents typically administered by injection. Optionally, the penetrating members include a tip coat or water insoluble extension of the controlled release formulation and/or an intestine environment protective component. Methods of using the penetrating members and arrays thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A syringe cartridge including a reservoir part and an extension extending from the reservoir part. The extension defining a fluid path and including a molding and a first needle extending from the molding. The extension turning to a finite angle with respect to an axis of the reservoir part and at least part of the first needle is likewise at the finite angle. At least some of the part of the first needle at the finite angle being enclosed within the molding of the fluid path. A drug delivery device may be used with the cartridge and includes a skin-contacting surface. In use the longitudinal axis of the interior of the cartridge may be disposed substantially parallel to the skin-contacting surface.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cartridge is described. An injection needle is inserted into a mold that forms a barrel. The barrel defines an open proximal end, an opposing distal end, an internal reservoir therebetween, and an arm projecting distally from the distal end of the barrel and having a portion bent at a fixed angle. The injection needle is positioned within a portion of the mold configured to form the arm of the barrel, and a terminal needle tip is oriented such that a beveled opening of the needle tip is distally facing. The injection needle is stabilized against movement with a gripping device. The mold is filled with resin to form the barrel around the injection needle. The gripping device is separated from the injection needle upon hardening of the resin.

Abstract: A method of connecting a cartridge having a connection feature to an automatic injector is described. The cartridge, while mechanically coupled with a plunger driver, is arranged into a receiving frame of the automatic injector. The cartridge is slid until reaching a distal stop. The connection feature is linked to an interference element of the receiving frame. The connection feature is slid, such that disconnection of the cartridge is inhibited. Forces generated by the plunger driver on the cartridge through the receiving frame are contained, thereby immobilizing the cartridge with respect to the automatic injector.

Abstract: A system for medicament delivery includes a cartridge containing a medicament and in fluid communication with a needle, where the needle is enveloped by a needle cap, a housing for containing the cartridge and having an orifice for allowing access to said needle cap and its associated needle, and a needle cap remover device.

Abstract: An automatic injector for delivering a pharmaceutical substance from a reservoir of a cartridge, the cartridge interconnected to a needle at its distal end and mechanically coupled to a plunger driver at its proximal end, the injector comprising a connecting feature on the cartridge a contact surface for contacting an injection site a frame connected to the contact surface, the frame having an interference element with a distal stop, the interference element sized to slidably link to the connecting feature and allow the cartridge to slide up to the distal stop, a snap element allowing the interference element to receive the connection feature, but inhibiting disconnection of the cartridge; the frame further comprising a driver mount, for fixedly containing a plunger driver, the driver for driving a plunger to empty the reservoir of the cartridge through the needle to inject fluid from the reservoir into the injection subject.

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: Disclosed is a cover for an injector having a needle, a needle cap, and a needle cap remover, the cap remover being a coupler for a needle cap and a user handle, the user handle having a protruding element opposite the coupler, the protruding element having a short dimension and a long dimension, the cover comprising: at least one adhesive layer covering a surface of an outside of the injector; at least one liner layer, covering the adhesive layer, an extension extending beyond the surface; a first aperture through the adhesive layer and the liner layer aligned to an opening in the surface, the first aperture sized and shaped for passage of the coupler therethrough; and a second elongated aperture, through the extension, having a length being shorter than the short dimension and shorter than the long dimension of the protruding element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pharmaceutical delivery device comprising a cartridge containing a fluid, the cartridge including a light pipe section which acts as a light pipe having an input location; and a light diffusing section optically coupled to the light pipe; and a light source optically coupled to the cartridge at the input location to the light pipe, such that at least some light from the light source entering at the input location is diffused at the light diffusing section.

Abstract: An ingestible pill (1220, 1320) is provided including a medication-delivery device (1224, 1324), which is configured to deliver a medication (52) and includes a patch (1230, 1330) (a) having upper and lower surfaces (1232, 1234) that face in generally opposite directions, (b) disposed within an enteric coating (22) in a compressed shape (1242), (c) configured to assume an expanded shape (1244) after the enteric coating (22) dissolves. The patch (1230, 1330) includes a chamber (1270) defined by (a) a substantially water-impermeable and substantially gas-impermeable, elastic layer (1274) shaped so as to define at least one window (1276) therethrough, and (b) a liquid-permeable and substantially gas-impermeable wetting layer (1278), which entirely covers the at least one window (1276) and is sealed to the elastic layer (1274) around the at least one window (1276).

Abstract: A method of obtaining a tissue specimen includes moving a biopsy needle through a vasculature and through a wall of a blood vessel at a target site. At the target site, the biopsy needle forms a puncture through a wall of said blood vessel at a non-perpendicular angle so that an inner-wall opening of the puncture is further downstream from an outer-wall opening of the puncture. The biopsy needle resects a portion of tissue. The biopsy needle reenters the puncture with the portion of the tissue trapped therein. The biopsy needle is withdrawn from the vasculature for subsequent inspection of the tissue.

Abstract: An implant structure, comprises a body portion, a first adjusting mechanism, and a second adjusting mechanism. The body portion is configured to be secured within a heart of a patient. The first adjusting mechanism is coupled to a first portion of the body portion, and comprises a first ring that surrounds the first portion and is moveable with respect to the body portion. The second adjusting mechanism is coupled to a second portion of the body portion, and comprises a second ring that surrounds the second portion and is moveable with respect to the body portion. A first elongate tool is configured to remodel tissue of the heart by actuating the first adjusting mechanism. A second elongate tool is configured to remodel tissue of the heart by actuating the second adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: An implant comprises an anchor that comprises a helical tissue-coupling element. A tool is configured to advance the implant to a heart of a subject, and to position the anchor at tissue of the heart such that the implant extends from the anchor proximally away from the tissue. The tool comprises a tube having a distal end coupled to the implant, and a deployment manipulator. The deployment manipulator extends through the tube to the anchor disposed distally beyond the tube, and is configured to anchor the anchor to the tissue. Presence of the deployment manipulator through the distal end of the tube maintains the coupling between the distal end of the tube and the implant. Other embodiments are also described.

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: A pharmaceutical delivery device includes a cartridge containing a fluid. The cartridge includes a light pipe section having an input location and a light diffusing section optically coupled to the light pipe. A light source is optically coupled to the cartridge at the input location to the light pipe, such that at least some light from the light source entering at the input location is diffused at the light diffusing section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an autoinjector includes supplying a preloaded syringe including a sterile needle and a needle cover, a preassembled distal housing portion including an adhesive base on a distal end thereof and a channel for insertion of the preloaded syringe, and a proximal housing portion including a motor and a transmission. An activation device is supplied and the preloaded syringe is slid longitudinally through an opening in a proximal end of the distal housing portion into the channel. A distal end of the proximal housing portion is joined to a proximal end of the distal housing portion.