Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivery of a drug to a recipient. In some embodiments, the delivery apparatus may unseal a drug containing reservoir. In some embodiments, the delivery rate may be controlled and/or adjustable. Optionally the apparatus may be disposable. Optionally, the apparatus may have a low profile and/or be wearable and/or attachable to the recipient. Optionally, discharge of the drug and/or unsealing of the reservoir may be driven by a plunger moving parallel to the base of the apparatus. Optionally, the apparatus may release a hypodermic needle into the recipient. Optionally, release of the hypodermic needle may be in a direction non-parallel and/or orthogonal to the direction of movement of the plunger. Optionally, prior to release, the hypodermic needle may be preserved in an aseptic state by a needle opening septum sealing a needle opening. Optionally, upon release, the hypodermic needle may pierce the needle opening septum.

Abstract: An aspect of some embodiments of the current application is a doorstop to a drug delivery apparatus that encourages a user of the apparatus to perform the proper usage steps in the proper order. For example, a user may be expected to receive an injector in a transport state, open it to an open state, insert a cartridge, and/or close the cartridge before operation. The doorstop may have an obstructing mode, optionally preventing closing of the door. The cartridge may optionally have a non-obstructing mode allowing closing of the door. Inserting the cartridge may optionally cause a doorstop to move from the obstructing mode to the non-obstructing mode. In the non-obstructing mode the doorstop may optionally prevent removal of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivery of a drug to a recipient. In some embodiments, the delivery apparatus may unseal a drug containing reservoir. In some embodiments, the delivery rate may be controlled and/or adjustable. Optionally the apparatus may be disposable. Optionally, the apparatus may have a low profile and/or be wearable and/or attachable to the recipient. Optionally, discharge of the drug and/or unsealing of the reservoir may be driven by a plunger moving parallel to the base of the apparatus. Optionally, the apparatus may release a hypodermic needle into the recipient. Optionally, release of the hypodermic needle may be in a direction non-parallel and/or orthogonal to the direction of movement of the plunger. Optionally, prior to release, the hypodermic needle may be preserved in an aseptic state by a needle opening septum sealing a needle opening. Optionally, upon release, the hypodermic needle may pierce the needle opening septum.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of a method of controlling timing and/or dosage of a transdermal drug patch. For example, a control device operative to move the patch to one or more of a plurality of operational relationships with a skin of a patient, including being fully engaged with the skin, partially engaged with the skin, and disengaged with the skin. The device may include a roller that peels a patch on and off the skin. Optionally a convention patch is used. In some embodiments a patch and/or an adaptor has a mobile zone and an immobile zone. In some embodiments, an active surface of the patch fully contacts the skin in an engaged state. For example the patch may be attached to the device on a passive portion thereof.

Abstract: An add-on for a self-injector including an adaptor including at least one coupling sized and shaped to couple the adaptor to a fluid reservoir, a bent fluid path configured at a first end to penetrate tissue and coupled at a second end to said adaptor. The add-on coupled to the fluid reservoir forms an integral self-injector cartridge unit configured to be sterilized and filled with an injectable. The adaptor is configured to couple to a self-injector at least one of a plurality of reservoirs having different sizes and tip types.

Abstract: An autoinjector including a syringe, a driver for driving the plunger of the syringe and a stabilizing adaptor for holding the injector on the skin of a patient is provided. The stabilizing adaptor has an adhesive base with a long axis to short axis ratio of at least 1.5 to 1. The syringe is orientated with its axis at an angle of between 60 and 120 degrees to the base during operation of the autoinjector.

Abstract: An injector including at least one fluid reservoir having a needle, a surface attached to skin and coupled to the fluid reservoir by at least a first joint and a second joint at least a portion of one of the joints being slidable or having interlocking arms. At least a portion of a path of translation of a slidable portion of the first joint and a portion of a path of translation of the second joint are angled in respect to each another.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pharmaceutical syringe having a cylindrical bore with a proximal opening, the syringe comprising a distal wall of the bore defining an outlet biased from the central axis of the syringe, and toward a first area of the distal wall and biased from the central axis away from a second area distinct from the first area; the syringe comprising a plunger seal having a distal surface; wherein when the plunger seal is fitted into the bore with the distal surface facing an inner surface of the distal wall of the bore, the second area of the inner surface is axially closer to the distal surface of the plunger seal than the first area, in a direction parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical bore, such that fluid is expelled from the second area and towards the outlet.

Abstract: A cartridge comprising a reservoir part and an extension extending from said reservoir part, said extension defining a fluid path and comprising a molding and a first needle extending from said molding, the extension turning to a finite angle with respect to an axis of said reservoir part and wherein at least part of said first needle is likewise at said finite angle, at least some of said part of said first needle at said finite angle being enclosed within said molding of said 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: An apparatus including an implant configured to be coupled to cardiac tissue of a patient, the implant including a sleeve; a spool coupled to the implant; a flexible contracting member coupled to the spool and the sleeve such that winding the contracting member around the spool tightens the contracting member; and a tissue anchor including a distal tissue coupling element configured to couple the tissue anchor to the cardiac tissue of the patient; and a proximal implant-receiving element configured to receive at least a portion of the implant and facilitate coupling of the implant to the tissue anchor; and a proximal implant-receiving element including an implant-restraining element coupled to a portion of the implant-receiving element, the implant-restraining element being configured to restrain the implant from separating from the implant-receiving element.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for driving a plunger in a drug reservoir. In some embodiments, a variable friction element interconnects between a pushing shaft and a wall of the reservoir. For example, rotation of a driving element in a first direction relative to the pushing shaft may advance the pushing shaft in the reservoir. The friction element may have increased friction resistance to rotation of the pushing shaft in the first direction in comparison to frictional resistance to advancing the pushing shaft. For example, the increased friction may result from wedging a radial element between the pushing shaft and the wall of the reservoir.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal apparatus (200) is provided for use with a fluid pressure source (240). The gastrointestinal apparatus (200) includes a guiding element (214), adapted to be inserted into a colon, and a piston head (220) coupled to a distal portion of the guiding element (214). The piston head (220) is adapted to be inflated to form a first pressure seal between the piston head (220) and a wall of the colon after the guiding element (214) has been inserted into the colon, and be advanced distally through the colon in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source (240) applied to an external surface of the piston head (220). The apparatus (200) further includes a gastrointestinal tool (210) adapted to be advanced along the guiding element (214), and an annular balloon (228) coupled around a distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210), the balloon (228) expandable to form a second pressure seal between the distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210) and the wall of the colon.

Abstract: Apparatuses and devices usable for annuloplasty are provided. These can include a plurality of helical tissue anchors and an annuloplasty structure for placement on a heart valve annulus. The annuloplasty structure can include a plurality of compressible or adjustable subunits, and a plurality of anchor mounts alternately disposed with respect to the plurality of compressible/adjustable subunits. The anchor mounts are coupleable to the helical anchors and can define a path for passage therethrough of a respective helical tissue anchor. The apparatuses and devices can be independently adjustable and can be adjustable for treating various sizes of patient annuli. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatuses and devices usable for annuloplasty are provided. These can include a plurality of tissue anchors and an annuloplasty structure for placement on a heart valve annulus. The annuloplasty structure can include a plurality of compressible or adjustable subunits, and a plurality of anchor mounts alternately disposed with respect to the plurality of compressible/adjustable subunits. The anchor mounts are coupleable to the tissue anchors and can define a path for passage therethrough of a respective tissue anchor. The apparatuses and devices can be independently adjustable and can be adjustable for treating various sizes of patient annuli. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Anchor deployment systems and tools are provided. An anchor deployment tool can include a flexible tube including a distal anchor manipulation portion. The tool can also include a deployment element, which is positionable within the flexible tube, and is configured to, while the distal anchor manipulation portion is proximate an implantable device, (i) engage the anchors in the flexible tube, (ii) advance each of the anchors in a distal direction to the distal anchor manipulation portion, and (iii) anchor the implantable device to tissue of a subject by deploying each of the tissue anchors through the implantable device and into the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for repairing a cardiac valve, the apparatus including a catheter sized for delivery through vasculature of a subject and an elongated and flexible annuloplasty structure having an elongated lumen and an annuloplasty structure axis extending along the lumen. The annuloplasty structure is sized and configured for delivery to a heart of the subject through the catheter substantially along a catheter axis of the catheter while the annuloplasty structure axis is substantially parallel to the catheter axis. The apparatus also includes a plurality of anchors configured for delivery to a region of cardiac tissue from a proximal end of the catheter toward a distal end of the catheter and substantially along the annuloplasty structure axis and the catheter axis while at least a portion of the annuloplasty structure is within a delivery passage of the catheter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A variable flexibility adhesive system may adhere a surface of a medical infusion device to the skin of a user. The system may be configured to hold a location on the surface stationary with respect to a site on the user's skin. The system may include an adhesive substrate for adhering to the user and an interface where the substrate is held to the surface of the device. The interface may totally and/or partially surround the stationary location. A skirt of the substrate may totally and/or partially surround the interface. Parts of the skirt may be stiffened. Optional features may include tabs for activation of the adhesive and/or a location for peeling the infuser away from the skin. Additionally or alternatively, the interface may have variable flexibility. Additionally or alternatively, the stiffener may include a plastic layer.

Abstract: A method for selectively powering a battery-operated drug-delivery device, the device having a battery and a battery circuit, the method comprising: providing a battery isolator in a first position whereat it interrupts a battery circuit, whereby no power is provided to the device; and activating a fastening mechanism configured for fastening the device to a user, the activating causing the battery circuit to be uninterrupted by the isolator, such that power is provided to the device. Additionally, there is provided a selectively powered battery-operated drug-delivery device, comprising: a selectively-removable isolator disposed in a first position whereat it interrupts a battery circuit; the isolator movable to a second position whereat the battery circuit is uninterrupted by the isolator; and a mechanism for fastening the device to a user, activation of the fastening mechanism moving the isolator from the first position to the second position.