Abstract: A tool actuation connector includes a tool activation interface, a longitudinal lock interface and a rotation lock interface. The tool actuation connector includes a latching spring, an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The latching spring includes a plurality of spring hooks, for coupling with the tool activation interface. The inner sleeve is operable to longitudinally move relative to the latching spring. The inner sleeve couples the latching spring to the activation interface when the inner sleeve is located over the latching spring and releases the latching spring from the activation interface when the inner sleeve moves away from the latching spring toward the proximal direction. The outer sleeve is rotationally locked with the inner sleeve and is operable to longitudinally move relative to the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is further operable to rotationally lock with the tool via the rotation lock interface.

Abstract: A link for an articulation arm includes a vertebra, two outer bearing portions, two inner bearing portions and four control bore holes. The vertebra has a first base and a second base. The two outer bearing portions are formed on the first base and are located on a radial line of the first base. The two inner bearing portions are formed on the second base and are located on a radial line of the second base. The two of the four control bore holes enter the second base and exit a respective one of the outer bearing portions. The other two of the control bore holes enter the first base and exit a respective one of the inner bearing portions.

Abstract: An implant system is provided, which includes an implant, including an implant body and an electrode disposed on the implant body; and a hollow needle, which is configured to be percutaneously advanceable into tissue of a subject. The hollow needle is shaped so as to define a lumen dimensioned to house the implant; at a distal end of the hollow needle, a distal end opening configured to facilitate passage of the implant therethrough from the lumen; and a lateral wall shaped so as to define a window therethrough to the lumen. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for suturing tissue, comprising: a needle having a beveled opening and housing multiple anchors, wherein each of said anchors comprises an elongated tubular body and a loop connected to said tubular body, and wherein a thread is threaded sequentially through the loops; and a pushrod configured to push each of said anchors towards the opening of said needle, to extract each respective anchor from the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for suturing tissue, comprising: a needle having a beveled opening and housing multiple anchors, wherein each of said anchors comprises an elongated tubular body and a loop connected to said tubular body, and wherein a thread is threaded sequentially through the loops; and a pushrod configured to push each of said anchors towards the opening of said needle, to extract each respective anchor from the opening.

Abstract: A tool actuation connector includes a tool activation interface, a longitudinal lock interface and a rotation lock interface. The tool actuation connector includes a latching spring, an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve. The latching spring includes a plurality of spring hooks, for coupling with the tool activation interface. The inner sleeve is operable to longitudinally move relative to the latching spring. The inner sleeve couples the latching spring to the activation interface when the inner sleeve is located over the latching spring and releases the latching spring from the activation interface when the inner sleeve moves away from the latching spring toward the proximal direction. The outer sleeve is rotationally locked with the inner sleeve and is operable to longitudinally move relative to the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is further operable to rotationally lock with the tool via the rotation lock interface.

Abstract: A link for an articulation arm includes a vertebra, two outer bearing portions, two inner bearing portions and four control bore holes. The vertebra has a first base and a second base. The two outer bearing portions are formed on the first base and are located on a radial line of the first base. The two inner bearing portions are formed on the second base and are located on a radial line of the second base. The two of the four control bore holes enter the second base and exit a respective one of the outer bearing portions. The other two of the control bore holes enter the first base and exit a respective one of the inner bearing portions.

Abstract: Apparatus for percutaneously occluding a hollow structure, said apparatus comprising: an occluder, said occluder comprising a first component and a second component, wherein said first component is configured so that it may assume (i) a diametrically-reduced configuration for disposition within the lumen of a hollow tube, and (ii) a diametrically-expanded configuration for disposition adjacent to the hollow structure, whereby to occlude the hollow structure, and further wherein said second component percutaneously connects said first component to a site remote from said first component.

Abstract: Laparoscopic tool shafts and devices and methods for enhancing their rigidity in general or in specific directions are provided. Laparoscopic tool shafts having rigid external shafts and relatively rigid rods and laparoscopic tool shafts having flexible external shafts and relatively rigid rods are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device for minimally invasive removal of tissue from a body lumen, can include: a sheath having a proximal and a distal end; and a tool configured to pass through the sheath and configured to transition from a crimped state to a deployed state and to a closed state, wherein the tool forms an aperture at a distal end, the distal end of the tool having at least one tube loop and at least one wire loop, wherein the tool is configured to dissect tissue in the deployed state.

Abstract: A medical device for minimally invasive removal of tissue from a body lumen, can include: a sheath having a proximal and a distal end; and a tool configured to pass through the sheath and configured to transition from a crimped state to a deployed state and to a closed state, wherein the tool forms an aperture at a distal end, the distal end of the tool having at least one tube loop and at least one wire loop, wherein the tool is configured to dissect tissue in the deployed state.

Abstract: An apparatus for suturing tissue, comprising: a needle having a beveled opening and housing multiple anchors, wherein each of said anchors comprises an elongated tubular body and a loop connected to said tubular body, and wherein a thread is threaded sequentially through the loops; and a pushrod configured to push each of said anchors towards the opening of said needle, to extract each respective anchor from the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for suturing a tissue. The apparatus includes an outer tube, a thread threaded in the outer tube and at least one anchoring element located inside the outer tube and configured to be inserted into the tissue from an outlet end of the outer tube. The outer tube is configured to freely accommodate the thread and the at least one anchoring element, and the anchoring element includes a body adapted to be threaded on the thread and having at least locking element for locking the thread to the anchoring element.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, comprising an implant-storage member (24), configured to be percutaneously advanced to a tissue (10) of a subject, and shaped to define (a) a space (26) that is configured to house an implant (22) configured to apply a current to at least the tissue, (b) an opening (28) through which the implant is deliverable to the tissue, and (c) at least one window (30), configured such that, while the implant is disposed within the space and the implant-storage member is disposed in the tissue, the window facilitates flow of the current therethrough from the implant to the tissue; and a delivery manipulator (34), reversibly couplable to the implant, and configured to facilitate delivery of the implant through the opening. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to an apparatus for suturing a tissue. The apparatus includes an outer tube, a thread threaded in the outer tube and at least one anchoring element located inside the outer tube and configured to be inserted into the tissue from an outlet end of the outer tube. The outer tube is configured to freely accommodate the thread and the at least one anchoring element, and the anchoring element includes a body adapted to be threaded on the thread and having at least locking element for locking the thread to the anchoring element.

Abstract: A medical device for minimally invasive removal of tissue from a body lumen, can include: a sheath having a proximal and a distal end; and a tool configured to pass through the sheath and configured to transition from a crimped state to a deployed state and to a closed state, wherein the tool forms an aperture at a distal end, the distal end of the tool having at least one tube loop and at least one wire loop, wherein the tool is configured to dissect tissue in the deployed state.

Abstract: A medical device for minimally invasive removal of tissue from a body lumen, can include: a sheath having a proximal and a distal end; and a tool configured to pass through the sheath and configured to transition from a crimped state to a deployed state and to a closed state, wherein the tool forms an aperture at a distal end, the distal end of the tool having at least one tube loop and at least one wire loop, wherein the tool is configured to dissect tissue in the deployed state.

Abstract: An apparatus for occluding a blood vessel includes an occluder configured so that at least a portion of the occluder may assume (i) a diametrically-reduced configuration for disposition within the lumen of a tube, and (ii) a diametrically-expanded configuration for disposition adjacent to the blood vessel, such that when the at least a portion of the occluder is in its diametrically-expanded configuration adjacent to the blood vessel, the occluder will cause occlusion of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A medical device for minimally invasive removal of tissue from a body lumen, can include: a sheath having a proximal and a distal end; and a tool configured to pass through the sheath and configured to transition from a crimped state to a deployed state and to a closed state, wherein the tool forms an aperture at a distal end, the distal end of the tool having at least one tube loop and at least one wire loop, wherein the tool is configured to dissect tissue in the deployed state.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to an apparatus for suturing a tissue. The apparatus includes an outer tube, a thread threaded in the outer tube and at least one anchoring element located inside the outer tube and configured to be inserted into the tissue from an outlet end of the outer tube. The outer tube is configured to freely accommodate the thread and the at least one anchoring element, and the anchoring element includes a body adapted to be threaded on the thread and having at least locking element for locking the thread to the anchoring element.