Abstract: An implant includes a shape-memory material having a transformation temperature. The implantable element is configured to be implanted, and to perform a first therapeutic function when the shape-memory material is in a first shape. An energy applicator is configured to change the shape-memory material from the first shape to a second shape by raising a temperature of the shape-memory material to the transformation temperature by radiating energy to the implant from outside the body. The implant is configured to perform a second therapeutic function while the shape-memory material is in the second shape, the second therapeutic function being qualitatively different from the first therapeutic function. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided, including, delivering into a heart of a patient an annuloplasty ring structure including a body portion and an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a size of the body portion of the annuloplasty ring structure, the adjusting mechanism including a housing, and following the delivering, moving the housing with respect to the body portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided, including, delivering into a heart of a patient an annuloplasty ring structure including a body portion and an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a size of the body portion of the annuloplasty ring structure, the adjusting mechanism including a housing, and following the delivering, moving the housing with respect to the body portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The invention is a dental irrigator for delivering irrigant solution from an irrigation solution reservoir to the site of a dental procedure. The irrigator comprises: a hollow dental tool modified by the addition of one or more curved blades either formed directly on the neck of the tool or on a sleeve attached coaxially to the neck, one or more inlets associated with each of the curved blades, a housing that provides a watertight volume surrounding the inlets while allowing the tool to be freely moved with respect to the housing, and a supply hose, which conducts the irrigant solution at relatively low pressure from the reservoir to the housing. When the dental tool is attached to the distal end of a dental hand-piece and the hand-piece is activated causing the tool to move, irrigation solution enters the hollow interior of the neck of the tool and, as a result of the forces created by the motion of the curved blades, is delivered at relatively high pressure to the site.

Abstract: The invention is a dental irrigator for delivering irrigant solution from an irrigation solution reservoir to the site of a dental procedure. The irrigator comprises: a hollow dental tool modified by the addition of one or more curved blades either formed directly on the neck of the tool or on a sleeve attached coaxially to the neck, one or more inlets associated with each of the curved blades, a housing that provides a watertight volume surrounding the inlets while allowing the tool to be freely moved with respect to the housing, and a supply hose, which conducts the irrigant solution at relatively low pressure from the reservoir to the housing. When the dental tool is attached to the distal end of a dental hand-piece and the hand-piece is activated causing the tool to move, irrigation solution enters the hollow interior of the neck of the tool and, as a result of the forces created by the motion of the curved blades, is delivered at relatively high pressure to the site.

Abstract: The present invention is an extraction system capable of easily removing an object having a hollow interior from an enclosed space. The system comprises an overtube that is at least partially insertable into the enclosed space, and a wire comprising an elongated portion, a handle and an insertion end comprising one or more catching members. The catching member is in a straight configuration when the insertion end is confined within the overtube and assumes an open configuration when the insertion end is situated out of the overtube. Initially, the wire is introduced into the enclosed space within the overtube and the wire is pushed out of the overtube such that the catching members will enter the hollow interior of the object. The use of the extraction system is illustrated for the case of extracting a piece of an endodontic file broken during a root canal procedure.