Abstract: A tissue dissecting device, including an inflatable bladder configured to be inserted into a body via an introducer tube in a compact deflated state, and to be inflated to a substantially planar form in a manner which dissects tissue. A method for dissecting tissue, including inserting an inflatable bladder, in a deflated state, via an introducer tube, into a space in a body, and inflating the bladder to a substantially planar form, thereby dissecting tissue. A method for dissecting tissue, including inserting an introducer tube via an incision into a body, inserting an inflatable bladder, in a deflated state, via the introducer tube, into a space in the body, pulling the introducer tube back at least a length of the deflated bladder, inflating the bladder, via a filling tube, to a substantially planar form, thereby dissecting tissue, disconnecting the filling tube from the bladder, retracting the filling tube and the introducer tube from the body. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Expandable prosthetic devices used for treating a variety of conditions, including rotator cuff injuries, broken and/or depressed bone fractures, infection and/or inflammation in the body. In one embodiment, a prosthesis includes an implant having a pressure regulating valve. The implant is capable of being positioned between a first tissue and an opposing second tissue in a void space and of deforming under pressure in response to articulation of a joint. The pressure regulating valve is configured to open based on a predetermined pressure in the implant.

Abstract: A tissue displacement/separation device includes a seamless bladder constructed of a biodegradable polymer. The bladder is expandable from a collapsed or rolled state for insertion into a body between a first and second tissue to an expanded state for separating the first and second tissue.

Abstract: An ingestible gastrointestinal capsule (GIC) for mechanically stimulating a segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) wall by alternately and repeatedly pressurizing, and/or vibrating it is provided. The GIC is programmed to being activated following a predefined time delay. The activated GIC agitates, shakes, rattles, jolts, vibrates and/or moves in a reciprocal expanding and contracting motion thereby mechanically stimulating the adjacent segment of the GI wall at a targeted location. Activation of the GIC may include a number of automatically accomplished partial activations, such as when the time elapsed from the moment of setting the GIC on equals a predefined time delay; when the mechanical load applied onto the GIC exceeds, and/or gets lower than a respective predefined level of mechanical load; when the ambient pH reaches a predefined level, or changes, and/or a temperature associated with the user reaches a predefined threshold. Agitation is accomplished by means of agitation means embedded in the GIC.

Abstract: An ingestible gastrointestinal capsule (GIC) for mechanically stimulating a segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) wall by alternately and repeatedly pressurizing, and/or vibrating it is provided. The GIC is programmed to being activated following a predefined time delay. The activated GIC agitates, shakes, rattles, jolts, vibrates and/or moves in a reciprocal expanding and contracting motion thereby mechanically stimulating the adjacent segment of the GI wall at a targeted location. Activation of the GIC may include a number of automatically accomplished partial activations, such as when the time elapsed from the moment of setting the GIC on equals a predefined time delay; when the mechanical load applied onto the GIC exceeds, and/or gets lower than a respective predefined level of mechanical load; when the ambient pH reaches a predefined level, or changes, and/or a temperature associated with the user reaches a predefined threshold. Agitation is accomplished by an agitation mechanism embedded in the GIC.

Abstract: A shoulder implant for simulating a naturally occurring bursa proximal to or in lieu of a subacromial bursa, the shoulder implant comprising: an expandable member expandable to a size and/or a shape sufficient to fill a space beneath an acromion and/or a coracoid process of the shoulder, the space defines a filled volume less than a maximal volume occupied by the expandable member if fully expanded; and an amount of filler for filling the expandable member to the filled volume, such that, when implanted, the expandable member is configured to cushion and facilitate motion between a tendon and/or ligament of a rotator cuff, and a bone part in the shoulder.

Abstract: Remodeling of body tissue using a bioabsorbable implant that maintains or otherwise mechanically assists a more permanent implant or other treatment take, for example, by the treatment causing fibrosis. For example, the apparatus and methods can be used for hernia, organ prolapse and cosmetic purposes, such as breast and face lifts.

Abstract: A shoulder implant for simulating a naturally occurring bursa proximal to or in lieu of a subacromial bursa, the shoulder implant comprising: an expandable member expandable to a size and/or a shape sufficient to fill a space beneath an acromion and/or a coracoid process of the shoulder, the space defines a filled volume less than a maximal volume occupied by the expandable member if fully expanded; and an amount of filler for filling the expandable member to the filled volume, such that, when implanted, the expandable member is configured to cushion and facilitate motion between a tendon and/or ligament of a rotator cuff, and a bone part in the shoulder.

Abstract: Remodeling of body tissue using a bioabsorbable implant that maintains or otherwise mechanically assists a more permanent implant or other treatment take, for example, by the treatment causing fibrosis. For example, the apparatus and methods can be used for hernia, organ prolapse and cosmetic purposes, such as breast and face lifts.

Abstract: Expandable prosthetic devices used for treating a variety of conditions, including rotator cuff injuries, broken and/or depressed bone fractures, infection and/or inflammation in the body. In one embodiment, a prosthesis includes an implant having a pressure regulating valve. The implant is capable of being positioned between a first tissue and an opposing second tissue in a void space and of deforming under pressure in response to articulation of a joint. The pressure regulating valve is configured to open based on a predetermined pressure in the implant.

Abstract: A tissue dissecting device, including an inflatable bladder configured to be inserted into a body via an introducer tube in a compact deflated state, and to be inflated to a substantially planar form in a manner which dissects tissue. A method for dissecting tissue, including inserting an inflatable bladder, in a deflated state, via an introducer tube, into a space in a body, and inflating the bladder to a substantially planar form, thereby dissecting tissue. A method for dissecting tissue, including inserting an introducer tube via an incision into a body, inserting an inflatable bladder, in a deflated state, via the introducer tube, into a space in the body, pulling the introducer tube back at least a length of the deflated bladder, inflating the bladder, via a filling tube, to a substantially planar form, thereby dissecting tissue, disconnecting the filling tube from the bladder, retracting the filling tube and the introducer tube from the body. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for deploying an elongated unit in a body cavity, for introducing an interchangeable tool reversibly connected to a distal end of a slender shaft. The method comprising: maneuvering a distal end of said elongated unit in a 3D coordinate system to a determined depth and orientation in said body cavity adjacent to an entry location wherein said distal end of said slender shaft emerges into said body cavity, and introducing said interchangeable tool through the lumen of said elongated unit for connecting said interchangeable tool to said distal end of said slender shaft.

Abstract: Tissue dissecting device, including an inflatable bladder configured to be inserted into a body via an introducer tube in a compact deflated state, and to be inflated to a substantially planar form in a manner which dissects tissue. Method for dissecting tissue, including inserting an inflatable bladder, in a deflated state, via an introducer tube, into a space in a body, and inflating the bladder to substantially planer form, thereby dissecting tissue. Method for dissecting tissue, including inserting an introducer tube via an incision into a body, inserting an inflatable bladder, in a defined state, via the introducer tube, into a space in the body, pulling the introducer tube back at least a length of the deflated bladder, inflating the bladder, via a filling tube, to substantially planar form, thereby dissecting tissue, disconnecting the filling tube from the bladder, retracting the filling tube and the introducer tube from the body.

Abstract: A system for positioning an interchangeable tool in a body cavity includes a channel having a lumen in direct communication with the body cavity; a tool introducer having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, the tool introducer capable of traveling through the channel lumen; and a tool holder covering at least a portion of the interchangeable tool that is pivotally connected to the tool introducer allowing angular positioning of the interchangeable tool after the tool holder emerges from the channel into the body cavity. A method for engaging an interchangeable tool with a distal portion of a tool manipulator in a body cavity includes inserting a tool introducer into a channel, orienting the distal portion of the tool manipulator in the body cavity; emerging the interchangeable tool from the channel into the body cavity; and positioning the interchangeable tool eccentrically to the lumen of the channel.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for deploying an elongated unit in a body cavity, for introducing an interchangeable tool to a slender shaft having a distal end. The system comprising: an elongated unit comprising a longitudinal axis and a distal portion arranged to protrude through a first port into the body cavity. At least one maneuvering unit connected to the elongated unit for maneuvering the distal portion of the elongated unit in a 3D coordinate system to a determined depth and orientation in the body cavity. The at least one maneuvering unit is arranged to selectively deploy the distal portion of the elongated unit at the determined depth and orientation at a distance with respect to the distal end of the slender shaft and selectively align the longitudinal axis thereof with a longitudinal axis of the slender shaft.

Abstract: A system for positioning an interchangeable tool in a body cavity includes a channel having a lumen in direct communication with the body cavity; a tool introducer having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, the tool introducer capable of traveling through the channel lumen; and a tool holder covering at least a portion of the interchangeable tool that is pivotally connected to the tool introducer allowing angular positioning of the interchangeable tool after the tool holder emerges from the channel into the body cavity. A method for engaging an interchangeable tool with a distal portion of a tool manipulator in a body cavity includes inserting a tool introducer into a channel, orienting the distal portion of the tool manipulator in the body cavity; emerging the interchangeable tool from the channel into the body cavity; and positioning the interchangeable tool eccentrically to the lumen of the channel.

Abstract: Expandable prosthetic devices used for treating a variety of conditions, including rotator cuff injuries, broken and/or depressed bone fractures, infection and/or inflammation in the body. In one embodiment, a prosthesis includes an implant having a pressure regulating valve. The implant is capable of being positioned between a first tissue and an opposing second tissue in a void space and of deforming under pressure in response to articulation of a joint. The pressure regulating valve is configured to open based on a predetermined pressure in the implant.

Abstract: Expandable prosthetic devices used for treating a variety of conditions, including rotator cuff injuries, broken and/or depressed bone fractures, infection and/or inflammation in the body. In one embodiment, a prosthesis includes an implant having a pressure regulating valve. The implant is capable of being positioned between a first tissue and an opposing second tissue in a void space and of deforming under pressure in response to articulation of a joint. The pressure regulating valve is configured to open based on a predetermined pressure in the implant.

Abstract: A secured audio apparatus (SAA) for providing secured communications between a local device and a remote device and a method for authenticating a local secured audio apparatus (SAA) associated with a local device to a remote SAA associated with a remote device are presented. The SAA includes a processing unit; and a memory, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, configure the SAA to: receive a remote certificate fingerprint from a remote SAA of the remote device; obtain a verified certificate based on the remote certificate fingerprint; generate an ephemeral key based on the obtained certificate, wherein the ephemeral key is used to encrypt and decrypt communications between the local SAA and the remote SAA; and secure audio communications between the local device and the remote device based on the generated ephemeral key.

Abstract: An ingestible gastrointestinal capsule (GIC) for mechanically stimulating a segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) wall by alternately and repeatedly pressurizing, and/or vibrating it is provided. The GIC is programmed to being activated following a predefined time delay. The activated GIC agitates, shakes, rattles, jolts, vibrates and/or moves in a reciprocal expanding and contracting motion thereby mechanically stimulating the adjacent segment of the GI wall at a targeted location. Activation of the GIC may include a number of automatically accomplished partial activations, such as when the time elapsed from the moment of setting the GIC on equals a predefined time delay; when the mechanical load applied onto the GIC exceeds, and/or gets lower than a respective predefined level of mechanical load; when the ambient pH reaches a predefined level, or changes, and/or a temperature associated with the user reaches a predefined threshold. Agitation is accomplished by means of agitation means embedded in the GIC.