Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating hypertension are described including an implantable device having first and second longitudinal ends, and a length greater than 50 mm, typically less than 80 mm, when unconstrained in an artery of the patient proximate baroreceptors in the aorta. The device can be defined as a stent having an elliptical shape in the expanded configuration so as to reshape the artery in which the implant is deployed, at least during diastole. The stent can include struts configured to define multiple openings or non-contact regions to enhance pulsatility on the walls of the aorta to prevent long-term resetting of the responsiveness of the baroreceptors subsequent to device implantation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device having first and second longitudinal ends, the device having a length of less than 80 mm when the device is unconstrained. The device includes struts arranged such that, when the device is unconstrained, along a continuous portion of the device having a length that is at least 5 mm, a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts is more than 1.5 times as great as a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts within longitudinal portions of the device within 3 mm of the longitudinal ends of the device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device shaped to define (a) at least two artery-contact regions, the artery-contact regions comprising struts that are configured to stretch an arterial wall by applying pressure to the arterial wall, and (b) at least two crimping regions that comprise locking mechanisms configured to prevent the crimping regions from becoming crimped due to pressure from the wall of the artery on the artery-contact regions. The crimping regions are configured to be crimped during insertion of the device, via a catheter, by the locking mechanisms being unlocked during insertion of the device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device having first and second longitudinal ends, the device having a length of less than 80 mm when the device is unconstrained. The device includes struts arranged such that, when the device is unconstrained, along a continuous portion of the device having a length that is at least 5 mm, a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts is more than 1.5 times as great as a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts within longitudinal portions of the device within 3 mm of the longitudinal ends of the device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device having first and second longitudinal ends, the device having a length of less than 80 mm when the device is unconstrained. The device includes struts arranged such that, when the device is unconstrained, along a continuous portion of the device having a length that is at least 5 mm, a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts is more than 1.5 times as great as a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts within longitudinal portions of the device within 3 mm of the longitudinal ends of the device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, which includes at least one ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is configured to be positioned within a lumen of a subject and to ablate tissue surrounding a wall of the lumen without ablating the wall of the lumen, by focusing ultrasound energy on a focal zone that is outside of the wall of the lumen. A transluminal delivery tool is configured to position the ultrasound transducer in the lumen, and a control unit is configured to drive the ultrasound transducer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device having first and second longitudinal ends, the device having a length of less than 80 mm when the device is unconstrained. The device includes struts arranged such that, when the device is unconstrained, along a continuous portion of the device having a length that is at least 5 mm, a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts is more than 1.5 times as great as a maximum inter-strut distance defined by any set of two adjacent struts within longitudinal portions of the device within 3 mm of the longitudinal ends of the device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A diverting filter for implantation in the bifurcation of the human common carotid artery (CCA) with the external carotid artery (ECA) and the internal carotid artery (ICA), comprising: a tubular body expandable from an initial small-diameter state for manipulation through the CCA to an expanded larger-diameter state for implantation in said bifurcation, the tubular body having an at rest state wherein the tubular body exhibits a diameter greater than the expanded larger-diameter state; the tubular body including a proximal region for implantation in the CCA, a distal region for implantation in the ECA, and a middle filtering region for alignment with the orifice of the ICA for diverting relatively-large emboli in the CCA blood flow to the ECA while minimizing interference to blood flow through both the ICA and the ECA; constituted of between 48 and 56 braided filaments exhibiting an average porosity index of at least 80%.