Abstract: A flexible probe has an assembly in its distal end that includes a compressible spring, the compressible spring arranged in a helix having flat surfaces with at least one leg at each end of the spring. The compressible spring is configured to deform in response to a compressive force acting against the legs at the ends of the spring from pressure exerted on the distal tip when engaging a wall of the body cavity. The compressible spring further includes at least one flexible transmitter coil disposed on the flat surface at one end of the spring and at least one flexible receiver coil on the flat surface at the other end of the spring. The at least one of flexible receiver coil is configured to receive signals from the at least one flexible transmitter coil for sensing a position of the coils relative to each other.

Abstract: A medical probe includes a shaft for insertion into a cavity of a patient body, and a distal-end assembly. The distal-end assembly is coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a hollow tube having (i) a first opening, located at a first section along a longitudinal axis of the hollow tube, and having a first size that limits bending of the first section by a first local radius of curvature (LROC), and (ii) a second opening, located at a second different section along the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube, and having a second different size that limits bending of the second section by a second different LROC.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification apparatus includes a phacoemulsification probe, an electromechanical valve, and an electromechanical mechanism. The probe having a fluid channel for exchanging fluid with a patient's eye. The electromechanical valve is coupled with the fluid channel and is configured to regulate a fluid flow through the fluid channel. The valve including a cylinder, a piston inside the cylinder, wherein the piston divides the cylinder into a first cavity that is in fluid communication with the fluid channel, and a second cavity, and one or more fluid communication links, which are formed between the first and second cavities. The piston is configured to move inside the cylinder to regulate the flow of the fluid, and the one or more fluid communication links are configured to allow the fluid to flow between the first and second cavities during motion of the piston. The electromechanical mechanism is configured to move the piston.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification simulation apparatus includes a trigger device, at least two sensors, and a processor. The trigger device configured to apply, to fluid at an inlet of a needle of a phacoemulsifier, a pressure profile as a function of time in response to an input waveform. The at least two sensors are configured to measure a pressure of the fluid at respective points in the phacoemulsification simulation apparatus. The processor is configured to (a) drive the trigger device with the input waveform, thereby causing the trigger device to apply the pressure profile to the inlet while the fluid is aspirated via an aspiration line, (b) receive measurements of the pressure of the fluid from the at least two sensors, and (c) analyze an aspiration performance of the phacoemulsifier in response to the measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base, including two motors and a mechanical coupling mechanism, and a cartridge shaped to define two stators and respective pairs of ports in fluidic communication with the stators. The cartridge is removably insertable into the base and includes two rotors disposed, respectively, within the stators. The mechanical coupling mechanism is configured to mechanically couple the rotors to the motors, respectively, such that, following insertion of the cartridge into the base, the motors rotate the rotors, thereby pumping fluid through the pairs of ports. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A flexible probe has an assembly in its distal end. The assembly has a distal side and a proximal side. The assembly includes first and second flat spring coils having internal edges that mate with first and second retainers, respectively. The first and second flat coils are disposed in the probe distal end proximal to the electrode and separated by a spacer. The first and second flat coils are configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the distal tip when the tip engages a wall of the body cavity. A transmitter is disposed on one of the distal side or the proximal side of the assembly and a receiver is disposed on the opposite side. The receiver is configured to receive signals from the transmitter for sensing a position of the receiver relative to the transmitter.

Abstract: A disposable dual-action reciprocating pump part includes a piston and a cylinder, and multiple silicone O-rings. The piston is configured to move bi-directionally inside the cylinder. The multiple silicone O-rings are configured to seal the piston against the cylinder.

Abstract: A pump device includes a rotary motor, a compartment for insertion of a disposable pump part, and one or more pulsation-reduction elements. The disposable pump part includes an input port, an output port, and a dual-action reciprocating assembly. The input port is configured for intaking fluid. The output port is configured for outputting the fluid. The dual-action reciprocating assembly is configured for pumping the fluid. The assembly includes a single piston and a rod configured to be coupled to the rotary motor, so as to drive the piston. The one or more pulsation-reduction elements are configured to reduce a pulsation in the outputted fluid, caused by the single-piston dual-action reciprocating assembly.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification simulation apparatus includes a trigger device, at least two sensors, and a processor. The trigger device configured to apply, to fluid at an inlet of a needle of a phacoemulsifier, a pressure profile as a function of time in response to an input waveform. The at least two sensors are configured to measure a pressure of the fluid at respective points in the phacoemulsification simulation apparatus. The processor is configured to (a) drive the trigger device with the input waveform, thereby causing the trigger device to apply the pressure profile to the inlet while the fluid is aspirated via an aspiration line, (b) receive measurements of the pressure of the fluid from the at least two sensors, and (c) analyze an aspiration performance of the phacoemulsifier in response to the measurements.

Abstract: A guidewire, consisting of a flexible biocompatible tube, having a tube distal end, the tube containing an internal lumen and being configured to be inserted into an orifice of a body of a living subject. A planar resilient strip is inserted into the internal lumen, the strip having a strip proximal end and a strip distal end fixed to the tube distal end. A coil spring is fixed to the strip proximal end so that an axis of symmetry of the coil is coplanar with the strip, the coil spring containing a coil lumen. A wire is threaded through the coil lumen and has a termination fixed to the strip distal end, so that pulling on the wire causes the strip and the tube to bend.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base, including two motors and a mechanical coupling mechanism, and a cartridge shaped to define two stators and respective pairs of ports in fluidic communication with the stators. The cartridge is removably insertable into the base and includes two rotors disposed, respectively, within the stators. The mechanical coupling mechanism is configured to mechanically couple the rotors to the motors, respectively, such that, following insertion of the cartridge into the base, the motors rotate the rotors, thereby pumping fluid through the pairs of ports. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A guidewire, consisting of a flexible biocompatible tube, having a tube distal end, the tube containing an internal lumen and being configured to be inserted into an orifice of a body of a living subject. A planar resilient strip is inserted into the internal lumen, the strip having a strip proximal end and a strip distal end fixed to the tube distal end. A coil spring is fixed to the strip proximal end so that an axis of symmetry of the coil is coplanar with the strip, the coil spring containing a coil lumen. A wire is threaded through the coil lumen and has a termination fixed to the strip distal end, so that pulling on the wire causes the strip and the tube to bend.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically coupling a motor to a rotor includes an outer ring including an inner surface shaped to define multiple recesses, an inner ring disposed within the outer ring and shaped to define multiple compartments having respective outer openings, which face the outer ring, and respective inner openings opposite the outer openings, and multiple gripping elements disposed within the compartments, respectively. The inner ring is configured to receive the rotor while the compartments are aligned with the of recesses, by virtue of the gripping elements sitting at least partially within the recesses. The outer ring is configured to couple with a shaft coupled with the motor such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the compartments to become misaligned with the recesses, thereby causing the outer ring to push the gripping elements, through the outer openings, against the rotor, through the inner openings.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification system includes a phacoemulsification probe and a processor. The phacoemulsification probe includes (a) a needle configured for insertion into a lens capsule of an eye, and to be vibrated to emulsify a lens of the eye, (b) an irrigation channel for flowing irrigation fluid into the lens capsule, (c) an aspiration channel for removing material from the lens capsule, (d) a bypass channel fluidly coupled with the irrigation channel and with the aspiration channel, (e) a processor-controlled valve configured to control a level of fluid communication between the irrigation channel and the aspiration channel via the bypass channel, and (f) one or more sensors configured to measure fluid pressure at a distal portion of one or both of the irrigation channel and the aspiration channel. The processor is configured to adaptively adjust the valve based on the fluid pressure measured by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an electrode assembly at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The electrode assembly includes a first conductive segment extending along a first angular range at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The first conductive segment is operable to apply RF energy to tissue at a first polarity. The electrode assembly further includes a second conductive segment angularly spaced apart from the first conductive segment. The second conductive segment extends along a second angular range at the distal end of the shaft assembly. The second conductive segment is operable to apply RF energy to tissue at a second polarity such that the first and second conductive segments are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically coupling a motor to a rotor includes an outer ring including an inner surface shaped to define multiple recesses, an inner ring disposed within the outer ring and shaped to define multiple compartments having respective outer openings, which face the outer ring, and respective inner openings opposite the outer openings, and multiple gripping elements disposed within the compartments, respectively. The inner ring is configured to receive the rotor while the compartments are aligned with the of recesses, by virtue of the gripping elements sitting at least partially within the recesses. The outer ring is configured to couple with a shaft coupled with the motor such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the compartments to become misaligned with the recesses, thereby causing the outer ring to push the gripping elements, through the outer openings, against the rotor, through the inner openings.

Abstract: A method of treating epistaxis includes inserting a distal end of an endoscope into a nasal cavity of a patient. At least the distal end of the endoscope includes a working channel. The method includes advancing a distal end of an RF ablation catheter through the working channel of the endoscope. The method also includes ablating tissue in a posterior nasal region of the nasal cavity using RF energy transmitted by the RF ablation catheter.

Abstract: A pump includes a cylinder, a piston and a controller. The cylinder has first and second ends and includes first and second inlet-outlet ports, each of the first and second inlet-outlet ports is configured to alternately intake a fluid to the cylinder and output the fluid from the cylinder. The piston is configured to be moved within the cylinder between the first and second ends by alternately reversing a direction of movement of the piston, so as to pump the fluid through the first and second inlet-outlet ports. The controller is configured to control the movement of the piston within the cylinder, including: (a) choosing between first and second operational modes, (b) in the first operational mode, controlling the piston to oscillate over a predefined interval that does not exceed a predefined distance from the first end or from the second end, and (c) in the second operational mode, controlling the piston to move at a selected speed between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A registration device, including a wand, a light guide passing through the wand, and a position sensor fixed to the wand. A light source outputs a modulated beam of light into a light guide proximal end, so that the light is emitted from a light guide distal end toward a surface in proximity to a wand distal tip. A detector receives, from the light guide proximal end, light reflected from the surface into the light guide distal end, and outputs a signal indicative of the reflected light intensity. A processor computes a distance from the distal tip of the wand to the surface by extracting a phase difference between the output beam and the reflected light from the signal, and computes a position of the surface in a sensor frame of reference responsively to the computed distance and the location of the distal tip found from the position sensor.

Abstract: A manipulator, including an elongated chassis containing a U-shaped channel defining a distal direction and a proximal direction. The manipulator also includes an adjuster that is configured to slide in the U-shaped channel. The adjuster includes a first wheel which on rotation translates a guidewire positioned in the adjuster along an axis of the guidewire, and a second wheel which on rotation rotates the guidewire positioned in the adjuster about the axis of the guidewire. The adjuster also includes a port, distal to the first and the second wheel, that is configured to accept a tubular balloon and the guidewire.