Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a flexible and/or arm; a capsule-assembly that is distally connected to the arm, that comprises a liquid-tight shell defining a capsule-assembly-interior, and that has heat-producing imaging and/or electronic component(s) disposed within its interior, and a conduit-array, the conduit-army and a portion of the capsule-assembly-interior that is outside of the conduit-army collectively forming a liquid-sealed closed flow-loop for convective removal of heat from the capsule-assembly-interior, the closed flow-loop comprising arm-disposed section(s) of the conduit-army which are at least partly disposed along and/or within the arm and which collectively longitudinally span, twice and in-parallel, at least a majority of a lengthwise majority of the arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing electrosurgical operations using an electrosurgical power generator comprises an articulated mechanical arm, an electrosurgical grasper connected to the mechanical arm at a distal end thereof, a flexible sleeve at least partly disposed in a bendable portion of the arm, an outer surface of the sleeve comprising a plurality of surface features that define a helical wire-path around a central longitudinal axis of the sleeve, an actuation-cable passing through an inner conduit of the sleeve and mechanically coupled to the grasper to open and shut the grasper, and an electrically conductive wire for providing electrical connectivity from the power generator to the grasper, the wire being disposed on the outside of the sleeve and engaged with one or more of the surface features so as to follow therethrough the helical wire-path.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for accessing a treatment zone through the vagina, comprising: selecting an entry angle; positioning a surgical port adjacent the vaginal opening; introducing a trocar through the surgical port; introducing a cannula through the trocar and advancing the cannula such that the cannula enters through a posterior wall of the vagina; externally supporting the port, trocar and cannula assembly using an extension, the extension attached on one end to at least one component of the assembly and on the other end to a fixed, stable reference; the extension holding the assembly at a fixed position in which the trocar and cannula are slanted at the selected entry angle. In some embodiments, one or more surgical mechanical arms are introduced through the cannula for performing surgical acts inside the patient's body.

Abstract: A device for reducing heart valve regurgitation including a plug for placing between natural heart valve leaflets, the plug shaped so that, upon systole, the natural heart leaflets coapt upon the plug, a frame attached to the plug by a bridging element, for supporting the plug between the natural heart valve leaflets, the frame having at least one dimension in a plane of the heart valve annulus which is wider than the diameter of the heart valve annulus, and a plurality of anchors attached to the device, for preventing the device from being swept upstream of the heart valve annulus upon systole. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: An articulated arm including: a tubular structure comprising a plurality of coupled longitudinal sections including: at least one rigid portion; and at least one flexible portion comprising a plurality of connected annular portions; wherein the tubular structure includes: a trench formed along a long axis of the tubular structure and extending along the plurality of coupled longitudinal sections; and a cover attached to the tubular structure and covering at least a portion of the trench.

Abstract: A device for artificial cardiac valve support, the device including an upstream portion designed to expand to have at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus, a downstream portion attached to the upstream portion, the downstream portion also designed to expand to have at least a portion with at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus, and a plurality of artificial valve commissure posts. A method for producing a device for artificial cardiac valve support, the method including producing an upstream portion, producing a downstream portion, and attaching the upstream portion to the downstream portion, producing a frame for artificial cardiac valve support. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A device for reducing heart valve regurgitation including a plug for placing between natural heart valve leaflets, the plug shaped so that, upon systole, the natural heart leaflets coapt upon the plug, a frame attached to the plug by a bridging element, for supporting the plug between the natural heart valve leaflets, the frame having at least one dimension in a plane of the heart valve annulus which is wider than the diameter of the heart valve annulus, and a plurality of anchors attached to the device, for preventing the device from being swept upstream of the heart valve annulus upon systole. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A device for artificial cardiac valve support, the device including an upstream portion designed to expand to have at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus, a downstream portion attached to the upstream portion, the downstream portion also designed to expand to have at least a portion with at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus, and a plurality of artificial valve commissure posts. A method for producing a device for artificial cardiac valve support, the method including producing an upstream portion, producing a downstream portion, and attaching the upstream portion to the downstream portion, producing a frame for artificial cardiac valve support. Related apparatus and methods are also described.