Abstract: A heart valve repair system includes a delivery sheath and an implant that includes a frame including a braided structure of intertwining strands and having a surface configured to contact an upstream surface of a native heart valve. First and second gripping members are coupled to the frame, each including atrial and ventricular arms. The implant is disposed in the sheath in a delivery state in which the frame defines a wall fully surrounding a central longitudinal axis of the implant. The distal end of the wall defines a distal opening of the frame. The distal end of the wall is disposed proximally to the second end of the ventricular arm of each of the gripping members. The second end of each ventricular arm moves toward the axis of the implant more than the first end moves toward the axis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A prosthetic aortic valve is provided including a frame including interconnected stent struts arranged so as to define interconnected stent cells. Upstream ones of the stent cells are located in an upstream half of the frame and define respective upstream peaks. An electrode is disposed at or near an upstream peak of one of the upstream stent cells. First and Second upstream stent struts of the one of the upstream stent cells are joined at the upstream peak. Coupling material is shaped so as to define a first strip that is mechanically coupled to the first upstream stent strut, a second strip that is mechanically coupled to the second upstream stent strut, and a junction, which couples together the first and the second strips, such that the first and the second strips together couple the electrode to the frame at or near the upstream peak. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is described, including a motion sensor configured to sense motion of a patient and to generate a motion signal in response thereto. The apparatus includes an output unit and a control unit. The control unit is configured to analyze the motion signal, to identify breathing of the patient as being shallow breathing in response to the analyzing, and to drive the output unit to generate an alert in response to identifying the breathing of the patient as being shallow breathing. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A heart valve repair system includes a delivery sheath and an implant that includes a frame having a surface configured to contact an upstream surface of a native heart valve. First and second gripping members are coupled to the frame and each (1) includes first and second arms and (2) is configured to clamp a respective native leaflet. The implant is disposed in the sheath in a delivery state in which the frame defines a wall fully surrounding a central longitudinal axis of the implant. The distal end of the wall defines a distal opening of the frame. The distal end of the wall is disposed proximally to the entire first tissue-engaging surface of each of the gripping members and proximally to the entire second tissue-engaging surface of each of the gripping members. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided including disposing midplane treatment electrodes over a superior sagittal sinus, outside and in electrical contact with a skull of a head of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Lateral treatment electrodes are disposed between 1 and 12 cm of a sagittal midplane of the skull. The subject is treated by clearing amyloid beta, by activating control circuitry to apply one or more treatment currents between (a) one or more of the midplane treatment electrodes and (b) one or more of the lateral treatment electrodes; and configure the midplane treatment electrodes as cathodes, and the lateral treatment electrodes as anodes. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A heart valve repair system includes a delivery sheath and an implant that includes a frame including a braided structure of intertwining strands and having a surface configured to contact an upstream surface of a native heart valve. First and second gripping members are coupled to the frame, each including atrial and ventricular arms. The implant is disposed in the sheath in a delivery state in which the frame defines a wall fully surrounding a central longitudinal axis of the implant. The distal end of the wall defines a distal opening of the frame. The distal end of the wall is disposed proximally to the second end of the ventricular arm of each of the gripping members. The second end of each ventricular arm moves toward the axis of the implant more than the first end moves toward the axis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems and methods for installing water potential detectors in plants stems, measuring the water potential in the plants, and evaluating crop irrigation conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a prosthetic valve support (40) configured to be placed at a patient's native atrioventricular valve annulus. The valve support defines an annular element (44) that defines an inner cross-sectional area thereof. An expandable prosthetic valve (80) is placed into the patient's ventricle, the prosthetic valve including an expandable frame (79) and prosthetic valve leaflets (82) coupled to the frame. When the frame is in a non-constrained state thereof, a cross-sectional area of the frame, along at least a given portion L of the frame's length, is greater than the cross-sectional area defined by the annular element. The prosthetic valve is couplable to the prosthetic valve support at any location along the portion, by the frame being expanded when the location along the portion is aligned with the annular element. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including identifying that a subject suffers from sleep apnea. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is applied to the subject via a mask placed on a face of the subject. A respiratory-related parameter of the subject is sensed, while the mask is on the face of the subject, and a need of the subject for respiratory support is assessed, responsively to the respiratory-related parameter. In accordance with the assessed need, the mask is configured to regulate the PAP provided to the subject's face. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a retinal stimulator, which includes an electrode array including electrodes, which are configured to be coupled to a retina of a subject's eye; and driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina. The retinal stimulator further includes an elastic anchor that is coupled to the retinal stimulator and is configured to anchor the electrodes to the retina without the elastic anchor penetrating the retina. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus comprises: (a) a longitudinal member (32), having a distal portion (34); (b) a plurality of electrodes (38) disposed on the distal portion of the longitudinal member, such that a first electrode (38a) of the plurality of electrodes is disposed distally along the longitudinal member from a second electrode (38b) of the plurality of electrodes; and (c) a controller (40). The controller comprises an actuator, and circuitry (42) electrically connected to the electrodes via the longitudinal member. The actuator is configured to move the longitudinal member in discrete incremental movements such that for each incremental movement, (i) before the incremental movement the first electrode is disposed in a starting position, (ii) during each incremental movement the actuator moves second electrode toward the starting position, and (iii) at the end of each incremental movement the second electrode is stationary at the starting position.

Abstract: A transluminal sheath is advanced transseptally into a left atrium of the subject. A distal end of a surrounding-sheath, having an anchor disposed therein, is advanced via a distal end of the transluminal sheath, into a left ventricle of the subject via a commissure of the mitral valve. While the distal end of the surrounding-sheath is in the left ventricle, the surrounding-sheath is pulled proximally with respect to the anchor to expose the anchor. While the distal end of the surrounding-sheath is in the left ventricle, mitral valve tissue that is within the left ventricle is encircled by helically wrapping the anchor around the mitral valve tissue. Subsequently, the surrounding-sheath is extracted from the heart. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A neurostimulator implant includes an insulating member and an elongate circuitry unit. The circuitry unit includes (a) a first electrode, disposed on an outer surface of a first end portion of the circuitry unit; (b) a second electrode, disposed on an outer surface of a second end portion of the circuitry unit; and (c) circuitry, disposed inside the circuitry unit, and configured to be wirelessly powered to drive an electrical current between the first and second electrodes. The circuitry unit is disposed alongside a medial part of the insulating member, bulging away from the insulating member to define a generally arced portion of the implant. Lateral parts of the insulating member extend laterally outward from the medial part to define lateral zones laterally beyond the circuitry unit. The second side of the insulating member defines a generally flat side of the implant. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject, the method including implanting at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, and implanting one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc. Control circuitry, while electrically coupled to the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, is activated to drive fluid and introduce nutritional substances into the intervertebral disc, by applying a voltage between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an implant that includes circuitry and an elongate housing having a first half and a second half. A paresthesia-inducing electrode is disposed on the first half, and a blocking electrode is disposed on the second half. The circuitry has a first mode in which the circuitry simultaneously drives the paresthesia-inducing electrode to apply a paresthesia-inducing current having a frequency of 2-400 Hz, and the blocking electrode to apply a blocking current having a frequency of 1-20 kHz, and a second mode in which the circuitry drives the blocking electrode to apply the blocking current, but does not drive the paresthesia-inducing electrode to apply the paresthesia-inducing current. The implant is injectable into a subject along a longitudinal axis of the implant. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An implant includes a housing that houses circuitry that is electrically coupled to one or more electrodes. The implant includes an antenna that is electrically coupled to the circuitry. The antenna has a pre-treatment state in which the antenna is not shaped to receive wireless power for treating a subject, and a treatment state in which the antenna is shaped to receive wireless power and to anchor the implant with respect to a nerve of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An implant system is provided, which includes an implant, including an implant body and an electrode disposed on the implant body; and a hollow needle, which is configured to be percutaneously advanceable into tissue of a subject. The hollow needle is shaped so as to define a lumen dimensioned to house the implant; at a distal end of the hollow needle, a distal end opening configured to facilitate passage of the implant therethrough from the lumen; and a lateral wall shaped so as to define a window therethrough to the lumen. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A heart valve repair system includes a delivery sheath and an implant that includes a frame having a surface configured to contact an upstream surface of a native heart valve. First and second gripping members are coupled to the frame and each (1) includes first and second arms and (2) is configured to clamp a respective native leaflet. The implant is disposed in the sheath in a delivery state in which the frame defines a wall fully surrounding a central longitudinal axis of the implant. The distal end of the wall defines a distal opening of the frame. The distal end of the wall is disposed proximally to the entire first tissue-engaging surface of each of the gripping members and proximally to the entire second tissue-engaging surface of each of the gripping members. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for treating hyaline cartilage of a subject, the apparatus including a chondral implant, which includes a first exposed electrode surface and which is configured to be implanted in osteochondral tissue of the subject. A second exposed electrode surface is configured to be implanted in a body of the subject. Control circuitry is configured to promote regeneration of the hyaline cartilage by driving the first and the second exposed electrode surfaces to drive nutrients toward the first exposed electrode surface. Other embodiments are also described.