Abstract: An ingestible pill is provided that includes an enteric coating and a medication-delivery device, which includes (a) a patch having upper and lower surfaces that face in generally opposite directions, and (b) needles. The patch is disposed within the enteric coating, folded so as to define one or more creases, which define respective inner and outer crease sides, wherein at least 50% of the needles are coupled to the patch along the inner crease sides. The patch is configured to assume, after the enteric coating dissolves, an expanded shape, in which the patch has an outer perimeter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a parenchymal electrode, configured to be implanted in brain parenchyma of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from a synucleinopathy; and a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) electrode, configured to be implanted in a CSF-filled space of a brain of the subject, the CSF-filled space selected from the group consisting of: a ventricular system and a subarachnoid space. Control circuitry is configured to drive the parenchymal and the CSF electrodes to clear alpha-synuclein (aSyn) from the brain parenchyma into the CSF-filled space of the brain. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis system includes a prosthetic aortic valve and a non-implantable unit. The prosthetic aortic valve includes a plurality of prosthetic leaflets; a frame; a cathode and an anode, which are mechanically coupled to the frame; and a prosthetic-valve coil, which is in non-wireless electrical communication with the cathode and the anode. The prosthetic aortic valve does not include any active electronic components. The non-implantable unit includes an energy-transmission coil; sensing skin ECG electrodes; and non-implantable control circuitry, which drives the cathode and the anode to apply a pacing signal to a heart, detect at least one cardiac parameter using the sensing skin ECG electrodes, and, at least partially responsively to the detected cardiac parameter, to set parameters of the pacing signal, by wirelessly transferring energy from the energy-transmission coil to the prosthetic-valve coil by inductive coupling. 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: An accommodating intraocular lens implant includes an anterior floating lens unit, a posterior lens unit, an anterior rim complex disposed such that the anterior floating lens unit is movable toward and away from the anterior rim complex. A plurality of levers are in jointed connection with: the anterior floating lens unit at respective first longitudinal sites along the levers, the anterior rim complex at respective second longitudinal sites along the levers, and the posterior lens unit at respective third longitudinal sites along the levers. The respective second longitudinal sites are longitudinally between the respective first and the respective third longitudinal sites. The levers are arranged (a) such that the third longitudinal sites serve as respective fulcrums for the plurality of levers, and (b) to move the anterior floating lens unit toward and away from the anterior rim complex, in the anterior-posterior direction. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a prosthetic heart valve at a native heart valve comprises an adjustable-lumen prosthetic valve support. In a delivery state, the prosthetic valve support is transluminally deliverable to the heart. The prosthetic valve support is transitionable, within the heart, into an implantation state for implantation at the native valve. In the implantation state, the prosthetic valve support has an inner edge that defines a lumen through the prosthetic valve support, the lumen having a first diameter. After the prosthetic valve support is implanted at the native valve, the prosthetic valve support is transitionable into an enlarged state in which the lumen has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. In the enlarged state, the prosthetic valve support is configured to support, at the native valve, the prosthetic heart valve within the lumen.

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: An ingestible pill is provided that includes an enteric coating and a medication-delivery device, which includes (a) a patch having upper and lower surfaces that face in generally opposite directions, and (b) needles. The patch is disposed within the enteric coating, folded so as to define one or more creases, which define respective inner and outer crease sides, wherein at least 50% of the needles are coupled to the patch along the inner crease sides. The patch is configured to assume, after the enteric coating dissolves, an expanded shape, in which the patch has an outer perimeter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes one or more intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, and a support structure along which the one or more intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces are disposed. The support structure is configured to be implanted within a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc of a subject, and to be shaped as a partial ring or a complete ring after implantation. The apparatus further includes one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, which are configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus, in electrical communication with the disc. Control circuitry is provided, which is configured to: configure the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be cathodes, and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to be one or more anodes, and drive the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces to electroosmotically drive fluid into the nucleus pulposus. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implant, including: (a) a circuitry unit having a first end, a second end, a conducting lateral side, and an opposing lateral side; (b) a first electrode, disposed on an outer surface of the circuitry unit and laterally circumscribing the circuitry unit at the first end; (c) a second electrode, disposed on the outer surface of the circuitry unit and laterally circumscribing the circuitry unit at the second end; (d) circuitry, disposed within the circuitry unit, and configured to be wirelessly powered to drive an electrical current between the electrodes; and (e) an insulating member, disposed on the opposing lateral side such that, on the opposing lateral side, each electrode is sandwiched between the insulating member and the circuitry unit, and the insulating member inhibits electrical conduction from the electrodes into the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves and methods of use of prosthetic heart valves may be provided. In one implementation, a prosthetic heart valve may include an annular spacer configured for implantation with a native heart valve opening and a central valve section configured for disposal within the annular spacer. The central valve section may include at least one anchoring protrusion configured to anchor the central valve section against axial movement relative to the annular spacer. During deployment, the central valve section may be advanced downstream beyond the implanted annular spacer, and moved upstream until the anchoring protrusion engages the annular spacer.

Abstract: An intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface (280) is configured to be implanted in a nucleus pulposus (42) of an intervertebral disc (30), and a plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (44) is configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus (42), in electrical communication with the intervertebral disc (30). Control circuitry (50) separately controls at least two of the plurality of extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (44), and to repeatedly alternatively assume: (a) a pressure-increasing mode of operation, in which fluid is electroosmotically driven into the nucleus pulposus (42) to increase pressure in the intervertebral disc (30), by applying a first mean voltage of less than 1.23 V between the exposed electrode surfaces (280, 44), and (b) an oxygen-generating mode of operation, in which oxygen is generated within the nucleus pulposus (42) by electrolysis, by applying a second mean voltage of at least 1.23 V between the exposed electrode surfaces (280, 44).

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens implant is provided that includes (a) a bowl-shaped posterior component and (b) an anterior component, which includes an anterior floating lens unit, which includes an anterior lens; a circumferential rim; and levers, which connect the anterior floating lens unit to the circumferential rim, such that the anterior floating lens unit is movable toward and away from the circumferential ring in an anterior-posterior direction. The bowl-shaped posterior component and the anterior component are distinct from each other and not permanently fixed to each other, and are shaped so as to be assemblable together in situ in a human eye such that the circumferential rim contacts an interface region of an inner surface of the bowl-shaped posterior component, and the levers are pivotable about the interface region during motion of the anterior floating lens unit toward and away from the circumferential ring in the anterior-posterior direction.

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: A valve prosthesis system is provided, which includes a prosthetic aortic valve and a non-implantable unit. The prosthetic aortic valve which includes a plurality of prosthetic leaflets; a frame; a cathode and an anode, which are mechanically coupled to the frame; and a prosthetic-valve coil, which is in non-wireless electrical communication with the cathode and the anode. The non-implantable unit includes an energy-transmission coil; and non-implantable control circuitry, which is configured to drive the cathode and the anode to apply a pacing signal and to set parameters of the pacing signal, by wirelessly transferring energy from the energy-transmission coil to the prosthetic-valve coil by inductive coupling. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes positioning electrodes in or in contact with a head of a subject identified as in need of enhanced microglial cell activation. Control circuitry is activated to drive the electrodes to apply an electrical current to a brain of the subject in pulses having an average pulse duration of between 0.1 ms and 10 ms, and to configure the electrical current to enhance microglial cell activation for taking up amyloid beta or tau protein from brain parenchyma. The control circuitry is activated to apply the electrical current with an average amplitude of between 0.1 and 5 mA, or with an average voltage that results in between 0.1 and 5 mA current. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens implant (10) is provided that is shaped so as to be assemblable into an assembled state in situ in a capsular bag of a human eye, and includes an anterior floating lens unit (24), which comprises an anterior lens (26); a posterior lens unit (50), which comprises a posterior lens (52); an anterior rim (44); levers (30), arranged to move the anterior floating lens unit (24) toward and away from the anterior rim (44), in an anterior-posterior direction; and a circumferential rim (48), which is attached to the levers (30). The lens implant (10) is arranged such that in the assemble state: elastic potential energy is stored in the lens implant (10) as a result of deformation of the lens implant (10) during a transition from a fully-accommodated state to a fully-unaccommodated state, and at least 50% of the elastic potential energy stored in the lens implant (10) as the result of the deformation is stored in the circumferential rim (48).

Abstract: An electrical amyloid beta-clearance system for treating a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from Alzheimer's disease is provided, the system including midplane treatment electrodes, adapted to be disposed over a superior sagittal sinus, outside and in electrical contact with a skull of a head of the subject; lateral treatment electrodes, adapted to be disposed between 1 and 12 cm of a sagittal midplane of the skull; and control circuitry, configured to clear amyloid beta from a subarachnoid space to the superior sagittal sinus, by applying 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. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A transluminal sheath is advanced into a femoral vein of a subject, through an inferior vena cava of the subject, into a right atrium of a heart of the subject, and transseptally into a left atrium of the heart. A surrounding-sheath is advanced out of a distal end of the transluminal sheath, into the left atrium, and toward a commissure of a mitral valve of the heart. A commissural helix is implanted at the commissure by advancing the commissural helix out of the surrounding-sheath and through the commissure into a left ventricle of the heart, such that the commissural helix wraps around at least some chordae tendineae at the commissure and facilitates sealing of the commissure. Subsequently to the implantation of the commissural helix, the surrounding-sheath is extracted from the heart. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an intraocular device which is implanted entirely in an eye of a subject and includes photosensors which detect photons representing an image in a gaze direction of the subject, and stimulating electrodes which apply currents to the retina. The apparatus further includes an extraocular device including an imaging device which captures a wide-field image. The apparatus further includes processing circuitry which (i) receives the wide-field image from the imaging device of the extraocular device, (ii) receives a signal from the photosensors of the intraocular device, (iii) based on the signal from the photosensors, process the wide-field image from the imaging device to generate image data representative of a sub-portion of the wide-field image, and (iv) cause the electrodes to apply currents to the retina based on the image data. Other applications are also described.