Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a first electrode, configured to be implanted at a first anatomical site in a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc of a subject, and a second electrode, configured to be implanted at a second anatomical site outside the nucleus pulposus of the disc. A control unit is configured to detect a pressure difference between the first and the second anatomical sites by detecting a streaming voltage between the first and the second electrodes, and, in response to the detected pressure difference, drive fluid between the nucleus pulposus and outside the nucleus pulposus by applying a treatment voltage between the first and the second electrodes. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A prosthetic cardiac valve includes a frame and plurality of prosthetic leaflets coupled to the frame so as to allow blood flow in one direction. An antenna is mechanically coupled to the frame, and includes a magnetic core and one or more coils wound about the magnetic core. At at least one location along a length of the magnetic core, a planar space bound by an outer perimeter of the magnetic core, in a plane perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the frame, has (a) a shorter dimension, which is measured along a ray that radiates radially outward from the central longitudinal axis and intersects a centroid defined by the planar space, and (b) a longer dimension, which is measured perpendicular to the shorter dimension in the plane, and is at least 150% of the shorter dimension. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) stimulating device for stimulating an SPG of a patient is provided. The SPG stimulating device includes a sheath having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion shaped to define at least one electrode opening. A nasal stabilizer is disposed around the sheath and configured to stabilize the sheath with respect to a nostril of a nose of the patient when the sheath is disposed within the nose. An electrode mount is slidably disposed within the sheath, and at least one electrode is coupled to the electrode mount and deployable out of the sheath through the at least one electrode opening to position the at least one electrode to stimulate the SPG. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device (VAD) for use with a heart includes a housing, an upper membrane pump including a pumping chamber coupled to one-way upper inlet and outlet valves, a lower membrane pump including a pumping chamber coupled to one-way lower inlet and outlet valves, and an actuator that causes the upper membrane pump and the lower membrane pump to alternately draw blood into and pump blood out of their respective pumping chambers, and a control module in operative communication with the actuator, wherein the actuator operates with a pumping frequency which is greater than a pulse frequency of the heart.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device (VAD) for use with a heart includes a housing, an upper membrane pump including a pumping chamber coupled to one-way upper inlet and outlet valves, a lower membrane pump including a pumping chamber coupled to one-way lower inlet and outlet valves, and an actuator that causes the upper membrane pump and the lower membrane pump to alternately draw blood into and pump blood out of their respective pumping chambers, and a control module in operative communication with the actuator, wherein the actuator operates with a pumping frequency which is greater than a pulse frequency of the heart.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes non-invasively applying a first non-invasive sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG)-stimulation electrode to a first SPG-stimulation site of a subject on an external surface of skin between a mandibular notch and a zygomatic process of a temporal bone, the subject identified as at risk of or suffering from dementia. A second SPG-stimulation electrode is applied to a second SPG-stimulation site of the subject. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject is increased by activating circuitry to drive, between the first non-invasive SPG-stimulation electrode and the second SPG-stimulation electrode, alternating current configured to stimulate an SPG of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes inserting a neurostimulator into a face of a subject and advancing the neurostimulator between a mandibular notch and a zygomatic process of a temporal bone toward a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), the subject identified as at risk of or suffering from dementia. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject is increased by activating the neurostimulator to drive, between first and second SPG-stimulation electrodes of the neurostimulator, alternating current configured to stimulate the SPG. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: First and second atrial arms and first and second ventricular arms are advanced to the heart. The first ventricular arm is moved distally by applying a pulling force to the first ventricular arm at a first fixed connection point that is at a portion of the first ventricular arm that is farthest from a first articulation site of the first atrial arm and the first ventricular arm, and the second ventricular arm is moved distally by applying a pulling force to the second ventricular arm at a second fixed connection point that is at a portion of the second ventricular arm that is farthest from a second articulation site of the second atrial arm and the second ventricular arm. Subsequently, the first native leaflet is clamped between the first arms, and the second native leaflet is clamped between the second arms. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a clinical condition of a subject is described. A motion sensor senses motion of the subject without contacting or viewing the subject, and generates a sensed motion signal responsive to the sensed motion. A signal analyzer is adapted to analyze the motion signal to identify a cough in the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating an intervertebral disc of a subject is provided. The apparatus includes at least three intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces, which are configured to be implanted within a nucleus pulposus of the disc, at different respective locations; and 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 configured to (a) 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 (b) 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 to increase pressure in the disc.

Abstract: An implant is implanted into a tissue of a subject. The implant includes a circuitry unit that houses circuitry, and one or more outwardly-facing electrodes that are electrically coupled to the circuitry. The circuitry unit is shaped to define a height that is smaller than (i) a longest length, and (ii) a longest width of the circuitry unit. The implant is oriented with respect to the tissue, such that: (a) the height of the circuitry unit is disposed along a superficial-to-deep axis with respect to skin of the subject, (b) the implant is positioned to stimulate a nerve underlying the implant, and (c) the implant is positioned in a manner that inhibits electrical conduction from the outwardly-facing electrodes into skin of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: For some applications, apparatus is provided for facilitating implantation of a prosthetic valve (150) at a native heart valve (120) of a subject, the apparatus comprising a prosthetic valve support (22), the prosthetic valve support (a) being configured to be transluminally-deliverable to the native valve and to be deployable at the native valve, and (b) comprising one or more tissue-engaging elements (24), configured to couple the prosthetic valve support to leaflets (128) of the native valve without eliminating check valve functionality of the native valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for treating a herniated intervertebral disc is provided, the method including implanting an electrode mount crossing an annulus fibrosus of the herniated intervertebral disc of a subject, such that the electrode mount holds at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface in place in a nucleus pulposus of the herniated intervertebral disc. Control circuitry is activated to treat disc herniation by creating an electric potential difference between the at least one intra-pulposus exposed electrode surface and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces implanted outside the nucleus pulposus in electrical communication with the herniated intervertebral disc. 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. A plurality of prosthetic leaflets are coupled to the frame so as to allow blood flow in a downstream direction and inhibit blood flow in an upstream direction when the prosthetic aortic valve is in an expanded deployment configuration. Circuitry is mechanically coupled to the frame. An electrode is mechanically coupled to the frame. A printed circuit board (PCB) is shaped so as to define an elongate portion. An electrical lead electrically couples the electrode to the circuitry, and is integral with the elongate portion of the PCB. The elongate portion of the PCB is mechanically coupled to some of the interconnected stent struts of the frame. 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 expanded radially within the heart into an at least partially-expanded configuration while at least a portion of the central valve section is situated outside of a space opening of the annular spacer, and moved upstream while remaining in the at least partially-expanded configuration until the anchoring protrusion engages the annular spacer.

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.