Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing an electrode, which includes a wire that has a wire diameter of between 75 and 125 microns. The wire includes a non-electrically-insulated current-application longitudinal segment, which, in the absence of any applied forces, is coiled and has a mean pitch of between 1.1 and 2 times the wire diameter, and an entire longitudinal length of between 5 and 35 mm. The wire also includes an electrically-insulated lead longitudinal segment has an entire longitudinal length of between 5 and 80 mm, in the absence of any applied forces. At least a portion of the electrode is implanted in a body of a subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that is configured to be deployed in a lumen of a blood vessel of a subject. The apparatus includes a pump portion, including an anchor configured to engage a wall of the blood vessel in order to maintain the apparatus in place within the blood vessel, and a reciprocating valve coupled to the anchor and including a set of one or more leaflets. A valve driver is configured to drive the reciprocating valve in a reciprocating pattern between (i) a first state in which the leaflets are in an open configuration allowing blood flow through the reciprocating valve, and (ii) a second state in which the leaflets are in a closed configuration inhibiting blood flow through the reciprocating valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A prosthetic aortic valve is configured to be delivered to a native aortic valve of a patient in a constrained delivery configuration within a delivery sheath. The prosthetic aortic valve includes a frame; a plurality of prosthetic leaflets coupled to the frame; a cathode and an anode, which are mechanically coupled to the frame; and a prosthetic-valve coil, which is coupled to the frame and is in non-wireless electrical communication with the cathode and the anode. When the prosthetic aortic valve is in an expanded fully-deployed configuration upon release from the delivery sheath, (a) a line defined between upstream-most and downstream-most points of mechanical coupling between the prosthetic-valve coil and the frame and (b) a central longitudinal axis defined by the frame form an angle of between 20 and 70 degrees. 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: 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: 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 is provided that is configured to be deployed in a lumen of a blood vessel of a subject. The apparatus includes a pump portion, including an anchor configured to engage a wall of the blood vessel in order to maintain the apparatus in place within the blood vessel, and a reciprocating valve coupled to the anchor and including a set of one or more leaflets. A valve driver is configured to drive the reciprocating valve in a reciprocating pattern between (i) a first state in which the leaflets are in an open configuration allowing blood flow through the reciprocating valve, and (ii) a second state in which the leaflets are in a closed configuration inhibiting blood flow through the reciprocating valve. 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 method is provided that includes implanting a first electrode in a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled space of a brain of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from Alzheimer's disease. One or more second electrodes are implanted superficial to brain parenchyma of the subject, such that the brain parenchyma is spatially disposed between a ventricular system of the brain and the one or more second electrodes. Control circuitry is activated to drive the first and the one or more second electrodes to clear amyloid beta and/or tau protein from the brain parenchyma into the ventricular system by applying current between the first electrode and the one or more second electrodes using an average voltage of less than 1.2 V. Other embodiments are also described.

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 for driving fluid between first and second anatomical sites of a subject is provided, comprising (1) a first electrode, configured to be coupled to the first anatomical site of the subject; (2) a second electrode, configured to be coupled to the second anatomical site of the subject; and (3) a control unit, configured to (i) detect a pressure difference between the first and second anatomical sites, and (ii) in response to the detected pressure difference, drive fluid between the first and second anatomical sites by applying a treatment voltage between the first and second electrodes. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus (20) for implanting in a heart of a human subject. The apparatus includes an interatrial anchor (22) shaped to define an opening (26) having a diameter of 4-8 mm, and a bag (24) in fluid communication with the opening of the anchor. The apparatus is shaped to fit within a right atrium of the heart of the subject, and has a capacity of between 4 and 20 cm3. Other applications 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: An artificial intervertebral disc (IVD) is provided for replacement of a degenerated intervertebral disc. The artificial IVD includes two endplates having oppositely-facing outward surfaces configured to engage respective intervertebral surfaces of the spinal column, and a chamber, which is disposed between oppositely-facing inner surfaces of the two endplates, and which includes a lateral wall including an electroosmotic membrane. A plurality of exposed electrode surface includes (i) one or more intra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces, which are located within the chamber; and (ii) one or more extra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces, which are located outside the chamber, in a vicinity of the chamber. Control circuitry is configured to drive at least one of the one or more intra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces and at least one of the one or more extra-chamber exposed electrode surfaces to electroosmotically drive liquid from outside the chamber to inside the chamber.

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: A method is provided that includes implanting a first electrode at a first site in a brain of a subject suffering from hydrocephalus, and a second electrode at a second site in the subject. The hydrocephalus is treated by electroosmotically driving fluid out of the first site, by applying a treatment voltage between the first and the second electrodes.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes implanting (a) a parenchymal electrode in or in contact with an outer surface of brain parenchyma of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from a disease, and (b) a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) electrode 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. A midplane treatment electrode is disposed in or over a superior sagittal sinus. Control circuitry is activated to drive the parenchymal electrode and the CSF electrode to drive a substance from the brain parenchyma into the CSF-filled space of the brain, and apply a treatment current between the CSF electrode and the midplane treatment electrode to drive the substance from the CSF-filled space of the brain to the superior sagittal sinus. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes an extracranial electrode, configured to be placed outside and in electrical contact with a skull of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from a disease; and a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) electrode, configured to be implanted in a ventricular system of a brain of the subject. Control circuitry is configured to drive the extracranial and the CSF electrodes to clear a substance from brain parenchyma of the subject into the ventricular system of the brain. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an implantable device shaped to define (a) at least two artery-contact regions, the artery-contact regions comprising struts that are configured to stretch an arterial wall by applying pressure to the arterial wall, and (b) at least two crimping regions that comprise locking mechanisms configured to prevent the crimping regions from becoming crimped due to pressure from the wall of the artery on the artery-contact regions. The crimping regions are configured to be crimped during insertion of the device, via a catheter, by the locking mechanisms being unlocked during insertion of the device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes implanting (a) a parenchymal electrode in or in contact with an outer surface of brain parenchyma of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from a disease, and (b) a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) electrode 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. A midplane treatment electrode is disposed in or over a superior sagittal sinus. Control circuitry is activated to drive the parenchymal electrode and the CSF electrode to drive a substance from the brain parenchyma into the CSF-filled space of the brain, and apply a treatment current between the CSF electrode and the midplane treatment electrode to drive the substance from the CSF-filled space of the brain to the superior sagittal sinus. Other embodiments are also described.