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 is provided for deployment in a lumen of a blood vessel of a subject. The apparatus includes a reciprocating device configured to move downstream and upstream in the blood vessel in a reciprocating pattern to provide: (i) a first effective surface area of the device for pushing blood downstream in the blood vessel during downstream motion of the reciprocating device, and (ii) second effective surface area of the device during upstream motion of the reciprocating device. The first effective surface area is larger for pushing blood in the blood vessel than the second effective surface area. The apparatus further includes a device driver configured to drive the reciprocating device in the reciprocating pattern. Other applications 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: A composition delivery source (200) is provided that includes (a) a chamber (202), which is shaped so as to define (A) one or more liquid ports (310) in fluid communication with an interior of the chamber (202), and (B) one or more solid-liquid composition ports (312) in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber (202); (b) a solid-liquid composition delivery tube (314) in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports (312); (c) a mixing tube (316) in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more liquid ports (310) and at least one of the one or more solid-liquid composition ports (312); and (d) a liquid-supply tube (318) in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more liquid ports (310). A pump unit (201) includes one or more pumps (223), which are arranged to cause flow in the mixing tube (316) during a mixing activation state (342), and to cause flow in the liquid-supply tube (318) during a particle-delivery activation state (344).

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an implantable retinal stimulator, for implantation on a retina of an eye, and including (i) an electrode array including electrodes; (ii) a plurality of photosensors; and (iii) driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina. The apparatus further includes an interface member disposed at an outer surface of the implantable retinal stimulator, e.g., a peripheral member surrounding at least a portion of the implantable retinal stimulator. The apparatus additionally includes a frame, (i) shaped and sized to couple to the peripheral member and to surround the implantable retinal stimulator at least in part, and (ii) shaped to define at least a first anchoring element receiving portion. An anchoring element is shaped and sized to be positioned in the anchoring element receiving portion and to penetrate scleral tissue of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens implant is provided that includes a bowl-shaped posterior lens unit, which comprises a posterior lens, and has an inner surface; an anterior floating lens unit, which comprises an anterior lens; and a plurality of levers, which (a) are in jointed connection with the anterior floating lens unit and the posterior lens unit, and (b) are arranged to move the anterior floating lens unit toward and away from the posterior lens unit, in an anterior-posterior direction. The lens implant is shaped such that the inner surface limits posterior motion of the anterior floating lens unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for use at a native heart valve of a subject is described. For some applications, the apparatus comprises a prosthetic valve support, configured (a) to be implanted at the native valve, (b) to facilitate, at a first period, implantation at the native valve of a first prosthetic valve, and (c) to facilitate, at a second period, implantation at the native valve of a second prosthetic valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Percutaneously advanced, distally into tissue of a subject, are (i) an implant, including an electrode and an anchor, and (ii) a tool. The tool includes an implant-storage member that houses the implant, and shaped to define a distal opening, and (b) a delivery manipulator, configured to facilitate bidirectional movement of the implant through the distal opening. Subsequently, the anchor and the electrode are exposed from the implant-storage member by withdrawing the implant-storage member proximally with respect to the implant. While the anchor and the electrode remain exposed from the implant-storage member, the implant is repositioned within the tissue by moving the implant, the implant-storage member, and the delivery manipulator with respect to the tissue. Subsequently, the tool is decoupled from the implant, and the tool is removed from the subject. 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.

Abstract: For some applications, apparatus is provided for facilitating implantation of a prosthetic valve at a native heart valve of a subject, the apparatus comprising a prosthetic valve support, 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, configured to couple the prosthetic valve support to leaflets of the native valve without eliminating check valve functionality of the native valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for implanting, in an eye, apparatus having an electrode array including stimulating electrodes shaped to define distal tips protruding from the array, a plurality of photosensors, and driving circuitry, configured to drive the electrodes to apply currents to the retina. The method includes removing a lens of the eye and a vitreous body of the eye, creating a corneoscleral incision and inserting the apparatus through the corneoscleral incision into a vitreous cavity of the eye. During the inserting, an orientation of the distal tips is maintained pointing towards a cornea of the eye. Subsequently to the inserting, the apparatus is rotated such that the distal tips point towards a macula of the eye. Subsequently to the rotating, the apparatus is positioned epi-retinally, such that the distal tips of the electrodes penetrate the retina. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An excitation unit is configured to induce action potentials by applying an excitatory current to a nerve. A blocking unit is configured to block the induced action potentials from propagating along the nerve by applying a blocking current to the nerve. A sensor unit is configured to detect the induced action potentials in the nerve, and to responsively provide a sensor signal that conveys information about the detected induced action potentials. Circuitry is configured (i) to drive the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, (ii) to drive the blocking unit to apply the blocking current, (iii) while driving the blocking unit to apply the blocking current, to drive the sensor unit to detect the induced action potentials and provide the sensor signal, (iv) to receive the sensor signal, and (v) in response to the sensor signal, to alter a parameter of the blocking current.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a clinical condition of a subject is described. At least one motion sensor detects motion of the subject and generates a sensed motion signal responsive to the sensed motion. A signal analyzer is adapted to determine a heartbeat-related signal from the sensed motion signal, to determine a first breathing-rate-related signal from the heartbeat-related signal, and to determine a second breathing-rate-related signal directly from the sensed motion signal. The signal analyzer determines the validity of the heartbeat-related signal by comparing the first breathing-rate-related signal with the second breathing-rate-related signal. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to prosthetic heart valves and methods of use thereof. In one implementation, a prosthetic heart valve may include an annular spacer having a spacer opening therein and a disc-shaped wall configured to obstruct blood flow. The annular spacer may be configured for engaging with a native heart valve opening, such as the orifice of a mitral valve. The spacer opening may be sized to be smaller than the native heart valve opening. The prosthetic heart valve may also include a central valve section configured for disposal within the spacer opening. The central valve section may be separate from the annular spacer and may include one or more prosthetic valve leaflets.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with skin of a subject, the apparatus including a handheld unit and an ultrasound transducer disposed in the handheld unit and configured to transmit ultrasound energy into the skin. An outwardly-facing surface of the handheld unit includes a transducer-skin interface that is configured (a) to contact the skin when the handheld unit is positioned against the skin and (b) to slide against the skin. A sensor is disposed in the handheld unit and is configured to detect a distance between the transducer-skin interface to a bone under the skin of the subject when the transducer-skin interface is positioned against the skin. Control circuitry is configured to drive the ultrasound transducer to apply the ultrasound energy into the skin at different respective power levels according to the detected distance.

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 Alzheimer's disease; and a ventricular electrode, configured to be implanted in a ventricular system of a brain of the subject. Control circuitry is configured to drive the parenchymal and the ventricular electrodes to clear a substance from the brain parenchyma into the ventricular system. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for treating an intervertebral disc (30) of a subject is provided. The apparatus (20) includes at least three intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (40), which are configured to be implanted within a nucleus pulposus (42) of the disc (30), at different respective locations; and one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (44), which are configured to be implanted outside the nucleus pulposus (42), in electrical communication with the disc (30). Control circuitry (50) is configured to (a) configure the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (40) to be cathodes, and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (44) to be one or more anodes, and (b) drive the intra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (40) and the one or more extra-pulposus exposed electrode surfaces (44) to electroosmotically drive fluid into the nucleus pulposus (40) to increase pressure in the disc (30).

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of a method of controlling timing and/or dosage of a transdermal drug patch. For example, a control device operative to move the patch to one or more of a plurality of operational relationships with a skin of a patient, including being fully engaged with the skin, partially engaged with the skin, and disengaged with the skin. The device may include a roller that peels a patch on and off the skin. Optionally a convention patch is used. In some embodiments a patch and/or an adaptor has a mobile zone and an immobile zone. In some embodiments, an active surface of the patch fully contacts the skin in an engaged state. For example the patch may be attached to the device on a passive portion thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject. The apparatus includes: (1) an annular upstream support portion, comprising an expandable first frame, the upstream support portion configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve; (2) a flexible polyester connector; and (3) an anchoring element, flexibly coupled to the upstream support portion by the connector, and configured to anchor the upstream support portion to the native valve by engaging tissue of the native valve.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for expanding a Schlemm's canal of an eye of a subject, the apparatus including an introducer having a lumen and a plurality of expandable porous structures sized and shaped to be disposed with the lumen. The expandable porous structures are configured (a) to be inserted into the Schlemm's canal at discrete locations around the canal, (b) to be inserted into the Schlemm's canal while in a collapsed form, and (c) to expand while inside the Schlemm's canal.