Abstract: An apparatus (20) includes one or more longitudinal elements (28a, 28b, 30, 60) configured to pass through a sheath (22) within a body of a subject, and one or more expandable multilayered electrode elements (24) coupled to the longitudinal elements. The electrode elements are configured to advance to a thrombus in the body while collapsed inside the sheath and to expand distally to the sheath following the advance to the thrombus. Each of the electrode elements includes one or more reference electrodes (34) and one or more active electrodes (36) configured to attract the thrombus, following the expansion of the electrode elements, upon application of a voltage between the active electrodes and the reference electrodes. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a blockage from a body includes a tube, configured to advance to the blockage, and a shaft configured to pass through the tube. The shaft includes one or more first electrodes, each of which constitutes part of a wall of the shaft or is wrapped around the wall, and one or more second electrodes, each of which constitutes part of the wall or is wrapped around the wall. One or more first electrically-conductive elements are configured to connect the first electrodes to a first terminal of a power source, and one or more second electrically-conductive elements are configured to connect the second electrodes to a second terminal of the power source. Each of the first electrodes is configured to attract the blockage when a voltage is applied by the power source between the first electrode and one of the second electrodes. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) includes a tube (22), configured to advance to a blockage, and including a proximal hub (24) configured to connect to a suction-applying device such that, following the advancement of the tube to the blockage, a suction force generated by the suction-applying device is applied, via the tube, to the blockage, a shaft (26), including first and second electrically-conductive circumferential portions (28, 30), configured to pass through the tube, and first and second electrically-conductive elements (34, 38), configured to connect the first and second electrically-conductive circumferential portions to respective terminals of a power source (36).

Abstract: An electrode assembly includes an electrically-conductive wire configured for insertion into a blood vessel of a subject, an electrode surrounding the wire, and a discontinuous electrically-insulating cover disposed between the wire and the electrode such that the wire lies radially opposite the electrode at a break in the discontinuous electrically-insulating cover. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus for removal of a thrombus from a body of a subject. The apparatus includes a first electrode, made of a first conductive metal, a second electrode, made of a second conductive metal that is different from the first conductive metal, and a voltage source, configured to apply a positive unipolar voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode while the first electrode is in contact with the thrombus, and while the second electrode is inside the body of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for treating a blockage in a body of a subject includes a tube (22) configured for insertion into the body and shaped to define: a first lumen (24), and a second lumen (26) having a distal opening (28). The apparatus further includes a pair of electrodes configured to apply an electric current to the blockage upon application of a voltage between the electrodes, the pair including an outer electrode (30) wrapped around the tube and an inner electrode (32) configured to pass through the first lumen. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (20f) for removing a blockage from a body of a subject includes a reference electrode (26), configured for insertion into the body, an electrically-insulative element (68) covering the reference electrode, the electrically-insulative element being shaped to define a gap (72) that exposes a portion of the reference electrode, an active electrode (28) covering the electrically-insulative element, and an electrically-conductive element (32) passing through the reference electrode and electrically connected to the active electrode, the electrically-conductive element being configured to electrically connect the active electrode to a power source (34) such that application, by the power source, of a voltage between the active electrode and the reference electrode causes the active electrode to attract the blockage. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) includes a tube (22), configured to advance to a blockage, and including a proximal hub (24) configured to connect to a suction-applying device such that, following the advancement of the tube to the blockage, a suction force generated by the suction—applying device is applied, via the tube, to the blockage, a shaft (26), including first and second electrically—conductive circumferential portions (28, 30), configured to pass through the tube, and first and second electrically-conductive elements (34, 38), configured to connect the first and second electrically-conductive circumferential portions to respective terminals of a power source (36).

Abstract: Apparatus for removal of a thrombus from a body of a subject includes an electrically-insulating tube, which includes a distal end having a circumferential wall that is shaped to define one or more perforations, configured for insertion into the body of the subject, an outer electrode, disposed over the distal end of the electrically-insulating tube, and configured to lie at least partly within the thrombus while the electrically-insulating tube is inside the body of the subject, and an inner electrode, configured to lie, within the tube, opposite the perforations, while the outer electrode lies at least partly within the thrombus. The outer electrode is configured to attract the thrombus while the outer electrode lies at least partly within the thrombus and the inner electrode lies opposite the perforations, when a positive voltage is applied between the outer electrode and the inner electrode such that electric current flows through the perforations.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus for removal of a thrombus from a body of a subject. The apparatus includes a first electrode, made of a first conductive metal, a second electrode, made of a second conductive metal that is different from the first conductive metal, and a voltage source, configured to apply a positive unipolar voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode while the first electrode is in contact with the thrombus, and while the second electrode is inside the body of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.