Abstract:
Apparatus is provided that is configured to be implanted in a body of a subject, comprising an implant structure having first and second portions thereof, a spool coupled to the implant structure in a vicinity of the first portion thereof, and a flexible member coupled at a first end thereof to the spool, and not attached at a second end thereof to the spool. The flexible member, in response to rotation of the spool in a first direction thereof, is configured to be wound around the spool, and, responsively, to pull the second end of the flexible member toward the first end of the implant structure, and responsively to draw the first and second portions of the implant structure toward each other. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided for use with a biologically-compatible-fluid pressure source, the apparatus including an elongate carrier, adapted to be inserted through a proximal opening of a body lumen, and a piston head coupled to a distal portion of the carrier. The piston head is adapted to form a pressure seal with a wall of the lumen after the carrier has been inserted into the lumen, and to be advanced distally through the body lumen in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source. The apparatus is configured to facilitate distal advancement of the piston head by facilitating passage of fluid out of the lumen from a site within the lumen distal to the piston head. The apparatus additionally includes an optical system, coupled to the carrier in a vicinity of the distal portion, the optical system having distal and proximal ends. The optical system includes an image sensor, positioned at the proximal end of the optical system; an optical member having distal and proximal ends, and shaped so as to define a lateral surface, at least a distal portion of which is curved, configured to provide omnidirectional lateral viewing; and a convex mirror, coupled to the distal end of the optical member, wherein the optical member and the mirror have respective rotational shapes about a common rotation axis.
Abstract:
A cycle pedal including a pedal frame rotatably mounted on a rotation axis of a pedal pin, the pedal pin being securable to a crank arm of a cycle, a clamping mechanism for securing a rider's foot to the cycle pedal, and a ratchet mechanism coupled to the rotation axis and operative to permit rotation of the pedal frame about the rotation axis only in a first direction, wherein in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the ratchet mechanism does not permit rotation of the pedal frame about the rotation axis and is operative together with the clamping mechanism to transmit torque power in the second direction to the crank arm, wherein the ratchet mechanism comprises a toothed cog that ratchets with a pawl, and wherein the toothed cog has ratchet teeth only on a portion thereof.
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal apparatus (200) is provided for use with a fluid pressure source (240). The gastrointestinal apparatus (200) includes a guiding element (214), adapted to be inserted into a colon, and a piston head (220) coupled to a distal portion of the guiding element (214). The piston head (220) is adapted to be inflated to form a first pressure seal between the piston head (220) and a wall of the colon after the guiding element (214) has been inserted into the colon, and be advanced distally through the colon in response to pressure from the fluid pressure source (240) applied to an external surface of the piston head (220). The apparatus (200) further includes a gastrointestinal tool (210) adapted to be advanced along the guiding element (214), and an annular balloon (228) coupled around a distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210), the balloon (228) expandable to form a second pressure seal between the distal portion of the gastrointestinal tool (210) and the wall of the colon. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
A system adapted to be disposed between a rigid or semi-rigid device and human skin for reliably attaching the device to the skin for an extended period of time. The system includes a skin-contacting surface for adhering to human skin, and an opposed surface for attachment to a rigid or semi-rigid device. The system is attached along its opposed surface to a portion of the total area of the adjacent surface of the device. When the device is subjected to external stress, the stress is transmitted through the area of attachment and distributed to the unattached area. This minimises stress on the skin and reduces the chance of detachment from the skin.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided including an implant structure (22, 122, 1122), a rotatable structure (2900) coupled to the implant structure (22, 122, 1122) in a vicinity of a first portion thereof, and a flexible member (30). At least a first portion of the 5 flexible member (30) is disposed in contact with the rotatable structure (2900), and at least one end portion of the flexible member (30) is not disposed in contact with the rotatable structure (30). In response to rotation of the rotatable structure (2900) in a first direction thereof, successive portions of the flexible member (30) contact the rotatable structure (2900) to pull the at least one end portion of the flexible member 0 (30) toward the first portion of the implant structure (22, 122, 1122), and responsively to draw the first and second portions of the implant structure (22, 122, 1122) toward each other. Other applications are also described.
Abstract:
A needle assembly adapted for fluid communication with a cartridge containing a substance to be delivered to a subject, the needle assembly characterized by a biasing device (70) arranged to apply a biasing force on a needle (28, 116) to cause the needle (28, 116) to protrude outwards of a housing (30, 112) to pierce the subject, and biasing device release apparatus (60) including a biasing device arrestor (62) that initially blocks movement of the biasing device (70) and which releases the biasing device (70) when the safety latch (32, 122) moves to a position that permits moving the needle holder (26, 118) to cause the needle (28, 116) to protrude outwards of the housing (30, 112).
Abstract:
Apparatus (20) is provided for use in a gastrointestinal tract (40) of a patient, including an inflatable device (22) configured to be moved through the gastrointestinal tract (40) to a treatment site in response to a difference between fluid pressure proximal to the inflatable device (22) and fluid pressure distal to the inflatable device (22). An optical system (24) coupled to the inflatable device (22) configured to image the gastrointestinal tract (40). A working channel (32) coupled to the inflatable device (22) and shaped to define a channel lumen therein to provide access from outside of the patient to the treatment site. A tool (34) configured to be passed through the channel lumen and to emerge from a distal end of the working channel (32). The tool (34) comprises a tool steering mechanism (44) to facilitate steering of the tool (34) from outside of the patient. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided including an implantable structure (22), including a flexible sleeve (26), having first and second sleeve ends (49, 51), a contracting assembly (40), which is configured to longitudinally contract the sleeve (26). The contracting assembly (40) includes a contracting mechanism (28), which is at a first site of the sleeve (26); and a longitudinal contracting member (30), having (a) a first member end, (b) a second member end (53), coupled to the sleeve (26) at a second site longitudinally between the first site and the second sleeve end (49 or 51), exclusive. A force-distributing element (540) is couplable to the sleeve (26) in a vicinity of the second sleeve end (49 or 51), element (540) is configured to distribute a contraction force by the contracting member (30) between the second member end (53) and the second sleeve end (49 or 51). Other applications are also described.
Abstract:
Gastrointestinal apparatus (10) is provided, including a guiding element (16) and an inflatable mechanical device (96), adapted to pull the guiding element (16) through a colon of a patient. A gastrointestinal tool (12) is shaped to define a bore (14) therethrough, and the guiding element (16) is adapted to pass through the bore (14). Other embodiments are also described.