Abstract:
A method for selectively powering a battery-operated drug-delivery device, the device having a battery and a battery circuit, the method comprising: providing a battery isolator in a first position whereat it interrupts a battery circuit, whereby no power is provided to the device; and activating a fastening mechanism configured for fastening the device to a user, the activating causing the battery circuit to be uninterrupted by the isolator, such that power is provided to the device. Additionally, there is provided a selectively powered battery-operated drug-delivery device, comprising: a selectively-removable isolator disposed in a first position whereat it interrupts a battery circuit; the isolator movable to a second position whereat the battery circuit is uninterrupted by the isolator; and a mechanism for fastening the device to a user, activation of the fastening mechanism moving the isolator from the first position to the second position.
Abstract:
A steering tool includes an internal tube disposed inside an external tube. The internal and external tubes are arranged for longitudinal axial movement relative to one another. A distal end of the internal tube is fixedly joined to a distal end of the external tube. A tube manipulator can cause relative axial movement and distal bending of the internal and external tubes. A locking mechanism can switch between a locked position in which the internal and external tubes are locked at a particular longitudinal axial position relative to one another, and an unlocked position in which there is uninhibited free movement of the internal and external tubes relative to one another. The locking mechanism also includes an intermediate locked position in which there is partially inhibited movement of the internal and external tubes relative to one another.
Abstract:
An anchor driver is provided that includes a driver head having a flexible ring. An anchor is provided that includes a coupling head, which is shaped so as to define: (a) one or more mating elements that engage mechanical coupling elements of the driver head such that rotation of the mechanical coupling elements rotates the mating elements, which in turn rotate the coupling head, and (b) an outer coupling surface, sized to be inserted into and engage the flexible ring. The anchor also includes a tissue coupling element fixed to the coupling head. The rotation of the mechanical coupling elements causes the tissue coupling element of the anchor to screw itself into tissue, thereby causing separation of: (a) the outer coupling surface of the coupling head from the flexible ring, and (b) the mating elements of the coupling head from the corresponding mechanical coupling elements. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided, including an artificial-chordeae-tendineae-adjustment mechanism and at least one primary artificial chordea tendinea coupled at a distal portion thereof to the artificial-chordeae-tendineae-adjustment mechanism. A degree of tension of the at least one primary artificial chordea tendinea is adjustable by the artificial-chordeae-tendineae-adjustment mechanism. One or more loops are coupled at a proximal portion of the at least one primary artificial chordea tendinea. The one or more loops are configured to facilitate suturing of the one or more loops to respective portions of a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve of a patient. Other applications are also described.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided, including a tissue-adjusting member configured to be coupled to tissue of a patient, a rotatable structure that is configured to adjust a tension of the tissue-adjusting member, a tissue anchor coupled to the tissue-adjusting member and configured to screw into the tissue of the patient, and a delivery tool reversibly coupleable to the rotatable structure. The delivery tool comprises a first actuating element configured to rotate the tissue anchor so as to facilitate screwing of the tissue anchor into the tissue of the patient while not facilitating rotation of the rotatable structure, and a second actuating element configured to rotate the rotatable structure while not facilitating rotation of the tissue anchor. Other applications are also described.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided that includes an annuloplasty system for use on a subject. The system includes an annuloplasty ring, which includes a sleeve having a lumen, and at least one anchor, shaped so as to define a coupling head and a tissue coupling element, which tissue coupling element is shaped so as to define a longitudinal axis, and is configured to penetrate cardiac tissue of the subject in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The system further includes an anchor deployment manipulator, configured to be removably positioned within the lumen of the sleeve, and, while so positioned, to deploy the tissue coupling element from a distal end of the deployment manipulator through a wall of the sleeve into the cardiac tissue in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tissue coupling element and parallel to a central longitudinal axis through the distal end of the deployment manipulator.
Abstract:
A method is provided including coupling a tissue-engaging element to a first portion of cardiac tissue of a heart of a patient and advancing toward the tissue-engaging element an adjustment mechanism along at least one guide member that is removably coupled to the tissue-engaging element. The adjustment mechanism engages a first portion of a first flexible longitudinal member. A second portion of the first flexible longitudinal member is coupled to a second portion of cardiac tissue. Following the coupling of the second portion of the first flexible longitudinal member to the second portion of cardiac tissue, the adjustment mechanism is slid further along the guide member and coupled to the tissue-engaging element. Using the adjustment mechanism, a length of the first flexible longitudinal member is adjusted between the first and second portions of cardiac tissue. Other applications are also described.
Abstract:
A steering tool including an internal tube disposed inside an external tube, the internal and external tubes being arranged for longitudinal axial movement relative to one another, wherein a distal end of the internal tube is fixedly joined to a distal end of the external tube, and at least one of the internal and external tubes is slotted near the distal end thereof, and wherein the longitudinal axial movement causes bending of the distal ends of the tubes.
Abstract:
Apparatus for use with tissue (22) of a subject, including a substance (24) configured to be injected into the tissue, and first and second tissue-squeezing surfaces (20) configured to be placed on first and second sides of the tissue, to exert pressure on the tissue by being moved toward each other in response to a squeezing force (F), and to facilitate injection of the substance into the tissue by releasing the substance in response to application of the squeezing force.
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.