Keeping heart patients out of hospital
Following an agreement with a US medical services company, heart monitors from Israel’s NI Medical's will be in use at nursing homes across the United States. The Non-invasive Cardiac System (NICas) significantly reduces the number of repeated hospitalization of cardiac patients.
The 4th best healthcare in the world
In Bloomberg’s latest ranking, Israel’s healthcare is only surpassed by Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. The study compared life expectancy; per capita cost of health care and cost as a percentage of GDP per capita. The UK came 14th and the USA 46th.
Cures for malaria and sleeping sickness
(Thanks to Atid-EDI) Israel’s D-Pharm Ltd has announced positive results for its treatments for human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and malaria. D-Pharm’s Membrane Active Chelators regulate metal ions in the cells that are disrupted by these parasitic-born diseases.
Patients can breathe easier
Students in the bio-design program of the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem’s Hebrew University have designed a robotic intubation device that guides itself to the lungs. The “GuideIN Tube” prevents accidental insertion of the air tube into the food pipe, which can be fatal.
And in the same vein…
A similar idea - the Sagiv (designed by Hadassah / Hebrew U researchers) helps medical staff insert an IV tube (catheter) into the vein, first time and without pain to the patient. It resolves one of the biggest issues for nurses and paramedics – especially in young children whose veins are very thin.
New Israeli tendon helps athletes spring back into action
(Thanks to Israel21c) Torn knee ligaments no longer need end sports careers. Israeli start-up Tavor has developed an implant called Knee-T-Nol made from a titanium alloy. After surgery, you can walk in 12 hours and total recovery is under three months.
Re-growing cartilage
CartiHeal - Israel’s developer of cartilage regeneration technology - was awarded the distinguished "2012 Incubator Company Excellence Award" from Israel’s Chief Scientist. CartiHeal is running a clinical study in leading European medical centers with very promising results.
Generic alternative for brain tumor treatment
Israel’s Teva has partnered with the US/Israeli firm Perrigo to launch “a high quality, less expensive alternative” to Temodar (temozolomide) for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (brain tumor). Teva also had good news about its chemotherapy and prostate cancer treatments.
A glue to stop bleeding
Surgeons will be pleased to be able to seal up vascular operations using Seal-V from Israel’s Sealantis. A spin-off from Israel’s Technion, Seal-V is safer than protein based or synthetic based alternatives. It is highly effective, fast bonding, easy to use and has just received European medical approval.
Rambam hospital is music to African-American ears
Haifa’s Rambam Hospital will be holding an end August gala event to raise funds for research into the prevalent genetic kidney disease that afflicts African-Americans. Smokey Robinson, Natalie Cole (herself a kidney disease survivor), and many others will perform.