Israel Active

30,000 of Israel’s 3.5 million visitors in 2012 came to get medical treatment at Israel’s top health institutions. Treatments include IVF, brain diseases, laser surgery and heart bypasses. Please read about Dr. Jason Bodzin of West Bloomfield who had stem cell treatment for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) – the condition also suffered by Professor Stephen Hawking, who boycotted Israel’s Presidents’ Conference.

IceSense3 cryoablation cancer treatment is to be covered by US medical insurance giant HCSC. Vast numbers of US patients will now be able to have breast tumors removed by the minimally invasive ultrasound-targeted freezing process developed by Israel’s IceCure Medical.

An international research team, including Hebrew University Professor Raphael D. Levine, has discovered that brain tumors switch their signaling network to evade growth inhibitor medication. New treatments can now be developed that take advantage of this knowledge.

Researchers at the Rabin Medical Center in Petach Tikva have proved scientifically that the thickness of the layer of fat enveloping the heart can predict heart disease. It is not the weight (BMI) of an individual that matters, but whether the tissue supporting the heart muscle grows too large.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a protein code-named PEDF that treats pain and fertility problems in women suffering from angiogenesis of the uterus. It can also cure potentially life-threatening side effects caused by IVF treatments.

At the "Moscow Days in Israel" economic conference in Tel Aviv, Mark Groysman of Africa Israel announced plans to develop oncology centers in Moscow. Over 500,000 Russians contract cancer each year, where there is a lack of medical devices, equipment, doctors and clinics.

Israel’s BioLineRx has licensed its BL-8030 oral treatment for the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) to China’s Jiangsu Chia-tai Tianqing. Approximately 43 million Chinese suffer from Hepatitis C – a chronic and debilitating disease.

The Amity platform from Israel’s Xorcom provides 24/7 remote supervision for the elderly or infirm, whether they are alone, in sheltered accommodation, or a hospital or nursing home. Sensors and cameras monitor pulse rate, breathing, movement; even checking if the stove has been left on.

(Thanks to Israel21c) The Inspiromatic smart dry-powder inhaler for children from Israel’s Inspiro Medical has just passed a critical clinical trial at Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikvah. The Inspiromatic has an internal micro controller and flow sensor that dispenses the particles of medication at the right time and of the right size, without need for forceful inhalation.

Israel’s Eon Surgical has developed technology to perform microlaparoscopy – a single minimally invasive surgical procedure through a tiny incision in the abdomen. Even before selling its first product, Eon has been bought by US giant Teleflex, indicating that Eon’s technology is exceptional.