Israeli robots perform live brain surgery
Mazor Robotics announced that three procedures for obtaining brain tissue biopsies were successfully carried out using the company's robotic system. The procedures were carried out on live patients. The surgeons said that the procedures were a complete success.
The bones of a major breakthrough
(Thanks to Michael A.) Israeli biotech Bonus BioGroup has produced human bones using fat tissue stem cells. The patient’s body will more easily accept these regenerated bones because they will be formed from the same patient’s tissue. Over 2 million bone grafts are performed annually.
Lower melanoma rates for Israeli women
Incidents of skin cancer amongst Israeli women and subsequent mortality rates have decreased by 30 percent since 1992 thanks to increased awareness and use of sun protection. Globally, however, melanoma rates continue to rise.
Haifa doctor removes objects from babies’ lungs
In the same week, Doctor Arye Goldin examined two babies and found food items trapped in their lungs. Using a broncoscope only 4mm in diameter Rambam hospital doctors gently inserted a tiny pair of tweezers to pull the items out.
Teva’s Copaxone prevents MS relapses
Phase III clinical trials using 40mg Copaxone three times a week on 1400 Multiple Sclerosis patients in 155 sites worldwide, resulted in a 34.4% reduction in relapse rates.
Rewriting DNA to understand what it says
A new Weizmann Institute study advances our understanding of the genetic code. It proposes a way of effectively introducing numerous carefully planned DNA segments into genomes of living cells and of testing the effects of these changes.
BioMed 2012 Conference highlights Israel’s excellence
The ILSI-Biomed 2012 Conference in Tel Aviv displayed the achievements of the Israeli biotech industry. It also highlighted Israel’s drive to tailor medical devices to the individual patient whilst making them easier for the expert physician to operate.
Removing tumours without surgery
Israel’s IceCure Ltd.has announced the first use of IceSense3, its cryoablation procedure for the removal of breast cancer tumours. Having previously been used to remove benign tumours, this is the world’s first extreme cold system to remove cancerous tumours.
Effective against cancer
A study has found that the drug Treanda, from Israel’s Teva, worked better than standard therapy, to slow the growth of immune system tumors, and had fewer side effects.