Israeli startup VRPhysio matches virtual reality and physiotherapy to help patients exercise and speed up recovery; Hadasit and Israel’s BioLineRx are to develop a treatment BL-1210 for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fatty liver disease, and much more. 

By: Michael Ordman

ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Physiotherapy using Virtual Reality

Israeli startup VRPhysio matches virtual reality and physiotherapy to help patients exercise and speed up recovery. The system includes a headset, a mobile app, weights and body sensors to monitor body movement and a set of virtual reality games that aim to make exercising more fun.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/vrphysio-uses-virtual-gaming-to-help-pain-in-neck/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq0v1tQD1CA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QFUVXJ7TwE

New treatment for fatty liver disease

Hadasit, the Hadassah Medical Organization’s technology transfer company, and Israel’s BioLineRx are to develop a treatment BL-1210 for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fatty liver disease. It modulates the immune system to reduce scarring that leads to cirrhosis. There is currently no FDA-approved treatment.

http://www.hadassah.org/news-stories/NASH-liver-disease.html

Breakthrough in search for melanoma cure

Researchers, led by Tel Aviv University’s Dr. Carmit Levy, have unraveled the metastatic mechanism of melanoma (how it spreads to other organs). They have also crucially found chemical substances that can stop the process – promising news for future treatments.
http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Health-and-Science/Israeli-researchers-closing-in-on-cure-for-melanoma-with-new-breakthrough-464749 http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/216807

A device to cure pelvic floor prolapse

Israel’s POP Medical has obtained US FDA approval for the marketing of its medical device for treatment of pelvic floor prolapse. 20% of the women in the world suffer from this condition at any given moment, and 30% at some time in their lives.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-pop-medical-awarded-fda-nod-on-pelvic-device-1001144762

Diagnosing sleep apnea in pregnancy

25% of pregnant women may suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) but receive no treatment. Now researchers from Israel and the USA recommend a new diagnosis, ‘‘Gestational Sleep Apnea” (GSA) to properly describe, diagnose and treat OSA in pregnant women,
https://www.afhu.org/time-to-wake-up-to-a-new-diagnosis-with-gestational-sleep-apnea/news/
http://www.obstetanesthesia.com/article/S0959-289X(16)00038-8/abstract?cc=y=

Helping the visually impaired

Israeli startup RenewSenses develops the EyeCane, a small flashlight-like device that translates distance into sound and vibrations. Also EyeMusic which translates color and shape into music. RenewSenses has just joined Brainnovation – Israel’s Brain Technologies accelerator.
https://www.afhu.org/renewsense-enters-brainnovation-israels-brain-technologies-accelerator/news/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFsZ6RFRjtI

New soft material for artificial limbs

Researchers at Tel Aviv University and in the Netherlands have developed a breakthrough material that can be “morphed” into any shape. The programmable metamaterial could be ideal for prostheses or wearable technology in which a close fit with the body is important.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-synthetic-material-may-bring-prosthetic-relief/

Cardiac surgery saves Afghan boy’s life

A covert operation has ensured that Yehia (born with multiple heart defects) is the first Afghan to have been treated by Israel’s Save a Child’s Heart organization, joining over 4,000 children from over 50 other countries who have been saved by SACH.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/with-cardiac-surgery-israeli-team-saves-afghani-boys-life/

Click here for all of this week’s Good News from Israel.

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