ISRAEL 
HIGH-TECH & INVESTMENT REPORT

from the June 2004 issue


Computer-Aided Surgery


The 7th Symposium, for Computer-Aided Surgery, Medical Robotics and Medical Imaging convened in May in Israel at the Rabin Medical Center. It was attended by local and foreign clinicians, scientists, and engineers involved in medical imaging, computer science and robotics and their application to the monitoring and execution of medical operative surgery. NAVICATH, an Israeli startup, founded by Prof. Rephael Beyar is developing a semi-automatic, remotely controlled cardiac catheterization system. The novel catheterization system will assist the medical team and will result in a more efficient and accurate procedure, thus decreasing the risk to the patient. It is Israel's main entry into robotic aided surgery.

The world of technology and medicine is joining forces in response to the challenge of the astronomical fees, the experience of excessive postoperative pain, extended recuperation periods, and the imperative for lessening of risk of infection and complications that often accompany traditional surgery. Minimally invasive surgical techniques (MIS) combining robotics, artificial intelligence and other technologies are beginning to make inroads into traditional surgery.

The world's first telesurgery became a reality when in September 2001, surgeons in New York used Computer Motion's Zeus and Socrates systems to remove a gall bladder from a patient nearly 4,000 miles away in Paris, France.

Surgeons are becoming aware that mechanical, computer-aided systems now allow them to operate more precisely, less invasively and with reduced blood loss. The desired result is that patients enjoy shortened healing times. Most are able to return to work two to three times faster than they would otherwise.

Israeli surgeons have been learning various new procedures and have begun applying them. A live cardiac surgerical operation, using the Zeus robotics system was viewed by the audience that was seated in an auditorium 500 feet from the operating theatre. The operating surgeon Dr. Alon Stamler explained the robotically assisted operation and answered questions from the rapt audience, throughout the operation.

Interest in robotics was first evident at the Technion. It was Prof. Moshe Shoham of the Technion who invented the first Israeli medical robot. Mazor Surgical Technologies was founded in 2001 as an incubator company of Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, in order to house inventions by Moshe Shoham, head of the institute's robotic laboratory. The company has raised about $9.5 million to date from investors including Johnson & Johnson Development Corp., the Shalom Equity Fund, Alice Ventures, DOR Ventures and Proseed Venture Capital.

The company, having obtained marketing approvals in both the U.S. and Europe, will launch its robotics product, tradenamed SpineAssist, next month.

Another company prominently featured at the conference was Odin Medical Technologies which has developed and manufactures intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image guidance systems designed to improve neurosurgical interventions with a special focus on minimally invasive procedures.

Its key product, the Polestar N20 system, has received clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Odin has entered into an exclusive partnership agreement with Medtronic Surgical Navigation Technologies (SNT) in Louisville, Colo., for worldwide distribution and marketing of the PoleStarª intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Image (iMRI) Guidance System. The agreement also includes a minority investment by Medtronic in Odin Medical Technologies and outlines plans for collaboration in new product development.

"The PoleStar N20 reportedly sets a new standard in intraoperative MRI. With its unique and compact design, it allows neurosurgeons to take advantage of intraoperative imaging without the compromises inherent in other systems, such as extensive renovation of the operating room or restrictions upon the surgeons' choice of instruments," said Nadim Yared, vice president and general manager of Medtronic Surgical Navigation Technologies.

Others involved in the development of the unit include a number of leading institutions such as Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel and Barrow Neurological Institute. David Gal, president and chief executive officer said, "The true innovation at the core of the PoleStar system is the concept of bringing the MRI to the OR as opposed to performing surgical procedures in an MRI suite," stated Odin.

Dr. Stephen Papadopoulos, of Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) said, "The clinical and financial impact of dedicating one of a hospital's operating theatres solely to the use of an intraoperative MRI can be disastrous, as many of these rooms sit idle when the MRI unit is not in use. With the PoleStar, we avoid these issues as the unit can be stored when not in use, allowing the room to be utilized for other types of surgery."

BNI at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, located in Phoenix, is among the first institutions to acquire the PoleStar N20. Robert Spetzler, M.D., chairman of the Barrow Neurological Institute, said, "Since its inception, BNI has been committed to developing medical technology to improve patient outcomes. We are excited to become the first institution in the United States to add the PoleStar N20 and its unique capabilities to our armaments for the benefit of our patients."

Sheba Medical Center has already performed two surgeries with the new PoleStar N20. "The field of view encompasses the entire brain," said Moshe Hadani, M.D. "The acquisition of images is faster than before due to the ease of the positioning of the patient. Most importantly, the image quality is very good, comparable to traditional diagnostic images. In addition, navigation is very accurate throughout the procedure, with no need for registration. With no registration required, the application of the system is greatly simplified, and pre-operative set-up time is minimized."

The company was founded in the high-tech industrial zone of Yokneam, Israel, in 1996 by a Research and Development team with extensive experience in the design and production of MRI systems. It currently employs 50 scientists, engineers and medical specialists. Over 20 systems have been installed worldwide with additional installations pending. Three of the installation already use StarShield.


Reprinted from the Israel High-Tech & Investment Report June 2004

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