An Israeli start-up company is developing a
novel, non-invasive device for detecting
early-stage respiratory irregularities in
premature babies and children. Unlike current
respirators and supportive devices, it directly
monitors respiration mechanics, making for
earlier detection of the kind of complications
that can cause damage to the brain and other
vital organs.
Known as Pneumedicare, the company - which
evolved from an award-winning project carried out
by undergraduates at the Technion-Israel
Institute of Technology - began operations in
Israel five months ago.
The device can immediately detect deterioration
in lung ventilation and the development of common
problems in ICU patients, such as partial
blockage of the air passages or ventilation from
only one lung. It also detects less common, but
still life-threatening, complications such as the
accumulation of air between the lungs and chest
cavity walls. Early detection of such problems
reduces the risks of complications, damage to
vital organs and irreversible brain damage.
Current respirators and supportive devices do not
directly monitor chest cavity mechanics. As a
result, up to six hours can elapse before medical
personnel detect respiratory problems - often
when the patient is already exhibiting signs of
distress.
Our device monitors respiration mechanics,
explains CEO Dr. Carmit Levy, who is also a
lecturer at the Technion. "We place external
sensors on the sides of the chest and the upper
part of the stomach of a premature baby on a
respirator. By doing so, we can monitor lack of
symmetry between the two lungs and the
development of mechanical disturbances in lung
ventilation.È
The market potential for the device is
significant. According to U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services statistics, more than
245,000 babies per year in the U.S. are put on
respirators, and estimates from the National
Center for Health Statistics put the cost of ICU
care for premature babies in the U.S. at more
than $15 billion annually. When combined with the
totals for children and adults, the cost of
annual ICU care rises to more than $35 billion.
With hospital costs for the care of a premature
baby estimated at $2,000 a day in the U.S.
(Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, January 19,
2007), the device also carries long-range
financial implications. Early detection of
problems will reduce the length of hospital
stays, as well as long-term costs associated with
treating those disabled as a result of
respiratory problems in premature babies.
Technion Faculty of Biomedical Engineering
Professor Amir Landesberg and Dr. Dan Waisman of
the Technion Faculty of Medicine and Carmel
Medical Center founded Pneumedicare. The pair
conceived the idea for the undergraduate project
-carried out by Technion students Hagay Weisbrod
and Nitai Hanani - from which the company was
born. The company's biomedical engineer Anna
Feingersh conducts research and development of
the clinical product.
John Deere buys Plastro
Under the initial agreement from July 2007, John
Deere has undertaken to keep Plastro open and
employ Kibbutz Gvat members at the company for 15
years. Each kibbutz member will sign a personal
job contract with John Deere. Kibbutz Gvat will
cease receiving management fees for Plastro in
exchange for an annual payment of $1.3 million
over ten years for a non-competition agreement.
John Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) has signed a
contract to acquire Plastro Irrigation Systems
Ltd. (TASE: PLSTR) from Kibbutz Gvat at a company
value of NIS 265 million. ($73m.) The kibbutz
owns 75.1% of the company through Gvat
Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative Business
Ltd.