Sheba Medical Center, the largest hospital in Israel, is harnessing technology as a tool for soldier rehabilitation. The hospital is using artificial intelligence, modified tools, and wearable devices to treat patients with complex brain injuries caused by the ongoing war with Hamas.
AI and Modified Tools for Brain Aneurysms
Many of the patients who have been wounded by Hamas attacks have developed brain aneurysms, which are abnormal bulges in the blood vessels of the brain that can rupture and cause bleeding. These aneurysms are different from the ones that usually occur due to aging or genetic defects, as they appear in small and delicate arteries that can break during surgery.
The hospital’s Endovascular Neurosurgery Unit, which normally treats patients with strokes and other vascular diseases, has modified its tools to cope with these challenging cases. The unit is using devices that generate microcurrents of electricity to stimulate the affected cells and repair the damaged blood vessels, without the need for medication.
The unit is also using artificial intelligence to analyze the images of the patients’ brains and help the doctors plan the best course of action. The AI system can identify the location, size, and shape of the aneurysms, and suggest the optimal way to insert the devices and seal the bulges.
Wearable Devices for Pain Relief and Recovery
Another innovation that the hospital is using is wearable devices that can provide pain relief and speed up the recovery process. The hospital is collaborating with a startup called Healables, which has developed a technology that was originally intended for athletes and sports injuries.
Healables embeds electrodes into an elasticated sleeve that is controlled by a smartphone app. The sleeve can be worn on any part of the body, and it sends electrical pulses to the nerves and muscles, reducing inflammation and pain, and enhancing blood flow and healing.
The hospital is using the Healables devices to treat soldiers who have suffered from fractures, sprains, burns, and other injuries. The devices can also help prevent muscle atrophy and improve mobility and function.
A Mission to Save Lives and Restore Hope
The hospital’s director-general, Dr. Shlomi Codish, said that the hospital is proud to be at the forefront of medical innovation, and that it is committed to saving lives and restoring hope to the wounded soldiers and their families.
He added that the hospital is also providing psychological and emotional support to the patients, as well as to the medical staff who are working under immense pressure and stress.
The hospital is also sharing its knowledge and experience with other hospitals in Israel and abroad, and is open to collaborating with other organizations and companies that can offer solutions for the medical challenges posed by the war.
