World’s First Noninvasive Prostate Treatment Developed By Israel

The world’s first noninvasive treatment for enlarged prostates has been developed by an Israeli startup.

The condition affects the quality of life of hundreds of millions of older men in the world, causes difficulties in urinating and is a risk factor for damage to the bladder and kidneys.

Diagnosis with the new LOTUS-1 device, developed by NINA Medical, is carried out with the help of ultrasound imaging, and the patient is treated with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) which burns selected points inside the prostate.

Current treatment options for enlarged prostates, known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) include removing part of the prostate gland with a resectoscope that’s passed through the urethra (the tube through which urine passes out of the body).

As a result, many men choose to avoid or postpone medical care, or settle for medications that have side effects and lose their efficacy over time.

The new treatment option is adapted for the urologist’s clinic and built as a chair with a therapeutic cushion integrated into the seat. 

The patient sits in a natural position with the perineum (area between scrotum and anus) placed on top of the therapeutic pillow, as when riding a bicycle. 

The company is conducting a preliminary clinical trial in two medical centers in Israel. Its technology demonstrates potential for use in other fields of medicine, including gynecology, oncology and neurosurgery.

NINA Medical develops noninvasive surgery technologies, and eliminates the need to cut healthy tissue in order to get access to the diseased tissue where treatment is required. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in Nazareth, Israel. 

BPH is part of the normal aging process in men, affecting over 30 million in the US. More than 50 per cent of men over the age of 50 suffer from its symptoms, including difficulties urinating and disturbed sleep, and it is a risk factor for recurrent infections and chronic kidney failure. 

The company is currently crowdfunding through the Pipelbiz platform.