EyeControl
Healing Wounded Soldiers Through Israeli Technology
EyeControl‘s technology allows ventilated patients and injured soldiers to communicate with medical teams and families using their eyes. Their solution is transforming ICU communication and gaining strong market traction.
By: Or Retzkin
Overfunding
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Category:
Medical Devices
Highlights
Highlights
Innovative AI Technology Enables Communication Through Eye Movements
for Ventilated Patients
EyeControl specializes in developing cutting-edge communication solutions that leverage advanced eye-tracking and AI technology. The company's platform, EyeControl-Med is deployed in hospitals and medical centers to provide 24/7 monitoring and two-way communication for patients in intensive care units. Additionally, EyeControl offers an advanced home communication solution' EyeControl-Home, for individuals living with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, ALS, stroke, and cerebral palsy.
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Supporting Wounded Soldiers and Their Families with Medical Innovation
EyeControl leverages its advanced technology to facilitate communication between soldiers wounded in the Iron Swords War and their families, in intensive care units to aid in the recovery process. Additionally, the company is actively engaged in the "Next October" initiative, dedicated to building a lasting legacy for the victims of the attacks of October 7, 2023, through advancing Israeli innovation.
Global Reach Through Healthcare Subsidies and Strategic Partnerships in Israel, the UK, and the US
The EyeControl-Home platform is fully commercialized, and is eligible for reimbursement in Israel and internationally. The device is included in Israel's healthcare basket, the NHS in the UK, and the US healthcare system, generating revenue for the company.
EyeControl is an official supplier to Clalit Health Services, Israel's largest health organization, and its EyeControl-Med platform is already available in Israel. The company is also actively expanding into the US market, leveraging strategic relationships with leading healthcare institutions.
An Award-Winning Company with International Recognition
EyeControl has gained global recognition for its innovative technology through several prestigious grants and awards, including the European Innovation Council grant, BIRD Foundation grant, grants from the Israel Innovation Authority and the Ministry of Economy, as well as the Genesis Prize, Forbes’ Small Giants, and the Peres Heritage Award for Medical Innovation.
Patent-Protected Technology with FDA, CE, and AMAR Registration
EyeControl holds a comprehensive IP portfolio designed to protect all aspects of its technology and provide licensing opportunities for potential strategic partners. The company has a series of approved patents (spanning 4 different patent families) registered in the US, Europe, China, Japan, and Israel. Additionally, its systems comply with regulatory standards for use in the US, Europe, and Israel
Invest Alongside Leading International Funds, Angels, and the European Union
EyeControl is backed by venture capital funds and private investors, including the European Union Fund, Connecticut Innovations, Benslie, Rimonci Capital, Menomadin, Zora Ventures, and others.
Pitch
Pitch
The Problem
Communication barriers are a significant challenge for ventilated patients in the ICU. These patients often struggle to express their needs and symptoms, leading to feelings of isolation and frustration. For healthcare professionals, this lack of communication complicates the assessment and treatment of patients. ICU patients are also at high risk of developing delirium, a severe brain dysfunction marked by confusion, inattention, and cognitive decline, which is associated with higher morbidity,
Our Solution
EyeControl revolutionizes patient care by addressing these communication barriers with its innovative solutions for healthcare facilities and homecare. EyeControl-Med and EyeControl-Home leverage advanced AI and eye-tracking technology to facilitate continuous, bi-directional communication between patients, their families, and healthcare providers and improve clinical outcomes.
EyeControl-Med - Designed for healthcare facilities, EyeControl-Med enables 24/7 monitoring and communication with the nurse station for ICU, long-term acute care, and rehabilitation center patients. It enhances patient care by ensuring continuous connectivity and real-time communication.
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Key Features:
- Adaptive AI Communication: Utilizes advanced AI and ML-based pattern recognition to adjust to patients' phases of awareness and consciousness.
- Personal Companion: Serves as a supportive companion, aiding patients throughout their healing journey.
- Eye-Tracking Wearable & Cloud Platform: Converts eye gestures into real-time communication and actionable clinical data.
- Real-Time Analytics: Drives improved clinical outcomes.
EyeControl-Home - This remote care product supports patients transitioning from hospital to home, including those with conditions like ALS, MS, stroke, spinal injuries, and cerebral palsy. It provides a seamless communication solution that works without calibration and in various settings, both indoors and outdoors.
Key Features:
- AI-Powered Interaction: Employs sophisticated AI and ML-based pattern recognition to facilitate effective communication for non-verbal patients.
- Calibration-freeCalibration freeCalibration-free: Unlike many eye-trackingeye trackingeye-tracking solutions, the product doesn't require any calibration bebefore useusing prior to for the usage for use.
- Short Learning Curve: the adaptable capability of adjusting the technology enables a variety of potential users to learn the technology within and within a short time frame.
- Not dependent on a screen: The usage of the technology is via audio audio feedback and doesn’t require a computer screen, which would block face-to-face interaction.
- Comprehensive Care: Ensures continuous connectivity and expression for patients moving from clinical settings to home care, and those with degenerative conditions.
EyeControl’s products stand out due to their unique machine learning algorithms, which are tailored to work with diverse eye characteristics without needing calibration. Unlike many competitors' devices, EyeControl's solutions are not cumbersome, and can be used in various environments, including outdoors and during the night.
The Technology – How It Works
EyeControl-Med consists of an eye-tracking wearable device and a cloud-based platform powered by adaptive, machine learning-based pattern recognition. This technology deciphers eye gestures and translates them into real-time patient communication and actionable clinical data through two main components: a headset and a dashboard.
The headset includes an infrared camera that tracks eye movements, sending the data to a processing unit. This unit translates the movements into communication, with a bone conduction component providing audio feedback before transmitting to output devices.
The device can send orientation messages, enable patient communication with staff and family, and help patients stay aware of their surroundings. These features can be configured through the nurse station and activated by patient eye movements or at scheduled times. The nurse station displays the patient’s awareness and communication statuses, healthcare worker assessments, and family engagement.
Communication, family messages, reorientation, and calming music have all been identified as important evidence-based strategies for managing delirium. A multi-center clinical trial is underway in the US and Israel to evaluate the effectiveness of EyeControl-Med for delirium management before applying for regulatory approval for this additional device indication. These investigational activities are being carried out in parallel with commercial expansion.
Field Testimonials
Clinical Teams
"The responses to EyeControl's solution are unlike those of regular medical treatment. Using the system clearly affects patients; unlike in regular patient rounds, EyeControl users remember me" - Levenstein Hospital staff
"Patients manage to use the device easily. I was surprised that patients whom I initially thought wouldn't be able to use it, succeeded in communicating successfully." - Beilinson Hospital staff
"EyeControl is significant for patients as it allows them an an emotional connection with their families through communication"
Family Members
"Not only can I send messages to my husband through EyeControl, but I also know that he heard and understood them!" - Wife of a patient at Meir Hospital
"From my professional experience as a psychotherapist, I am aware of how critical communication is to the healing and recovery process. Your solution is brilliant!" - Wife of a patient at Beilinson Hospital
"The ability for family and friends to record messages allowed them to feel involved, and greatly helped my husband when he was hospitalized. After not seeing them for almost two months, he was very excited to hear their voices". - Wife of a patient at Beilinson Hospital
ICU Patients
"The most amazing thing about the device is that you wake up from anesthesia, and you can control something! Not everyone does to you what they want." - COVID-19 patient - Beilinson Hospital
"Using EyeControl gave me hope and motivation to improve." - COVID-19 patient - Beilinson Hospital
"I want to tell the founders and all the team - well done! Your solution is very helpful and should be given to all patients." - COVID-19 patient - Meir Hospital
Media Coverage
- February 2024: Haaretz - Talking to the Unconscious: Israelis Reduce Delirium During Surgery
- January 2024: Times of Israel - Israeli med tech company’s innovative headset could reduce delirium in ICU patients
- January 2024: Times of Israel Blog - Healing war wounds with Israeli health-tech
- January 2024: ISRAEL21c - High-tech communication aids intubated patients in ICU
- January 2024: Johns Hopkins - Press Release: Hopkins AITC announces additional awardees of second funding round
- October 2024: Jewish News - ‘Let’s respond to 7 October by innovating and building a better world,’ says Israeli entrepreneur
Team
Team
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Or holds a joint BSc degree in Physics and Accounting from Tel Aviv University and went on to graduate with an additional MSc in Finance. Or is a member of the 8400-healthcare leadership program. Prior to founding EyeControl, Or worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Israel, in the high-tech and industry audit departments. He continues to lecture in Tel Aviv University’s Accounting Department, and volunteers as Alumni Director at the 8200 Impact Accelerator.
Or serves as a Major in the Israel Navy reserves, and during Iron swords war he was called for reserve duty for nearly 100 days.
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- MBA- MIT;
- MSc Physics Tel-Aviv University;
- BSc Physics Jerusalem University.
Avner is an experienced entrepreneur and CEO of Sheba Impact - the entrepreneurship and innovation company of Sheba Medical Center. He is also a Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, and an adjunct professor at Tel Aviv University
Halperin worked in executive positions at Eldat Communications, Radcom, and Lenslet. He also served as the CEO of Emmunet, which he co-founded with Yossi Vardi. In 2004, he co-founded EarlySense, a medical technology company. He is an inventor of 34 U.S. patents, many of which are associated with the non-contact medical detection and monitoring devices that the company produces.
In 2020, Halperin appointed EyeControl‘s chairman of the board of directors. His leadership significantly enhances EyeControl‘s strategic direction.
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Itai graduated from Ben Gurion University with a BSc in Software Engineering (magna cum-laude). Prior to co-founding EyeControl and leading its technology, Itai worked as an automation developer and architect at HP and NetApp Innovation Lab. He founded a technological-social impact scholarship venture named ‘Hello World‘, harnessing developers’ and tech corporates’ knowledge solutions for NGOs and people with special needs.
Itai led R&D and operations at EyeControl through the rapid development of an FDA listed and CE marked medical device while developing the company’s quality system, manufacturing, CRM and support capabilities.
Itai served in an air force intelligence unit and was called for reserve duty during the Iron Swords war.
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Ph.D. in Information Systems, University of Haifa (expected); M.Sc. in Information Systems, University of Haifa (summa cum laude); B.Sc. in Computer Science, Hadassah Academic College.
Moayad is a distinguished lecturer and researcher with over ten years of experience in teaching and scientific research. He specializes in developing high-quality systems in mobile eye-tracking technologies that do not require calibration. Moayad has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, showcasing his expertise in ubiquitous computing, human-computer interaction, computer vision, and deep learning. His professional journey includes roles as a lecturer at the University of Haifa and Ruppin Academic Center, where he supervises B.Sc.
Moayad‘s contributions to EyeControl include leveraging his extensive knowledge in eye-tracking to enhance communication solutions for patients, aiming to significantly improve their quality of care and overall medical outcomes.
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MBA, University of Iowa; Nursing Degree, Blackhawk College.
Lyn is a renowned expert in patient experience and nursing practice with 40 years of experience. Lyn was the first Chief Patient Experience Officer at HCA Healthcare, where she established corporate strategies to improve patient care across 180 hospitals. Known as the "birth-mother of hourly rounding," she co-authored pivotal studies and books on nursing leadership and patient experience. Lyn’s contributions have earned her numerous awards, including the Malcolm Baldrige Award and recognition in Becker’s Hospital Review. She now leads her consulting practice, KLK Leading Change Inc.
Lyn‘s extensive experience in improving patient satisfaction and implementing innovative practices significantly contributes to EyeControl‘s mission of enhancing patient communication and care.
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M.D., Universidad Favaloro Facultad de Ciencias Medicas; Internship, Hospital Fernandez; Residency, Internal Medicine, St. Luke‘s Roosevelt Hospital Center; Fellowship, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Cleveland Clinic.
Chief of the Medical Intensive Care Unit and a Clinical Professor of Medicine with extensive experience in critical care medicine and respiratory care. He has over 20 years of experience and is affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Modrykamien is board-certified in pulmonary disease, internal medicine, and critical care medicine. His expertise in ICU management and innovative patient care significantly enhances EyeControl‘s efforts to improve communication and care for critically ill patients.
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PhD in Educational Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Dr. Galili is the CEO of the Menomadin Foundation, where she spearheads innovative social impact practices through a Blended Finance Approach. With a PhD in Educational Psychology, she has held prominent roles at Bar-Ilan University and various organizations. Dr. Galili’s proficiency in sustainable investments and cross-sector partnerships significantly contributes to EyeControl’s efforts in advancing patient communication and achieving substantial, measurable improvements in patient care.
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