Capital Point Ltd. (TASE:CPTP) incubator Ofakim Hi-Tech Ventures Ltd. has launched a new start-up, NeD, which is developing an innovative method for imaging the retina to diagnose advanced macular degeneration (AMD). AMD, a complication of diabetes and other diseases, can cause blindness.
Ofakim Hi-Tech will invest NIS 2.5 million in NeD, of which 85% will be financed by a grant from the Office of the Chief Scientist.
Current methods for imaging the retina photograph the eye to create a simple picture of the retina. More sophisticated imaging systems create a cross-section image of the retina at different depths, but these are still only shape images, not functional images, which would show the chemical processes taking place within the eye.
NeD is developing a device designed to measure the quantity of oxygen in different areas of retina cells to see where there are problems of oxygen concentrations, which are evidence of a pending illness, before it has done actual damage to the retina.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on November 30, 2006
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