Over the last years, innovative startups have been working hand-in-hand with hospitals and medical centres to improve the healthcare industry. From AI solutions to new medical devices, several innovations are helping hospitals to increase efficiency, drive down costs, and provide higher quality care treatments to patients. Hartford HealthCare (HHC) - which owns seven hospitals in the US (Connecticut), including the flagship Hartford Hospital — is currently working with more than 20 tech startups, and one of them is the EIC-funded company EyeControl. The Israel-based startup is bridging the communication gap with acute care patients to improve the delivery of medical services. The EIC Community spoke with the Co-Founder and CEO of EyeControl, Or Retzkin, and he gave us more details about this partnership.
More than 1.2M Locked-in individuals worldwide are affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke, and traumatic brain injury. In addition, more than 11.7 million patients are admitted to EU and US ICUs annually, and approximately 40% require mechanical ventilation. Locked-in Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by paralysis of all voluntary muscles in the body, except those controlling eye movement. A Locked-in individual is cognitively sound but unable to move or speak, thereby rendering communication impossible. A similar situation occurs among patients in ICUs and rehabilitation centres; mechanical ventilation prohibits verbal communication, and the eyes become an essential means of expression. A patient’s communication ability results in more accurate medical care, decreased stress, and better patient outcomes.
Bridging information barriers with AI-powered innovation
The EyeControl is a game-changer for ventilated and Locked-in patients; it is the first wearable, screenless communication device. AI-powered eye-tracking technology enables the communication between patients, medical staff and family using eye movements without calibration or computer screen dependency.
According to the co-founder Or Retzkin, the innovation implements disruptive AI technologies that connect people and bridge information barriers, facilitating better medical care and decision-making.
“Based on eye-tracking technology, our non-invasive wearable device and smart platforms enable 24/7 customizable communication and monitoring between patients who cannot speak, their families, and medical teams. The camera tracks pupil movements and transmits them to a small computer. Eye gestures are analyzed and converted to real-time patient communication and actionable clinical data. EyeControl devices also integrate with clinical information platforms”, explained Or.
The beginning of a long and fruitful clinical and commercial collaboration
The partnership between the startup and Hartford Healthcare was formed over the past year with the support from one of Eyecontrol’s investors – Connecticut Innovations. With an eye to patient-centricity, EyeControl and Hartford Hospital are addressing a global healthcare priority by bridging this communication gap with acute care patients to improve the delivery of medical services.
“ICU communication is challenging, particularly among mechanically ventilated patients, whose inability to speak leaves medical decisions to be made without their consent. Anxiety, isolation and cognitive decline arise from lack of communication and contribute to Delirium, a serious mental disturbance resulting in confusion and reduced awareness. Multidisciplinary non-pharmacological interventions, including personalized communication and orientation, have demonstrated a reduction in Delirium prevalence (50.6%)”, added Or Retzkin.
The Hartford Hospital trial protocol includes one year of joint activity with EyeControl, but the EIC-funded company expects to continue a long and fruitful clinical and commercial collaboration and leverage EyeControl’s US go-to-market. The company has clinical trials and pilots at hospitals throughout Israel and the United States, and we anticipate additional activities in Europe, the US, and Israel.
EyeControl received a Phase 2 grant from the European Innovation Council in 2020 and won the best pitch award at the EIC ePitching event with Procurers on COVID-19.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.