An Iraqi-born Israeli pediatrician has invented a light-weight artificial breathing device that some of his peers consider revolutionary in its ability to alleviate breathing disabilities without inserting a tube through the trachea.
The device, unveiled at the seventh International Exhibition on Medical Technology in Jerusalem, is called the Hayek Oscillator, after Dr. Zamir Hayek, who developed it.
It can be used for the short-term treatment of diseases congesting the lungs, such as pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, asthma, pulmonary shock and neuromuscular disease.
The armies of Israel, the United States and Britain have expressed interest in purchasing a number of units for the treatment of victims of chemical warfare.
The oscillator stimulates respiration with air pressure pumped in and out of a plastic chamber fitted around the patient’s chest, creating a semi-vacuum. It enhances the natural clearing of fluids from the lungs by means of an attached electronically controlled air pump.
Hayek, 45, who received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University, specializes in diseases of newborns and infants.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
