Lipman Electronic Engineering has established a new start-up company, Lipman Medical Engineering, to develop new medical products. The first device the company will develop is a tonometer, for measuring intra-ocular pressure, to assist in the diagnosis of glaucoma, which causes blindness. The company set up the successful start-up Wizcom, developer of the Quicktionary electronic dictionary.
A symptom of glaucoma, which involves gradual loss of the field of vision, is high pressure in the eye. The disease develops gradually, almost without external symptoms, and is incurable. Early detection of the disease, by means of the tonometer, makes it possible to monitor and treat it, and halt deterioration and loss of sight. Some 76 million people around the world suffer from the disease.
The new tonometer is based on rapid picture processing and advanced electronic components, and patent applications have been filed for it in several countries. Lipman Medical Engineering intends to market the product to eye doctors, optometrists, general practitioners, and the general public, all over the world.
Lipman Medical Engineering is wholly owned by Lipman Electronic Engineering. The company is approaching venture capital funds to raise money at a company value of $3.5 million.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on December 20, 1998