A unique breakthrough solution inspired by SodaStream technology, in collaboration with the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, will enable respiratory assistance for COVID-19 patients in mild and moderate conditions.

The unique collaboration aims to address a critical need unveiled by both companies, and comes following the continued increase of COVID-19 cases across many countries, including Australia highlighting the need for available respirators in hospitals and healthcare facilities. At the core of this collaboration stands the development of a breakthrough medical solution for nasal breathing therapy. The device has now been given approval by the Israeli Ministry of Health and a clinical trial in the general intensive care unit has already begun.

The innovation is designed to treat COVID-19 patients in mild to moderate conditions who are in respiratory distress, yet still breathing spontaneously by providing patients with the right levels of oxygen required. Studies have shown this type of oxygen device can prevent aggravation and intubation (invasive respiratory assistance) in some patients, and may reduce the risks and complications associated with it. In addition, the use of such a device may accommodate the shortage of respiratory machines, and make them available for patients in more difficult respiratory distress for whom the help of an invasive respiratory aid machine is the only available treatment option.

How StreamO2 Works:

The device developed by SodaStream and Hadassah allows for the administration of an oxygen-air mixture through the nose at high flow rates, high humidity, and body temperature. The development is based on a thermodynamic system that controls the temperature of the air-oxygen mixture and flows the mixture into the patient’s nose in combination with high humidity of over 80%. The parameters of humidity, temperature, and percentage of oxygen – critical to the quality of respiration – are constantly monitored and provide a visual and audible indication to the medical staff in case of abnormality.

While a small number of similar products currently exist in the market and meet the above requirement, they are limited for individual treatment, and not for mass treatment situations such as a pandemic.

How StreamO2 Was Created:

With the outbreak of COVID-19, Dr. Akiva Nachshon, a senior physician in the intensive care unit at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, contacted Avi Cohen, Head of the Research and Development division of SodaStream, and together they set up a special engineering team comprised of SodaStream development engineers. Given the pressing need for such a solution, the engineering team led by Cohen, together with the medical guidance of Dr. Nachshon and the team of Hadassah Hospital experts, designed and built the machine in a very short timeline, while adhering to the strictest technology and regulatory requirements. Due to the urgent necessity for the product, the team received an accelerated approval from the Clinical Trials Unit of the Israeli Ministry of Health – and just initiated the clinical trial comprised of 40 patients.

“We realized that there was an acute shortage of non-invasive respiratory aids to treat COVID-19 patients, and after recognizing there was a desire from the industry to help in dealing with this crisis, we tried to think outside the box,” explained Dr. Akiva Nachshon of Hadassah Ein-Kerem.

“We learned based on a friend’s advice that the solution is right here in the Israeli industry, under our nose, in every kitchen. One conversation with SodaStream Head of R&D was enough to get things going. On the same day, we already sat on a sketch, and from that point the project progressed incredibly fast. Our vision is to be able to assist every patient in need of respiratory assistance as this treatment can prevent unnecessary invasive interventions.”

“The nasal breathing therapy machine developed by the joint team of doctors from Hadassah and SodaStream engineers can be a perfect life-saving solution” explained SodaStream head of research and development Avi Cohen. “The advantage of our development is the ability to replicate it in bulk for patients suffering from respiratory distress in Israel and around the world”.

“It is a tremendous privilege for us to be able to use our technology and resources to provide relief to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and to help save lives”, commented SodaStream global CEO Eyal Shohat.

“We will provide Hadassah with all the means at our disposal in order to assist in this national effort, and we will not hesitate to reach out to other countries and offer our assistance,” said Nachshon.