A MEDICAL REVOLUTION WITHOUT SURGERY
Breakthrough ultrasound technology developed by NINA Medical offers a non-invasive solution for enlarged prostate problems. With minimal complications and no incisions, the company aims to transform men's healthcare
Silent Epidemic in Men's Health
Enlarged prostate — technically, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — is one of the most common conditions affecting aging men. Despite both its prevalence and its genetic linkage, however, awareness remains low, with many men suffering in silence.
"The prostate grows naturally over time, after men reach their 50s," explains Prof. Gilad Amiel, head of Urology at the Rambam Medical Center and medical advisor to NINA Medical. "By age 80, a majority will experience some degree of enlargement in this walnut-sized gland below the bladder, around the urethra. As it enlarges, it can produce troubling symptoms — weak urine stream, incomplete bladder emptying and frequent urge to urinate."
But BPH is about more than quality of life, warns Prof. Amiel. "Left untreated, it can result in serious medical complications, such as kidney stones, impaired kidney function, urinary tract infections and bleeding. In severe cases, urinary retention is so complete that catheterization is required. Yet only about 15 percent of men with BPH receive definitive treatment."
Why Treatment is Avoided
Men often delay or avoid diagnostic exams because of embarrassment or fear of invasive procedures like transrectal ultrasounds or urethral cameras, notes Prof. Amiel. "They're uncomfortable and, frankly, intimidating"
Even when men do seek treatment, the available options are less than ideal. The most commonly prescribed medications are in two main categories. One is alpha-blockers, which relax smooth muscles to improve urine flow, but do not stop prostate growth. The other is 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which shrink the prostate by blocking testosterone effects, but take months to work and may reduce libido in up to 40 percent of men, particularly younger patients.
"Even when medications work, they're usually effective for only five years or so," says Prof. Amiel. "Surgery then becomes necessary, with all its risks."
NINA Medical: A Game-Changer in BPH Treatment
Determined to change the paradigm, Shmuel Ben-Ezra, NINA Medical co-founder and CEO, set out to create a non-invasive alternative that can be administered in a clinic rather than a hospital, without fear, pain or surgery.
"Shmuel's idea is to use focused therapeutic ultrasound — an approach already proven in cancer treatments — to target and reduce prostate tissue, without needles or incisions," says Prof. Amiel. "He realized you can burn targeted benign prostate tissue to reduce pressure on the urethra and improve urination."
The result is a first-of-its-kind transperineal approach. Instead of going through the rectum or urethra, the NINA system uses the perineum (the skin between scrotum and anus) as a safe, effective 'acoustic window.' Patients sit comfortably and modestly on a special treatment chair that integrates real-time imaging and focused ultrasound, all in a single session. The NINA Medical approach is non-invasive and non-penetrating. It has no contact with the rectum or urethra. We expect minimal and selective tissue damage, fewer complications (infection, incontinence, impotence) and a far better patient experience.
"It's ultrasound — sound waves at high frequencies," explains Dr. Yoni Hertzberg, co-founder and CTO of NINA Medical. "With our proprietary real-time beam-targeting and monitoring technology, the procedure is precise, safe and can be adjusted to the clinic or office settings."
Putting the Patient at the Center
"It's about the patient experience," stresses Alex Volovick, co-founder and Director of Clinical Applications at NINA Medical. "We're redefining what BPH treatment looks and feels like — respectful, discreet and fear-free. Our goal is to remove the fear barrier and thus encourage men to seek care sooner."
Made in Israel, Built for the World
"NINA Medical was born in Nazareth at the NGT tech incubator, with support from the Israel Innovation Authority," says Ben-Ezra. "Israel's unique ecosystem —its bold entrepreneurs, visionary investors and government backing — makes breakthroughs like this possible. It's why Israel leads in medical innovation."
NINA Medical is currently preparing for its first-in-human clinical trial at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, and is planning a US trial to launch its groundbreaking solution onto the global stage.
The information in this article does not constitute medical advice and should not replace consultation with a licensed healthcare provider.
In collaboration with NINA Medical
