Schneider Innovation Center

Welcome to our Ped-Tech Playground! 

We offer a sandbox for startups and health tech companies, a platform for entrepreneurs in pediatric innovation, and a carrousel for child Innovators - a revolving hub of creativity for child inventors to explore and express their ingenuity. Drawing on the expertise of over 1000 healthcare professionals, all with subspecialty in pediatric care – physicians, nurses, allied health professions – Schneider's Innovation Center is your natural partner on the journey to revolutionizing pediatric care. 

Come Innovate With Us

At Schneider, we are changing the narrative protraying pediatrics as a marginal market by creating an environment that attracts startups, biotech firms, and investors to develop pediatric-specific solutions, and driving a paradigm shift from reactive healthcare to preventive and personalized care. We believe the future of healthcare lies in innovation that begins with the youngest members of our society.

Our mission is to drive forward-thinking solutions that place children at the center. Pediatrics, by its very nature, has always required adaptability and creativity, adjusting to the evolving physical and mental development of young patients. Through PedTech, we aim to enhance pediatric care, shift toward preventive and proactive approaches, and empower families with cutting-edge technologies.

About Schneider Children's Medical Center 

Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel is the only comprehensive, tertiary care hospital of its kind in the country and in the Middle East, and has been recognized as one of the leading pediatric institutions in the world. Schneider Children's has revolutionized the practice of pediatric medicine in the country, offering the full range of pediatric disciplines under one roof to all children from 0-18, holding a “whole-child-care” multidisciplinary approach. Schneider derives its name from its founders and major benefactors, the late Irving and Helen Schneider from New York, who also promoted its legacy to serve as a Bridge to Peace between nations. Through this open-door policy, where all children irrespective of race, religion or nationality are treated. 

Schneider Children's comprises 304 beds, 25% of which are assigned to critical care (Intensive Care Units, Neonatology, etc.). The medical center serves as the national referral center for Hematology-Oncology, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Cardiology, and organ and bone marrow transplantation. Our team comprises over 1,000 healthcare professionals who specialize in pediatric care, including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals. Each member of our team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in their respective fields, providing invaluable insights and guidance.

Schneider Children's is a member of Clalit Health Services - the largest HMO in Israel, thus can support research with an extensive digital database, which includes the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) of over 2 million children dating back to the year 2000, with 600,000 currently aged between 0-18. This database also encompasses over 1 billion lab test results, 200 million diagnoses, and 2.5 million hospitalization records. The center is affiliated to Tel Aviv University and has partnerships with Weizmann Institute, Reichman University, Ariel University and more.

About our Innovation Center

The Innovation Center of Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel is the only pediatric innovation center in Israel, housing a global Ped-Tech playground - a dynamic and innovative space designed to promote growth and creativity in pediatric healthcare technology. Our mission is to foster the development of today’s children into healthy adults, by leveraging breakthrough technologies, diagnostics, drugs, medical devices and digital tools. 

Our sandbox supplies a collaborative space for startups and health technology companies to develop and refine groundbreaking ideas. Schneider is a One-Stop-Shop for pediatric Innovation in Israel and internationally. We boast the professionals, expertise, facilities, data and patient cohorts needed for the development of a broad variety of services, clinical studies and innovative research.

The team

• Shirley Saar, MD 
  Head of Innovation
  [email protected]
  
  Shirley is a pediatrician, past TV producer, committed to advancing child and adolescent healthcare in Israel and globally. She currently serves as the Head of Innovation at Schneider Children’s Medical Center, where she leads the "PedTech Playground. Additionally, she oversees the Allied health professions sector and maintains a Pediatric Clinic at Clalit Health Services. She is also a proud member of women in medicine networks (Womed, WE@HealthTech) and spearheads projects aimed at enhancing medical care for teenage girls, with a focus on diagnosing teen endometriosis. She completed her medical studies at Tel Aviv University and her pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Medical Center, where she is now a Medical Administration Fellow.
  
  

• Sarit Bitan
  Chief Nursing Officer of the Innovation Center
  [email protected]
  
  Sarit is a registered nurse (RN) with a Master’s Degree (MSc) and is currently a PhD candidate in Epidemiology, at Tel Aviv University. She is the Head of Nursing Research and a member of nursing management at Schneider Children’s, as well as a Lecturer at Tel Aviv University. She joined Schneider Children’s in 1996 as a CICU nurse and later on worked as a Cath Lab nurse. In both positions, she saw first-hand the need for equipment and supplies developed exclusively for children. Her last role as an Infection Prevention Nurse added yet another angle to the need for technology.
  
  Sarit leads research and innovation projects in nursing thru a large range of initiatives, and she has been recently appointed Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of the Innovation and Technology Center at Schneider Children's. She believes that nurses, who spend most time at the patient's bedside, are in a perfect position to promote innovation, and her goal is to promote ideation in the nursing population, and supporting its fruition into tangible results and products.
  
  

• Yehonatan Ben Ishay
  Innovation Project Manager
  
  Yehonatan Ben Ishay is an Innovation Project Manager at the Schneider Innovation Center, where he plays a key role in advancing initiatives to enhance innovation. With a solid background in program and project management across various organizations, Yehonatan drives efforts to foster innovation projects within Schneider Children’s Medical Center, focusing on improving patient care and creating meaningful impact.
  He holds an MBA with a specialization in Management and Organizational Behavior from Ariel University and a BA in Psychology from Reichman University.

Our Sandbox

Our facility boasts a vast and varied clinical environment that is ideal for technology validation, proof of concept, and advanced clinical research. This setting provides a robust platform for testing and refining innovative healthcare solutions under real-world conditions. We maintain This wealth of data is an invaluable asset for research and development in pediatric healthcare.

Our center serves as a comprehensive hub for pediatric healthcare innovation. We offer access to top-tier professionals, cutting-edge expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and diverse patient cohorts. This integrated approach ensures that we have all the necessary components to support the development of services, studies, and research tailored to the pediatric field.

Schneider Children's comprises 304 beds, 25% of which are assigned to critical care (Intensive Care Units, Neonatology, etc.), and hold many excellence centers: 

• The largest Gastroenterology Liver and Nutrition center in Israel - National referral center for Celiac, IBD, eosinophilic disorders and intestinal failure
• More than 2,000 celiac patients, More than 1000 IBD patients, more than 50% of Israeli patients on TPN
• The only referral center for pediatric liver transplantation in Israel, with more than 200 liver recipients
• The only referral center for intestinal transplantation in the Middle East
  
  
• The National Center of Childhood Diabetes
• 25,736 endocrine visits per year, 2000 children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus.
• Diabetes technology center, decision support systems, Artificial pancreas system, advanced research for prevention and cure of diabetes
• Molecular lab (epigenetic)
  
  
• Cardiology and Cardiothoracic surgery    
• 400-500 Cardiac surgeries, most
• 700 annual Cardiac catheterizations, most interventional, using advanced technologies including 3D Holoscope
• Largest pediatric electrophysiology service in Israel, Dozens of ECMO patients per year
  
  
• Oncology – BMT – Immunotherapy – the largest comprehensive pediatric Cancer and hematology division in Israel
• We treat half of Israeli children with cancer - 250 new patients annually
• Leader center in bone marrow transplants, Advanced CAR-T, Cell and immunotherapies
• International ITCC center for new drugs clinical trials, genomic precision personalized diagnosis and therapy
  
  
• Organ transplants - Nat’l referral center for liver & kidney transplants, majority of pediatric organ recipients in Israel
• 80 professionals on alert in minutes, holding marathon, simultaneous surgeries
• 58 transplantations annually
• Heart – Youngest patient 4 months, Liver - youngest patient 15 weeks, lungs, Kidney, Pancreas, Colon

Schneider Children's is a member of Clalit Health Services - the largest HMO in Israel insuring 52% of the entire population, thus can support research with an extensive digital database, which includes the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) of over 2 million children dating back to the year 2000, with 600,000 currently aged between 0-18. This database also encompasses over 1 billion lab test results, 200 million diagnoses, and 2.5 million hospitalization records. 

At Schneider’s Innovation Center, we are creating a collaborative platform where startups, researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders come together to turn these innovative ideas into reality. We invite you to join us!

Internal Innovation

Imagine a future where every baby is born with a "medical guide" for lifelong health management, where blood tests are performed without needles, and where AI-powered physician assistants support pediatricians in providing faster, more personalized care. These are not distant visions, but innovations currently in development, set to reshape pediatric healthcare as we know it. With these innovations, medical encounters for children will be less painful, more accurate, and tailored to each child's developmental, emotional, and physical needs.

We are promoting initiatives in digital health, medical device, AI and more. Here some of our latest projects:

Non-contact pulmonary functions and vital signs 

Children often experience contact with sensors as stressful and their cooperation is necessary for successful monitoring. Recent advancements have demonstrated the ability to remotely monitor vital signs using radar. In an ongoing pilot study, the Weizmann Institute of Science SAMPL lab in conjunction with the Pulmonary Institute of Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, are investigating the feasibility of inferring spirometry values from children aged 6-18 years using the FMCW radar. A proprietary algorithm has been developed to convert radar measurements into a volume-based “spirometry” curve. Preliminary results are promising and indicate ability of the radar to approximate these parameters in a clinically meaningful way. Building on the mathematical and physiological insights gained from the pilot study, the project aims to extend the application of radar technology beyond the lung function laboratory into broader clinical settings. By eliminating the need for direct sensor contact and patient cooperation, this project could significantly improve early detection and management of respiratory conditions in children, leading to better health outcomes and reduced healthcare burdens.

My Mask: Personalized 3D-Printed Facemasks for Non-Invasive Ventilation

My Mask is an innovative solution offering custom-made, 3D-printed facemasks designed for children requiring non-invasive ventilation (NIV). These personalized masks provide more effective respiratory support, improve patient compliance, and help prevent complications. NIV is increasingly used to manage respiratory failure in children with conditions like musculoskeletal diseases, allowing them to receive treatment at home. However, standard masks often fit poorly, leading to air leaks, pressure sores, and disrupted sleep for both the child and their family.

Through the My Mask project, patients will undergo a 3D facial scan to create a personalized adapter, printed with skin-safe, flexible silicone material. This custom adapter is designed to fit securely with the standard ventilator mask and will be compared to the original mask using a 3D-printed facial model for optimal fit assessment. The resulting adapter ensures a snug, comfortable fit, enhancing ventilation effectiveness and improving the overall treatment experience.

A mental Health digital tool for pediatricians

A web-based platform for mental health triage, assessment and early interventions in pediatric primary care. 

The escalating prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems of children and adolescents worldwide since the Covid-19 pandemic, exacerbated by the recent October 7th attack and ongoing armed conflicts in the Middle East, poses a significant challenge to healthcare systems. In light of these challenges, there is a distinct emphasis on empowering community pediatricians as frontline responders, enabling them to effectively identify, monitor, and intervene in the early stages of emotional and behavioral problems among their young patients. 

A web-based platform has been developed with the aim of serving as a pivotal resource to equip pediatricians with actionable insights and practical tools, designed to be encorporated into the existing flow of the medical encounter. By prioritizing prevention and proactive intervention, the platform endeavors to alleviate the burden of mental illness and enhance long-term outcomes for children and adolescents, particularly during times of heightened needs.