Olivia Humphreys, a graduate of the University of Limerick has developed the award-winning Athena Helmet. It is a scalp-cooling helmet for cancer patients integrated with an automatically rotating weather sensor which has just won the 2024 James Dyson award. It also won the 2024 global Medical AirXeed Radiosonde award. The Athena helps reduce hair loss for patients with its scalp-cooling properties. It boast a battery-powered design and uses a thermal control system to cool down water in the small tank.
Humphreys speaks to Dezeen about the design, sharing "Athena's goal is to make scalp-cooling therapy – currently a limited and costly treatment – more accessible for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to help minimise hair loss. Battery-powered and compact, the device gives patients the flexibility to use it at home or during commutes, adding convenience and autonomy."
Anti-Hair Loss Helmets
Olivia Humphreys Develops the Athena Helmet with Scalp Cooling Elements
Trend Themes
1. Scalp-cooling Technology - Scalp-cooling technology is evolving to provide more accessible solutions for chemotherapy patients, significantly enhancing patient comfort and recovery.
2. Battery-powered Medical Devices - Battery-powered medical devices are becoming increasingly popular for their portability and convenience, allowing for at-home and on-the-go treatments.
3. Integrated Weather Sensors - The incorporation of weather sensors in medical devices offers a unique way to monitor environmental conditions, potentially improving the effectiveness of treatments.
Industry Implications
1. Medical Devices - The medical devices industry is seeing innovations that combine portability with advanced functionalities to offer more flexible patient care options.
2. Cancer Treatment - The cancer treatment industry is leveraging new technologies to reduce side effects like hair loss, enhancing the overall patient experience.
3. Wearable Technology - Wearable technology in healthcare is rapidly growing, introducing wearable medical devices that offer new levels of convenience and autonomy to patients.