The idea for a lifesaving device to assist women through complicated births came to Argentine car mechanic Jorge Odón in a dream.
Earlier that day in 2006, two of his employees taught him a trick they learned from a YouTube video: Using a plastic bag to remove a loose cork from a wine bottle. That night, it occurred to Odón that the same approach could be used to help guide a baby out of the birth canal.
Odón’s invention, an inflatable device for assisted vaginal birth, has generated a lot of interest and tens of millions in investment since the first prototype he made with a glass jar and his daughter’s baby doll. It captured the attention of the World Health Organization and was heralded as a promising tool to save mothers and babies who might otherwise die in prolonged births. Odón, who has no medical background, was the subject of a question on the game show “Jeopardy,” and his invention made the front page of The New York Times. There was even a play about the origins of the idea.
About the author
Catherine Cheneycatherinecheney
Catherine Cheney is the Senior Editor for Special Coverage at Devex. She leads the editorial vision of Devex’s news events and editorial coverage of key moments on the global development calendar. Catherine joined Devex as a reporter, focusing on technology and innovation in making progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. Prior to joining Devex, Catherine earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Yale University, and worked as a web producer for POLITICO, a reporter for World Politics Review, and special projects editor at NationSwell. She has reported domestically and internationally for outlets including The Atlantic and the Washington Post. Catherine also works for the Solutions Journalism Network, a non profit organization that supports journalists and news organizations to report on responses to problems.