New, low-cost instrument for assisted vaginal delivery
A new low-cost device (Odon Device) for
delivery of the fetus during prolonged
second stage labour won a “Saving
Lives at Birth: A Grand Challenge for
Development” Award for its ''potential
to save the lives of mothers and
newborns at the time of birth". This
innovative device may be safer and
easier to apply than forceps/vacuum
extractor for assisted deliveries, and
a safe alternative to some caesarean
sections in settings with limited
access to surgical capacity and
human resource constraints. Complications due to prolonged second stage of
labour include potentially fatal maternal
(hemorrhage, infection) and newborn
complications (birth asphyxia and trauma).
The Odon Device, invented by Mr Jorge Odón from Argentina, is an instrument to deliver the fetus when complications occur during the second stage of labour. The device is made of film-like polyethylene material and may be potentially safer and easier to apply than forceps and vacuum extractor (contraindicated in cases of HIV infection) for assisted deliveries. By reducing contacts between the baby’s head and the birth channel, the device could prevent infections acquired during delivery. The device has potential for wide application in resource poor settings even by mid-level providers. Noting this progress and the potential for the device