Inspired by a simple trick for removing a stuck cork from a wine bottle, Argentinian car mechanic Jorge Odon devised a device that is now considered the first significant innovation in assisted childbirth since the 1950s.
The idea came to him one night in 2006 after he saw a stuck cork being pulled out of a bottle using a plastic bag and air. He later adapted that principle to help with vaginal birth.
His device, called OdonAssist, uses a soft air cuff that is placed around the baby’s head. After inflation, it allows gentle and controlled extraction of the baby through the birth canal, representing a less invasive alternative to forceps and vacuum extraction.
After testing in Argentina, the device is now used in 40 hospitals in Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. So far, he has assisted in the birth of more than 300 babies.
According to experts, traditional methods of assisted childbirth can cause injuries to mothers and newborns. Clinical studies conducted in Great Britain and France have shown that OdonAssist is safe and effective, with a success rate of over 88 percent and no serious complications.
“All babies born with the help of this device have so far been born without bruises, hematomas and other injuries that sometimes occur with existing methods,” said Dr. Mario Merialdi, former expert of the World Health Organization.
In the spring of 2025, OdonAssist received the European CE certificate, confirming its safety for use in hospitals throughout Europe. Although the device is disposable and costs about $335, experts believe it could reduce the need for more invasive procedures and help healthcare systems, especially in countries with limited resources.
Many call it the greatest innovation in birth medicine in decades, as it offers a safer and more humane approach for mothers and babies.
