Hair loss during chemotherapy is not just an aesthetic issue. It is a visible sign of the disease that many patients would like to avoid, to maintain as much as possible the sense of everyday life in their lives. A normality that could now be within everyone's reach thanks to Athena, an innovative cooling helmet that just won the prestigious James Dyson Award.
The Scalp Cooling Challenge
The principle behind Athena is simple: limit blood flow to the scalp during chemotherapy means reducing the amount of drugs reaching the hair follicles. An approach that can help prevent hair loss, technically known as chemotherapy-induced alopecia. But nothing new so far: scalp cooling systems have existed for a long time. The problem is that they are expensive, bulky and require patients to spend much more time in the hospital. Olivia Humphreys he wanted to change this paradigm.
A solution born from personal experience of chemotherapy
The idea of Athena was born in 2019, when Olivia's mother found herself facing the chemotherapy. During the long hours spent in the hospital, the young designer observed the critical issues of existing systems: insufficient machines, exhausting waiting times, poor practicality.
Current devices require patients to arrive 30 minutes before treatment and stay for an additional 90 minutes after it ends. A significant additional burden for people already affected by therapy. There was a need for something different, more accessible and efficient.
An accessible innovation
Athena represents a qualitative leap in many respects. The device uses thermoelectric semiconductors to cool a tank of water, which is then circulated around the head through an ingeniously designed system.
The estimated cost is around 1.000 euros, a fraction of the 40.000 euros required by hospital machines. Weighing just 3 kg and with a battery life of 3,5 hours, it allows patients to manage their cooling independently, even while on the move.
Technology at the service of well-being
Athena’s real strength is its ability to give patients back control. No longer tied to fixed machines in the hospital, they can start cooling while en route to the facility and continue it afterwards, in the comfort of their own home.
The thermoelectric battery ensures silent and efficient operation, while the carefully studied design ensures uniform distribution of cold. Every detail has been designed to maximize effectiveness without compromising ease of use.
The Future of Athena (and Chemotherapy)
Athena's journey is not over. Olivia Humphreys is now collaborating with Luminate Medical, a Scottish company specializing in innovative solutions for cancer care. The goal is to further develop the device, creating a fully functional and technologically integrated prototype. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, Athena could represent much more than just a medical device: it is a tool to maintain their identity during one of the most difficult moments of life.
And this, perhaps, is its greatest value.
