Exclusively on the ZL7T blog, Hair loss is a difficult reality for most cancer patients who are subjected to chemotherapy, with approximately 65% losing their hair as a side effect. The medications destroy rapidly growing cells, even healthy ones such as hair follicles, and in some cancers, such as breast cancer, almost all the patients lose their hair. While hair will grow back after a few months of treatment, a 2019 study revealed that over half of patients find hair loss to be the worst part about chemo, with some refusing treatment altogether because of it.
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What is the mechanism of the invention?
One existing solution, scalp cooling, means patients must don a cap that is connected to a machine that circulates a coolant, which slows blood flow to hair follicles, depriving them of the chemo drugs. About half of those who receive it keep around 50% of their hair. But the machines are bulky, keeping patients in the hospital longer—sometimes twice or three times longer—for each treatment.
The new portable helmet, created by an Irish startup, is looking to turn that around. As named after a flower, the helmet allows patients to go home immediately after chemo, where it's worn for approximately 90 minutes after treatment. Rather than cooling, it puts gentle pressure on blood flow to hair follicles, providing a more efficient and more comfortable process without pre-cooling.
How effective is this new invention?
The European trials of the startup were unprecedented: about 75% of patients suffered no loss of hair. For patients given a typical regimen for breast cancer, several completed 12 cycles with almost all their hair. No severe side effects have been shown by the device, and this is a sign of very good safety.
The helmet's creators, who started work in 2018, were inspired by the stories of patients explaining how baldness affects not just appearance but overall health and social self-confidence. The device works by placing light pressure along the scalp, softly compressing close-by small blood vessels near hair follicles briefly. This reduces blood flow—and thus chemo drug delivery—to the follicles, which helps protect them.
What is the expected price for this invention?
The expected price for the release of this invention is 3000 dollars and Facilitations will be made for cancer hospitals to initially obtain the device and it will be available from the year 2027.