Helmet-based ventilation among finalists at WomenTech 2020
Helmet-based technology has been nominated among the most promising startups by the WomenTech Network - the world's largest community for women in tech, representing 161 countries and over 4,300 ambassadors worldwide.
Since the start of the pandemic, acquiring ventilators and having enough sedatives, as well as qualified clinicians, to operate them, has been a great challenge for the medical community worldwide. Seeking to alleviate the shortage, as well as provide the professionals with a better way to treat patients with acute respiratory failure-a prevalent symptom in severe COVID-19 cases-inspired a team of experts to launch a website introducing helmet-based ventilation (HBV) technology.
“Our goal was to share our niche expertise in the field and help healthcare professionals fighting in the frontlines to contain the pandemic,” said Aurika Savickaite, MSN, RN, and team leader behind the initiative.
The helmet-based ventilation therapy is non-invasive, which results in less stress for the patient and shortens the recovery time. In some cases, they can help avoid intubation, which often leads to life-long damage, thus limiting risks for the patient. Compared to a typical ventilator, helmets are more cost-efficient to produce and can be made in underdeveloped countries. That said, they also have to be used in hospital settings by the clinicians.
Spreading awareness, gathering resources for new manufacturers, and other hard work paid off: recently the "subsalve" oxygen treatment hood gained FDA EUA approval. The HBV team continues to consult local, as well as experts from around the world, to help them build the so-called “bubble helmets” themselves at local facilities and equip their home market with the in-demand non-invasive ventilators, needed to treat most severe cases of COVID-19.
The success of the HBV initiative earned it the finalist spot in the “Women-led Startup of the Year 2020”. The winners will be announced on December 3rd, at the WomenTech Global Awards 2020, featuring 2238 contestants from 153 countries in 22 categories.
“We are incredibly thrilled to be nominated alongside other great projects that inspire not only ingenuity but also incredible perseverance to pursue set goals and overcome adversity,” said Aurika Savickaite. “Without a doubt, this is also a huge incentive for us to keep on spreading the word about helmet-based ventilation, uniting experts from all around the world and refining the technology further.”
The Womentech Global Awards 2020 is a natural continuation of the WomenTech Global Conference 2020, the largest virtual conference for women in tech. Back in March, when the world was going into the first lockdowns due to COVID-19, Anna Radulovski, founder and CEO of WomenTech, together with her team came up with an idea that would unite women entrepreneurs amidst the unprecedented circumstances.
“After the WomenTech Global Conference 2020, we received tons of positive feedback, many sharing about their hardships with uncertainty, job security and work-life-balance while working remotely and how the community inspired them to overcome them,” Anna Radulovski said.
“We understand the importance of celebrating small and big successes while adapting to a life in a digital-first world. This is why we want to give visibility and recognition to accomplished and aspiring female tech leaders as well as allies, working toward a more equal and inclusive world.„