Chemo Helmet That Keeps Hair Intact Through Treatments Prepares For Public Use
Image via Luminate Medical
Hats off to this helmet that’s designed to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. Developed by cancer treatment tech startup Luminate, Lily, as it is called, is preparing for its commercial debut after successful early trials and a fresh round of funding.
The breakthrough device works by applying consistent pressure across the scalp, effectively creating a barrier that prevents chemotherapy drugs from reaching hair follicles. Early trials have shown promising results, with approximately 75% of patients retaining their hair during treatment.
According to Luminate’s CEO Aaron Hannon, patients who have tried on the helmet have retained “a full head of hair” even after undergoing up to 12 chemotherapy sessions, he tells TechCrunch. He recounts that survivors have said the wearable has “changed their experience” with chemo.
Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy, as the cancer-fighting drugs circulate throughout the body, affecting not just cancer cells but also hair follicles. Luminate’s solution, developed in collaboration with the National University of Ireland Galway, prevents blood flow from reaching the scalp’s hair follicles in the first place.
Luminate’s hair-saving chemo helmet nears release, as new funding goes toward home cancer care https://t.co/0Sd5OkDZCT
— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) September 18, 2024
The helmet itself, made from soft materials for comfort, acts like a compression garment for the head, gently blocking capillaries to stop the chemo drugs from targeting hair follicles.
Video screenshot via Luminate
To further advance the Lily helmet, Luminate recently secured US$15 million in Series A funding. The financial boost will support a multi-center trial in the US, targeting FDA clearance for the Lily helmet.
The study, set to begin in November, will involve 85 patients across several states, including New York and Florida, and is expected to last seven to eight months.
Luminate’s vision extends beyond preserving patients’ hair. The company is also developing a product called Lilac, a glove and boot set designed to address chemotherapy-induced neuropathy—a painful side effect affecting patients’ extremities. It’s a no-brainer because it uses similar pressure technology as the Lily helmet to prevent nerve damage in patients’ hands and feet.
With its innovations, coupled with solid backing, the firm is looking to bring cancer care directly to patients’ homes, reducing hospital visits and making treatments more accessible and comfortable. This approach could significantly alleviate the burden on care centers, allowing more patients to receive timely and comfortable treatment.
[via TechCrunch, Femtech Insider, RTÉ, images via Luminate Medical]
