It is amazing how an Argentinean car mechanic was inspired from a tool used to pull wine corks out of a bottle to invent something entirely out of his field: a birth-aid device. The news about Jorge Odón’s invention has been widely covered by many sources. What is really interesting is how the convergence of two disciplines is able to improve things. Odon’s device is a tremendous breakthrough not only because of its ingenious inventiveness or because it will ease labor for many women and obstetricians, but because it also is a low-cost device that can be easily used in third world countries where women’s reproductive health is a great burden to mothers and children.
It is really surprising that a car mechanic developed this idea and not a doctor. What prevents doctors from being able see beyond their industry for innovation? Why are doctors reluctant to adopt new technologies or…
