What's so special about the 'portable isolation hat' invented by 3 Vietnamese students?

WIPO Deputy General Director Hasan Klein awarded titles to 3 Vietnamese students on November 29. Photo: NVCC

On November 29, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) awarded the title of "WIPO Young Ambassador for Intellectual Property" to a group of 3 young Vietnamese inventors with innovative works. create "anti-epidemic vihelm hat".

This is a respiratory protective device with many features, notably the ability to prevent virus infection, and also create convenience and comfort to enhance labor productivity for users in the context of Covid-19.

The product is produced by three students still sitting on school chairs, including Do Trong Minh Duc (born in 2003, Montverde Academy - USA), Tran Nguyen Khanh An (born in 2006, Dewey Schools, Hanoi). and Nguyen Hoang Phuc (born in 2007, Lfay French International School, Hanoi) introduced for the first time in 2020, at the final of the ICAN international creative competition.

Marking the adaptation to the new normal of society

Unique design of Vihelm "anti-epidemic hat".

The Vihelm hat is described as a portable "isolation hat". This is a simple, easy-to-use protective accessory that provides comfort and safety by pumping air continuously through a virus filter, making it impossible for viruses to pass through the helmet when worn.

The idea of ​​​​the Vihelm hat was conceived by the patent team from the very first days of product creation, to create a change in medical isolation with the method of "mobile isolation", ie F0 or F1. Accordingly, instead of being isolated at home or concentrated, people at risk of infection can still wear this device and go out for normal activities.

The patent team believes that mobile isolation will prevent society from losing jobs and income, as well as the mental damage of having to stay at home for too long.

A complete set of Vihelm hats.

The main materials used to make Vihelm hats are PVC for the hat frame and latex fabric on 6 round holes. Since the main materials are plastic and cloth, which is available in Vietnam, the hat is completely "made in Vietnam".

The hat also has a built-in fan system for ventilation, without causing condensation inside, so it does not affect the wearer's vision. This idea is quite similar to an available product that is an air purifier (ventilator, respirator) PAPR - Powered air-purifying respirator. However, the Vihelm hat is designed with a simpler structure.

A striking feature is that on each hat, there are gloves attached to help activities such as scratching the itch on the face, wiping sweat, sneezing, cleaning the hat. to be comfortable, but still safe. completely, isolate the virus.

Even, the hat is designed with a compartment to store food inside, so that users can eat and drink when they have to work in disease prevention conditions.

Meets circulation standards in Vietnam, USA, EU

From a highly applicable invention, after more than a year of intellectual property copyright registration in Vietnam and international protection, the Vihelm patent team has brought many improvements, and at the same time manufactured into specific products. may be recognized by the Ministry of Health of Vietnam as meeting group A standards and allowed to be circulated on the market.

The Vihelm portable isolation helmet has also applied for registration and is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Recently, the hat has also been granted CE certification in Spain, which means "Compliance with European standards", which is allowed to be sold in the EU market and the European Economic Area.

In Vietnam, it is not too difficult to find Vihelm portable isolation hats sold on e-commerce platforms and some convenience stores. 

Vihelm hats meet the standards of circulation in Vietnam, the US, and the EU.

Compared to the first version, the commercial version of the Vihelm hat has many improvements in both design and color. The gloves attached to the hat have been changed to a fabric with the same material as a medical mask, which can prevent contact of the virus and adjusted to be more convenient to use when taking food or navigating when scratching and rubbing the face. . The structure of the hat is more compact, easier to use for users of all ages.

Thanks to that, users can wear the hat comfortably continuously throughout a long shift without worrying about itching or heat. According to the experimental evaluation of the research team, when the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is reduced by up to 99.9% when using the product.