Volunteers completed customized, climate controlled helmet for Christine in February. V-LINC’s volunteer team from the Advanced Design and Manufacturing Division [ADM] at the U. S. Army Edgewood [Maryland] Chemical and Biological Center worked a miracle!
Christine’s Odyssey
As of February 2011
Christine is a 22 year-old from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. A head trauma injury has caused the onset of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome [CRPS] which has made the right side of her face extremely sensitive to:
- temperature outside a range of ~88-93 degrees F
- Smells
- Air movement
- Touch
Because of this condition, she has been confined to her living area for more than a year. Eating had become so painful that she was receiving nourishment through a feeding tube inserted into her stomach. View Christine's Video about her condition
Christine, showing areas of sensitivity
In the Spring of 2010 Christine requested V-LINC assistance to develop a helmet that would provide the environment she needs and would permit her to leave her living area for medical treatment and daily activities. She had done substantial research on possible design alternatives and gave V-LINC the following designs of her own.
Helmet concept from Christine
During the summer of 2010, a project team was formed incorporating the existing V-LINC volunteer team from the Advanced Design and Manufacturing Division [ADM] at the U. S. Army Edgewood [Maryland] Chemical and Biological Center headed by Mark Schlein, representatives of The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering headed by Dr. Andy Conn, V-LINC volunteer (retired from NASA) Stan Ollendorf and other individual V-LINC volunteers with relevant experience and expertise.
Using Christine’s concepts, the team worked to develop a solution incorporating: a helmet, air heating and filtering and a power supply, all in a portable package.
Initial helmet concept
In October, the project became critical when Christine suffered a recurrence of gastroparesis which caused a loss of weight and threatened her overall health. Provision of the helmet would permit her to travel to medical facilities to resolve this problem without exacerbating the CRPS.
A prototype Rapid Response Helmet System [RRHS] was produced and delivered to Christine in December.
Christine at home in Alberta testing the RRHS aka “Gecko”
View Initial Helmet Test Video
The revised RRHS/Gecko, based on Christine’s recommendations
Concurrent with the RRHS development, the opportunity for Christine’s evaluation/treatment at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions [JHMI] in Baltimore was structured by Andy Conn. Since commercial travel by Christine was not feasible, a three member team drove an RV from Baltimore, to Red Deer, picked her up, and brought her to JHMI.
Transport team volunteers contributed a week of their time to get Christine and bring her to medical treatment: Dr. Ian Shantz, engineers Mark Schlein and Jason Adamek in RV
Christine in her parka and the helmet named “Gecko” is carried to RV by her brother; Mark Schlein has the support unit. Christine was too weak to walk and had lost considerable weight.
View the Video of Christine's trip
Christine in Gecko with Andy Conn and Christine leaving the RV to enter JHMI
Christine being taken to her room at JHMI
Christine is currently being evaluated and treated at JHMI where she is making rapid progress
Keep up to date with Christine's Journey
