London: A car mechanic in Argentina has invented a potentially life-saving device to help deliver babies when labour complications occur, and the instrument is set to undergo a trial in India. The device, which experts believe could be safer and more effective than forceps, has been backed by the World Health Organisation which is co-ordinating a trial across hospitals in India, Switzerland, Argentina and Monaco.

Jorge Odon, 59, came up with his invention after watching a YouTube video on how to retrieve a cork from inside an empty wine bottle. The trick works by inserting a twisted-up plastic bag into the bottle and inflating it until it forms a seal around the cork and can be used to tug it out.

The Odon device works by slipping an inflatable plastic sleeve around the baby's head, inflating it until it provides a grip on the baby and pulling on the bag, 'The Times' reported.

So far the device has been tested in 30 Argentine women, with positive results, and funding is in place for it to be tried in a further 270 births. Odon, who has no medical background, said that doctors had been surprisingly open-minded. "I always say that this project is driven by a higher power - not only the idea, but also the people who appeared during this journey of more than seven years," he said. About 10 per cent of the 137 million births worldwide each year have potentially serious complications; 5.6 million babies are stillborn or die soon after delivery, and about 260,000 women die in childbirth. Up to 23 per cent of births involve instrumental delivery.