Description

Sensor-packed brace improves treatment for birth defect

A new smart brace will give children born with clubfoot—and the doctors treating the common birth defect—better data and real-time feedbac. Standard braces used to treat clubfoot are simple and cause unnecessary pain from harsh constraint. Improvements that build on the successful “Ponseti” method of treating clubfoot will provide quicker relief, on-and-off times for child comfort, and a more efficient treatment timeline.
 
Embedded sensors in the brace tell the clinician when the brace is working properly, when the child is having issues, and what adjustments can lead to better outcomes. The smart clubfoot brace senses when to take the brace off, and even when bracing may no longer be necessary.
 
Researchers at University of Nebraska Medical Center developed this innovation as the standard treatments for clubfoot enters a transition stage. Previously accepted treatments included surgery, casting and rehabilitation. Noninvasive approaches have proven to be as effective as surgical interventions, and the smart brace is poised to improve noninvasive outcomes even more.
 
To discuss licensing opportunities contact Tyler Scherr, PhD, at tyler.scherr@unmc.edu or 402-889-5498.