Innovation Anthology #473:
Among the complications from diabetes is the loss of feeling in the feet and this can lead to amputation.
Dr. Breanne Everett points to a startling statistic.
DR. BREANNE EVERETT: Every 30 minutes a limb is lost due to landmines and every 30 seconds a limb is lost due to diabetes.
Dr. Everett is a resident in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Calgary. She’s an executive MBA student. And she’s President and CEO of a startup company called Orpyx Medical Technologies Inc.
Orpyx won the 2012 Student TEC VenturePrize Business Plan Competition.
DR. BREANNE EVERETT: So what our initial product does is it’s a pressure sensing insole that takes readings of the bottom of the foot. And in a real time basis sends information back to the user to tell them when they are doing damage and when they are okay with the activity that they are performing. The add-on to that technology that we’re also developing at the same time is a pad that’s worn on the back so that it actually feeds back information from the feet one to one to the back pad. So you actually feel your feet through your back.
Dr. Everett says 40 percent of diabetics develop peripheral neuropathy, so the potential market for her sensor technology is huge.
The $20,000 prize will help Orpyx launch its products in November.
FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER
Guest
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Sponsor
Program Date: 2012-05-10