GROUP OF NASA PROPULSION ENGINEERS have developed an innovative
knee brace from space technology that could mean quicker and less painful rehabilitation
for patients who use it.
Volume 5, Number 1 January/February 1997
Technology Transfer
GROUP OF NASA PROPULSION ENGINEERS have developed an innovative
knee brace from space technology that could mean quicker and less painful rehabilitation
for patients who use it.
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) engineers Michael Shadoan, Neill Myers, John Forbes, Kevin Baker and Darron Rice invented the Selectively Lockable Knee Brace. The innovative brace allows movement of the knee. Knee braces now on the market lock the knee in a rigid, straight-leg position.
Shadoan said, "the Selectively Lockable Knee Brace, a spin-off of technology used in developing propulsion systems at MSFC, is designed to help patients who have a loss of muscle control from the thigh down due to a stroke or an accident."
"The Selectively Lockable Knee Brace allows the knee to function while supporting the leg," said Myers. "The brace may be used by a patient recovering from a knee injury when the patient needs to use the knee, but the knee cannot carry the full weight of the patient."
The upper part of the brace attaches around the thigh, and the lower part is secured by a stirrup around the shoe. "It works by allowing the knee to bend when weight is not on the heel," said Myers. "Once weight is placed on the heel, the knee brace locks into position."
A Horton Orthotic Lab technician tests MSFC inventors'
Selectively Lockable Knee Brace prototype.
Shadoan, Myers, Forbes, Baker, and Rice have contributed time over the last three years to design the brace's prototype. They recently received a patent for the brace.
The inventors are working with Horton Orthotic Lab of Little Rock, Arkansas, to test the prototype and verify its design. "Field tests now underway will allow us to gather the information needed to 'tweak' the brace for final design," said Shadoan. It's not certain when the brace will be available commercially.
For more information about the product, contact Michael Shadoan at MSFC.
Call 205/544-5276, E-mail: michael.shadoan@msfc.nasa.gov
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