Fiscal Year:
2001
Title:
IMPROVED OXYGENATION OF SYNTHETIC BIO-LIVER DEVICES
Agency:
HHS
Contract:
N/A
Award Amount:
$100,000.00
Abstract:
Diabetic foot complications result in over 67,000 lower extremity
amputations annually and cause more hospitalizations than any other
single complication of diabetes. Foot wounds precede 84% of these
amputations and usually occur when patients with diabetes have
peripheral neuropathy and cannot feel foot trauma from ground-reactive
(shock) and shearing (friction) forces. This loss of sensation presents a
footwear challenge - to prevent wounds - current technologies don't
adequately address.
Currently, the most effective method for preventing foot wounds
involves (1) custom molded shoes or (2) extra-depth, extra-width
shoes; both with three sets of custom orthoses annually. These orthoses
are expected to counteract both shock and friction, but are insufficient.
These options have serious fit and availability limitations, and
significant material and labor costs.
Jointly with Z-Coil, Inc. of Albuquerque, MedEffciency poses to
develop the Circumferential Neuropathic Foot Protection System
(CNFP) - an extra-depth, extra-width protective shoe with a custom
orthosis. The shoe's patented spring technology absorbs shock, while its
silicone custom orthosis minimizes friction. Utilization should increase
with the ability to customize and dispense immediately with lower cost
than present alternatives, resulting in fewer foot wounds, fewer
amputations, reduced healthcare costs and higher quality of life for
patients with diabetes.
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
In the U.S. alone, there are estimated to be over 16 million people with
diabetes, with at least one-third undiagnosed. There are over 67,000
diabetic amputations each year, but the majority are avoidable with
proper intervention to prevent foot wounds. Proper footwear for these
patients is absolutely essential for wound prevention. If the CNFPS
could capture just 10% of the high-risk market for diabetic footwear, it
would generate revues in excess of $70 million each year based on
Medicare reimbursement rates, while still significantly reducing total
healthcare costs.
Principal Investigator:
Nina M. Lamba
Small Business Information at Submission:
COMPACT MEMBRANE SYSTEMS, INC.
325 WATER ST WILMINGTON, DE 19804
EIN/Tax ID:
510348256
DUNS:
N/A
Number of Employees:
N/A
Woman-Owned:
No
Minority-Owned:
No
HUBZone-Owned:
No