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Thanks to Your Contributions
Professor Dustin Bruening, Andrew Hiller (a public health student), and Seth Huber (a manufacturing engineering student) have collaborated to research offloading braces designed to aid in healing diabetes-related ulcers—a condition that can lead to severe complications, including limb amputations.
Hiller secured funding for this project through a College Undergraduate Research Award (CURA) from the college.
The team evaluated three biomechanical offloading braces: a traditional CAM boot, a hinged boot, and Huber’s SpringEase Boot. Their findings suggest that the spring-loaded design could reduce healing time. As Hiller explains, "The spring-loaded boot helps distribute force over time while providing substantial offloading. This new design could significantly benefit individuals recovering from ulcers, allowing them to regain mobility without prolonged healing periods."
While the research process was challenging, both Hiller and Huber found it deeply rewarding. Huber is now preparing to partner with a New York-based company to manufacture the SpringEase Boot and conduct further testing with patients to validate its effectiveness.
Reflecting on the project’s impact, Hiller shares, "The goal of science is to improve lives. Even small advancements can make a meaningful difference—for our neighbors, our parents, and our grandparents."