s c i e n c e
Engineering a more effective splint
T
hose of us who hear the word
“engineer” and instantly think
Now, moving from animal-centered research
of bridges or jets need a broader to human-centered clinical trials, Muller-
view. A chemical engineer in the Delp is partnering with Pritchard in hopes of
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is also a
clinical faculty member in the Department of
propelling the splint into commercial use.
“We are trying to optimize the splint design
effectiveness in a larger patient population and
get it one step closer to commercial use.
Muller-Delp hopes to develop a parallel
animal model.
“That will allow us to continue to look at
things going on at the molecular level and
Biomedical Sciences – working to make life for each patient,” said Pritchard, who spent why,” she said. “But in the human study, we
better for people with peripheral artery disease. over a decade working in orthopedics and are also collaborating with Sean Forbes
related fields. from the University of Florida and
Her name is Emily Pritchard, and she’s
helping Professor Judy Muller-Delp fine-tune
the splint that was featured a year ago in FSU
MED.
“I became an engineer because I wanted to
The research team will gather data from MRIs
and sensors.
“That will allow us to look at how this affects
Jens Rosenberg from the MagLab,
using MRI to evaluate physiological
improvements in patients. And
blood flow in the legs similar to what Dr. we’re working with Lynn Panton
make things to help people,” Pritchard said. Muller-Delp was looking at in animal models,” and Robert Hickner from the
Here’s a recap of the disease and how the Pritchard said. “My Ph.D. was in doing custom Department of Nutrition,
sensors for surgical instrumentation. Being able Food and Exercise Science,
to track what’s happening inside the body as who are helping us see
narrowing of arteries most commonly found in non-invasively as possible, and give a physician if this is improving
the legs. Plaque and fatty deposits build up on more information, has been the theme of my patients’ quality
artery walls, restricting blood flow and causing work.” of life.”
splint works:
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a
pain and cramping. The best-known therapy is Once the design is finalized, another
regular walking, but some patients are too frail collaboration will help move the project
or in too much pain for exercise. forward. Through a Collaboration for
What Muller-Delp discovered, along with
improving blood flow to the lower leg.
Delp (left) and Pritchard bring unique insights together
to help people with peripheral artery disease.
Accelerated Innovation grant, the Mayo Clinic
Wayne Batchelor at Tallahassee Memorial in Jacksonville’s Department of Vascular
Hospital and former postdoctoral fellow Surgery will provide the study with greater
Kazuki Hotta, was that a simple, low-cost splint access to patients and additional clinical input.
could provide the same benefits as exercise by That will help the team see the splint’s
2
Pritchard’s splint is gaining attention for the potential to
help both patients with PAD and older individuals who
could reap health benefits from stretching.