One man, of many, with a problem
Meet Jack Brill – a 83-year-old Korean War veteran. For many years he has faced the most debilitating symptom associated with Parkinsons, freezing of gait (FoG), also known as Parkinson’s Disease walk or Parkinsonian gait. He describes this symptom as feeling like his feet are glued to the floor or stuck in a box of cement. Freezing of gait occurs because of a disconnect between the brain and the body. This stops neural signals from reaching the motor neurons that should activate muscles to move, preventing people with Parkinsons from beginning or continuing to walk (Muthukrishnan). Not only does this symptom take away peoples independence, but is also a leading cause of falls in people living with Parkinsons. Jack isnt alone. 80% of those living with Parkinsons will experience the same thing (Ono). Today, Jack has a device to help overcome this freezing, and so with him, the story of De Oro Devices begins.
A Quest and an Answer
Jack came to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) seeking a solution. Through the QL+ Program, Sidney Collin, a biomedical engineering student, was able to incorporate leading research into a device to help with freezing of gait. Extensive research has been conducted showing the efficacy of visual and audio cues in overcoming this symptom. Both cues included in the device the green laser line and the metronome facilitate a change in intention, which activates different neural pathways and allows people living with Parkinsons to restore mobility (Muthukrishnan).
Physical therapists have been using these highly effective cues for years with great success but people experiencing this symptom have not had access to a simple way of using them at home.
The device is designed to be easily integrated into someones life by attaching to canes, walkers, and walking poles to keep people living with Parkinsons independent and mobile.
Jack brought Sidney to a Parkinsons support group to show off the innovative mobility device she had invented just for him. After the meeting finished, an overwhelming number of people came up to Sidney excited about the new technology. Filled with hope, they were inquiring about when they could get their own prototype. Realizing just how impactful the device could be, Sidney expanded her team to include business-focused Cal Poly alumni, Adam Schwartz and William Thompson, to bring NexStride to people who need it the most. The team, focused on helping others improve their quality of life, and sought the help of Cal Polys Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Sidney, Adam, and William began building their mission-driven company in the summer of 2018 as participants in Cal Polys startup accelerator program.
Since creating NexStride, the startup team has been recognized for their work that restores mobility, relieves anxiety, and helps people living with Parkinsons retain their independence.
In 2019, De Oro Devices was awarded:
- First place at the San Jose BIOMEDevice Startup Pitch Competition
- First place and $100,000 in funding at the Central Coast Angel Conference
- First place for their Elevator Pitch and the Sly Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at TCUs Values and Ventures Competition
One Small Device. One Big Step.
NexStride began with one person, Jack, who sought to elevate his quality of life while living with Parkinsons. Because of his initiative, the device will go on to help many others do the same. After over a year of product development, testing, design for manufacturing, and working with the local Parkinsons community to create the perfect mobility device, NexStride has officially launched. The team is excited for the device to help more people walk with confidence again.
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Works Cited
Muthukrishnan, Niveditha, et al. Cueing Paradigms to Improve Gait and Posture in Parkinsons Disease: A Narrative Review. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 19, no. 24, 2019, pp. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), December 11, 2019, Vol.19(24).
Ono, Sayaka Asari, et al. Freezing of Gait in Parkinsons Disease Is Associated with Reduced 6-FFluoroTyrosine Uptake in the Locus Coeruleus. Parkinsons Disease, vol. 2016, no. 2016, 2016, p. 5.
