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Brittani Lusk
Five years ago BYU senior Keith Stolworthy got in a dirt-biking accident. He walks with canes and plans to use his homework to ease his pain.
BYU engineering students unveiled a device Tuesday that makes custom shoe inserts in half an hour -- all without leaving the podiatrist's office. Currently custom orthotics used to treat leg and back pain can take weeks to be made and delivered.
"Obviously if you're in pain you don't want to have to wait any longer than you have to," Stolworthy said.
He and four other students have been working on the prototype all school year as part of a senior project.
"I'll probably make some this weekend just for myself," Stolworthy said. He wasn't wearing orthotics Tuesday because he liked the space in his shoes.
BYU students, including Stolworthy and his team, presented their capstone projects to companies on Tuesday. Capstone projects pair seniors with professionals to solve engineering design problems. Gregg Warnick, the capstone external relations coordinator for the department of mechanical engineering, said there were 24 projects including the orthotic machine.
The device, a console with a computer and a machine that heats plastic that looks like a toaster oven, scans an image of a patient's foot. Next, the image is made into a three-dimensional shape of the foot with pins. After that, plastic is heated and molded to the pins. Finally, other materials are added to make the insert comfortable.
On Tuesday, two team members wearing khakis, white polo shirts and safety goggles made a custom orthotic while Stolworthy presented the design. The finished version had a hole in it so it could be worn with flip-flops, which are typically hard on feet.
"It will just make summer life so much more enjoyable," said Leslie Johnson. She and her husband Brent sponsored the project and provided the funding.
Johnson said the inserts are comfortable and effective.
"I have them on right now and they work wonderfully," she said.
Students and their sponsors were tight-lipped about how much the console would cost and how much it would affect the cost of the inserts. They alluded that it would cut costs for consumers.
"It's going to revolutionize the orthotics industry," Stolworthy said.
• Brittani Lusk can be reached at 344-2549 or at
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