Healing the Heels of Diabetic Patients: Interview with Orpyx Founder, Dr. Breanne Everett

Diabetes affects over 25 million Americans and is the leading cause of kidney failure, blindness, and non-accident-related leg and foot amputations. The last two of these problems result from progressive neuropathy, or specifically the degeneration of nerves starting with those in the extremities. Patients with diabetic neuropathy often lose sensation in their feet, making it difficult for them to detect abnormal levels of pressure on their heels and thus putting them at risk for developing ulcers and infections that may lead to amputations.

This is the problem that Orpyx, an innovative medical technology company based in Canada, hopes to solve. The company aims to release its first product, the SurroSense Rx, later this year. In brief, the system comprises a special shoe insert with embedded pressure sensors and a transmitter that sends alerts to a watch display (and eventually smart phone) to let the patient know when they need to relieve pressure on their heels. We had the opportunity to speak with Orpyx founder, Dr. Breanne Everett, about the company and its plans.

Shiv Gaglani, Medgadget: What is the primary problem you are trying to solve at Orpyx? How have others tried solving this problem?

Dr. Breanne Everett: Orpyx’s primary intention is to address the world’s growing epidemic of diabetes and its associated complications, most notably, lack of circulation, numbness, infection and ulcers in the feet, or ‘diabetic peripheral neuropathy.’  The diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most devastating complications of diabetes, occurring in upwards of 15% of all diabetic patients. Development of vascular and nerve-related complications, including lack of sensory feedback in the feet and failure of the wound healing process, leaves the diabetic patient unaware that serious complications are developing. Diabetic foot ulcers and amputations cost the U.S. health system an estimated $29 billion in 2007.

The current gold standard care for treatment of the diabetic foot includes primary prevention via diabetes education, traditional orthotics, reactionary wound care and wound control. Economics aside, this is an outdated approach applying principles of “sick” care, not preventative “health” care that Orpyx solutions offer. Orpyx’s technologies address both a North American and global market that is currently untouched by any comparable device. Orpyx will be starting pre-sales this summer, with its initial SurroSense Rx product launch this November.

“Work to create a “sensory substitute” can and will make an enormous difference in preventing diabetes-related amputations. It is this promise for prevention that is so very exciting and potentially game-changing.”

– Dr. David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD; Professor of Surgery and Director, Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance, University of Arizona College of Medicine; Senior Scientific Collaborator, Orpyx Medical Technologies

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