Podiatrist Who Collaborated With UMaine Wins National Award

Local podiatrist Todd O’Brien has won the top prize at the 2012 American Podiatric Medical Association’s annual scientific meeting for his oral abstract on an electronic tuning fork he invented and developed with assistance from the University of Maine’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, the UMaine Foster Center for Student Innovation and the Maine Technology Institute. Tuning forks are considered one of the most accurate measures of human sensitivity to touch, and are commonly used by physicians to diagnose early signs of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or damaged or deteriorating nerves in the feet of diabetics. O’Brien also participated in Maine’s Top Gun program for entrepreneurs, which was hosted by the Foster Center. A UMaine news release has more information about UMaine’s role in the tuning fork.

Contact: George Manlove, (207) 581-3756