TayCo Brace - Training and Combat Readiness External Ankle Brace

TayCo Brace, Inc., in conjunction with the 559th Trainee Health Squadron under the 37th Training Wing, intends to reduce the impact of ankle injuries throughout Basic Military Training (BMT) and Security Forces technical school. Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) cost the military $3.7 billion annually with ankle injuries being the second most common MSKI,  accounting for 1.5 million service member injuries each year. In BMT alone, medical attrition costs the Air Force up to $46 million annually. By providing an external ankle brace (XAB) solution which is applied outside the boot immediately after injury, airmen will be able to safely continue training without lapses. Effort:  With R&D TayCo will redesign and upgrade its commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) XAB for Defense-specific environments by: 1.) Advancing the current hinge into a range-of-motion-stop hinge to give healthcare providers greater control over progression of airmen’s return to functional duty allowing for earlier return to training. 2.) Developing an upgraded strapping system to improve comfort and safety in wet/rugged terrain. 3.) Performing material hardening increase durability in training and combat