Student accelerator team creates waterproof cast

Justin Brooks, COO of Cast21, graduated alongside his CTO Jason Troutner in May 2016 from the University of Illinois. Shortly after the commencement ceremony ended, Brooks got in his car for a six-hour drive from Champaign, Illinois to Memphis -- he had to go to work Monday morning. 

Brooks showed up at 8am to represent his team at Memphis Bioworks’ Zeroto510 medical device accelerator. “The accelerator started the week before finals week. One of us had to be there at all times. I was in Memphis a couple days, then went back to give a final presentation and take exams. We all rearranged our schedules so it would work,” Brooks said.

Cast21 solves problems with the modern cast by creating a waterproof, open-structured design. With this exoskeleton-inspired model, patients are able to shower, wash their hands, swim, and live life less encumbered. CEO Ashley Moy and Troutner created Cast21’s product while working on their senior design project. Both engineers in different disciplines, they wanted to combine their expertise to produce a solution for the dirty, sweaty cast currently available - - a project close to Troutner’s heart.

“Jason has actually been in 50 casts. He was born with club feet, so there were casts for that. He had more surgeries later. Then he said ‘I haven’t been in enough casts’ and joined the gymnastics team,” Brooks said.

In their time at the accelerator, the Cast21 team members were able to achieve important milestones including filing a provisional patent, submitting FDA registration, and forming relationships with manufacturers. They were also connected with mentorship and learning opportunities through Allan Daisley, Director of Entrepreneurship at Memphis Bioworks. “Allan has been instrumental in the success of the teams. He’s a great leader,” Brooks said.

As the accelerator wraps, the Cast21 team will prepare to head back to Champaign so Moy can finish her final semester of undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering.