BME Capstone Project Helps UA Wildcat Walk After 19 Years in Wheelchair

For their 2017 senior project, team "Lightning Legs" – composed of five biomedical engineering students and one mechanical engineering student – designed and constructed a custom unpowered exoskeleton to help Jeffrey Bristol, a UA accounting major with cerebral palsy, regain his feet after years in a wheelchair. 

More than a year later, Bristol continues to make strides with the device's assistance. With consistent practice and the support of his family, Jeffrey has retrained the way his brain communicates with his muscles and has been able to take off elements of the brace one by one.

As he prepares for his graduation in spring 2019, the plan is that his dedication will help him go out with his classmates in style – walking across the stage to pick up his diploma.

Members of the BME Class of 2017 involved in the project were Martin Galaz, Jason Keatseangsilp (team lead), Amanda Koiki, Joshua Owl and Thomas Valenzuela.