Introduction
- Hi! My name is Nijayuana Gadson, and I am a second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student at Elon University. I have seen firsthand, through family members, friends, and patients, how an injury can feel like a major disruption to everyday life.
- Whether an injury occurs while hiking, playing with kids, working long hours, or simply from a slip-and-fall, it can quickly impact independence and routine.
- Many individuals don’t have the luxury of taking extended time off or reducing their responsibilities. This often leads to incomplete healing, increased stress, and preventable complications.
- Creating NEXG8 is my way of giving back to workers, students, caregivers, and everyday individuals who continue to push through challenges. My goal is to provide an assistive device that not only improves mobility but also restores confidence, dignity, and the belief that recovery doesn’t have to mean stepping away from life.
- If you’re interested in learning more about this project or have any questions, feel free to reach out at nijayuana013@gmail.com.
- Dorriea Murphy, PT, DPT, served as a sponsor for this project. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Elon University.
Video
My motivation comes from helping people regain a sense of control during recovery. NEXG8 is not just about physical mobility it’s about restoring emotional resilience, independence, and confidence throughout the healing process
Prototypes
Below are several prototypes I developed over the past three months. While the final product did not turn out exactly as I originally envisioned, the most valuable takeaway was learning to appreciate the process, grow personally, and deepen my understanding of assistive and medical device development. One of the biggest challenges I faced was managing time and adapting to constantly shifting directions based on what was realistically feasible while balancing the demands of being a full-time doctoral student. I worked through these challenges by exploring new approaches to bring my idea to life, even though many required additional time and financial resources.
Creating the base frame with dual support was the most challenging part of the process. I used Autodesk Fusion 360 to design the STL file for 3D printing. The greatest difficulty was determining the optimal dimensions ensuring the frame was neither too short nor too long while maintaining stability. To address this, I took detailed measurements and visited medical device stores to compare dimensions and analyze what made certain devices more or less stable.
Materials & Tools Used:
- 3D printer
- Cane metal rod
- Foam padding
- Metal bar screws
- Hot glue
- Autodesk Fusion 360
- ¾-inch wood
- Wood cutter
I utilized resources such as YouTube, guidance from professors in Elon’s engineering department, fellow Kickbox participants, and my sponsor throughout this process. Their support provided valuable advice and direction, helping me get started and navigate challenges along the way.
The next phase of this project is to develop a fully functional assistive device with integrated digital adjustment. I plan to continue conducting research and securing sponsorships to support the development of a new generation of assistive devices inspired by the NEXG8. If you are interested in learning more or would like to support this project, please feel free to reach out via email: Nijayuana013@gmail.com