Mold and Hold — Future of Medical Casting
“It’s terrific living and working in a place where there is so much access to talent, “says Stevens. “The pool of engineers and scientists to draw from in The Woodlands is outstanding.”
The Woodlands is brimming with new business ideas, emerging technologies and a talented, robust workforce.
Meet Alden Bridge Villager David Stevens, a shareholder and General Counsel of Next Casting Technologies Corporation, a cutting-edge medical tech company positioned in the casting, bracing and splinting products space. Next Casting has developed and will soon be introducing into the market a revolutionary orthopedic cast called the “SmartCast.”
(L) David Stevens, (R) Mark Estrada
The SmartCast represents the fusion of advanced therapeutic casting design and state-of-the-art micro-controlled electronics. Today’s casts involve a fiberglass or plaster technique requiring stockinette layers, scissors, cotton padding, gloves, soaking water and fiberglass rolls. After gathering the aforementioned supplies and donning protective wear, the casting technician must apply various layers, building and sculpting layers as they go.
The SmartCast application is radically different—it slips around the affected limb and is positioned using a simple “mold and hold” technique. Finally, a simple press of a button on the cast itself activates the hardening process. Within 3-5 minutes the cast, which was put on the patient while still soft and flexible, now becomes hard and rigid! No technician’s fiberglass or plaster artistry is required and this fast application process saves physicians and clinicians time and money.
The SmartCast has an engineered airflow design, is manufactured using latex-free and antimicrobial materials, is ultra light-weight and waterproof! This allows patients to immediately resume water activities like showering or swimming.
Alongside Stevens in this exciting endeavor are two of his lifelong friends since elementary school: Mark Estrada, inventor of the SmartCast and founder/CEO of Next Casting Technologies and Stacey LaBauve, Director of Marketing for their company. Estrada has over 25 years of experience in orthopedic and medical device design, manufacturing and production and extensive mergers and acquisition experience. He has negotiated, licensed or sold more than a dozen patented products. Labauve guides and advises Next Casting’s brand positioning and awareness plans.
From L to R: Mark Estrada, Stacey LaBauve, David Stevens
Stevens has lived in The Woodlands since 1997. He has participated in multiple start-ups in fields as diverse as real estate, mining and medical devices. When not working, he and his wife Melanie, daughter Grace and two sons Jeron and Brandon enjoy biking on the miles of trails throughout The Woodlands. When they get the chance, they love to eat Tex-Mex at The Goode Co.’s Kitchen & Cantina, stroll The Woodlands Waterway and shop at Market Street.
“It’s terrific living and working in a place where there is so much access to talent, “says Stevens. “The pool of engineers and scientists to draw from in The Woodlands is outstanding.”
The Woodlander wishes David Stevens and Next Casting Technologies best wishes as they continue to research, test and launch their SmartCast!