HOUSTON (April 21, 2004) – A new foot care product designed for elderly consumers and those with mobility concerns is now on the market thanks to assistance from the NASA-funded Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP).

     The product, called the Foot Scrubby, was created by Roger Regner, an industrial sales engineer in the petrochemical industry. Regner came up with the Foot Scrubby idea after trying to find a method to exfoliate his feet that was comfortable, yet effective and safe. "While standing on one foot and bending over to scrub my feet, I was worried that I might slip in the shower,” said Regner. He was sure that if he had problems safely reaching his feet in the shower, it must be more challenging for elderly people or those with physical challenges.

     Regner decided that if he wanted a product that would meet his needs, he would have to invent it. He created a dome shape with flat sides that could be held steady with one foot. Next, he found a uniquely textured bath fabric that would smooth and exfoliate the tougher skin of the feet, and stretched the fabric over the dome shape. To use the Foot Scrubby, a bather simply slips one foot into the product, adds warm water and shower gel, and then rubs the other foot against the device.

     Though happy with his invention and convinced that he had a viable consumer product, Regner had questions about the safety of the Foot Scrubby and if the average person had the agility to use it. He heard about SATOP and contacted the program with questions on human dexterity, ergonomics and safety. SATOP provides free engineering assistance to small businesses with technical challenges through the donations of time and expertise from 49 Space Alliance Partners.

     The SATOP center in Houston approached Dr. Chris Vickroy, a human factors engineer with The Boeing Company in Houston, to tackle Regner’s request for technical assistance (RTA). Vickroy reassured Regner that the average person would have the agility to use the Foot Scrubby and that his product was safe for use, as long as certain recommendations were included in the packaging. “Roger’s engineering design for the foot scrubber was a good and mature design,” Vickroy said. “All that was lacking were the appropriate safety recommendations.”

     Vickroy suggested Regner add two comments to the product usage instructions. The new instructions advise users to be sure that the shower floor has a non-slip surface and to hold onto a handrail for balance. “Making sure that my product was safe was of utmost concern and importance,” Regner said. “Before I could take Foot Scrubby to market, I had to be certain of its safety and that I was providing the best user instructions possible, and SATOP and The Boeing Company gave me exactly what I needed."

     Foot Scrubby is currently available through the web site, www.footscrubby.com . Regner will be promoting the product with national retail stores later this year.