Smart Textile to Predict Diabetic Foot Ulcer

This invention is a movable, washable smart textile that can measure abnormalities in pressure and temperature when a patient walks on it. The textile can analyze the data and send alerts to the patient when abnormalities suggest the presence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and/or the likelihood of falls or other injuries.

Background:
Demand for new methods of detecting diabetic foot ulcers is high since the development of new treatments has stalled since the late 1990s. Currently one in four patients with diabetic ulcers will require a foot amputation. This extremely serious side effect proposes a clear need for an alternative to the current treatments: patient education, appropriate footwear, and regular care. University of Arizona inventors believe this technology has increased value over other telehealth devices (e.g. pedometers, gyroscopes) and DFU diagnosis methods (infrequent doctor visits, non-professional diagnostic tools).

Applications:

• Commercial telehealth

Advantages:

• Detects abnormalities in a patient’s foot health
• Measures and analyzes pressure, temperature, and gait during normal activity
• Can be used on a variety of surfaces to dramatically increase data collection
• Improves analysis accuracy from other clinical systems
• Mobile and washable to improve ease of use and care
• Connects to personal devices (e.g., smartphone, smartwatch) to deliver alerts when abnormalities are detected
• Improves at-home diagnosis of foot injury
• Lowers elderly risk of falling

Status: issued U.S. patent #10,993,654