Identifier: KD01AGX
Diabetic foot ulceration and amputation are a worldwide concern, including Malta where more than 500 amputations are carried out annually. In EU, 450,000 amputations cost 鈧�2.5 billion yearly, major economic consequences for patients and healthcare systems. These are preventable if managed timely. Current management is clearly not effective, as can be seen by the huge number of amputations, clearly demonstrating the need for new and effective technologies to be implemented.
iFOOT - "intelligent Foot Offloading Orthoses Technology" is an intelligent insole capable of altering its shape according to sensor readings of gait parameters to offload areas of the foot at high risk of ulceration in diabetes. An Artificial Intelligence algorithm analyses and processes data from these sensors embedded in the insole to identify areas at high risk of ulceration. This type of offloading device will offer a solution to patients requiring biomechanical intervention which, to-date, is not effective as testified by the large number of amputations carried out worldwide every year.
Latest state of the art, i.e. 鈥淪mart insoles鈥� presently only measure pressure, through pressure sensors, and the number of steps taken by the user through accelerometery. iFOOT goes beyond all the above by not only reporting sensor readings to the user and clinician, but also produces a risk assessment of the area likely to ulcerate. The device then changes shape through innovative electro-mechanical actuation methods to offload these areas of high risk. Therefore iFOOT:
The main use of the technology is for diabetic patients to prevent amputations of the foots. Other applications include the use of the smart insole in rheumatology, in the management, treatment and prevention of foot musculoskeletal conditions in sports, and in sports footwear manufacture.
The first prototype has been finalised and fitted in a diabetic shoe. The forefoot regions of activation have been statically tested to 95kg, with no harmful effects occurring to either tester or device. The team are now in the process of enhancing their test base.
The technology contains proprietary solution and components that are being considered for patenting.