Automatic foot hygiene and disinfection machine

Abstract

An automatic foot hygiene and disinfection device consisting of: a foot chamber for one or both feet of a user; at least one soft brush made of non-abrasive material, connected to a brush motor and rotating to clean the feet; at least one spray device that dispenses water, soap and an antibiotic solution onto the user's feet; one or more sensors, including infrared sensors, that detect the presence and position of the feet in the chamber; a camera in the chamber that takes pictures of the feet to detect fungal infections; a control unit with a user interface for selecting cleaning modes, adjusting intensity and controlling the disinfectant application; a drying mechanism with a fan and heating element to supply warm air to dry the feet; and a microcontroller that controls the brushes, sprayers, sensors, camera, and drying mechanism, with the device having a self-cleaning mechanism that is activated after the foot is lifted and cleans the interior with soap and water.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated machine for cleaning and treating human feet with antibiotics. It is primarily intended for patients who wish to disinfect their feet. The machine can also apply antibiotics to the feet in cases of fungal infections. BACKGROUND

[0002] Foot hygiene is a common problem for people who are easily infected, such as diabetics, the elderly, and bedridden individuals. These hygiene deficiencies lead to fungal infections, ulcers, and bacterial infections, which in turn can have serious consequences. Conventional foot cleaning or antibiotic treatment is performed manually and can be inconsistent or difficult for people with physical limitations. The need for foot hygiene or foot care cannot be comprehensively assessed in hospitals.

[0003] The automated foot cleaning and disinfection machine solves the various problems of traditional foot care methods. This device offers a complete solution for foot cleaning and the application of antibiotics or disinfectants to reduce the risk of infection and improve foot hygiene. The device is user-friendly and can be used in any healthcare facility or home where care is needed.

[0004] The device uses sensors, motorized soft brushes, and a precise spray system to clean the feet and apply antibiotics according to patient needs. The device's design allows it to reach every area of ​​the feet, reducing errors associated with manual methods and improper hygiene. Automating this process relieves the burden on nursing staff and medical professionals while ensuring the best care for the patients who need it most. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The aim of this invention is to offer a simple, automated device that perfectly cleanses the feet using a system of disinfectants and antibiotics. The purpose of this device is: Foot hygiene: This process involves cleaning and disinfecting the feet to eliminate bacterial or fungal infections. Accessibility: People with limited mobility and lack of healthcare facilities for foot cleaning and disinfection can use the device independently. Health impact: The risk of foot infections, which often require medical attention, is reduced. Personalization: The device offers customizable settings according to the patient's needs, such as different foot sizes and cleaning intensities. SUMMARY

[0006] The new automated foot hygiene and disinfection device offers excellent hygiene service in a medical setting and is individually operable. Anyone can use it following the instructions. The device scans the foot to determine the type of fungus and recommends a treatment method. It not only predicts and offers a solution but also describes the stage of the infection, the extent of spread on the foot, and the time required for complete healing. The solution is sprayed onto the infected area using sprayers. The solutions are contained in containers connected to the sprayers via hoses. A deep learning model is used to predict the spread of fungal infections. DL's CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) and ANN (Artificial Neural Network) were used to compare images we had trained to model the fungal disease.After detecting the disease, it uses the Random Forest algorithm to predict the type of antibiotic. After a successful prediction, this antibiotic is suggested on the UI display, allowing the patient to consult a doctor about using this antibiotic for hygiene purposes. Following the cleaning mechanism, once the foot is removed, the machine automatically cleans itself to remove the released bacteria and fungi. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Fig. Shows an isometric view of the automatic foot cleaning and antibiotic / disinfection device. The description and illustration explain the design and functionality, helping to understand the device's function and structure: The device has a water tank, a gel tank, and a soap tank. Three buttons control the fill level and switch to the next phase. The water tank is used for washing feet, the gel tank contains antibiotics, and the soap tank contains soap for cleaning feet. The indicator light illuminates during each phase.

[0007] The left side shows a cross-section of the device. The L-shape allows for comfortable foot positioning and facilitates transport. At the bottom is an on / off switch for starting and stopping.

[0008] The right side also shows a cross-section of the device. The L-shape allows for comfortable foot positioning. The left side shows a water inlet for foot cleaning and a self-cleaning mechanism for removing bacteria and fungi. The top view of the device displays the name of the antibiotic. Three openings for the supply of water, gel, and liquid are located in the respective tanks. Soft, white brushes are located on the bottom, which activate the cleaning mechanism. Separate spray nozzles for water, gel, and blower are provided. The back of the device shows the water, gel, and liquid tanks, as well as the connection for operation and the power plug. The battery is also present. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Structure and design: The device features a foot chamber that accommodates one or both feet. The foot chamber is designed to accommodate feet of different sizes comfortably and effectively. The internal components of the device are: Brushes: These soft brushes rotate gently, removing dirt, dead skin cells, and other unwanted debris from your feet. The soft brushes are made of soft, non-abrasive material for added comfort. Sprayers: The sprayers are located in the foot chamber and emit a jet of water with soap for cleaning and antibiotics for disinfection. Sensors: Infrared sensors detect the feet and monitor the cleaning process, ensuring the entire foot is cleaned. Camera: The camera scans the foot and detects the type of fungus. Control unit: The user interface supports the device and allows the patient to switch between different modes, adjust the intensity, and control the disinfectant application. Drying mechanism: After cleaning and disinfection, the integrated drying system dries the feet with warm air. Operating the device: Turn on the device and connect it to power. The user interface will display the desired treatment type. Process A: Already registered user with antibiotics. Process B: A new user wants to learn more about antibiotics. After foot treatment, the type of fungus is identified and an antibiotic is recommended. Process A: Step-by-step instructions for users with antibiotics: a) Connect the device to the power supply (see back). b) Switch on the device (see left side). c) Once the device is switched on, the choice between Operation A and Operation B will appear at the top of the display. d) The patient selects Procedure A (make sure the patient knows the antibiotic recommended by the physician and add it to the gel container). The message "Place your foot on the device" appears. e) Foot position: The patient places their feet in the foot compartment. This activates the sensors and starts the procedure. The patient must place both their right and left feet on the device. f) Cleaning phase: The soft brushes rotate. These brushes clean the feet. Water is sprayed onto the feet, and the soft brushes rotate and wash them with water, followed by soapy water. The feet are then gently scrubbed. The foot rinse is then repeated to remove the foot fluid. g) Disinfection or antibiotic application: After foot rinsing, a fan dries the feet. The device then sprays a measured amount of the antibiotic solution onto the infected feet. h) Drying phase: After cleaning and disinfection, warm air dries the feet to prevent moisture residue. The patient then removes their foot from the device. i) Final phase: After removing the foot, the device cleans itself using brushes to remove bacteria and fungi.

[0010] After removing the base, the water supply is turned on and the device is cleaned first with water and then with soapy water to remove bacteria and fungi. This mechanism ensures hygiene and automatic self-cleaning of the device. j) Turn off the device: Simply turn off the device when the user interface displays "Please turn off." Then, turn off the device and unplug it from the power outlet.

[0011] Process B: Step-by-step instructions for new users a) The same process occurs when turning on the device until Process B is selected. Assume the patient selects Process B. The foot is then scanned. Using a deep learning algorithm, the foot is first recognized by camera. The type of fungus is then identified, and a supervised random forest (machine learning) algorithm calculates the appropriate antibiotic. The antibiotic for the infected fungus is then suggested. The user then purchases the antibiotic from a doctor, who compares it to a medical preparation, and then dispenses it into the gel container. b) The same process as in process A: from putting the foot down to turning off the device. Components:

[0012] Microcontroller: This controls device functions, such as the operation of the brushes, spray nozzles, and sensors. Brushes are used for cleaning, while sprayers apply water and antibiotics to the paws. Sensors detect the movement of the brush motors: electric motors that drive the cleaning brushes. The rotation of the motor moves the brushes for the cleaning mechanism.

[0013] Liquid pumps: Liquid pumps regulate the flow of cleaning solutions, such as water with soap and antibiotic liquids or agents.

[0014] Heating and fan: Warm air is directed to the feet during the drying process.

[0015] Camera: The waterproof camera scans the foot and determines the type of fungus present. The antibiotic application is displayed in the upper user interface. Component materials used: Housing: The housing is made of hardened and waterproof materials such as ABS plastic and stainless steel on the outside to ensure high quality and long-term reliability. Brushes: The brushes are made of silicone or rubber to avoid skin irritation. Liquid tanks: The tanks for water, soap, and antibiotics are easy to refill and clean. Camera: The waterproof camera scans the foot and determines the type of fungus affected. 5. Security features:

[0016] Overload protection: The device is equipped with sensors that stop operation if too much force is applied to the feet. Temperature control: Prevents the heating element, such as a hair dryer, from getting too hot, thus preventing burns. Automatic shutdown: The device automatically switches off after a certain period of non-use to save energy.

[0017] The present invention contributes to health protection by curbing the spread of bacteria and other diseases.

Claims

[1] An automatic foot hygiene and disinfection device, consisting of: a foot chamber for one or both feet of a user; at least one soft brush made of non-abrasive material, connected to a brush motor and rotating to clean the feet; at least one spray device that dispenses water, soap and an antibiotic solution onto the user's feet; one or more sensors, including infrared sensors, that detect the presence and position of the feet in the chamber; a camera in the chamber that takes pictures of the feet to detect fungal infections; a control unit with a user interface for selecting cleaning modes, adjusting intensity and controlling the disinfectant application; a drying mechanism with a fan and heating element to supply warm air to dry the feet; and a microcontroller that controls the brushes, sprayers, sensors, camera, and drying mechanism, with the device having a self-cleaning mechanism that is activated after the foot is lifted and cleans the interior with soap and water. [2] The device of claim 1, wherein the camera is waterproof and detects fungal infections using an AI model trained with a supervised machine learning algorithm. [3] The device of claim 1, wherein the AI ​​model includes a random forest classifier to identify fungal species and suggest appropriate antibiotics. [4] The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface provides two modes of operation: a) a mode for users with a pre-identified antibiotic; b) a mode for new users in which the system detects fungi and suggests an antibiotic. [5] The device according to claim 1, further comprising liquid tanks in which water, soap and antibiotic solutions are stored separately, each tank being equipped with refilling and cleaning mechanisms. [6] The device of claim 1, wherein the brushes are made of medical-grade silicone or rubber to increase comfort and safety. [7] The device of claim 1, wherein the drying mechanism includes temperature control to maintain a safe temperature for the user's feet. [8] The device of claim 1, wherein the self-cleaning mechanism activates a second brushing and spraying routine after the user's foot is removed from the chamber. [9] The device of claim 1, further comprising an automatic shutdown function that shuts down the system after a certain period of inactivity.

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