System and method for performing diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring and treatment of loss of cutaneous sensation and neuropathy

Abstract

The technology provides a system and method for assessing loss of vibration perception in a subject. It may be useful for the self-diagnosis, self-monitoring and self-treatment of adverse health conditions such as cutaneous neuropathy or diabetic foot, and for developing related prognoses. The system comprises a wearable or handheld vibration device 101 which includes piezoelectric 105,107 elements. These may be actuated to produce vibrations which are transmitted to the body surface of the subject by a probe. A communications apparatus is provided so that data can be transferred between the vibration device and a computing device such as a smartphone. The computing device is arranged to control levels of intensity of vibration of the piezoelectric elements 105,107, to record data representing levels of intensity of vibration, and to record and track input data entered by the user, corresponding to levels of intensity of vibration at which the subject perceives the transmitted vibrations via their body surface. With Figure 1