Foot Imaging Platform for Early Diabetic Abnormality Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients with diabetic neuropathy often fail to detect early foot complications due to decreased sensation, leading to untreated issues that can progress to amputation, as routine doctor visits are insufficient for frequent monitoring, and self-examinations are unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A foot abnormality detection system comprising a platform with an imaging device and processor that automatically captures and analyzes foot images to identify complications, including a bathmat or mat with integrated sensors for presence detection and imaging, capable of generating 3D models and issuing alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If routine doctor visits are used for monitoring foot complications, then medical expertise is available for diagnosis, but the frequency of monitoring is insufficient to detect early complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables patients to perform automated self-examinations at home using an imaging device that captures foot images and automatically analyzes them for complications, eliminating the need for frequent doctor visits while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual examination process by doctors is replaced with an automated imaging and image analysis system that uses computer vision algorithms to detect foot complications, enabling frequent monitoring without requiring medical professionals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If patients perform self-examinations at home, then monitoring frequency increases, but reliability is low due to patient inability to view all foot parts, lack of understanding, or forgetfulness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring frequencyVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automates the self-examination process by having patients simply place their feet on a platform that automatically captures images and analyzes them, eliminating the need for patients to manually inspect their feet and ensuring consistent, reliable detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automated feedback to patients through notifications and alerts when abnormalities are detected, ensuring that complications are identified and addressed promptly without relying on patient memory or understanding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If early detection systems are implemented, then intervention timing is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of imaging devices and processors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintervention delayVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The platform integrates multiple functions including imaging, image analysis, notification, and documentation into a single device that can be used for various foot care tasks, reducing the need for multiple separate devices while enabling early detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary between patients and healthcare providers by automatically capturing and analyzing foot images, then notifying both parties of detected abnormalities, reducing the time to intervention while managing complexity through automated workflows

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260013732A1System to detect foot abnormalities

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 EMPO HEALTH INC

AI summary

Systems, devices, and methods for detecting a foot abnormality includes a platform configured to be stood upon by a user, an imaging device within the platform, and a processor connected to the imaging device. The processor is configured to detect a foot abnormality from images gathered by the imaging device.