Temperature-Sensing Garment Packaging Sensor Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diabetes-related complications such as foot ulcers and Charcot foot are challenging to detect early due to limited visual inspection capabilities, especially in obese or visually impaired patients, and the inability of diabetic patients with neuropathy to feel early signs of injury.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-sensing garment system that includes a sock with integrated temperature sensors, a packaging sensor to detect separation from packaging, and a processor to transition the garment from an inactive to an active state for temperature measurement when worn by a user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the garment remains in an active state continuously to monitor foot temperature, then early detection of foot conditions is improved, but energy consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor is configured to transition the garment between inactive and active states based on periodic detection of packaging separation. The garment remains inactive during storage and transport, then activates when packaging is removed, enabling periodic monitoring rather than continuous operation, thus extending battery life while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging sensor detects packaging separation in advance before the garment is worn, triggering activation prior to actual use. This preliminary action ensures the garment is ready for monitoring when needed, without requiring continuous power consumption during storage.
2Ease of operation
If the garment is activated immediately upon packaging removal, then readiness for use is improved, but false activation during transport may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the packaging sensor to control processor state transitions. The sensor continuously monitors packaging separation, and the processor uses this feedback to determine when to activate, allowing the system to distinguish between transport separation and actual use conditions through ongoing monitoring and state changes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous monitoring of foot temperatures, allowing for early detection of potential foot ulcers or other injuries, thereby reducing the risk of severe complications such as amputation.
Implementation Method 1
the packaging sensor may include a Hall effect sensor and the packaging may include at least one magnet configured to generate a magnetic field proximate the Hall effect sensor
Implementation Method 2
the packaging sensor may include a light sensor configured to detect light when the garment is separated from the packaging
Implementation Method 3
the garment may include at least one temperature sensor to measure at least one temperature on the foot of the user
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring a user may include a garment configured to be placed on a foot of the user, a packaging sensor coupled to the garment and configured to detect separation of the garment and packaging associated with the garment, and at least one processor configured to transition the garment from an inactive state to an active state at least partially based on the separation of the garment and packaging. A method for operating a temperature-sensing garment includes operating the garment in an inactive state, detecting separation of the garment and packaging associated with the garment, predicting that the garment is placed on a user, and transitioning the garment from the inactive state to an active state in which the garment is configured to measure at least one temperature of the user.