Sensing Garment Foot Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diabetic patients often struggle to detect early signs of foot ulcers and Charcot foot due to neuropathy and poor visibility, leading to delayed detection and increased risk of severe medical complications such as amputation, as conventional methods like visual inspection and X-rays are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A sensing garment with integrated temperature sensors placed on the foot, which continuously monitor skin temperature and provide data analysis to detect inflammation and potential ulcers, using a system that includes a garment, a cover, and a sensor arrangement with leads and a housing containing a controller and communication module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection and X-rays are used to detect foot conditions, then the detection method is simple and non-invasive, but early signs of ulcers and fractures cannot be reliably detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual inspection and X-ray imaging with a mechanical sensing system that uses pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and strain sensors to detect early signs of foot ulcers and fractures. This substitution enables reliable detection of early-stage conditions through physiological parameter monitoring rather than relying on visual or radiological methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensing system between the foot and the detection process. Instead of directly observing or imaging the foot, the system uses sensor arrays embedded in insoles to indirectly detect physiological changes through pressure distribution, temperature variations, and strain measurements, which serve as intermediaries indicating early pathological changes.
2Measurement precision
If sensor arrays are embedded in the garment to improve monitoring capability, then detection accuracy improves, but the garment becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing system with the garment structure by embedding sensor arrays directly into the insole or fabric layers. The sensors are integrated during the garment manufacturing process rather than added as separate components, combining the functional elements (sensors) with the structural elements (garment) into a unified product that maintains manufacturing efficiency while achieving enhanced monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional garment that serves both as protective clothing and as a diagnostic monitoring system. The same garment structure provides mechanical protection, comfort, and physiological parameter sensing, eliminating the need for separate monitoring devices and simplifying the overall system while improving manufacturing efficiency.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented to enable early detection, then the ability to detect early signs improves, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of physiological parameters rather than truly continuous monitoring. The sensor arrays take measurements at regular intervals, which provides sufficient data for early detection while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous high-frequency sampling. This periodic action maintains reliability for detecting gradual changes in foot health.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the monitoring system to autonomously manage its own operation, including automatic threshold setting, anomaly detection, and data filtering. The system self-regulates energy consumption by activating full monitoring only when anomalies are detected, otherwise operating in a low-power standby mode, thereby reducing overall energy requirements while maintaining early detection capability.
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
The system enables continuous, accurate monitoring of foot temperature, allowing for early detection of diabetic foot complications and reducing the likelihood of severe outcomes by providing timely intervention.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor arrangement comprises 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 includes a garment configured to be placed on a foot of the user, a cover coupled to the garment, and a sensor arrangement between the garment and the cover, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises at least one temperature sensor to measure at least one temperature on the foot of the user. A method for making a system for monitoring a user includes forming a sensor arrangement including at least one sensor lead coupled to a temperature sensor, positioning at least a portion of the sensor arrangement on a garment configured to be placed on a foot of the user, and enclosing at least the portion of the sensor arrangement between the garment and a cover.