Single-Foot Ulcer Detection Using Sole Temperature Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ulcer detection systems are inconvenient, unreliable, and inaccurate, particularly for patients with a single foot, leading to reduced compliance and increased risk of serious health complications.
Innovation Solution
A foot ulcer detection system with temperature sensors that analyze the interpercentile range of temperatures across the sole of a single foot, comparing it to a threshold value to detect ulcers or pre-ulcers, and provide output information on potential ulcers or pre-ulcers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ulcer detection systems are used, then ulcer monitoring can be performed, but the systems are inconvenient, unreliable, and inaccurate particularly for patients with a single foot
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the foot sole into multiple discrete sensor locations (e.g., heel, midfoot, toe regions) with temperature sensors at each segment. This segmentation allows independent temperature measurement at each location, enabling reliable ulcer detection through interpercentile range calculation while maintaining ease of operation through modular sensor placement
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables patients to perform self-monitoring by placing their foot on the platform and receiving automated ulcer risk assessment. The automated interpercentile range calculation and ulcer indication eliminate the need for manual comparison or interpretation, making the system convenient and reliable for patient use
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are spaced apart across the foot sole, then temperature distribution can be measured, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms multiple temperature measurements into a single interpercentile range parameter that quantifies temperature variation across the foot. This parameter transformation simplifies the data from multiple sensors into a meaningful metric for ulcer detection, maintaining measurement precision while reducing analytical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The interpercentile range calculation acts as an intermediary that processes raw temperature data from multiple sensors and converts it into a clinically meaningful indicator. This intermediary step simplifies the relationship between multiple sensors and the final ulcer detection output, reducing system complexity while preserving measurement precision
3Measurement precision
If interpercentile range comparison is used for ulcer detection, then early detection accuracy improves, but the computational processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the interpercentile range using only the necessary percentile values (e.g., 10th and 90th percentiles) rather than processing all possible temperature combinations. This partial action approach maintains high detection accuracy by focusing on the most relevant statistical measures while reducing computational overhead and improving processing efficiency
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 early detection of ulcers and pre-ulcers in patients with a single foot, reducing the risk of severe complications by facilitating regular and accurate monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The set of temperature sensors are configured to communicate with the bottom of the foot in the receiving region to ascertain a current temperature at each of a set of different spaced apart locations of the bottom of the foot
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A system has a body with a base having a top surface with a receiving region to receive the bottom of a single foot. Among other things, the base may be in the form of an open or closed platform with a plurality of temperature sensors in communication with the top surface of the receiving region. The plurality of temperature sensors are within the receiving region and configured to activate after receipt of a stimulus applied to one or both the platform and the plurality of temperature sensors. A comparator is configured to form a temperature range as a function of the temperature value distribution and compare a percentage of the range size of the temperature distribution to a threshold value. An output produces ulcer information indicating the emergence of an ulcer or pre-ulcer when the percentage of the range size equals or exceeds the threshold value.