Smart Insole with Dynamic Adjustment for Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insole technologies are unable to accurately capture gait data or provide personalized fit, leading to ineffective treatment and short product life, especially for conditions like diabetic foot ulcers.
Innovation Solution
An insole equipped with a variety of sensors (pressure, motion, temperature, etc.) and an adjustment mechanism that can dynamically change shape to address specific foot issues, allowing for real-time diagnosis, analysis, and correction of foot problems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If generic fixed passive insoles are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but fit accuracy and adaptability to personal anatomy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The insole incorporates adjustable components including height adjustment mechanisms with screws, diagonal joint rotary lifts, and bayonet mounts that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the insole structure to match the user's foot anatomy. The insole can be manually adjusted by users or healthcare professionals to change arch support height, cushioning levels, and overall shape, transforming a static generic insole into a dynamic personalized orthotic device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom-made orthotics are used, then fit accuracy and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insole is divided into multiple independent adjustable segments including heel area, arch area, forefoot area, and toe area, each with its own height adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation allows localized adjustments to different parts of the foot without affecting other areas, simplifying the customization process while maintaining high fit accuracy. Each segment can be independently modified to address specific foot conditions or anatomical variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The insole includes manual adjustment interfaces such as screw mechanisms, rotary lifts, and bayonet mounts that enable users or healthcare professionals to perform adjustments without specialized equipment or complex procedures. The self-adjusting nature of the insole reduces the need for professional fitting services and simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining customization capabilities.
3Device complexity
If fixed passive insoles are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to respond to changes in foot condition over time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insole incorporates multiple height adjustment mechanisms distributed across different areas of the insole, including screws, diagonal joint rotary lifts, and bayonet mounts, that enable dynamic reconfiguration of the insole structure to match the user's foot anatomy. The insole can be manually adjusted by users or healthcare professionals to change arch support height, cushioning levels, and overall shape, transforming a static generic insole into a dynamic personalized orthotic device.
4Device complexity
If manual temperature measurement is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and early detection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical temperature measurement with electronic temperature sensors that automatically monitor foot temperature in real-time. These sensors are integrated into the insole structure and provide continuous digital readings, eliminating the need for manual measurement tools and procedures while significantly improving measurement precision and enabling early detection of temperature changes that may indicate foot ulcers or other conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system including: (a) an insole with a plurality of sensors and a plurality of adjustment mechanisms deployed thereupon at a plurality of locations, each sensor providing a data output signal; (b) a data processor receiving the data output signals from the sensors, analyzing data from the output signals and outputting a response plan; and (c) an implementation module receiving the response plan, translating the response plan to a plurality of response signals, and transmitting each response signal of the plurality of response signals to a specific one of the plurality of adjustment mechanisms Additional systems and related insoles are also disclosed.