Method, Device and System for Appendage Protection Therapy (Smart Offloading Boot)​
Patent Number: WO2017053740A1
 
Executive Summary:
  • Invention Type: Diagnostic and Device
  • Patent Status: Pending
  • Patent Link: https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2017053740A1
  • Research Institute: University of Arizona
  • Disease Focus: Diabetes (Foot Ulcers)
  • Basis of Invention: Orthopedic device that measures factors affecting wound healing (i.e. pressure, pH, blood flow, etc.)
  • How it works: Smart textile with embedded sensor to measure pressure and temperature of the sole (plantar) of person’s foot
  • Lead Challenge Inventor: Marvin J. Slepian
  • Inventors: Marvin J. Slepian, David G. Armstrong, Bijan Najafi
  • Development Stage: Pre clinical trial: Technologies have enough data to be considered for clinical trial
  • Novelty:
    • Can detect abnormalities in patient foot health
    • At-home diagnosis of foot injuries; mobile and washable textile device
  • Clinical Applications:
    • Commercial telehealth
    • Can be used to identify risk of user to developing foot ulcer
 
General Description:
Movable, washable smart textile to measure abnormalities in pressure and temperature when user is walking on it. The textile is able to analyze the data and send alerts via smartphone to the patient when abnormalities suggest the presence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and/or the likelihood of falls or other related injuries.
 
Scientific Progress:
Technology allows healthcare providers to adjust patient treatment regiments based on analytics provided by the Smart Offloading Boot.
 
Future Directions:
  • Clinical Validation
 
Strengths:
  • Measures and analyzes foot health during normal activity
  • Can be used on multiple surfaces; at-home diagnosis via smartphone
 
Weaknesses:
  • Variability between users and risk factor viability for diabetic foot ulcers
 
Patent Status:
  • Priority date: 2015-09-25
  • Filing date: 2017-03-30
 
Inventor Bio: Marvin J. Slepian
http://heart.arizona.edu/faculty/faculty_228