A wearable insole for diabetic patients suffering from T2D consists of several pressure sensors to give dynamic feedback of the patients’ plantar pressure.
A wearable insole for diabetic patients suffering from T2D consists of several pressure sensors to give dynamic feedback of the patients’ plantar pressure.
Objective
Diabetes Mellitus(DM), commonly known as Diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. It’s is one of the greatest health challenges faced by the world today, categorized as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes being the more predominant one out of the two.
T2D results in several complications over a period of time. A great number of diabetics will develop foot problems related to the disease. Diabetic foot conditions develop from a combination of causes including poor circulation and Neuropathy. Diabetics suffering from Neuropathy can quite easily develop pressure sores that they may not be aware of due to the insensitivity. If these pressure sores are left untreated, complications may lead to ulceration and a possible case of amputation.
Our goal is to produce a connected insole ( a wearable insole) for diabetic patients suffering from T2D. The insole consists of several pressure sensors to give dynamic feedback of the patients’ plantar pressure. This data is continuously processed and the user/doctor will be provided with an alert when a disorder is detected. Based on the received input the user can correct his/her walking stance.
With this solution we hope to develop a process of preventative care for patients suffering from T2D and minimize the risk of foot ulceration and amputations.
Solution
We are trying to conceptualize a connected insole with an open source format, accessible to all and in particular a one which has a low manufacturing cost. For an economic product we developed our own sensors at a very low cost. We believe that prevention of all the complications related to T2D is very important to promote good health and well being in the world.
1st Prototype:
We designed the first insole in leather in which we integrated pre-existing sensors. These sensors react to pressure and force but they have a maximum load of 1-2kgs, some of them can work with higher loads(until 20kgs) but they are very expensive. This didn’t match the direction we wanted to give to our project. We wanted to conceptualize a connected insole with an open source format, accessible to all and in particular have a low manufacturing cost. In terms of connectivity we had to integrate a lot of wires which were very bulky and thick and hence poses a problem at the level of integration in the sole.
2nd Prototype:
For our second attempt of the connected insole, we used a meshing of 3×6 wires which makes a total of 18 sensor points. This prototype, presented at the end of the STEAM session of SDG School,is a combination of all the advancements in terms of finding the best fit microcontroller and sensors. We used what we learnt on the third iteration of sensors for this insole. We replaced the wires by copper braids to improve the flexibility, efficiency and ergonomics. This was more robust and thinner so they were more suitable for our project. It consisted of multiple nodes of velostat with intersections of copper braids. Reference image mentioned above!
Final Prototype:
We improvised on the design and manufacturing aspect of the insole and merged the sensors and PCB development processes into one.
Diabetes Mellitus(DM), commonly known as Diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. It’s is one of the greatest health challenges faced by the world today, categorized as Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes being the more predominant one out of the two.
T2D results in several complications over a period of time. A great number of diabetics will develop foot problems related to the disease. Diabetic foot conditions develop from a combination of causes including poor circulation and Neuropathy. Diabetics suffering from Neuropathy can quite easily develop pressure sores that they may not be aware of due to the insensitivity. If these pressure sores are left untreated, complications may lead to ulceration and a possible case of amputation.
Our goal is to produce a connected insole ( a wearable insole) for diabetic patients suffering from T2D. The insole consists of several pressure sensors to give dynamic feedback of the patients’ plantar pressure. This data is continuously processed and the user/doctor will be provided with an alert when a disorder is detected. Based on the received input the user can correct his/her walking stance.
With this solution we hope to develop a process of preventative care for patients suffering from T2D and minimize the risk of foot ulceration and amputations.
Solution
We are trying to conceptualize a connected insole with an open source format, accessible to all and in particular a one which has a low manufacturing cost. For an economic product we developed our own sensors at a very low cost. We believe that prevention of all the complications related to T2D is very important to promote good health and well being in the world.
1st Prototype:
We designed the first insole in leather in which we integrated pre-existing sensors. These sensors react to pressure and force but they have a maximum load of 1-2kgs, some of them can work with higher loads(until 20kgs) but they are very expensive. This didn’t match the direction we wanted to give to our project. We wanted to conceptualize a connected insole with an open source format, accessible to all and in particular have a low manufacturing cost. In terms of connectivity we had to integrate a lot of wires which were very bulky and thick and hence poses a problem at the level of integration in the sole.
2nd Prototype:
For our second attempt of the connected insole, we used a meshing of 3×6 wires which makes a total of 18 sensor points. This prototype, presented at the end of the STEAM session of SDG School,is a combination of all the advancements in terms of finding the best fit microcontroller and sensors. We used what we learnt on the third iteration of sensors for this insole. We replaced the wires by copper braids to improve the flexibility, efficiency and ergonomics. This was more robust and thinner so they were more suitable for our project. It consisted of multiple nodes of velostat with intersections of copper braids. Reference image mentioned above!
Final Prototype:
We improvised on the design and manufacturing aspect of the insole and merged the sensors and PCB development processes into one.
