The present disclosure relates to the field of biomedical
engineering. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a device for
monitoring plantar pressure.
5
BACKGROUND
[2] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the
information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed
10 invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[3] Diabetes mellitus is becoming an increasing concern globally
because it leads to a plethora of other diseases. Foot ulceration is a common
sequel to diabetes mellitus. An open sore or wound located on the bottom of the
foot is very common in diabetes patients. It occurs in approximately 26 to 32
15 percent of patients with diabetes and among these, 16% patients must be
hospitalized due to infection or other ulcer-related complication. Ultimately the
non-healing ulcer develops into gangrene and leads to amputation. Diabetic foot
ulcers are the number one cause for non-traumatic foot amputations across the
globe. The ulcers are caused by the pressure field that acts between the foot and
20 the support surface during everyday loco motor activities. Excessive plantar
pressure accelerates tissue breakdown among diabetic patients by three
mechanisms which are, at first, the pressure time integral (PTI) or the repeated
low pressure for a prolonged period causes ischemic cell death, commonly called
the diabetic foot wound. Ill-fitting shoes, orthotic or lesser contact surface area
25 trigger this mechanism. Alternatively, higher pressure for shorter period also
produces the same result. Secondly, magnitude of Peak Plantar Pressure (PPP) or
a foot injury can happen when a very high ground reaction force is applied to a
relatively small area of plantar tissue (Pressure= Force/Area). For instance,
stepping on a stone in presence of neuropathy leads to foot slap. Controlling the
30 static and dynamic loading force at foot prevents diabetic foot syndrome. And
thirdly, number of pressure/micro trauma or repeated plantar pressure causes
3
mechanical fatigue. In diabetics, especially those with neuropathy, even a sub
maximal level of repeated loading causes diabetic foot syndrome. This is
manifested with formation of callus, corns and progression to ulcer.
[4] Most conventional methods are mainly concerned with the
5 thickness, hardness, type of material and its density used for the footwear insole
and outer sole. It has been found time and again that such designs are not
appropriate to reduce the diabetic foot sole pressures to the required extent and
thus, to protect the diabetic foot from foot sole ulcers or healing of ulcers. It has
been found that the diabetes foot ulcers caused by plantar pressure occurs when
10 the pressure value crosses a certain threshold value responsible in maintaining the
normal foot structure and function. Studies have also confirmed that a value
higher than threshold leads to skin breakdown and development of diabetic foot
ulcer among people with diabetes mellitus and specific areas of plantar pressure
distribution have been identified in published literature. Diabetes peripheral
15 neuropathy is the major clinical manifestation and cause of foot complications.
However, there are no early warning systems or smart devices that take into
consideration research based information and address these issues.
[5] Hence, there is need in the art to therefore identify and rationalize
the urgency for early screening and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers through a
20 smart device.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[6] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide an approach
for efficient and fast foot sore detection system.
25 [7] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solution for
an early screening of diabetic foot syndrome.
[8] An object of the present disclosure is to provide for a solution for
the prevention of foot ulcers and amputations due to diabetic foot syndrome
[9] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide for an
30 improvement in the quality of life of diabetic patients and enhance their social
engagement.
4
SUMMARY
[10] The present disclosure relates to the field of biomedical
engineering. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system, a
method and a device for monitoring plantar pressure.
5 [11] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a plantar pressure
monitoring system may be provided which may include: an insole provided in the
footwear, the insole adapted to receive and accommodate a foot of a user; a
plurality of sensors distributed on the insole, the plurality of sensors may be
configured to detect pressure exerted on them, wherein the pressure exerted on
10 each of the plurality of sensors may be indicative of pressure exerted on a part of a
sole of the foot of the user corresponding to the position of the plurality of
sensors; a processor operatively coupled with the plurality of sensors and a
memory, the memory storing instructions may be executable by the processor to:
receive, from the plurality of sensors, set of signals pertaining to pressure exerted
15 on corresponding sensor; extract, from the received set of signals, values of the
pressure exerted on the corresponding sensor; compare the values of pressure with
corresponding threshold pressure values; generate an alert signal when value of
pressure at any of the plurality of sensors may be greater than the corresponding
threshold pressure value; and, transmit, the values of pressure and the alert signal
20 to one or more user devices; and display said pressure values on an output device.
[12] According to an embodiment, the system may provide for an
output device operatively coupled with the processor to display pressure values,
the output device may include any or a combination of mobile computing device
coupled to the processor having any or a combination of fixed and detachable
25 display panel, a smart phone, a smart wearable device, a laptop, a smart tablet and
the like.
[13] According to an embodiment, the system may provide for the
insole designed to be adapted to fit a shoe of specific size.
[14] According to an embodiment, the system may provide for the
30 plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors may be any or a combination
of pressure and force sensors.
5
[15] According to an embodiment, the system may provide for the alert
signal to be generated by any or a combination of a buzzer and a haptic device.
[16] According to an embodiment, the system may provide for the user
device to be coupled to a cloud-based server, the cloud-based server may be
5 configured to store pressure values.
[17] According to an aspect, a device for monitoring plantar pressure in
a footwear, that may include: an insole provided in the footwear, the insole
adapted to receive and accommodate a foot of a user; a plurality of sensors
distributed on the insole, the plurality of sensors may be configured to detect
10 pressure exerted on them, wherein the pressure exerted on each of the plurality of
sensors may be indicative of pressure exerted on a part of a sole of the foot of the
user corresponding to the position of the plurality of sensors; a processor
operatively coupled with the plurality of sensors and a memory, the memory
storing instructions may be executable by the processor to: receive, from the
15 plurality of sensors, set of signals pertaining to pressure exerted on corresponding
sensor; extract, from the received set of signals, values of the pressure exerted on
the corresponding sensor; compare the values of pressure with corresponding
threshold pressure values; generate an alert signal when value of pressure at any
of the plurality of sensors may be greater than the corresponding threshold
20 pressure value; transmit, the values of pressure and the alert signal to one or more
user devices; and display said values of pressure on an output device.
[18] According to an embodiment, the device may provide for the
insole designed to be adapted to fit a shoe of specific size.
[19] According to an embodiment, the device may provide for the
25 plurality of sensors wherein the plurality of sensors may be any or a combination
of pressure and force sensors.
[20] According to an embodiment, a method for monitoring plantar
pressure in a footwear may include: receiving, at the processor, a set of signals
pertaining to pressure exerted on corresponding sensor from a plurality of sensors
30 distributed on an insole of the footwear, wherein the insole is adapted to receive
and accommodate a foot of a user and the plurality of sensors may be configured
6
to detect pressure exerted on them, wherein the pressure exerted on each of the
plurality of sensors may be indicative of pressure exerted on a part of a sole of the
foot of the user corresponding to the position of the plurality of sensors;
extracting, at the processor, from the received set of signals, values of pressure
5 exerted on the corresponding sensor; comparing, at the processor, the values of
pressure with corresponding threshold pressure values; generating an alert signal,
at the processor, when value of pressure at any of the plurality of sensors may be
greater than the corresponding threshold value; transmitting, by the processor, the
values of pressure and the alert signal to one or more user devices; and displaying
10 said values of pressure on an output device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[21] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a
limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
15 [22] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system architecture of the proposed
device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[23] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary functional modules of the computing
unit, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[24] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of the working of the
20 proposed system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[25] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary representation of a flow diagram
associated with the method of monitoring plantar pressure in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[26] FIGs. 5A-5B illustrates exemplary figures highlighting the pressure
25 field that acts between the foot and the support surface during everyday loco
motor activities.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[27] In the following description, numerous specific details are ascribed
30 that help in providing an exhaustive understanding of embodiments of the present
invention.
7
[28] The term “plantar pressure” as is used herein, generally refers to a
pressure data-based information relevant to solving a computational task involved
in extracting pressure exerted by the foot bottom called plantar on the surface
below the foot. More specifically, plantar pressure can refer to the result of a
5 general neighborhood operation (pressure extractor or pressure detector) applied
to a biomedical area, specific areas in the regions of the human body that perform
loco-motor functions such as such as walking, running, exercising and the like.
[29] The present disclosure relates to the field of biomedical
engineering. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system, a
10 method and a device for monitoring plantar pressure.
[30] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a plantar pressure monitoring
system may be provided which may include: an insole provided in the footwear,
the insole adapted to receive and accommodate a foot of a user; a plurality of
sensors distributed on the insole, the plurality of sensors may be configured to
15 detect pressure exerted on them, wherein the pressure exerted on each of the
plurality of sensors may be indicative of pressure exerted on a part of a sole of the
foot of the user corresponding to the position of the plurality of sensors;; a
processor operatively coupled with the plurality of sensors and a memory, the
memory storing instructions may be executable by the processor to: receive, from
20 the plurality of sensors, set of signals pertaining to pressure exerted on
corresponding sensor; extract, from the received set of signals, values of the
pressure exerted on the corresponding sensor; compare the values of pressure with
corresponding threshold pressure values; generate an alert signal when value of
pressure at any of the plurality of sensors may be greater than the corresponding
25 threshold pressure value; transmit, the values of pressure and the alert signal to
one or more user devices; and, display said values of pressure on an output device.
[31] In an embodiment, the system may provide for an output device
operatively coupled with the processor to display pressure values, the output
device can include any or a combination of mobile computing device coupled to
30 the processor having any or a combination of fixed and detachable display panel,
a smart phone, a smart wearable device, a laptop, a smart tablet and the like.
8
[32] In an embodiment, the system may provide for the insole designed
to be adapted to fit a shoe of specific size.
[33] In an embodiment, the system may provide for the plurality of
sensors, the plurality of sensors can be any or a combination of pressure and force
5 sensors.
[34] In an embodiment, the system may provide for the alert signal to
be generated by any or a combination of a buzzer and a haptic device.
[35] In an embodiment, the system may provide for the user device to
be coupled to a cloud-based server wherein the cloud-based server may be
10 configured to store the values of pressure.
[36] In an aspect, a device for monitoring plantar pressure in a
footwear, that may include: an insole provided in the footwear, the insole adapted
to receive and accommodate a foot of a user; a plurality of sensors distributed on
the insole, the plurality of sensors may be configured to detect pressure exerted on
15 them, wherein the pressure exerted on each of the plurality of sensors may be
indicative of pressure exerted on a part of the sole of the foot of the user
corresponding to the position of the plurality of sensors; a processor operatively
coupled with the plurality of sensors and a memory, the memory storing
instructions may be executable by the processor to: receive, from the plurality of
20 sensors, set of signals pertaining to pressure exerted on corresponding sensor;
extract, from the received set of signals, values of the pressure exerted on the
corresponding sensor; compare the values of pressure with corresponding
threshold pressure values; generate an alert signal when value of pressure at any
of the plurality of sensors is greater than the corresponding threshold pressure
25 value; transmit, the values of pressure and the alert signal to one or more user
devices; and display said values of pressure on an output device.
[37] In an exemplary embodiment, the device may provide for the
insole designed to be adapted to fit a shoe of specific size.
[38] In an exemplary embodiment, the device may provide for the
30 plurality of sensors wherein the plurality of sensors are any or a combination of
pressure and force sensors.
9
[39] In an embodiment, a method for monitoring plantar pressure in a
footwear may include: receiving, at the processor, a set of signals pertaining to
pressure exerted on corresponding sensor from a plurality of sensors distributed
on an insole of the footwear, wherein the insole may be adapted to receive and
5 accommodate a foot of a user and the plurality of sensors may be configured to
detect pressure exerted on them, wherein the pressure exerted on each of the
plurality of sensors may be indicative of pressure exerted on a part of a sole of the
foot of the user corresponding to the position of the plurality of sensors;
extracting, at the processor, from the received set of signals, values of pressure
10 exerted on the corresponding sensor; comparing, at the processor, the values of
pressure with corresponding threshold pressure values; generating an alert signal,
at the processor, when value of pressure at any of the plurality of sensors may be
greater than the corresponding threshold pressure value; transmitting, by the
processor, the values of pressure and the alert signal to one or more user devices;
15 and displaying said values of pressure on an output device.
[40] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system architecture, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[41] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 1 illustrates a
system for monitoring plantar pressure (also referred to as the system 100,
20 hereinafter) by using signal processing techniques, such as pressure sensing,
pressure detection, gesture recognition and gesture prediction. As illustrated, the
computing unit 102 of the system 100 can be communicatively coupled with one
or more user devices 106-1, 106-2... 106-N (individually referred to as the user
device 106, and collectively referred to as the user devices 106, hereinafter)
25 through a network 104. In an embodiment, the system 100 can be implemented
using any or a combination of hardware components and software components
such as a cloud, a server, a computing system, a user device, a network device and
the like. The computing unit 102 can interact with the user devices 106 through a
wireless communication unit 220. Examples of the user device 106 can include,
30 but not limited to, a smart phone, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant,
a handheld device, a standalone unit, and the like.
10
[42] Further, the network 104 can be a wireless network, a wired
network or a combination thereof that can be implemented as one of the different
types of networks, such as Intranet, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area
Network (WAN), Internet, Bluetooth and the like. Further, the network 104 can
5 either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network can
represent an association of the different types of networks that can use variety of
protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol
(WAP), and the like.
10 [43] In an aspect, the computing unit 102 can retrieve plantar pressure
data that can be compared with threshold plantar pressure for determining critical
plantar pressure information. In an aspect, a server 108 can be operatively coupled
with the user devices 106 to store various critical plantar pressure information for
further reference. For example, the critical plantar pressure data determined in the
15 computing unit 102 can be transmitted to the user devices 106 through a wireless
network 104 and the user device 106 can then retrieve the critical data set and
store it in the server 108. In an aspect, the server 108 can be a cloud based server
and the like.
[44] In an embodiment, the system 102 can detect a defect by using
20 signal processing and logical design methods that can be based on programming
languages, such as Embedded C, C, JavaScript, Python, Assembly Language, and
the like.
[45] In an embodiment, on detection of a critical value of plantar
pressure, the computing unit 102 can notify the user device 106 that a critical
25 value has been determined. Further, the computing unit 102 can associate a
plantar pressure value with the threshold value and can predict the extent of risk
of injury and immergence of diabetic foot ulcer. The computing unit 102 can also
anticipate the chances of plantar tissue breakdown such that suitable action can be
taken for rectification. For example, when sores in a user’s foot is determined by
30 the computing unit 102, the computing unit 102 can determine how critical it can
11
be, and can predict the extent of risk and occurrence of diabetic foot ulcer so that
the user can take suitable steps for taking appropriate medication.
[46] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary functional modules of the computing
unit (102), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
5 disclosure.
[47] As illustrated, the computing unit 102 can include one or more
processor(s) 202. The one or more processor(s) 202 can be implemented as one or
more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal
processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that
10 manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the
one or more processor(s) 202 are configured to fetch and execute computerreadable instructions stored in a memory 204 of the computing unit 102. The
memory 204 can store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines,
which may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a
15 network service. The memory 204 can include any non-transitory storage device
including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory
such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
[48] The computing unit 102 can also include an interface(s) 206. The
interface(s) 206 may include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for
20 data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, and the
like. The interface(s) 206 may facilitate communication of the computing unit 102
with various devices coupled to the computing unit 102. The interface(s) 206 may
also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the
computing unit 102. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to,
25 processing unit(s) 208 and data 210.
[49] The processing unit(s) 208 can be implemented as a combination
of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to
implement one or more functionalities of the processing unit(s) 208. In examples
described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be
30 implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the
processing unit(s) 208 may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-
12
transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing
unit(s) 208 may include a processing resource (for example, one or more
processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machinereadable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the
5 processing resource, implement the processing unit(s) 208. In such examples, the
computing unit 102 can include the machine-readable storage medium storing the
instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the
machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to computing
unit 102 and the processing resource. In other examples, the processing unit(s)
10 208 may be implemented by electronic circuitry. The data 210 can include data
that can be either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by
any of the components of the processing unit(s) 208.
[50] In an example, the processing unit(s) 208 can include an extraction
unit 212, a plantar pressure processing unit 214, a comparator unit 216, an alert
15 generation unit 218, a communication unit 220, a display unit 222 and other
unit(s) 224. The other units(s) 224 can implement functionalities that supplement
applications or functions performed by the computing unit 102 or the processing
unit(s) 208.
[51] In an aspect, the extraction unit 212 of the proposed computing
20 unit 102 can be coupled to a plurality of sensors positioned in an insole of a
footwear. In an embodiment, the computing unit 102 can extract with the help
from the extraction unit 212 pressure-based signal input from at least four sensors,
which can be any or a combination of pressure sensors and force sensors. In an
example, the pressure sensors can be any or a combination of Potentiometric
25 pressure sensors, Inductive pressure sensors, Capacitive pressure sensors,
Piezoelectric pressure sensors, Strain gauge pressure sensors, Variable reluctance
pressure sensors and the like whereas force sensors can be any or a combination
of Strain gauges, Force sensing Resistors and Load Cells such as Pneumatic load
cells, Hydraulic load cells, Piezoelectric crystal load cells, Inductive load cells,
30 Capacitive load cells, Magnetostrictive load cells, Strain gauge load cells, Flexi
Force sensors (strain gage based) and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the
13
plurality of pressure sensors can be placed below the insole inside the footwear
and can read any or a combination of pressure and force exerted. For example, the
insole can be size specific such as the insole can be designed to adapt to shoe sizes
5,6,7,8 and the like. Readings provided by the plurality of pressure sensors in the
5 insole of the footwear can be extracted by the extraction unit 212 to perform
further processing to enable the system to perform the required functionality. For
example, at least one pressure sensor can read a pressure signal corresponding to
16.22 kPa. The extraction unit 212 can extract the value and store it in the
memory 202 for further processing.
10 [52] In an aspect, the plantar pressure processing unit 214 of the
computing unit 102 can be coupled to a processing circuitry comprising of an
Analog to Digital converter (ADC) and an amplifier. The plantar processing unit
214 can retrieve the pressure signal from the extraction unit 212. However, the
analog pressure signal obtained can be really low and amplification of the signal
15 can be required for further processing. Hence, the plantar pressure processing unit
214 can be coupled to an amplifier that amplifies the input pressure signal to
suitable values for further processing. For example, without amplification of the
input pressure signal, relevant information can be lost because the signal can be
further reduced due to the presence of inherent device noise. The plantar pressure
20 processing unit 214 then can process further and transform the analog pressure
input signal to a digital signal with the help of the ADC.
[53] In an embodiment, comparator unit 216 of the computing unit 102
can perform comparison of the digital pressure signal obtained from the plantar
pressure processing unit 214. In an embodiment, the threshold pressure values of
25 plantar pressure values may be indicative of a set of pressure values above which
the pressure values can indicate the onset of diabetic foot ulcers. The threshold
pressure values can be stored in a database 210 configured with a server such that
the stored information can be used for comparison and analysis. Thus, when the
pressure signal obtained from the plantar pressure processing unit 214 is provided
30 to the comparator unit 216, the comparator unit 216 can compare the input
pressure signal value with the threshold pressure value and determine whether the
14
pressure value can be marked critical or not. The comparator unit 216 can also
determine the extent of the critical pressure value based on the difference between
the threshold pressure value and the pressure signal value obtained from the
plantar pressure processing unit 214. For example, if the comparator unit 216 can
5 determine the pressure value to be lower than the threshold value, the comparator
unit 216 can ignore pressure signal received.
[54] In an embodiment, the alert generation unit 218 can facilitate
generation of an alert if the pressure signal value obtained from the comparator
unit 216 is beyond the permissible threshold pressure value. The alert generation
10 unit 218 can facilitate generation of the alert through any or a combination of a
buzzer and a haptic device. For example, if critical values are reached, the alert
generation signal can produce any or a combination of a warning sound, vibration
of the device and visual signal in the display unit 222.Thus, the system can
provide for an early screening of diabetic foot syndrome which can be a great
15 advantage to the user.
[55] In an embodiment, the computing unit 102 can provide for a
communication pathway creating unit 220 that can create a communication
pathway between transceiver and receiver circuits, and facilitate in transmitting
and receiving of signals to and from the computing unit 102. The communication
20 pathway creating unit 220 can create a communication pathway that can include a
wireless communication pathway between the Bluetooth module, WLAN, cellular
communication, and the like. The computing unit 102 can transmit the critical
plantar pressure values to the user devices 106 through the communication
pathway created by the communication pathway creating unit 220.
25 [56] In an embodiment, the computing unit 102 can provide for a
display unit 222 that can enable display of the plantar pressure values of a user
irrespective of the plantar pressure values being greater or lesser than the
threshold plantar pressure values. The display unit 222 provided can be coupled to
an output device that can include any of the fixed and the detachable display
30 panels and can be any LCD, LED, OLED and the like. The output device can be
15
any or a combination of mobile computing device coupled to the computing unit,
a smart phone, a smart wearable device, a laptop, a smart tablet and the like.
[57] Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a complete
solution for monitoring the plantar pressure values of a user and thereby providing
5 an approach that can be not only efficient but fast and effective too. Early
prediction and timely action against any critical sore could definitely help in faster
healing and recovery thereby reducing the need for amputation. This can further
help in improving the quality of life for diabetic users and enhance their
confidence by reducing stress level.
10 [58] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary representation of the working of the
proposed system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[59] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the computing unit 102 can be any insole
module and the user device 106 can be any mobile module. As per the figure, any
15 or a combination of pressure, load and force signals from any or a combination of
pressure, load and force sensors can be extracted at block 302 after which the
signals can be then sent to an amplifier circuit at block 304 to provide
amplification of the pressure signal. The amplified signal can be therein converted
to its digital form with the help of ADC at block 306. The digital signal can be
20 further sent to be processed by the microprocessor at block 308 and the
microcontroller at block 320. The microprocessor at block 308 along with
programmable peripheral IC at block 310 can perform further processing and
comparison of the digital pressure signal with the threshold pressure signal. The
data obtained can be then sent to the buzzer at block 312 and the haptic device at
25 block 314 and other output devices 316 to provide for an alert and warning signal.
The data obtained through the microprocessor at the block 308 and through the
programmable IC interface at the block 310 can be further sent to the mobile
module (user device 106) through the use of the Bluetooth transmitter block 318
of the insole module (computing unit 102). The whole operation is further
30 controlled by a microcontroller at the block 320. The data transmitted by the
Bluetooth transmitter block 318 of insole module 102 can be further received at
16
the user device 106 through Bluetooth receiver block 322. The received data can
be sent for further processing at signal processing and logic circuit at block 324,
which then can send the warning signals to any or a combination of the buzzer,
the haptic device and other output devices at block 326 which can generate any or
5 a combination of alarm based sound, vibration and visual signals. The received
data at Bluetooth receiver block 322 can also be sent to any smart wearable and
smart phone at block 328 which further transmits the signals to be stored in a
cloud-based server at block 330.
[60] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary representation of a flow diagram
10 associated with the method of monitoring plantar pressure in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[61] In an aspect, the proposed method as elaborated hereunder can be
described in general context of computer executable instructions. Generally,
computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects,
15 components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, and the like that
perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The
method can also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where
functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a
communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer
20 executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage
media, including memory storage devices.
[62] The order in which the method as described is not intended to be
construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be
combined in any order to implement the method or alternate methods.
25 Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method without departing
from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the
method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or
combination thereof. However, for ease of explanation, in the embodiments
described below, the method may be considered to be implemented in the above
30 described system.
17
[63] In an embodiment, a method for monitoring plantar pressure can
include at the block 402, a step for receiving at the processor, a set of signals
pertaining to pressure exerted on corresponding sensor from a plurality of sensors
distributed on an insole of the footwear, wherein the insole is adapted to receive
5 and accommodate a foot of the user and the plurality of sensors are configured to
detect pressure exerted on them, the pressure exerted on each of the plurality of
sensors may be indicative of pressure exerted on a part of a sole of the foot of the
user corresponding to the position of the plurality of sensors. Further, in an
embodiment, the method can include at block 404, a step for comparing at the
10 processor, the values of pressure with corresponding threshold pressure values,
wherein the threshold pressure value may be indicative of a pre-determined
plantar pressure value; and at block 406, a step for generating an alert signal at the
processor, when value of pressure at atleast one of the plurality of sensors is
greater than the corresponding threshold value.
15 [64] Furthermore, in an embodiment, the method can include at block
408, a step for transmitting by the processor, the values of pressure and alert
signal to one or more user devices 106; and at block 410, a step for displaying,
said values of pressure on an output device.
[65] FIGs. 5A-5B illustrates exemplary figures highlighting the pressure
20 field that acts between the foot and the support surface during everyday loco
motor activities.
[66] FIG. 5A illustrates a non-healing ulcer caused by diabetes mellitus
that has developed into gangrene. Such foot ulcers can lead to non-traumatic foot.
Whereas in FIG. 5B, the pressure field that acts between the foot and the support
25 surface during everyday loco motor activities is depicted. As illustrated, on a scale
of 0 to 120, the various regions of the foot that has critical plantar pressure can be
seen. While 0 represents the least affected areas, a value of 80 to 120 and beyond
depicts high critical regions that can require immediate attention.
[67] The foregoing embodiments may have been made based on a
30 clinical study on 1000 patients. There can be a further scope of providing
18
aerosolized medicated care to the sore foot upon determining the critical nature of
plantar pressure.
[68] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the
invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without
5 departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined
by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described
embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with
information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
10
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[69] The present disclosure provides for a system, method and device
for efficient and fast foot sore detection.
[70] The present disclosure provides for a system, method and device
15 that can give early screening of diabetic foot syndrome.
[71] The present disclosure provides for a system, method and device
that can prevent foot ulcers and amputations due to diabetic foot syndrome.
[72] The present disclosure provides for a system, method and device
that can assist in improving the quality of life of diabetic patients and thereby
20 enhancing their social engagement.

We Claim:
1. A system for monitoring plantar pressure in a footwear, said system
comprising:
5 an insole provided in the footwear, the insole adapted to receive
and accommodate a foot of a user;
a plurality of sensors distributed on the insole, the plurality of
sensors configured to detect pressure exerted on them, wherein the
plurality of sensors configured to detect pressure exerted by a sole of foot
10 of the user, the pressure exerted on each of the plurality of sensors is
indicative of pressure exerted on a part of the sole of the foot of the user
corresponding to the position of the plurality of sensors;
a processor operatively coupled with the plurality of sensors and a
memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
15 receive, from the plurality of sensors, a set of signals
pertaining to pressure exerted on at least one of the plurality of sensor;
extract, from the received set of signals, values of the
pressure exerted on the corresponding sensor;
compare the values of pressure with corresponding to a
20 threshold pressure values, wherein the threshold pressure values are
indicative of a pre-determined plantar pressure value;
generate an alert signal when value of pressure at atleast
one of the plurality of sensors is greater than the corresponding threshold
pressure value;
25 transmit the values of pressure and the alert signal to one or
more user devices associated with an entity; and
display said values of pressure on an output device.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system comprises an output
device to display pressure values, said output device is any or a
30 combination of mobile computing device coupled to the processor having
20
any or a combination of fixed and detachable display panel, a smart phone,
a smart wearable device, a laptop and a smart tablet.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insole is designed to be
adapted to fit a shoe of specific size.
5 4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors are any
or a combination of pressure and force sensors.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, the alert signal is generated by any or a
combination of a buzzer and a haptic device.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user device is coupled to a
10 cloud based server, said cloud based server configured to store the values
of pressure.
7. A device for monitoring plantar pressure in a footwear, comprising:
an insole provided in the footwear, the insole adapted to receive
and accommodate a foot of a user;
15 a plurality of sensors distributed on the insole, the plurality of
sensors configured to detect pressure exerted on them, wherein the
plurality of sensors configured to detect pressure exerted by sole of foot of
the user, the pressure exerted on each of the plurality of sensors is
indicative of pressure exerted on a part of a sole of the foot of the user
20 corresponding to the position of the plurality of sensors;
a processor operatively coupled with the plurality of sensors and a
memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
receive, from the plurality of sensors, a set of signals
pertaining to pressure exerted on at least one of the plurality of sensors;
25 extract, from the received set of signals, values of the
pressure exerted on the corresponding sensor;
compare the values of pressure with corresponding to a
threshold pressure values, wherein the threshold pressure value is
indicative of a pre-determined plantar pressure value;
21
generate an alert signal when value of pressure at atleast
one of the plurality of sensors is greater than the corresponding threshold
value;
transmit the values of pressure and the alert signal to one or
5 more user devices associated with an entity; and
display said values of pressure on an output device.
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the insole is designed to be
adapted to fit a shoe of specific size.
9. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of sensors are any
10 or a combination of pressure and force sensors.
10. A method for monitoring plantar pressure in a footwear, comprising:
receiving, at the processor, a set of signals pertaining to pressure
exerted on corresponding sensor from a plurality of sensors distributed on
an insole of the footwear,
15 wherein the insole is adapted to receive and accommodate a
foot of the user and the plurality of sensors are configured to detect
pressure exerted on them, wherein the plurality of sensors configured to
detect pressure exerted by sole of foot of the user, the pressure exerted on
each of the plurality of sensors is indicative of pressure exerted on a part
20 of a sole of the foot of the user corresponding to the position of the
plurality of sensors;
extracting, at the processor, from the received set of signals, values
of pressure exerted on the corresponding sensor;
comparing, at the processor, the values of pressure with
25 corresponding threshold pressure values;
generating an alert signal, at the processor, when value of pressure
at atleast one of the plurality of sensors is greater than the corresponding
threshold value;
30
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transmitting, by the processor, the values of pressure and the alert
signal to one or more user devices; and
displaying, by the processor, said values of pressure on an output
device.