The companies say the boot marks the world’s first smart diabetic footwear. It helps heal diabetic foot ulcers and reduces the risk of amputations for extended quality of life.
In a news release, they said the solution combines the Foot Defender smart boot with Sensoria Core microelectronics. It also features the Sensoria patient mobile app and clinician dashboard. Altogether, this monitors a patient’s diabetic foot ulcer healing and rehabilitation compliance.
Sensoria and Defender designed their offering to improve patient adherence to mechanical offloading, monitors patient usage, activity, improves outcomes, and reduces healthcare cost. Podiatrist Dr. Jason Hanft collaborated with former Nike shoe designer Michael DiTullo to create the boot.
It features a low-profile, abrasion-resistant, compression-molded outsole. This alleviates the average contact pressure across the foot by up to 50% compared to other protective boots on the market, the companies said. The non-intrusive, cost-effective boot offers capabilities in both stabilization and offloading.
It is also currently being validated by USC Keck School of Medicine and Baylor College of Medicine, which received a $2.5M R01 NIH grant to validate its clinical value.
Dr. David G. Armstrong, professor of surgery at USC Keck School of Medicine, said the technology potentially delivers better outcomes to patients. Sensing technology with AI/ML algorithms, custom microelectronic and remote monitoring cloud software extends the reach of clinicians, he said.
“Combining Foot Defender with Sensoria’s smart technology offers the best of biomechanical engineering and modern footwear design with mobile, plus cloud patient monitoring to promote faster healing, improve overall compliance and ensure healthier outcomes,” said Dr. Hanft. “It’s a game-changing solution that brings the science of off-loading and protecting diabetic feet into the 21st century.”
