FOOT PRESSURE ALERT AND SENSING SYSTEM

• US 20080287832A1
• Filed: 11/01/2007
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abena Holding A/S (Abena A/S), Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Medisens Wireless, Inc.
• Inventors: Sarrafzadeh, Majid, Noshadi, Hyduke, Dabiri, Foad, Massey, Tammara, Collins, Eric, Terrafranca, Nicholas A. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 7,726,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/00 Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/00 Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/147 for sick or disabled persons, e.g. persons having osteoarthritis or diabetes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait

Abstract

This invention relates to a system that continuously monitors pressure and force on the foot, analyzes and visualizes the pressure and force exerted on said foot in real-time. The invention measures pressure and force applied to a plurality of sensors placed in various points of an orthotic, shoe, shoe lining, insert, sock or sock type device. If the sensors detect pressure or force, the sensors send a signal to a microcomputer processor located in the shoe that subsequently analyzes and sends the data wireless to either a handheld electronic device, a personal computer, an electronic data capture system or a software program. The handheld electronic device or the personal computer then displays the data to an operator of the device or computer instantaneously; while the data capture system or program forwards the information to a handheld device and/or personal computer.

Claims

1. A system for sensing and alerting a user to pressure upon a foot comprising:

footwear having a plurality of primary pressure sensors, and a medical node connected to the plurality of primary pressure sensors; and

a first base station connected to the medical node.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the medical node receives raw data from the primary pressure sensors, processes the raw data to generate pressure data, and transmits the pressure data to the first base station.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the first base station includes a data storage module to store the pressure data received from the medical node, and the first base station can analyze the pressure data to generate data analysis of the pressure data.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the first base station analyzes the pressure data and generates an event alert if a predetermined condition occurs.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein a predetermined condition occurs when the pressure data indicates that there is pressure above a predetermined level and for longer than a predetermined time period at one or more of the plurality of primary pressure sensors.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the event alert includes a media alert to an electronic device.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the event alert includes a text message to a mobile phone.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the footwear further comprises a plurality of secondary pressure sensors, and one or more of the secondary pressure sensors are activated when one or more of the primary pressure sensors are defective.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the base station calibrates the medical node and the pressures sensors.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein a rechargeable battery is connected to the medical node.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the base station communicates with the medical node with a level of security.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the level of security is variable depending on a desired security level.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second base station connected to the first base station.

14. A system for sensing and alerting a user to pressure upon a foot comprising:

footwear having a plurality of primary pressure sensors, a plurality of secondary pressure sensors, and a medical node connected to the primary pressure sensors and the secondary pressure sensors, the medical node receiving raw data from the primary pressure sensors and the secondary pressures and processing the raw data to generate pressure data; and

a first base station connected to the medical node to receive the pressure data from the medical node, the first base station analyzing the pressure data and generating an event alert if a predetermined condition occurs.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the first base station includes a data storage module to store the pressure data received from the medical node.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein a predetermined condition occurs when the pressure data indicates that there is pressure above a predetermined level and for longer than a predetermined time period at one or more of the plurality of primary pressure sensors.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the event alert includes a media alert to an electronic device.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the event alert includes a text message to a mobile phone.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein one or more of the secondary pressure sensors are activated.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the base station calibrates the medical node and the pressures sensors.

21. The system of claim 14 wherein a rechargeable battery is connected to the medical node.

22. The system of claim 14 further comprising a second base station connected to the first base station.

23. The system of claim 14 wherein the base station communicates with the medical node with a variable level of security depending on a desired security level.

24. Footwear capable of sensing and alerting a user to pressure upon a foot comprising:

a plurality of primary pressure sensors;

a plurality of secondary pressure sensors; and

a medical node connected to the primary pressure sensors and the secondary pressure sensors, the medical node receiving raw data from the primary pressure sensors and the secondary pressures, processing the raw data to generate pressure data, and transmitting the pressure data to the base station.

25. The footwear of claim 24 wherein the medical node communicates with a base station and transmits the pressure data to the base station.