Plantar Shear Sensor for Diabetic Patients

Diabetes mellitus can lead to many complications including peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy, which have both been associated with the development of plantar ulcers.  Studies have shown that amputations are preceded by foot ulcers 71 to 84% of the time.  Previous research has indicated that both the vertical and shear components of ground reaction force play a role in the formation of plantar ulcers. However, little information has been gathered regarding the actual distribution of the shear and vertical force during the daily activities of diabetic patients. Unfortunately, no current commercially available shear sensors are adequate for gathering these data.  To address this research and medical need, we have developed a flexible optical sensor that will eventually be able to gather both shear and plantar pressure information from within a shoe