Smart Based Socks for Wound Prevention and Management

Project Synopsis

Lower extremity wounds are painful wounds in the legs and feet that can result from immobility (e.g. secondary to Multiple Sclerosis, spinal cord injury), peripheral vascular disease and/or diabetes. They are painful, slow to heal and cause immense pain and suffering. Individuals suffering from these painful nonhealing wounds are at a higher risk of infection as well lower extremity amputation which can severely impact the quality of life. Pressure of highrisk areas in the feet and changes in skin temperature are early predictors of these developing wounds. However, many individuals living with diabetes are unable to feel changes in their feet. The ability to detect ongoing unrelieved pressure and changes in skin temperature may alert the individual to a developing wound and may prompt the individual to engage in appropriate preventative strategies.

Project Objective

To develop and test a prototype textile based smart sock that can be worn by the individual at risk of developing lower extremity wounds. These socks will have embedded sensors that will be responsive to changes in pressure and skin temperature and will alert the individual to engage in preventative behavioural strategies.