Pressure Alternating Shoes (PAS) for Prevention of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Detailed Summary

The project is designed to develop and test Pressure Alternating Shoes (PAS), which will periodically off-load certain regions of the foot in order to prevent foot ulcers. An automated dual layer insole compromised of an active pressurized actuator array in combination with a passive compliant layer on top of each actuator to modulate and distribute the plantar surface pressure as desired will be tested. This device will allow us to simultaneously load and offload select areas of the foot using the active layer by inflating and deflating individual actuators using pressurized air. After offloading, the remaining load will be distributed to other areas with inflated actuators. Automatic modulation will be provided through programmable control hardware which will cyclically relieve mechanical loading based on a prescribed duration and frequency.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions