The Use of Infrared Thermography to Develop and Assess a Wearable Sock and Monitor Foot Temperature in Diabetic Subjects

Abstract

One important health problem that could affect diabetics is diabetic foot syndrome, as risk of ulceration, neuropathy, ischemia and infection. Unnoticed minor injuries, subsequent infection and ulceration may end in a foot amputation. Preliminary studies have shown a relationship between increased skin temperature and asymmetries between the same regions of both feet. In the preulceration phase, to develop a smart device able to control the temperature of these types of patients to avoid this risk might be very useful. A statistical analysis has been carried out with a sample of foot temperature data obtained from 93 individuals, of whom 44 are diabetics and 49 nondiabetics and among them 43% are men and 57% are women. Data obtained with a thermographic camera has been successful in providing a set of regions of interest, where the temperature could influence the individual, and the behavior of several variables that could affect these subjects provides a mathematical model. Finally, an in-depth analysis of existing sensors situated in those positions, namely, heel, medial midfoot, first metatarsal head, fifth metatarsal head, and first toe has allowed for the development of a smart sock to store temperatures obtained every few minutes in a mobile device.