Prototyping and Experimental Analysis of Active Offloading Footwear for Patients With Diabetes Using an Array of Magnetorheological Fluid–Based Modules

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot ulceration is a serious challenge worldwide which imposes an immense risk of lower extremity amputation and in many cases may lead to the death. The presented work focuses on the offloading requirements using an active approach and considers the use of magnetorheological fluid–based modules to redistribute high plantar pressures (PPs). Methods & Results: Experimentation validated a single module with a threshold peak pressure of 450 kPa, whereas an offloading test with a three-module array and complete footwear validated a maximum pressure reduction of 42.5% and 34.6%, respectively. Conclusion: To our knowledge, no such active and electrically controllable offloading footwear has been reported yet that has experimentally demonstrated PP reduction of more than 30% over the offloading site.