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Publication Number
US-11350872-B1
Publication Date
2022-06-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for predicting an occurrence of a foot ulcer includes a mat configured to be stood upon by a human subject, a plurality of sensor arrays disposed on or in said mat and arranged in adjacent proximity to one another. Each sensor includes an oxygenation probe, itself including a first light source and a light detector, and a secondary probe operable to utilize the light detector of the oxygenation probe and itself including a plurality of light sources exclusive of the first light source. The plurality of light sources of the secondary probe are arranged in a pattern around the oxygenation probe. The oxygenation probe is located at the approximate geometric center of the pattern. The system further includes a control module in signal communication with the light detector, and configured to independently control emission of light from the first light source of the oxygenation probe and the plurality of light sources of the secondary probe.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system for predicting an occurrence of a foot ulcer. A planar mat configured to be stood upon by a human subject includes a plurality of sensor arrays disposed on or in the mat and arranged in adjacent proximity to one another. Each sensor array includes an oxygenation probe comprising a first light source and a light detector, and a secondary probe that is operable to utilize the light detector of the oxygenation probe and comprises a plurality of light sources exclusive of the first light source.
The plurality of light sources in the secondary probe are arranged in a pattern, and the oxygenation probe is located at the approximate geometric center of the pattern. A control module in signal communication with the light detector independently controls emission of light from the first light source of the oxygenation probe and the plurality of light sources of the secondary probe. The system is configured to measure near-infrared signals and generate oxygenation and oxyhemoglobin maps for ulcer risk targeting.
The described approach includes near-infrared operation, including dual-wavelength operation with specified wavelengths. It further includes mapping target regions of potential ulceration and generating an estimated difference (ED) index between a target region and adjacent regions to distinguish inflammation and hyperperfusion from ischemia and hypervascularization, with optional guidance using temperature asymmetry. Supporting quantification is described using NIRS/Beer-Lambert-based quantification and includes occlusion-test observations regarding sensitivity to HbO2 oxygen supply/demand dynamics and adequate photodetector dynamic range.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is directed to a mat-based foot-ulcer prediction system with adjacent sensor arrays and an optical interrogation architecture that uses an oxygenation probe and a secondary probe with independently controlled emissions. The inventive features explicitly cover the mat configuration, the probe layout, and the independent control of light emissions to obtain signals for ulcer prediction.
Mat with adjacent sensor arrays for foot-ulcer prediction
A mat configured to be stood upon by a human subject, with a plurality of sensor arrays disposed on or in the mat and arranged in adjacent proximity to one another.
Oxygenation probe paired with secondary probe using shared light detection
For each sensor array, an oxygenation probe comprising a first light source and a light detector, and a secondary probe operable to utilize the light detector of the oxygenation probe and comprising a plurality of light sources exclusive of the first light source.
Patterned secondary light sources centered around the oxygenation probe
The plurality of light sources of the secondary probe being arranged in a pattern, wherein the oxygenation probe is located at the approximate geometric center of said pattern.
Independent control of oxygenation and secondary probe emissions
A control module in signal communication with the light detector, configured to independently control emission of light from the first light source of the oxygenation probe and the plurality of light sources of the secondary probe.
Across the independently claimed system features, the invention is centered on an optical interrogation architecture integrated into a mat with adjacent sensor arrays, where a patterned secondary probe is geometrically centered around an oxygenation probe and emissions from the two probe light sources are independently controlled to generate ulcer-predictive oxygenation and oxyhemoglobin information.
Stated Advantages
Enables predicting an occurrence of a foot ulcer.
Generates oxygenation and oxyhemoglobin maps for ulcer risk targeting.
Distinguishes inflammation and hyperperfusion from ischemia and hypervascularization using an estimated difference (ED) index between target and adjacent regions.
Is described as having sensitivity to HbO2 oxygen supply/demand dynamics based on occlusion-test observations.
Photodetector dynamic range is described as adequate in occlusion-test observations.
Documented Applications
Predicting an occurrence of a foot ulcer in a human subject standing upon the mat, including diabetic/pressure foot ulcer risk targeting via oxygenation and oxyhemoglobin mapping.
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