Physiological sensor footwear insert system and method of manufacture
Inventors
EVERETT, Julia Breanne • Groenland, Marcel • STEVENS, Travis Michael • Maurette, Neil Luke • PURDY, MICHAEL TODD • VIBERG, DAVID ALLAN
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12268531-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of manufacturing an insert system for footwear includes assembling electronic components. The electronic components include a sensor array having physiological sensors. Each physiological sensor includes a first high resistance layer configured to be in contact with a second high resistance layer when no force is applied to the sensor. The method further includes positioning the sensor array between a first layer and a base layer. An insert system for footwear includes a first layer, a base layer, a sensor array between the first and base layers, and a circuit board. The sensor array includes physiological sensors. Each physiological sensor includes a first high resistance layer in contact with a second high resistance layer when no force is applied to the sensor. The circuit board can transmit signals external to the system to trigger an alert being issued to a user, based on an output of the sensor array.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a smart footwear insert system in which a physiological sensor array is arranged to obtain physiological measurements at different physiological areas on a user's foot. A first physiological sensor obtains a first measurement at a first physiological area, and a second physiological sensor obtains a second measurement at a second physiological area, with the first physiological sensor neighboring the second physiological sensor.
The invention identifies tissue shearing events at least by comparing the first measurement to the second measurement. When a predetermined differential between the first measurement and the second measurement is detected, a shearing counter is increased, and the shearing counter is compared to a threshold to determine whether a tissue shearing event is identified.
The invention further triggers a user alert if the tissue shearing event is identified. In the disclosed system context, physiological sensing includes pressure and/or temperature sensors, and alert logic includes neighboring comparisons intended to support event detection such as tissue shearing events.
Claims Coverage
The partial claims content includes one independent claim, with dependent claims refining the sensor modality and extending the logic to reperfusion event identification. The claims rely on neighboring physiological sensors, comparison of measurements, counter and threshold logic, and alert-triggering behavior.
Triggering an alert using neighboring physiological sensors and tissue shearing event counter thresholding
Using a first physiological sensor to obtain a first measurement at a first physiological area on a user's foot; using a second physiological sensor to obtain a second measurement at a second physiological area on the user's foot, wherein the first physiological sensor neighbors the second physiological sensor; identifying a tissue shearing event at least by comparing the first measurement to the second measurement, increasing a shearing counter when a predetermined differential between the first measurement and the second measurement is detected, and comparing the shearing counter to a threshold; and triggering an alert if the tissue shearing event is identified.
Neighboring pressure sensors for tissue shearing comparison
The method where the first physiological sensor is a first pressure sensor and the second physiological sensor is a second pressure sensor.
Neighboring temperature sensors for tissue shearing comparison
The method where the first physiological sensor is a first temperature sensor and the second physiological sensor is a second temperature sensor.
Reperfusion event identification by differential-based flagging
Identifying a reperfusion event by flagging a first physiological area when a predetermined differential between a first measurement and a second measurement is detected.
Reperfusion event value update using similarity of subsequent measurements
Identifying a reperfusion event by increasing a reperfusion event value by a scaled value for a first physiological area when an additional measurement at the first physiological area becomes similar to an additional measurement at the second physiological area.
Reperfusion alert condition via reperfusion event value threshold
Comparing the reperfusion event value to a threshold.
Across the independent claim and its dependents, the inventive concept centers on comparing measurements from neighboring physiological sensors on a user's foot, identifying tissue shearing events via a predetermined differential with a shearing counter and threshold, and triggering an alert. Dependent features further specify pressure or temperature sensor modalities and add reperfusion event identification using differential-based flagging, a scaled reperfusion event value update based on measurement similarity, and a threshold comparison.
Stated Advantages
Provides triggering of an alert when a tissue shearing event is identified.
Supports identification of tissue shearing events by comparing neighboring physiological sensor measurements using counter and threshold logic.
Extends detection logic to reperfusion events via differential-based flagging and reperfusion event value thresholding.
Documented Applications
Peripheral neuropathy / diabetic foot disease use case context is described in the document.
Rehab use case context is described in the document.
Athletics use case context is described in the document.
Occupational safety use case context is described in the document.
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