Apparatus and method for monitoring peripheral diabetic neuropathy and/or peripheral arterial disease
Inventors
Petersen, Brian • Wood, Katherine • Linders, David • Zhou, Min
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12496007-B2
Publication Date
2025-12-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
The bottom surface of a patient's foot makes contact with the receiving region of a device body to cause a set of temperature sensors to produce a current set of temperature values. Four or more earlier sets of temperature values produced at earlier times for the bottom surface of the patient's foot are accessed. Next, after setting a normalization reference for the earlier sets of temperature values and the current set of temperature values to produce normalized data, the normalized data is transformed into model information representing the progression of PDN or PAD. That model information is used to ascertain the trajectory of the patient's PDN or PAD.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a monitor, method, and computer-based system for managing peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). A foot-conforming sensor system collects temperature values at different locations on the bottom of a patient's foot. A computer-implemented normalizer sets a reference and normalizes the current temperature values together with four or more earlier sets. A modeler transforms the normalized data into model information representing disease progression and ascertains a disease trajectory.
The monitor includes a base with a thermally conductive receiving region and temperature sensors configured to contact the bottom of the foot. Normalization references include ambient, contralateral, or ipsilateral temperature values to generate reference-based normalization trends. The resulting disease trajectory is also used to predict a future disease status of the patient. The problem being solved is not explicitly described in patent.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify three independent claims covering three inventive features: claim 1 recites a monitor, claim 12 recites a monitoring method, and claim 24 recites a computer-based system.
Foot-temperature monitor with normalization and trajectory analysis
Claim 1 recites a body with a thermally conductive receiving region and spaced-apart, foot-conforming temperature sensors that produce temperature values at different locations on the bottom of the foot, wherein a computer-implemented normalizer normalizes current and four or more earlier temperature sets against a reference, and a modeler transforms normalized data into model information representing PDN or PAD progression to ascertain a disease trajectory.
Method of monitoring disease progression using foot-temperature data
Claim 12 recites contacting the bottom of a patient's foot with a thermally conductive receiving region to produce current temperature values, accessing four or more earlier sets, normalizing both earlier and current sets against a normalization reference, and transforming the normalized data into model information representing PDN or PAD progression to ascertain a disease trajectory.
Computer-based system for disease trajectory analysis
Claim 24 recites a body with a thermally conductive receiving region and foot-conforming temperature sensors producing current values at different locations on the foot, together with program code configured to normalize current and four or more earlier sets against a reference, transform normalized data into model information representing PDN or PAD progression, and ascertain a disease trajectory.
The three independent claims cover monitor, method, and system implementations that collect foot-temperature values, normalize current and earlier temperature measurements against a reference, and use model information to ascertain a PDN or PAD trajectory.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Monitoring peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) and/or peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a patient using foot-temperature values to ascertain disease trajectory, as well as predicting future PDN or PAD status.
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