Easy-to-Use, Smartphone-Enabled, Low-Cost, Dermal Thermometer for Early Detection of Foot Ulcerations in Diabetic Patients

Almost three-quarters of diabetics live in the developing world. Foot ulceration (infection) has been identified as a precursor in 84% of lower extremity amputations in diabetics. It is often only after a wound develops on the feet that patients recognize that they are suffering from diabetic complications and they are at risk of foot amputation. Self care is an essential element of diabetes management. However, visual inspection and palpation usually do not detect changes in skin integrity on time. Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria is working on a low-cost and easy to use, dermal thermometer on a smart phone can detect probable future foot ulcerations, thereby giving ample time for appropriate response. Temperature measurements will provide immediate quantitative information about potential pre-ulcerative inflammation. The device will reduce amputation rates and suffering in diabetic patients.