The Charlotte-mecklenburg Hospital Authority

Cannon Research Institute of Carolinas Medical Center

James M Horton

David Hinks

Ahmed El-Shafei

The present invention provides a sock containing a coating applied to at least a portion of a surface of the sock for sensing pressure points on a patient's foot. The coating material comprises a pressure-sensitive film comprised of oxygen-sensitive photo luminescent probe molecules dispersed within a polymer matrix, and, optionally, an inorganic pigment. Areas of increased pressure can be detected by correspondence to areas on the film of increased fluorescence intensity. The coating material can also be comprised of a coloring agent or dye such that after the sock has been worn for a period of time, in those areas of the foot susceptible to pressure points, the coating material transfers from the interior of the sock and adheres to the foot in those points. The present invention is particularly applicable to persons having diabetic neuropathic feet wherein portions of the foot may be insensitive to pressure.

Sock for detection of pressure points on feet

This invention provides a sock containing a coating material such as a coloring agent or dye, applied to at least a portion of the interior surface of the sock for sensing pressure points on a patient's foot to which the sock is fitted. The sock is placed on the patient's foot to cover preferably the entire foot, but at least the bottom portion thereof. The sock is removed after being worn for a period of time, and in those areas of the foot susceptible to pressure points, the coating material transfers from the interior of the sock and adheres to the foot in those points. The present invention is particularly applicable to a person having diabetic neuropathic feet wherein portions of the foot may be insensitive to pressure and therefore must be protected against pressure sores.

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Charlotte, NC, United States of America

James M Horton