Journal of Material Sciences & Engineering

Design and Development of a High Resolution Open-Source Plantar Pressure Sensing System

Abstract

Joshua Partheepan, Christine J. Joshua, Emily M. Hunt*, Matthew A. Reyes and Anitha S. Subburaj1

Diabetic neuropathy is a debilitating complication of diabetes that is often diagnosed long after irreversible damage has occurred in a patient. Diagnosis of the condition commonly occurs when examinations reveal physical changes in foot structure and ulcers of the foot; such damage reveals the condition but offers no chance at prevention. To better predict diabetic neuropathy and prevent damage, pressure sensors can be used to detect the onset of the condition before damage occurs. While several pressure sensing and foot mapping systems are commercially available, each is prohibitively expensive, requires specialized software, or maps a limited portion of the foot. We present an affordable, scalable, and high resolution pressure sensing system that maps the entire foot with a novel force sensor and sensor grid. The grid is based on a matrixed array of 704 individual sensors actuated by XactFSR resistive film. Each sensor consists of interlaced sensing fingers and measures 0.250 inch (6.35 mm) square. The device offers a solution that is several thousand dollars cheaper than other products, consists of commercially available boards and cables, and provides full mapping of the foot while operating with standardized and open source software packages. Our system provides emergent economies and regions presenting a high risk of diabetes with a predictive tool that can operate in nearly any environment.