Smart Socks

It has been reported that every year, in the U.S. alone, 1.5 million people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer. Of those ulcers, 25 percent don’t fully heal, leading to 100,000 amputations. But with early detection, more than 70 percent of them could be prevented, which is what has prompted the development of Smart Socks—wearable technology that can monitor changes in foot temperature that may signal the onset of a potentially life-threatening infection.

Foot ulcers develop as a result of injury that goes untreated. They occur more commonly in diabetics because of slower healing rates due to poor circulation, as well as reduced sensation from nerve damage due to prolonged high glucose levels. One of the earliest signs is skin inflammation, which is generally accompanied by a rise in skin temperature. Smart Socks are designed to monitor changes continuously over time rather than simply taking periodic measurements in order to better distinguish normal variations (e.g., from environmental factors) from sustained temperature changes. Multiple sensors in each sock are connected to a transmitter that relays information to a smartphone app. The goal is to give patients the tools they need to spot anomalies early.

The socks are machine washable and require no charging. The company is currently accepting pre-orders at a discounted price of $120 for a pack of seven pairs.