A novel concept for low-cost non-electronic detection of overloading in the foot during activities of daily living.

ABSTRACT: Identifying areas in the sole of the foot which are routinely overloaded during daily living is extremely important for the management of the diabetic foot. This work showcases the feasibility of reliably detecting overloading using a low-cost non-electronic technique. This technique uses thin-wall structures that change their properties differently when they are repeatedly loaded above or below a tuneable threshold. Flexible hexagonal thin-wall structures were produced using three-dimensional printing, and their mechanical behaviour was assessed before and after repetitive loading at different magnitudes. These structures had an elastic mechanical behaviour until a critical pressure (P _crit = 252 kPa ± 17 kPa) beyond which they buckled. Assessing changes in stiffness aft

SUBMITTER: Chatzistergos PE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8188001 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature