Rostock (dpa/mv) – The Neubrandenburg-based company Osentec GmbH has received the “Baltic Sea Region Health Innovation Award” for the development of intelligent sensory insoles for diabetic feet. The sole warns patients several weeks before an ulcer develops, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced on Thursday. The award is endowed with 5000 euros and was presented at the 17th National Conference on the Healthcare Industry in Rostock.
The background is that one in four diabetics develops diabetic foot syndrome in the course of their metabolic disease. Around 150 million are affected worldwide. They lose feeling in their feet and are prone to slow-healing ulcers and wounds.
The Osentec sole monitors the sole of the foot temperature and sends the data to the patient’s smartphone. As soon as an algorithm detects an impending inflammation, the patient is notified. According to the ministry, Osentec’s goal is to further develop the prototype into a marketable product and to increase production from a few dozen to tens of thousands of units.
