SMART – Sensor technologies point-of-care examination of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

LOGO: SMARTSOCK

One of the most prevalent diabetes complications is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), which is challenging to detect early, often being asymptomatic and with low sensitivity of current detection methods such as the monofilament test. We aim to improve detection of DPN through a combination of sensor technologies integrated into one smart-sock device. Building on previous sensor research within the Oslo Bioimpedance and Medical Technology research group and ideas generated through interdisciplinary collaboration between different departments at Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, we are researching possibilities for improved DPN testing by developing a system of non-invasive sensors for measurement of nerve function, circulation and skin condition to be integrated into one point-of-care device to be placed on the foot for a complete DPN examination.

We envision that the device may be used both in specialist healthcare and by primary care physicians, and possibly in home hospitals of the future.

Primary Investigator

Christian Tronstad

Co-investigators/participants

Elisabeth Qvigstad
Trond Geir Jenssen
Jonny Hisdal
Inge Petter Kleggetveit
Kristian Bernhard Nilsen
Ørjan G. Martinsen
Oliver Pabst
Ole Elvebakk
Håvard Kalvøy

External collaborators

Sensing Technologies Laboratory, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy

News from 2024

  • Prototype developed for miniaturized nerve conduction measurement device for integration in the Smartsock

  • Funding granted from The Norwegian Research Council in the program Kvalifisering - Kommersialisering fra offentlig finansiert forskning to conduct an innovation project on national and international market needs and user requirements for the Smartsock

  • Presentations: 2024 19th Biennial Baltic Electronics Conference (BEC), Winner of Best Presentation Award.

Publications 2024

  1. C. Tronstad, A. Bakken, T. Arora, K. B. Nilsen and F. J. Pettersen, Development of a miniaturized wireless arbitrary waveform constant current transcutaneous nerve stimulator for wearable diagnostic tests, 2024 19th Biennial Baltic Electronics Conference (BEC), Tallinn, Estonia, 2024, pp. 1-6

  2. F.W Jerve, D.R Hjelme, H. Kalvøy, J.Allen, C.Tronstad. Exploration of the Conditions for Occurrence of Photoplethysmographic Signal Inversion above the Dorsalis Pedis Artery. Sensors 2024, 24, 6505.

  3. C.E. Téllez Villamizar, A.H. Lanthaler, M.A. Costa Angeli, A. Altana, C. Tronstad, G. Cantarella. Printed Textile-Based Dry Electrodes for Impedance Plethysmography Measurements, 2024 IEEE International Flexible Electronics Technology Conference (IFETC), Bologna, Italy, 2024, pp. 1-3

PHOTO: FOOT