Photo capturing app predicts onset of type 2 diabetes foot ulcer
Patients with type 2 diabetes face many complications if their disease it not maintained, including foot ulcers. Researchers have recently started development on a mobile application capable of detecting the onset of foot ulcers to prevent further harm.
Developed by Moi Hoon Yap, senior lecturer in computer science at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), and Neil Reeves, professor of musculoskeletal biomechanics at the MMU, the FootSnap app is run on a tablet to assist clinicians in evaluating the feet of type 2 diabetes patients. The app captures photos of an individual's foot over a period of time and is able to detect changes in the skin to notify the clinician of the onset on a foot ulcer.
“The standardization feature of the app is, however, only the first stage of what we will go onto achieve,” said Reeves. “We are now incorporating more sophisticated algorithms, which allow for state-of-the-art monitoring and prevention of foot ulceration over time. This will be a very useful clinical tool for healthcare professionals to monitor ulcer healing and is a major advantage over the current approach, which is mainly based on subjective judgement.”
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Cara joined TriMed Media in 2016 and is currently a Senior Writer for Clinical Innovation & Technology. Originating from Detroit, Michigan, she holds a Bachelors in Health Communications from Grand Valley State University.