Smart socks help diabetics regain foot sensation

(Dan Tri) - A Swiss medical technology company has just developed Leia smart socks, a breakthrough solution using AI and electrical pulses to combat diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy is a harsh reality for about half of the 560 million people with diabetes worldwide.

This condition damages nerves in the calves, blocking important sensory signals from the feet to the brain, leading to chronic pain, numbness, and loss of ability to feel the ground.

As a result, sufferers face a high risk of falling and are prone to foot ulcers without even realizing it. Witnessing these devastating effects, the research team at Mynerva, a spin-off company of ETH Zurich, spent five years developing an innovative solution based on smart textile technology.

These socks not only promise to relieve chronic pain, but also restore foot sensation, giving confidence and improving quality of life to millions of sufferers around the world (Photo: Mynerva).

Their product is the Leia smart sock, designed to directly combat the problem of sensory loss. The way Leia works is a sophisticated combination of textiles and artificial intelligence.

First, a pressure sensor built into the sole of the sock maps the precise pressure distribution each time the patient steps. This data is then transmitted to a microcomputer housed in the sock, where it is processed and converted into an electrical signal.

Finally, electrodes sewn into the fabric send electrical signals from that pressure map directly to the remaining active nerve fibers.

Leia socks are individually calibrated for each foot for personalized therapy (Photo: Michel Büchel).

This process creates a non-invasive customized therapy by stimulating specific nerve fibers and restoring sensation in the feet.

The goal is to help the wearer feel the ground below more easily, identify dangerous pressure points and reduce nerve pain, thereby eliminating the need for strong painkillers commonly used to treat the condition.

Better neurofeedback can also prevent unwanted missteps and falls, giving people more confidence and mobility when moving.

The AI ​​processor in the sock receives data from pressure sensors in the sole and converts that data into electrical signals (Photo: Mynerva).

The Leia socks are not yet available on the market, however, the team has scheduled a long-term study in the coming months to determine the product's clinical efficacy.

Researchers will focus on assessing whether Leia can improve patients' gait enough to prevent serious problems such as foot ulcers, and whether it has the potential to restore some nerve function.

Mynerva has also won an award to cover the costs of filing a patent application and is seeking approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with a goal of launching the trial in 2027.

If the company is successful, the Leia socks will offer a glimmer of hope and a practical solution, making daily walking easier and safer for millions of people with diabetic neuropathy.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/tat-thong-minh-giup-benh-nhan-tieu-duong-phuc-hoi-cam-giac-ban-chan-20251112023732013.htm