Publication: Development and analysis of foot monitoring device for diabetic patient using ansys
Date
2021-07-01
Authors
Choong, Yi Ming
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Abstract
A foot pressure and temperature monitoring device is a device developed for diabetic patients in Malaysia. The monitoring device functions to help patients to control their daily activity by monitoring the information taken from the foot. In this project, it mainly includes the analysis of foot plantar pressure distribution by using Ansys and the development of foot pressure and temperature monitoring device. The research focuses on the analysis of foot plantar pressure distribution and validation for the location of four pressure sensors that will be placed at the vital areas of foot plantar surface. Ansys software is used to simulate computer models of foot structure for analysing pressure distribution while SolidWorks software is implemented to create the foot models and assemblies. Finite element analysis (FEA) is the simulation based on finite element method (FEM) is used for numerically solving differential equations arising in engineering and mathematical modelling in structural analysis of foot stepping neutrally on the ground. The plantar pressure from the simulation results is validated and analysed for the location of pressure sensors. After determining the proper location for the sensors, the foot pressure and temperature monitoring device is developed. The monitoring device focuses on monitoring the foot pressure of diabetic patient and temperature of the foot. At the end of the research, the plantar pressure distribution from FEA showed that the stress concentrated at heel, midfoot, first metatarsal and fifth metatarsal of the foot. These are the location of pressure sensor located in the developed monitoring device. Moreover, the monitoring device provides real-time information of the pressure exerted by the foot as well as the temperature of the foot through the implementation of Internets of Things (IoT). In short, the device has been successfully developed to prevent the occurrence of foot ulcers in diabetic patients by allowing patient to monitor the foot pressure and temperature in daily activities.