Smart footwear devices in healthcare

In healthcare, smart footwear devices, such as smart socks, allow healthcare professionals to remotely monitor patients’ vitals including heart rate, oxygen levels, and temperature.

Devices such as shoes and insoles that measure a patient’s gait can help an injured patient through rehab, determine if a patient is likely to suffer from a fall, and monitor the chances of a patient suffering from a diabetic foot-related injury. Alerts are sent to the healthcare professional in the event of any changes in the patient’s health that require medical assistance.

With access to these alerts, healthcare professionals can track the health of a large number of patients simultaneously and ensure that those most at risk get medical assistance immediately. These devices can also be used by family members and caregivers.

Companies such as GTX Corp, Orpyx, Owlet Baby Care, ReTiSense, and Siren Care already provide devices with these healthcare monitoring capabilities.