Innovative diabetic insole: customised design for enhanced comfort and functionality

Diabetes is a fast-growing public health issue; it is estimated that 537 million individuals had diabetes in 2021, and projected that this number will increase to 783 million by 2045. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are known as major and common complications of diabetes, which can lead to a prolonged hospital stay. DFUs are a prevalent and serious global health issue that requires significant use of health resources, including staff and treatment costs. The cost of treating DFUs and amputation in the UK was around £1bn in 2010/2011, and estimates indicate this figure will rise to over £2bn by 2035/2036.

Clinical evidence suggests that preventative care and improving diabetic foot care services can directly affect patient outcomes and reduce associated costs as they increase the ulcer's healing and survival rate, reduce amputations and long waits for foot care. Using appropriate insoles can reduce plantar pressure, leading to reduced occurrence of ulcers and improved quality of life. One of the main design challenges for DFU insoles is the need for customisation. This project aims to develop an innovative personalised insole which can enhance comfort and functionality through an effective foot plantar pressure redistribution. This new technology can improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance the management of diabetes-related foot ulcers.

The ISCF Healthy Ageing Round two Follow on Fund 2023 is part of the Healthy Ageing Catalyst Award programme, funded by the UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge and in collaboration with the US National Academy of Medicine's (NAM) Healthy Longevity Global Grand Challenge. With Zinc's programme of support, the Follow on Funding will be used to build upon previous Healthy Ageing Catalyst Award funding, with the aim of commercialising research in the development of patient-specific insole for people who are at risk of ulcer development.