What are Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU)?
What's a DFU?
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 15% of patients with diabetes Of those who develop a foot ulcer, 6 percent will be hospitalized due to infection or other ulcer-related complication.
Diabetes a Chronic Condition
Over 30 million Americans have Diabetes and 1 out of 5 will develop a DFU. The US spends a total of $176 billion on direct costs for diabetes care; as much as one third of this expenditure is lower extremity related.
Diabetic Complications & Challenges
1) Peripheral Neuropathies- lack sensation in feet
2) Poor flexibility or pain causing inability to reach between toes to properly dry
3) Lack access to healthcare
4) 30-45 day wait time for physical exam
Antiquated Foot Care Education
Doctors ask patients to dry well and hover their feet over a mirror placed on the floor for inspection. This is dangerous when combining vision and balance problems diabetics have.
Ongoing Monitoring
Monitoring after an initial foot ulcer treatment is crucial in the healing process. Most patients wait 30 or more days without seeing their provider. Many times providers can't get them in sooner.
Avoid Complications
If left untreated, foot ulcers can progressively lead to bone/tissue infection, systemic infections amputation and death.
DFU Economic Impact & the DFU Market
High Healthcare Cost
DFU patients require more days hospitalized, more days of home health care, more emergency department visits, and more outpatient/physician office visits. *1
Recurrence Rate
40% of patients have a recurrence within 1 year after ulcer healing, almost 60% within 3 years, and 65% within 5 years. *2
Global Market
The International Diabetes Federation reports over 425 million adults are living with diabetes. Every 30 seconds a lower limb is amputated as a consequence of diabetes. *3
Our Solution: A Diabetic foot care telehealth system
Properly Dry Feet
Properly dries between toes and sides of each foot to maintain clean, dry healthy skin
Self Assessment
Embedded HD camera allows user to closely inspect foot and send images to their physician
Weight Scale and Vital Signs
Equipped with a weight scale and open API to connect bluetooth devices such as blood glucose meters
Provider Telehealth Reimbursement
Transmit images and vital signs to provider portal for telehealth reimbursement such as chronic care management and remote physiologic monitoring
Mobile Telehealth App
Connect with clinicians and caretakers faster to avoid complications and needless hospitalizations
Difobod Use Case Benefits
Daily Diabetic Foot Care
Dry your feet and self assess soles everyday.
Physician Telehealth Monitoring
Assess ongoing wound care and intervene as necessary. Maximize clinic consultation hours.
Health Plans Contain Costs
- Reduce the risk of infection and amputation
- Improve function and quality of life
- Reduce health care costs
Patented and Award Winning technology
US Patent #9,775,474
Patented device technology granted October 2017
Competition Winner
- National Winner of The Infosys- Infy Makers Award
- Medical Center of the Americas Proof of Concept Winner
- Houston's Maker Faire Merit Award Winner
National Press Featured In:
EL Paso Inc.- Oct. '17
MIT News- Dec. '17
Infosys USA- Mar. '18
Minority Nurse- April '18
MagPi Magazine- Aug. '18
MagPi #1 Project for Good- Oct. '18
UPENN Case Study- Nov. '18
Boston Medtech- Dec.'18
Diabetic Foot Ulcer Journey
Diabetes in the U.S.
- More than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- Diabetic foot ulcers are estimated to occur in up to 25% of patients with diabetes.
- Ulcer care adds around US $9 to $13 billion to the direct yearly costs associated with diabetes itself.
