Peripheral sensory and supersensory replacement system

Abstract

A sensor-based quantification and analysis system includes an input device including a plurality of sensors that generate an input based on a force. The input device also includes a transmission device that transmits force information based on the input. The system also includes an output device that receives the force information. A processing unit selects, for each of the plurality of sensors, one of a plurality of levels of a likelihood of tissue damage based on the force and a predetermined time period. Further, the output device includes a display that presents or logs the one of the plurality of levels of the likelihood of tissue damage for each of the plurality of sensors.

1 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A sensor-based quantification and analysis system, comprising:
 an input device including   a plurality of sensors, each sensor for generating an input based on a temperature; and   a transmission device for transmitting temperature information based on each of the inputs;   a processing unit for receiving the temperature information and for selecting, for each of the plurality of sensors, one of a plurality of levels of a likelihood of tissue damage based on the temperature information and a predetermined time period; and   an output device including a display that presents or logs the one of the plurality of levels of the likelihood of tissue damage for each of the plurality of sensors.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a resistive sensor. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the input device includes a sensor that senses supersensory data, the transmission device transmits supersensory information based on the supersensory data to the output device, and the output device presents or logs feedback data based on the supersensory information. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the output device presents the one of the plurality of levels of the likelihood of tissue damage using at least one of a visual display, a tactile display and an auditory alert. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the display presents the one of the plurality of levels of the likelihood of tissue damage using the visual display, and the visual display is configured to display at least one area corresponding to a location of one of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the input is adjusted for external temperature conditions. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the plurality of sensors correspond to portions of a user's feet. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the one of a plurality of levels of likelihood of tissue damage is selected based on a difference in temperature information from a first site and a second site. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the first site and the second site are from portions of the same foot. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the first site and the second site are from a portion of the same foot over time. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the first site and the second site are from portions of the user's two feet. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the first site is plantar and the second site is non-plantar. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the output device stores the one of the plurality of levels of the likelihood of tissue damage remotely from the input device. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the output device stores the one of the plurality of levels of the likelihood of tissue damage for at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the processing unit receives the temperature information remotely from the input device. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the transmission device transmits the temperature information remotely from the input device. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the output device comprises at least one of a wristband, a smartphone, a heads-up display device, a tongue display device, a back display, a web-based application, a LCD display, a cellular telephone, a personal laptop, a USB key, and a dongle. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the input device includes a pressure sensor, the transmission device transmits information based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor, and the display presents information based on the pressure. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the input device includes a moisture sensor, the transmission device transmits information based on a moisture sensed by the moisture sensor, and the display presents information based on the moisture. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the input device includes at least one of an accelerometer and gyroscope. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the levels of the likelihood of tissue damage are based on a location of the generated inputs on a user's body. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of sensors correspond to bony prominences of the user's feet, and the portion of the plurality of sensors corresponding to the bony prominences of the user's feet are at a higher risk category than sensors corresponding to other areas of the user's feet. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 53  wherein the higher risk category is defined by a lower temperature threshold, by a lower percentage of inputs indicating that the temperature threshold has been exceeded, by a total number of inputs within the predetermined time period indicating that the temperature threshold has been exceeded, and/or by a lower total number of inputs indicating that a difference in temperature information from one site to a second site has been exceeded. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 53  wherein the difference in temperature information is at least 4 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is disposed inside, within or external to the user's clothing. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the input device comprises at least one of insoles, orthotics, socks, shoes, inserts, casts, air-casts, splints, prosthetics, dressings, and tubular sleeves. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the processing unit is included in the input device. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the processing unit is included in the transmission unit. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 32  wherein the processing unit is included in the output device. 
     
     
         61 . A quantification and analysis method, comprising:
 generating an input based on a temperature, using a plurality of sensors;   transmitting temperature information based on the input;   receiving the temperature information;   selecting, for each of the plurality of sensors, one of a plurality of levels of a likelihood of tissue damage based on the temperature information and a predetermined time period; and   presenting or logging the one of the plurality of levels of the likelihood of tissue damage for each of the plurality of sensors.