Students at Jackson State University have developed a smart mat that can help diabetics prevent amputations.
The mat can detect the temperature of both feet and send the results to an Android app, according to Engadget. High glucose levels can be hazardous to diabetics' lower limbs and led to ulcerations and ultimately the loss of a limb.
The risk of diabetic patients needing amputation has been quite high, the American Diabetes Association notes. This has been because along with a loss of circulation, patients also lose sensation, making it more likely for them to get sores or infections.
"We looked at some other studies, and we saw that they used some type of thermometer but the patient had to take the temperature on their own and write the data down and communicate it back to their doctor and we wanted to streamline that," team member Jordan Barber said.
While the product still needs more work, the team said that it would likely sell for around $500, as that was what it cost to make the mat.
