Output details

Linear Electronic Transducer

This output is a patent: Dias, T. et. al. ‘Linear Electronic Transducer’; EP2245223 (granted in 2011) that describes Dias’ contribution to the design of medical devices.

Around 20% of patients recovering from a stroke develop a drop foot condition, causing trips and falls. Currently the condition is treated by attaching a set of electrodes on to the patient’s leg to stimulate the neurological system when required, and a mechanical switch to the foot, which is uncomfortable and subject to frequent breakages. The patent describes the knitted linear stretch sensors that Dias developed that can be integrated into a sock to replace the mechanical switch.

The research was funded by NIHR and conducted jointly with the Centre for Health, Sport and Rehabilitation at Salford University. Dias led a multidisciplinary research team of two academics, two research assistants and one experimental officer, and contributed to the design and knitting of the stretch sensor and the creation of the basic science related to its functionality. The sensor sock was trialled on 20 patients and demonstrated successful results.

The IP is protected by SmartLife Technology Ltd in worldwide patents and the company is in the process of commercialising it;. Mark Pedley the CEO of SmartLife comments:

"[Dias] created a technology, which did not exist in the arena in which we sell. It is going into all the areas that we are working [06th September 2012]."

An algorithm for the relationship between the stretch sensor signal and the walking movement of the patient is explained in a refereed paper in Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (JNER; impact factor 3.24):

Preece, S., Kenney, L , Major, J, Dias, T., Lay, E., Fernandes, B., 'Automatic Identification Of Gait Events Using An Instrumented Sock'. JNER; vol. 8, 2011, pp. 1-10; tagged as Highly Accessed in the Journal’s website http://www.jneuroengrehab.com/content/8/1/32.