SoleSentinel - Smart Sock for DFD Recurrence Monitoring

Inspiration

We came across the shocking fact that diabetic foot ulcers often come back, and most people don't even realize it until it's too late. In rural India, it’s even harder - limited access to doctors, lack of awareness, and no early warning systems. That’s what drove us to build something simple, wearable, and effective that could help people catch the signs early and avoid serious complications.

What it does

SoleSentinel is a concept of smart sock that keeps an eye on two key things: pressure and temperature on the foot. If it spots something unusual, like high pressure or a sudden increase in temperature - it sends an alert to the user and also to the local ASHA worker. It works offline, is reusable, and is designed to be affordable and easy to use in rural settings.

How would we build it

Our idea involves embedding low-cost temperature and pressure sensors into a sock. These would be connected to a small Bluetooth module that syncs with a mobile app. The app would show risk levels, store past data, and send alerts. A parallel app interface for ASHA workers would allow them to track patients and coordinate follow-ups. The entire system would be designed with offline support and local language compatibility.

Challenges we ran into

Choosing sensors that are affordable, reliable, and washable.
Designing the sock to be comfortable and durable for everyday wear.
Making the mobile app intuitive for both patients and ASHA workers.
Ensuring offline functionality without compromising on reliability.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Identifying a real, urgent problem and proposing a practical solution.
Keeping our concept rooted in the needs of rural users - not just the technology.
Designing a system that brings patients, ASHA workers, and healthcare providers together.

What we learned

How serious and under-discussed diabetic foot disease is, especially in India.
The importance of co-designing with community health workers in mind.
That even a basic idea can be powerful if it’s designed with empathy and clarity.