Step in the right direction

An insole for diabetics that precisely monitors the temperature of a wearer's foot could help prevent tens of thousands of foot amputations a year, its developer has claimed.

About to undergo trials in the US, the Shoepod Diabetic, developed by New Zealand firm

, integrates smart fabric technology to spot the early warning signs of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN), a disorder caused by diabetes where nerve damage affects sensation in the limbs.

DPN sufferers typically lose the ability to feel pain in their arms and legs, and if they sustain an injury in these areas there is an increased risk of developing an ulcer.

Sufferers are least likely notice damage to the feet, where, compounded by issues such as poor posture or even ill-fitting shoes, the problem can become particularly dangerous.

The device weighs around 2oz (less than 50g) and can transmit data wirelessly to a mobile phone or USB radio receiver for download to a PC. Real-time and trend analysis software is integrated into the Shoepod Diabetic, and it can hold up to three months' worth of data which can then be sent to a specialist for more detailed analysis.