Design for production of a diabetic-foot protector

An estimated 422 million people suffer from diabetes globally and 25% of them will develop Diabetic Foot Syndrome. Diabetic Foot Syndrome is a condition that affects the blood flow and nervous system in the patients’ feet, causing ulceration and in severe cases requires (partial) amputation of the foot. Based on a foot protector developed by certified prosthetist/orthotist T. de Windt a redesign is proposed, called the Multi Proc, which is suitable for an automated production method in comparison to the original product. While the original product required multiple days of manual labour, the Multi Proc is mostly produced with automated processes which reduce the cost of the product significantly and increases the production capacity. The design is optimised for additive manufacturing and uses low-cost materials. Reduced stiffness accommodates for local offloading when needed. The concept is considered a suitable and obtainable solution once the manufacturing process issues are solved.