Method and apparatus for indicating the emergence of an ulcer

A method of predicting emergence of an ulcer on at least one of two feet of a patient, wherein the two feet each have an arch, the method comprising:

• providing one or more processors;
• providing a closed platform having a substrate for receiving at least one of the two feet of the patient, the closed platform having an array of temperature sensors comprising a plurality of temperature sensors, the closed platform also comprising a flexible material configured to conform the array of temperature sensors substantially to said arch of one or both feet;
• generating, using the plurality of temperature sensors of the array substantially conformed to said arch, a plurality of discrete temperature data values of the at least one foot after receipt of the at least one foot of the patient;
• ascertaining, by one or more processors, a level of physical activity of the patient;
• determining, by at least one of the one or more processors, whether the plurality of discrete temperature data values presents at least one of a plurality of prescribed patterns,
• the determining comprising:
• evaluating, using the plurality of discrete temperature data values and an ulcer prediction model, whether a thermal asymmetry of the at least one foot exceeds a pre-determined threshold, the ulcer prediction model being a function of the level of physical activity of the patient;
• and
• producing, by at least one of the one or more processors, output information specifically predicting emergence of an ulcer or pre-ulcer on at least one of the two feet of the patient,
• said producing being a function of said evaluating.