Sock for detection of pressure points on feet

A method for detecting pressure points on a foot of a patient comprising:

• providing a sock having an inner and an outer surface and having a pressure-sensitive film applied to at least a portion of the inner surface or outer surface, wherein said film comprises an oxygen permeable polymer matrix and oxygen-sensitive photo luminescent probe molecules dispersed within said matrix;
• fitting said sock to the foot of the patient;
• wearing said sock for a period of time;
• exposing said sock to an excitation energy source capable of exciting said probe molecules from the ground energy state to an excited energy state;
• detecting the energy released by said probe molecules when they return from said excited energy state to said ground energy state;
• and
• determining the areas where the foot exerted the greatest pressure on the sock comparing a map of the emission spectra with the film and the patient's foot.

A method of diagnosing potential areas for the development of plantar ulcers comprising:

• providing a pressure-sensitive film for detecting pressure distribution across a surface when subjected to a load, said film comprising an oxygen permeable polymer matrix and oxygen-sensitive photo luminescent probe molecules dispersed within said polymer matrix;
• subjecting the film to foot pressure exerted by a patient;
• exposing the film to an excitation energy source capable of exciting the probe molecules from the ground energy state to an excited energy state;
• detecting the energy released by the probe molecules when they return from the excited energy state to the ground energy state;
• and
• determining the areas where the foot exerted the greatest pressure on the surface of the film by comparing a map of the emission spectra with the film and the patient's foot.