Improving Low-Network Rural Capability of In-Home Diabetic Foot Monitoring System

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) affect 1 in 4 patients with diabetes over their lifetime causing over 100000 amputations per year in the U.S. and costing the healthcare system over $40 B per year. Rural Americans face numerous compounding health disparities compared with their urban counterparts with regards to diabetic foot conditions. Patients with DFUs in rural areas face a 50% increased risk of major amputation compared to patients in rural areas primarily due to a lack of access to specialized healthcare to detect early signs of these ulcers. While digital health tools can close the gap limited access to reliable internet connectivity and technology infrastructure hinders their adoption and ability to address rural health disparities. Empo Health is focused on developing a novel in-home imaging bathroom scale for remote monitoring of the feet that can function effectively in the low-network conditions of rural areas. Empo's device has the potential to detect early signs of DFUs and other diabetic foot complications improving monitoring of healing progress and impacting daily behaviors and self-care practices for diabetic individuals in rural communities. The purpose of this Phase I project is to improve the device's ability to perform under low-network conditions and then validate those improvements in rural areas of high interest as suggested by Empo's rural health partners. If successful the Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of use of Empo's product by rural health networks to help reduce diabetic foot amputations for Rural Americans.