I-Corps: Relieving Foot Pain for Nurses and Improving Muscle Recovery for Athletes using an Electrostimulation Sock

该I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是使用“神经刺激袜”的非药物方法在治疗慢性足部和踝关节疼痛中的应用。神经刺激市场价值50 B美元，预计到2026年将以每年12.5%的速度增长，原因包括监管机构对这些问题的重新关注、对非药物治疗的需求以及慢性病发病率的上升。随着疼痛管理设备在这个市场上占据主导地位，拟议中的技术可以进入15 B美元的足部和踝关节疼痛领域，作为数百万患有这种衰弱疾病的人的新治疗选择。电刺激已被广泛用于疼痛管理，但与可穿戴系统的集成尚未被广泛采用。这个I-Corps项目是基于神经刺激设备的开发，该设备可以减轻护士的慢性足部和踝关节疼痛，并帮助运动员恢复肌肉。本发明是一种膝盖高的袜子，其将电脉冲传递到足部内的肌肉，用于减轻慢性疼痛和炎症。袜子是可拆卸的，可重复使用的，所有电气部件都与袜子的足底区域集成在一起。当用户感到疼痛时，通过智能手机激活神经刺激，可以立即缓解疼痛。用户还可以对智能手机进行编程，以在他们期望长时间站立时自动递送神经刺激。此外，这款袜子还配备了减震鞋垫，可以根据脚的当前周长自动调整面料的压缩度。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the application of a non-pharmacological approach using “neurostimulation socks" in the treatment of chronic foot and ankle pain. The neurostimulation market is valued at $5 B and is projected to grow at 12.5 % annually through 2026 because of factors such as renewed regulatory attention to these problems, demand for nonpharmaceutical treatments, and rising incidences of chronic diseases. As pain management devices dominate this market, the proposed technology could enter the $1.5 B foot and ankle pain sector as a new treatment option for the millions of people suffering from this debilitating condition. Electrostimulation has been widely used for pain management, but integration with a wearable system has not yet been widely adopted.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a neurostimulation device that can reduce chronic foot and ankle pain in nurses and assist in muscle recovery for athletes. The invention is a knee-high sock that delivers electrical impulses to the muscles within the foot for reducing chronic pain and inflammation. The sock is removable, reusable and all electrical components are integrated with the plantar area of the sock. When the user experiences pain, nerve stimulation is activated via their smartphone that can provide instant pain relief. The user also may program the smartphone to automatically deliver neurostimulation if they expect to be standing for long periods. In addition, the sock features a shock-absorbing insole that can automatically adjust the compression of the fabric based on the current circumference of the foot.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.