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Advancing Thermicare: Embedded Firmware and Pre-Compliance Testing for at-home Diabetic Foot Health Monitoring

Funder InnovateUK (part of UKRI)
Recipient organisation Raidmed LTD
Funding £60K
Period Jun 2025 — Mar 2026

In plain English

AI plain-English summary

A thermal imaging device lets people with diabetes check their feet at home for early signs of ulcers, before they become infected and require amputation. Foot ulcers are a common and serious complication of diabetes. Thousands of amputations occur each year in the UK, many of which could be prevented if inflammation were caught early. Current monitoring often relies on clinic visits, which can miss the early warning signs. The ThermiCare system fills this gap by putting a non-contact thermal camera and a smartphone app directly into patients' hands, allowing daily temperature checks and automatic data sharing with clinicians. If the embedded firmware and pre-compliance testing succeed, the device could move toward clinical trials and regulatory approval. For patients, that means a practical tool to prevent ulcers and avoid hospitalisation. For the NHS, it could reduce the high costs of treating advanced diabetic foot complications. The project is a direct step toward commercialising a preventive health technology, not fundamental science—its impact depends on passing safety standards and proving reliability in real-world use.

View original technical description
This project focuses on developing ThermiCare, an innovative home monitoring system designed to help people with diabetes prevent foot ulcers. Foot ulcers are a serious complication of diabetes, leading to thousands of amputations every year, which are often preventable with early detection and care. The ThermiCare system uses advanced thermal imaging technology to monitor foot temperature and identify early signs of inflammation that could lead to ulcers. This non-contact, easy-to-use device pairs with a smartphone app, allowing users to monitor their foot health daily and share data with healthcare professionals through a secure online dashboard. The project aims to refine the system's embedded software, ensuring it works reliably and meets strict medical device safety and quality standards. It also includes pre-compliance testing to prepare for regulatory approvals, paving the way for future clinical trials and commercialisation. By empowering individuals to take proactive steps in managing their foot health, ThermiCare has the potential to reduce amputations and improve the quality of life for people with diabetes. This technology could also ease the burden on healthcare systems by reducing the costs associated with treating advanced complications of diabetes. ThermiCare represents a significant step forward in diabetic foot care and preventive health management.

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Related Research

Grants with similar aims, by meaning.

Advanced IoT-Enabled Thermographic Device for Early Detection and Prevention of Diabetic Foot Complications
HappierFeet-Disrupting the vicious cycle of healthcare decline in Diabetic Foot Ulceration through active prevention: The future of self-managed care
A diagnostic and monitoring device for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Advancing Diabetic Foot Care: 3D Precise Measurement Techniques
Smartphone Thermal ANalysis for Diabetic foot Ulcer Prevention and treatment

Original classification

Grant for R&D

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