TEXTILES.ORG
ETH Zurich spin-off MYNERVA has created a smart sock that can help people with diabetes feel the ground again while walking. Named Leia, the device has electrodes sewn into it, which restores the user’s sensation to the foot sole as well as reduces their chronic pain. When the electrodes stimulate specific nerve strands, the body releases chemical messengers, and these block pain signals from traveling through the nervous system.
Around the wearable device lie pressure sensors built into the sole to measure how pressure distributes across the foot when the person walks. A small tracker in the upper part of the sock receives data from the pressure sensors and converts it into electrical signals. The socks also use AI that adjusts the electrical stimulation for each person based on external conditions, which means that each user receives treatment that to match their specific needs. The socks also connect to an app for user control.
High blood sugar levels can damage nerves and the body’s blood vessels, including the calf nerve that carries signals from the foot sole to the brain. When diabetes damages this nerve, people lose feeling in their feet, so they cannot sense the ground properly when they walk, which makes them more likely to fall. They also don’t notice pressure points on their feet, which can lead to ulcers and wounds and, in severe cases, infections that end up in amputation.
People with diabetic neuropathy also experience chronic pain, and doctors usually treat this pain with strong painkillers, but these can cause side effects and dependency. With the smart socks, the company hopes that people with diabetes can restore their foot sole’s sensation and relieve their pain without using any medicines.
The product has been in development for five years. The company plans a soft launch in the U.S. in 2027, then later in Switzerland, the U.K. and the Middle East.