Improving access to diabetic foot exams for underserved communities
Official title: Access to diabetic peripheral neuropathy screening for underserved communities
Funded at Visionquest Biomedical INC · NIH-10918922 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a simple and affordable way to help people with diabetes, especially in underserved communities, by using smartphones to spot early signs of nerve damage in their feet, so they can get the care they need sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Visionquest Biomedical INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $284,039 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DK139844-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10918922 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals from underserved communities, particularly those with diabetes who may not have regular access to foot exams.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have diabetes or those who already have regular access to comprehensive diabetic care may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to address health inequities by developing a low-cost screening system for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) using a smartphone with thermal imaging and AI support. The project focuses on underserved communities, particularly among minority groups, who often lack access to necessary healthcare services. By integrating this technology into primary care and outreach programs, the research seeks to enhance early detection and management of DPN, which is a common complication of diabetes. The approach includes combining thermal imaging results with clinical data to provide healthcare providers with actionable recommendations for patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve early detection and management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in underserved populations, leading to better health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that innovative screening technologies can improve health outcomes in similar underserved populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Visionquest Biomedical INC
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Soliz, Peter N — Visionquest Biomedical INC
- Study coordinator: Soliz, Peter N
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Gut bacterial vesicles and diabetic nerve damage
This work looks at whether tiny particles released by gut bacteria can protect nerves and ease numbness and pain in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
-
Restoring sensation in amputated limbs for veterans with diabetic neuropathy
This study is looking to help veterans who have lost lower limbs due to diabetic peripheral neuropathy by using special electrodes to create sensations that feel like they're coming from their missing foot, which could improve their daily activities and overall limb health.
-
Wearable vibration to improve movement and reduce pain in diabetic nerve damage
A wearable vibration device is tested for four weeks to help adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy walk better and experience less pain.
-
Improving walking and reducing foot pressure for people with diabetic nerve damage
This project tries real-time biofeedback to change how adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy walk so they have lower harmful foot pressure and better walking speed.
-
Exploring how gut bacteria affect nerve damage in diabetes
This study is looking at how tiny particles from gut bacteria might help protect nerves in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which is a common issue for those with diabetes, and it hopes to find new ways to improve nerve health through better gut health.
-
Investigating how tau phosphorylation affects nerve damage in diabetes
This study is looking into how problems with insulin and a protein called tau affect nerve health in people with Type 1 Diabetes, with the hope of finding new ways to ease the pain and improve life for those dealing with diabetic nerve issues.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.