The present invention provides a sock containing a coating applied to at least
a portion of a surface of the sock for sensing pressure points on a patient's foot.
The coating material comprises a pressure-sensitive film comprised of oxygen-sensitive
photo luminescent probe molecules dispersed within a polymer matrix, and, optionally,
an inorganic pigment. Areas of increased pressure can be detected by correspondence
to areas on the film of increased fluorescence intensity. The coating material
can also be comprised of a coloring agent or dye such that after the sock has been
worn for a period of time, in those areas of the foot susceptible to pressure points,
the coating material transfers from the interior of the sock and adheres to the
foot in those points. The present invention is particularly applicable to persons
having diabetic neuropathic feet wherein portions of the foot may be insensitive
to pressure.
