Article having a microbial sensor system

Abstract

An article of footwear is provided that includes an insole member. The insole member includes a base layer, an intermediate layer having a plurality of cavities, and a microbial layer having a plurality of microbial mediums with one or more microorganisms therein. Further, the cavities receive the microbial mediums of the microbial layer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear having an insole member, the insole member comprising:
 a base layer;   an intermediate layer including a plurality of cavities; and   a microbial layer including a plurality of microbial mediums having one or more microorganisms therein,   wherein the cavities receive the microbial mediums of the microbial layer.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the microorganisms alters a biochemical property of the microbial medium when subjected to a stimulus. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the biochemical property is a pH value. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the intermediate layer further includes a plurality of pH sensors capable of measuring the pH value of the microbial medium. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the biochemical property is an electrical conductivity or electrical resistance. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate layer further includes an electrical conductivity meter. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the stimulus is heat. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer include one or more microcontrollers. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the microcontrollers are connected to the intermediate layer and receive data from the intermediate layer. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 9 , wherein the microcontrollers are capable of transmitting the data to a remote device. 
     
     
         11 . An article of footwear having an insole member, the insole member comprising:
 a base layer including a plurality of microcontrollers; and   an upper layer including a plurality of cavities and a plurality of microbial encapsulations within the cavities,   wherein the microbial encapsulations include one or more microorganisms.   
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the microorganisms secretes a chemical when subjected to a stimulus. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the chemical is an organic acid. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the organic acid alters a biochemical state of the microbial encapsulation. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the upper layer includes a circuit layer capable of measuring a value associated with the microbial encapsulation. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the measured value is a pH value. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the measured value is an electrical conductivity of the microbial encapsulation. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the circuit layer is electrically connected to the microcontrollers. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 18 , wherein the microcontrollers are capable of transmitting data associated with the measured value to a remote device. 
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear including an insole member, the insole member comprising:
 a base component having a top layer, a bottom layer, and an interior void;   an intermediate component having at least one cell; and   a microbial component having a plurality of microorganisms within a medium, wherein the microbial layer is positioned with the at least one cell of the intermediate component;   wherein the microorganisms are capable of biological activity when subjected to a stimulus; and   wherein the mediums are sealed encapsulations.