Motion control insole with muscle strengthening component

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insole, midsole or unified outsole-midsole-insole device for use with an article of footwear, displaying significant improvement over conventional similar insole type products through its ability to offer to the wearer an adjustable biofeedback component for the rehabilitation and strengthening of the foot's muscles, as well as an adjustable motion control component for the purpose of controlling the pronation and arch deflection of the human foot during gait. Through this means wearers of the device gradually strengthen their foot while simultaneously decreasing their dependence on secondary motion control structures.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a device to be integrated into an article of footwear, to interact with the plantar surface of the foot, and to address gait related issues surrounding weakened foot structure and faulty gait biomechanics.BACKGROUND ART[0002]There is a significant quantity of evidence from the medical and biomechanical professions presenting a strong correlation between faulty foot function and associated foot, leg and lower back disorders. The correlation is such that it has been proposed, and accordingly supported, that non-ideal foot function can be a determining factor for numerous gait related pathologies. The ideal functions of the foot have been falsely categorized by academics studying the trends and data collected during the analysis of gait biomechanics, kinetics and kinematics. The collected data, and observations made, have been from populations whom have traditionally worn shoes. The repeated exposure to the bracing environments, whi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The general shape of the primary raised area is such that on its posterior most aspect there are inherent design characteristics, most notably in the form of a varus type wedge capable of reducing the excess eversion of the calcaneus if the foot is excessively pronating.

[0010]The general shape of the primary raised area also possesses a defining ridge generally aligned and positione

Problems solved by technology

The repeated exposure to the bracing environments, which shoes are, has been shown to have detrimental effects on the foot and most notably the foot's musculo-skeletal structure.

This approach however is faulty in that the mean or average, taken from populations, reported to have as much as 85% of their total, displaying symptoms related to less than ideal mechanics, will statistically generate values for the norm that are well below ideal.

Inventions such as these will ultimately lead to a weakening of the foot's supporting musculoskeletal structure, potentially predisposing the foot to injury, and potentially requiring the use of a stronger and more supportive bracing device as the structure continues to weaken.

It is well accepted now, in medicine, that bracing of the musculoskeletal system promotes a weakening of the supporting structures, and bracing is not the first choice when rehabilitating.

It has been found, by the inventors, that when using these devices they have considerable limitations and fall short of providing the foot with the support and guidance required to achieve ideal gait biomechanics during the initial phases of use and rehabilitation, and in particular a failure to support the medial aspect of the foot and to guid

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