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 positioned parallel with the long axis of the 2nd ray for the purpose of encouraging the formation of a metatarsal arch, and encouraging the re-supination of the foot which is required for efficient propulsion during ideal gait. The invention also discloses accommodations, or provisions, in the regions of both the 1st and 5th metatarsals to further encourage efficient propulsion during ideal gait.

[0011]Most notable in the present invention are provisions within the raised area, in the form of receptacles, for the purpose of receiving compressive inserts generally aligned with the first ray, for the purpose of controlling medial arch deflection, and generally aligned with the soft tissue area of the flexor digitorum brevis and flexor hallicus longus muscles, for the purpose of gradually introducing a biofeedback component to the foot's main supporting musculature. Through their symbiotic application the invention is capable of encouraging a strengthening of the foot's supporting musculature while affording the wearer the ability to continue to support their arch system when needed. The wearer then may gradually reduce said support as the foot strengthens in response to the muscle strengthening insert.

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 guide the foot during propulsion.

Although said devices may provide some aspect of stimuli they are incapable of providing quick effective alteration of the users gait mechanics.

In fact wear patterns reveal that the highest point does not truly take the form of an apex but a plateau which also serves to reduce the localized pressure caused by the apex which has been found to on occasion cause excess discomfort rendering the device unusable.

Mitchell, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,351, does provide for a plateau, which however is too large with respect to the foot's plantar surface area to allow any form of tri-planar motion and is thus undesirable.

The failure to address these concerns predisposes the users of these inventions to excess strain on the foot's supporting muscles as the foot attempts to conform to the centrally located apex, while simultaneously inwardly rotating as the foot naturally pronates during walking, running and such.

An apex of the heights and at the location as disclosed in Gardiner's patents may actually result in an increase in the rate of pronation during the stance phase of the gait cycle.

This may as a result, predispose wearers to increased strain on the musculoskeletal system and potentially further discomfort and injury.

Images