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Multi-plug design shoe insole

a multi-plug design and insole technology, applied in the field of therapeutic footwear, can solve the problems of high ppp, high design flexibility, and severe damage to the neuropathic foot, and achieve the effect of limiting the occurrence of secondary pressure peaks and reducing ppp

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-08-04
WASHINGTON UNIV IN SAINT LOUIS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention is a therapeutic insole having a compressible pad with multiple compressible plugs disposed therein. The compressible plugs are preferably arranged within the compressible pad to reduce PPP and to limit the occurrence of secondary pressure peaks arising at the boundary regions between materials having different stiffnesses. Optimal plug configurations may be dete

Problems solved by technology

Peripheral neuropathy is a common underlying cause of foot ulcers in the diabetic patient because the lack of painful feedback allows unnoticed repetitive tissue injury to occur.
During walking, normal and shear stresses develop which may lead to serious damage in the neuropathic foot.
However, when a single soft plug is inserted through an insole, the softer material is in direct contact with the foot, which may create localized high PPP because of the stiffness discontinuity at the boundary between the softer plug and the rest of the insole.
Such designs also lack flexibility to be able to distribute high, damaging pressure in a custom and specific manner.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0022]The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0023]As illustrated in FIG. 1, an insole 20 is provided to cushion the bottom surface of a foot F. The insole 20 comprises a compressible pad 22 having a plurality of holes 24 extending at least partially therethrough. A plurality of compressible plugs 26 is disposed in the plurality of holes 24. The plugs 26 preferably have a stiffness S1 that is different than a stiffness S2 of the compressible pad 22 such that the stiffness of the insole 20 varies in the areas in which the plugs 26 are disposed in the holes 24. In one embodiment, plugs 26 of different stiffness are combined in patterns that redistribute pressure.

[0024]The compressible pad 22 may be constructed of any suitable material, and may be designed to provide cushioning to all or a portion of the bottom surface of a foot F. The plugs 26 may also be construc...

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PUM

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Abstract

An insole is provided for reducing peak plantar pressure on a foot. The insole includes a compressible pad having a plurality of holes extending from a bottom surface of the compressible pad and partially through the compressible pad. A plurality of compressible plugs is disposed in the plurality of holes, wherein the plurality of compressible plugs has a stiffness that is different than a stiffness of the compressible pad. The plurality of compressible plugs is concentrated in a reduced stiffness portion of the compressible pad that substantially corresponds to an area of peak plantar pressure on the foot.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 60 / 957,238 filed Aug. 22, 2007, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]This invention was made with Government support under contract 2R01 (HD036895-04A1) awarded by the U.S. National Institute for Health, National Institute for Child Health and Human Development and National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research.APPENDIX[0003]Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention is in the field of therapeutic footwear and specifically relates to the design of insoles that may be custom-formed or mass-produced.[0006]2. Related Art[0007]High peak plantar pressures (PPP) during walking can contribute to painful forefoot syndromes, such as metatarsalgia, in otherwise healthy people, and to skin breakdown in people with conditions such as diabetes and peripheral neurop...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A43B13/38
CPCA43B13/188A61F5/14A43B17/003
Inventor ACTIS, RICARDOVENTURA, LILANAMUELLER, MICHAEL JEFFREYCOMMEAN, PAUL KEVINHASTINGS, MARY KENTKLAESNER, JOSEPH W.LOTT, DONOVAN J.PILGRAM, THOMAS KURTSMITH, KIRKZOU, DEQUAN
Owner WASHINGTON UNIV IN SAINT LOUIS