Shoe Insole or Midsole with a Tri-Dome Configuration for Foot Rehabilitation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device to be integrated into an article of footwear, normally as, but not limited to, a shoe innersole or shoe midsole, to interact with the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, in the region of the foot's main first layer intrinsic muscles. The present invention produces benefits to address gait related issues associated with weakened foot structure and faulty gait biomechanics.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a device to be integrated into an article of footwear, normally as, but not limited to, a shoe innersole or shoe midsole, to interact with the plantar surface of the wearer's foot, in the region of the foot's main first layer intrinsic muscles, and the present invention produces benefits to address gait related issues associated with weakened foot structure and faulty gait biomechanics.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Patents for foot and gait correcting technologies go back for more than a century and act as evidence that there is a recognized link between a variety of pain and discomfort conditions, and the faulty mechanics of the foot. The collected data, and observations made, which has become the basis for defining what “ideal” foot function is, have been derived from populations whom have traditionally worn footwear. The repeated exposure to the bracing designs and concepts, which have been common place in the foot treatment and footwea...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention offers a shoe insole or midsole device with detachable domed elongations that can be individually replaced with other similar elongations offering different levels of stimulation or pressure. This allows for customization of the invention to address abnormalities specific to the feet or foot of an individual customer or patient. The use of the invention in this manner offers a more personalized and customizable solution for foot health and mechanics.

Problems solved by technology

The repeated exposure to the bracing designs and concepts, which have been common place in the foot treatment and footwear industries for the past 100 or so years, has been proposed to have detrimental effects on the foot, and most notably a weakening of the foot's supporting muscles and skeletal structure.

On the topic of the first theory the disclosure of Ritchey in U.S. Pat. No. 2,660,814 provides for a mechanism wherein the lateral boundaries of the foot are supported under the premise that the lateral and medial arches of the foot should be braced, however the very nature of this device, when inserted into conventional footwear results in a inwardly directed compressive force being exerted on the foot and thus potentially causing compression related pathologies and symptoms on the nerves and soft tissue which reside between the articulations of the foot.

However in a continued analysis of the foot and gait, and the role of the contributing muscles, it has been found by the inventors, that when using these previously referenced devices of Burke and those of Gardiner there are still considerable shortfalls in promoting the proper rehabilitation of the foot's primary intrinsic musculature, and in association, promoting proper gait.

However through the anatomical analysis of the muscle locations, and their resulting biomechanical contributions to the stabilization of the foot it is clear that the main supporting musculature located within the foot is under-stimulated by the devices of Burke and those of Gardiner, and thus potentially these devices are ineffective in addressing the main foot muscles responsible for foot stabilization and proper gait.

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