Footwear Offloading via Multi-Brace Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear designed to offload forces on feet and ankles for conditions like diabetes neuropathy and arthritis is often cumbersome or painful, leading to non-compliance among users.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a multi-layered upper with a posterior brace for heel stabilization, side braces for deceleration during heel strike, and a superior brace for patellar tendon support, combined with a breathable inner layer and semi-rigid intermediate layer, along with a securing structure in the sole for enhanced comfort and reduced force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional walking boots are designed to offload forces on feet and ankles, then force reduction effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The footwear upper is divided into multiple independent brace components: a posterior brace extending from the heel to mid-calf, lateral braces positioned on each side of the lower leg, and a superior brace near the knee. Each brace is a separate structural element that can be independently configured and adjusted, allowing complex force distribution without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The braces are positioned in three-dimensional space around the lower leg rather than simply on the foot surface. The posterior brace extends vertically along the posterior aspect, lateral braces are positioned medially and laterally, creating a spatial framework that distributes forces through multiple dimensions, enhancing offloading effectiveness while maintaining structural efficiency.
2Force
If traditional walking boots are designed to offload forces on feet and ankles, then force reduction effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system incorporates adjustable fasteners that allow the wearer to dynamically modify the fit and support level of each brace component. The lacing or buckling mechanisms enable the user to tighten or loosen the braces around the lower leg, adapting the device to different comfort preferences and swelling conditions, thereby improving ease of operation.
3Force
If traditional walking boots are designed to offload forces on feet and ankles, then force reduction effectiveness is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interior surfaces of the braces are lined with flexible, breathable materials that conform to the wearer's skin and reduce irritation. The upper portion includes a breathable material that allows air circulation, preventing moisture buildup and skin discomfort during extended wear, thereby enhancing user compliance and reliability.
4Force
If multi-layered upper structure is used with posterior and side braces, then force transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The posterior brace, lateral braces, and superior brace are structurally integrated through shared attachment points and continuous material construction at their junctions. This merging of components creates a unified support framework that distributes forces efficiently across the lower leg while avoiding the complexity of completely separate, independently assembled parts.
Data Source
AI summary
Articles of footwear for protecting injured, at-risk, or post-surgical feet and ankles include upper and/or sole structures that offload the feet and ankles when standing and/or walking.