Therapeutic Shoe Segmented Sole for Rehabilitation Flexion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapeutic shoes do not adequately address the varying immobilization and mobilization needs during different phases of rehabilitation, are difficult for patients to adapt independently, and do not provide sufficient flexibility for natural foot movement, leading to discomfort and limited rehabilitation effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic shoe with a single-piece outsole and removable rigid reinforcement plates made of resin-filled fiberglass, allowing for adjustable support and flexibility to accommodate different rehabilitation phases, enabling patients to manage foot flexion and immobilization according to their needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid sole with rounded profile is used to facilitate weight transfer and prevent toe pressure, then walking comfort is improved, but foot flexibility and natural flexion are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is divided into multiple segments including a heel portion, a midfoot portion, and a forefoot portion that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the heel to provide stable support while the forefoot maintains flexibility for natural toe flexion during walking.
Solution Approach 2:
The sole transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamic structure where the forefoot portion can flex relative to the midfoot portion. This dynamic capability allows the shoe to adapt to the natural movement patterns of the foot during different phases of walking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a semi-rigid sole with removable accessories is used to adapt to different rehabilitation phases, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and ease of independent adjustment are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sole is segmented into a heel portion and a forefoot portion that can be independently adjusted. The forefoot portion can be positioned in different locations along the midfoot portion, allowing patients to independently adjust the degree of flexion restriction based on their rehabilitation needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism allows the forefoot portion to be dynamically repositioned along the midfoot portion. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the shoe to adapt to different rehabilitation phases without requiring complex removable accessories or multiple shoe replacements.
3Reliability
If complete immobilization is used to prevent unfavorable foot bending after surgery, then healing protection is improved, but rehabilitation progress and patient autonomy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe provides a dynamic immobilization solution where the degree of foot flexion restriction can be adjusted by repositioning the forefoot portion along the midfoot portion. This allows patients to progressively increase their foot mobility as they heal, transitioning from complete immobilization to gradual mobilization without needing multiple different shoes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a therapeutic shoe comprising a sole with a tread surface (6) of bulged profile in a sagittal plane of the shoe, and an upper surface (17) comprising a location for the toes and a location for the heel. The sole of the therapeutic shoe according to the invention is longitudinally flexible in the sagittal plane and is configured such that the bulged profile of the tread surface (6) extends opposite the location for the heel and the location for the toes. In addition, the therapeutic shoe according to the invention comprises at least one removable and rigid reinforcement piece (15) that opposes the longitudinal flexion of the sole in a sagittal plane.