Patents by Inventor Neil Robert Smith

Neil Robert Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11324524
    Abstract: A weight-bearing stance corrected foot orthotic (12) is adapted to be used on the foot (2) of a anaesthetised patient in the supine or prone position, the weight bearing stance corrected foot orthotic (12) adapted to dorsiflex the toes of the forefoot of the patient an angle of between 30° to 50° to the plane of the foot (2). A surgical foot orthotic (12) is formed by the steps of disposing a patient's foot (2) or both feet in a weight bearing neutral position and dorsiflexing the forefoot or forefeet of the patient such that patient's foot (2) or feet are in or towards the Windlass configuration. A first orthotic (5) correcting the stance of the patient in the weight bearing position with dorsiflexed forefoot is formed and this is scanned to form an electronic image of the corrective load bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: VFAS International Holding Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Neil Robert Smith
  • Publication number: 20200187964
    Abstract: A weight-bearing stance corrected foot orthotic (12) is adapted to be used on the foot (2) of a anaesthetised patient in the supine or prone position, the weight bearing stance corrected foot orthotic (12) adapted to dorsiflex the toes of the forefoot of the patient an angle of between 30° to 50° to the plane of the foot (2). A surgical foot orthotic (12) is formed by the steps of disposing a patient's foot (2) or both feet in a weight bearing neutral position and dorsiflexing the forefoot or forefeet of the patient such that patient's foot (2) or feet are in or towards the Windlass configuration. A first orthotic (5) correcting the stance of the patient in the weight bearing position with dorsiflexed forefoot is formed and this is scanned to form an electronic image of the corrective load bearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventor: Neil Robert Smith
  • Publication number: 20200128907
    Abstract: A method of forming a castless orthotic for a patient's foot in need thereof. The method comprises preparing an orthotic template for the foot wherein the template extends between a heel end and a toe end. In preparing the template the steps of attaching a three-quarter length or full length upper thermoplastic material to a or three-quarter length lower thermoplastic material, or providing a thermoplastic material having a variable thickness such that said thickness decreases from said heel end to said toe end is provided. Then attaching an outer lower layer to the lower thermoplastic material and attaching an outer upper layer to the upper thermoplastic material, or attaching an outer layer to each face of the variable thickness thermoplastic material and heating the prepared orthotic template for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature to soften the orthotic template. A wrap is then placed on top of the foot foam and the foot of the patient is placed on top of the wrap and foot foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Neil Robert SMITH
  • Patent number: 10524534
    Abstract: A method of forming a castless orthotic for a patient's foot in need thereof. The method comprises preparing an orthotic template for the foot wherein the template extends between a heel end and a toe end. In preparing the template the steps of attaching a three-quarter length or full length upper thermoplastic material to a or three-quarter length lower thermoplastic material, or providing a thermoplastic material having a variable thickness such that said thickness decreases from said heel end to said toe end is provided. Then attaching an outer lower layer to the lower thermoplastic material and attaching an outer upper layer to the upper thermoplastic material, or attaching an outer layer to each face of the variable thickness thermoplastic material and heating the prepared orthotic template for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature to soften the orthotic template. A wrap is then placed on top of the foot foam and the foot of the patient is placed on top of the wrap and foot foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: VFAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Neil Robert Smith
  • Publication number: 20170273397
    Abstract: A method of forming a castless orthotic for a patient's foot in need thereof. The method comprises preparing an orthotic template for the foot wherein the template extends between a heel end and a toe end. In preparing the template the steps of attaching a three-quarter length or full length upper thermoplastic material to a or three-quarter length lower thermoplastic material, or providing a thermoplastic material having a variable thickness such that said thickness decreases from said heel end to said toe end is provided. Then attaching an outer lower layer to the lower thermoplastic material and attaching an outer upper layer to the upper thermoplastic material, or attaching an outer layer to each face of the variable thickness thermoplastic material and heating the prepared orthotic template for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature to soften the orthotic template. A wrap is then placed on top of the foot foam and the foot of the patient is placed on top of the wrap and foot foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventor: Neil Robert SMITH
  • Patent number: 9723892
    Abstract: A foot alignment tool is configured for aligning a foot bearing a load. The tool extends between a handle at one end and a support lever at an opposing end and is characterized in that the support lever is configured to be received under or substantially under the medial longitudinal arch or the cuboid of the foot and configured to be rotated so as translate and/or rotate the foot from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot or from the outside of the foot to the inside of the foot by a predetermined amount about a foot heel-toe axis wherein the support lever is configured to apply a predetermined torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Vertical Orthotics Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Neil Robert Smith
  • Publication number: 20160235157
    Abstract: A foot alignment tool is configured for aligning a foot bearing a load. The tool extends between a handle at one end and a support lever at an opposing end and is characterized in that the support lever is configured to be received under or substantially under the medial longitudinal arch or the cuboid of the foot and configured to be rotated so as translate and/or rotate the foot from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot or from the outside of the foot to the inside of the foot by a predetermined amount about a foot heel-toe axis wherein the support lever is configured to apply a predetermined torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventor: Neil Robert Smith
  • Publication number: 20120159721
    Abstract: A foot alignment tool is configured for aligning a foot bearing a load. The tool extends between a handle at one end and a support lever at an opposing end and is characterized in that the support lever is configured to be received under or substantially under the medial longitudinal arch or the cuboid of the foot and configured to be rotated so as translate and/or rotate the foot from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot or from the outside of the foot to the inside of the foot by a predetermined amount about a foot heel-toe axis wherein the support lever is configured to apply a predetermined torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: VERTICAL ORTHOTICS PTY LTD
    Inventor: Neil Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 7125509
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus which enables in-situ casts of the feet of a patient to be made whilst the feet support the patient's weight. In particular, two heel supports (28, 29) and two stirrups (38, 39) receive the heels and forefeet of the patient. Each is capable of independent movement being both rotation about the heel-toe axis and movement substantially transverse to that axis. A method of forming a cast of the patient's feet is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Neil Robert Smith