DYNAMIC ARCH STABILIZATION AND REHABILITATIVE SHOE MIDSOLE/INSOLE DEVICE
An insole device as provided which has a sole shaped body defining an upwardly extending dome in a midfoot section thereof. A biofeedback catalyst is mountable in the dome so as to be moveable at least longitudinally relative to the sole shaped body. The catalyst is positionable to cause the dome to engage an anatomical apex of the sole face of the arch of a wearer's foot. The catalyst has an ellipsoidal or spherical shape, being dimensioned and having a resiliency sufficient to promote dynamic proprioceptive stimulation of mechanical receptors and nocioreceptors in the skin of the wearer's sole at said apex. Cooperating engagement means extend between the body and the catalyst for connecting the catalyst to the body to locate the catalyst in the dome while allowing the movement of the catalyst relative to the body.
This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional application no. U.S. 61/457,252 filed Feb. 10, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an insole for a shoe. In particular, the present invention relates to an insole device that can rehabilitate a foot by stimulating a proprioceptive reflex response in the wearer's foot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONProfessionals dealing with gait related pathologies generally accept that a large majority of persons will, at some time in their lives, suffer some form of gait related pain or dysfunction. It is also well accepted that, in the majority of cases, the mechanism underlying the pathology, injury, or dysfunction is biomechanically related to the foot's musculoskeletal capabilities during the interface between the foot and the ground, during the initial contact, support, and propulsion phases of the gait cycle.
It has been proposed that providing a device to create a proprioceptive, or internal, feedback stimulus to a user's foot can directly target the underlying pathology, injury, or dysfunction. Such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659 to Burke et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807 to Gardiner, and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,457 to Gardiner.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659, an arch rehabilitative catalyst stimulates the Golgi tendon organ, which in turn, stimulates the musculoskeletal structure of the foot to rehabilitate the foot structure. The catalyst is an asymmetrically domed hump, which creates a mild to strong discomfort to initially stimulate the Golgi tendon organ.
However, it has been found that the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659 does not function as described, and that the majority of users find the device too uncomfortable to use. In particular, when subjected to conventional vertical compressive forces of a person walking in the range of 2.5 times body weight, the device is designed to deflect between 40% and 60% of its maximum height, and when subject to only one times a person's weight, there should be no deflection. In addition, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,659, the device has an ideal apex height of 5.25% to 7.6% of the total foot length. A device built according to these dimensions and deflection capabilities results in an overly high arch height, and can cause severe discomfort, and possible injury, to a wearer. It is further disclosed that the absolute, non-weight bearing height of the device should be the same regardless of body weight and arch height. This is clearly wrong, since different wearers will have different comfort thresholds and arch heights.
In general, the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659 does not function as described. Users would find the device too hard to use successfully, and rather than stimulating a proprioceptive response, the device would cause pain and discomfort at each step. The pain engendered in the foot of a wearer would, in fact, cause the user to limit the pressure applied to the foot to avoid the discomfort, rather than exercising the foot by creating an imperceptible stimulation as is its stated goal.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807 and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,457, an arch rehabilitative catalyst stimulates the Golgi tendon organ, which in turn, stimulates the musculoskeletal structure of the foot to rehabilitate the foot structure. The catalyst is an asymmetrically domed structure having a said maximum height at it apex from 1% to 5% of the length of the foot. The catalyst does not provide a bracing function but instead, proprioceptive feedback. The plantar aspect of the catalyst has a receptacle for receiving an interchangeable insert. Many forms thereof, are disclosed. The catalyst is resiliently deformable to apply an upwardly directed pressure to stimulate the Golgi tendon organ, and deflects from between 40% and 100% of its maximum height in response to the vertical forces of a person standing at rest.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807, the plantar aspect of the device is also characterized by a substantially domed shaped catalyst with a receptacle with vertical walls for removeably accommodating a resilient member with corresponding vertical walls.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,457, the plantar aspect of the devise is also characterized by a substantially domed shaped catalyst with a cavity or receptacle for removeably accommodating an insert which acts between the catalyst and an underlying surface to control the resilient deformability of the catalyst; and that the cavity and insert have an engagement means for resisting separation of the insert from the insole and lateral shifting therebetween.
However, it has been found that the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,457 have a number of limitations that inhibit the devices' optimal positioning and the degree of stimulus provided to the plantar surface of the foot while the foot is interfacing with the ground, during the initial contact, support, and propulsion phases of the multidirectional bipedal activity gait cycles.
In general the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,659, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,807, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,457 incorporate dome shaped catalysts the positioning of which is fixed. This fixed positioning of the dome shaped catalysts restricts the stimulus to the center of the foot's arch apex to only those times when users of the devices are standing perfectly erect on perfectly horizontal terrain. In instances when the users are engaging in multidirectional bipedal activities during which their lower limbs are not perpendicular to the terrain whether the terrain is horizontal or not, users of the devices would experience stimulus to less than optimal locations around the periphery of the center of the arch apex as the foot moves about the dome shape. This less than optimal location of the stimulus to the sole of the foot results in a less than optimal proprioceptive reflex response and a less stable musculoskeletal arch system and ankle.
In addition, the devices disclosed do not allow for any degree of adjustability in the relative positioning of the dome shaped catalyst to accommodate users who have feet of identical length but have variances in foot type. For example one person could have a longer arch and shorter toes and another have a shorter arch and longer toes, yet both could have the same foot length. In another example one person could have a wide foot and another a narrow foot, yet both could have the same foot length as the aforementioned persons. Therefore, the devices disclosed would fail to provide stimulus at the optimal location for one of the individuals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA catalyst device configured to fit the profile of the human foot to promote dynamic proprioceptive stimulation of the mechanoreceptors and nocioreceptors in the skin of the sole of the foot at the anatomical apex of the foot's arch system. The anatomical apex of the foot's arch system being defined as the highest part of the mid-foot's boney structure when viewed from the mid-foot's medial to lateral aspect between the calcaneous (heel) and metatarsal heads (forefoot).
The catalyst device has an anchoring system for locating the catalyst device central to the foot's anatomical arch apex. The catalyst device may be a resilient ellipsoidal or spherically shaped biofeedback device that presents to the plantar aspect of the foot at a location found to be the anatomical apex of the foot's arch system.
The resilient ellipsoidal or spherically shaped biofeedback catalysts display physical properties as to dynamically stimulate the body's natural neuromuscular reflex mechanisms that effectively optimally align and stabilize the foot's musculoskeletal arch system and ankle. The plantar aspect of the ellipsoidal and spherically shaped biofeedback catalysts encourages the catalysts to dynamically roll and pivot about their plantar apexes as they mirror the foot's movement through multidimensional activities. This dynamic movement ensures that the ellipsoidal and spherically shaped biofeedback catalysts' dorsal aspect apexes always optimally align with anatomical apex of the foot's arch system regardless of the angle at which the foot contacts the ground.
The net result is a more structurally sound foot capable of optimally managing the forces generated during all bipedal activities with the most efficient use of muscular energy and the lowest degree of injury inducing stress. With regular use, the stimulated neuromuscular activity results in the foot's musculoskeletal structure becoming progressively stronger and less susceptible to injury. The catalyst device provides rehabilitative, preventive, and performance enhancing benefits.
The resilient ellipsoidal or spherical biofeedback catalysts display physical properties such that they do not provide functional bracing or support to the plantar aspect of the foot.
The catalyst device has the ability to receive and interchange the resilient ellipsoidal or spherical biofeedback catalyst components, as well as having the anchoring provision to ensure proper placement in a shoe or other foot shodding article of the catalysts relative to the user's anatomical arch apex.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated below with reference to the accompanying illustrations.
A dynamic arch stabilization and rehabilitative insole device is generally illustrated by reference 30 in the Figures. The insole device 30 consists of a flexible insole body having an outer portion 32 defining an upwardly extending dome 34 located central to the foot's anatomical arch apex. The dome 34 receives interchangeable substantially ellipsoidal and spherically shaped catalysts 40 for interfacing with the plantar aspect of a human foot.
The catalysts 40 have an apex 42 on the dorsal surface for aligning with a target area within the foot, the target area being defined by the anatomical arch apex.
The plantar aspect (bottom) 44 of the catalysts, in concert with the flexible insole body encourage the catalysts to dynamically roll and pivot about their plantar apexes as they mirror the foot's movement through multidimensional activities.
The catalysts 40 are resiliently deformable to apply an upwardly directed pressure to stimulate the nocioreceptors and mechanoreceptors in the skin of the sole of the foot in response to downward pressure on the catalyst 40 by the foot. The ellipsoidal or spherically shaped catalysts 40 provide resilient deformability to allow the catalyst 40 to deflect from between 10% and 100% of their maximum height in response to vertical forces of a person standing at rest being applied to the catalyst 40.
The catalysts' 40 resilient deformability may be selected so as to provide constant or variable resistance in response to vertical forces of a person standing at rest being applied to the catalyst. For example the catalyst may provide a constant or progressively increased or decreased compressive resistance relative to the degree of deformation.
The catalysts 40 may be of varied sizes and shapes relative to foot length, width and arch height.
The dorsal aspect (top) 43 of the catalysts 40 may have varied radii or apexes 42 at different locations relative to their horizontal midline to accommodate for a variety of foot types of the same foot length and ensure the optimal location of the stimulus provided.
The dorsal aspect 43 of the catalysts 40 may have varied radii or apexes at different locations relative to their frontal plane midline to accommodate for a variety of foot types of the same foot length and ensure the optimal location of the stimulus provided.
The plantar aspect 44 of the catalysts 40 may have varied radii or apexes at different locations relative to their horizontal midline such as for example shown in
The plantar aspect 44 of the catalysts 40 may have varied radii or apexes at different locations relative to their frontal plane midline to optimize the dynamic rolling and pivoting motion specific to requirements of different bipedal activities or pathologies.
The catalysts 40 resilient deformability may be achieved by a variety of mechanical spring-like mechanisms or the use of resiliently deformable materials or a combination thereof.
The catalysts 40 may be comprised of a variety of materials, densities, and resiliencies such as foams, rubbers, plastics, or other flexible materials. The catalysts may be comprised of one piece made from one material or comprised of a number of pieces made from different materials. Catalysts 40 comprised of a number of pieces may be preassembled as one unit or may be comprised of a number of interchangeable interlocking pieces that can be assembled by the user. The catalysts may be hollow and pressurized to varying degrees with gas, for example air or nitrogen.
The flexible insole body 30 may be comprised from a variety of materials such as foams, rubbers, and plastics as well as synthetic and natural fabrics. The insole body 30 may be comprised of one piece made from one material or may be comprised of a number of pieces made from different materials. Insole bodies made of a number of pieces may be preassembled as one unit or may be comprised of a number of interchangeable interlocking pieces that can be assembled by the user. The catalysts may also incorporate a mechanical spring (spiral or leaf) comprised of metal or a metal alloy.
The flexible insole body and catalysts 40 may have a variety of co-operating engagement means 50 for securing interchangable ellipsoidal and spherically shaped catalysts to the insole body. The co-operating engagement 50 means may include detent means for resisting separation of the ellipsoidal and spherically shaped catalysts 40 from the insole body 32 and may allow or restrict shifting therebetween.
In the
In the
The catalyst may be incorporated into the midsole of a shoe rather than the insole as illustrated in the remaining figures.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments and examples of the apparatus and process of the invention have been presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of the embodiments encompassed within the claims and/or their equivalents.
Claims
1. An insole and/or shoe midsole device comprising:
- a sole shaped body defining an upwardly extending dome in a midfoot section thereof;
- a biofeedback catalyst mountable in said dome so as to be moveable at least longitudinally relative to the outer portion
- said catalyst being positionable to cause said dome to engage an anatomical apex of the sole face of the arch of a wearer's foot;
- said catalyst having an ellipsoidal or spherical shape, being dimensioned and having a resiliency sufficient to promote dynamic proprioceptive stimulation of mechanical receptors and nocioreceptors in the skin of said sole at said apex; and,
- cooperating engagement means extending between said body and said catalyst for connecting said catalyst to said body to locate said catalyst in said dome while allowing said movement of said catalyst relative to said body.
2. The insole device of claim 1 wherein said cooperating engagement means comprises a positioning piece releasably mountable to a bottom of said body across said dome and releasable connecting means for releasably connecting said positioning piece to said catalyst.
3. The insole device of claim 1 wherein said cooperating engagement means comprises at least one positioning piece extending from and integral with said catalyst for releasable connection to said body.
4. The insole device of claim 1 further comprising varying means associated with said catalyst for varying at least one of said resiliency and height of said catalyst.
5. The insole device of claim 4 wherein said varying means is a lower part of said catalyst which is releasably connectable to an upper part of said catalyst.
6. The insole device of claim 5 wherein said insole device is incorporated in a midsole and said varying device acts between said catalyst and said midsole.
7. The insole device of claim 6 wherein said varying device is one of shims and a screw device.
8. The insole device of claim 1 wherein said dome is removable from said body for exchange of said catalyst and wherein said dome and said body are provided with interactive engagement means for releasably securing said dome to said body.
9. (canceled)
10. The insole device of claim 3 further comprising varying means associated with said catalyst for varying at least one of said resiliency and height of said catalyst.
11. The insole device of claim 10 wherein said varying means is a lower part of said catalyst which is releasably connectable to an upper part of said catalyst.
12. The insole device of claim 11 wherein said insole device is incorporated in a midsole and said varying device acts between said catalyst and said midsole.
13. The insole device of claim 12 wherein said varying device is one of shims and a screw device.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 9, 2012
Publication Date: Dec 5, 2013
Inventor: Roy Gardiner (Claremont)
Application Number: 13/984,652