Abstract: A shoe for use in training an infant to walk. The shoe includes an upper sized to receive an infant's foot and a sole that is attached to the upper. The sole extends a distance D1 beyond a front side of the upper adjacent to the toes of the infant's foot, with the distance D1 being from about 10% to about 30% of the length L of the infant's foot measured from heel to toe. Preferably, the sole also extends a distance D2 beyond a rear side of the upper adjacent to the heel of the infant's foot, with the distance D2 being from about 5% to about 15% of the length L. The present invention also provides a method of training an infant to walk. The method includes fitting a shoe according to the invention on each foot of the infant, encouraging the infant to walk while wearing the shoes, and removing a portion of the sole so as to proportionally decrease the extent to which the sole extends beyond the upper as the infant learns to walk.

Abstract: A shoe for use in training an infant to walk. The shoe includes an upper sized to receive an infant's foot and a sole that is attached to the upper. The sole extends a distance D1 beyond a front side of the upper adjacent to the toes of the infant's foot, with the distance D1 being from about 10% to about 30% of the length L of the infant's foot measured from heel to toe. Preferably, the sole also extends a distance D2 beyond a rear side of the upper adjacent to the heel of the infant's foot, with the distance D2 being from about 5% to about 15% of the length L. The present invention also provides a method of training an infant to walk. The method according to the present invention includes fitting a shoe according to the invention on each foot of the infant, encouraging the infant to walk while wearing the shoes, and removing a portion of the sole so as to proportionally decrease the extent to which the sole extends beyond the upper as the infant learns to walk.

Abstract: An orientation system for use with footwear. The orientation system comprises a first attachment member located on and substantially flush with the left side of the right shoe and a second attachment member located on and substantially flush with the right side of the left shoe. The first and second attachment members can be adhesively connected with the shoes or constructed integral with the shoes. When pressed together, the first attachment member engages the second attachment member and connect the left shoe and right shoe together in a proper orientation. The system allows a child to properly orient her shoes to allow her to put each shoe on its proper foot without adult supervision.

Abstract: Biological agents such as secretory cells are encapsulated in a hydrophilic gel made of agarose or collagen-agarose and gelatin sponge-agarose combinations. In a preferred embodiment, semi-solid beads are formed from a suspension containing collagen, agarose and secretory cells such as pancreatic islets, the collagen is polymerized to form solid, agarose-collagen beads and the solid beads are coated with agarose. Coating is preferably by rolling the solid beads in about 5-10% agarose, contacting the rolled beads with mineral oil and washing oil from the beads. Beads containing secretory cells can be transplanted into a mammal to treat a condition caused by impaired secretory cell function.