Abstract:
A shoe insole ( 111 ) for diabetics is provided with a sole base body ( 136 ), a sole covering layer ( 137 ) and with a number of cushion-like layers ( 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 ) distributed over the surface of the sole. The cushion-like layers consist of at least one first cushion-like layer ( 112 ) in the forefoot joint area, a second cushion-like layer ( 113 ) in the midfoot/tarsus transition area, and of a third cushion-like layer ( 114 ) in the midfoot/heal transition area. These cushion-like layers serving to assist venous blood draining are each subdivided into individual plateau-like areas ( 118  to  127 ) that are adjacent in the transversal direction of the sole surface ( 117 ) while being separated from one another. The top side of the cushion-like layers also covered by the sole covering layer ( 137 ) is raised relative to the level of the top side of the sole base body ( 136 ). The aim of the invention is to provide a shoe insole of the aforementioned type that, while providing a lasting assistance of arterial inflow into the foot or foot sole area, has a continuing positive influence on the foot or foot sole areas endangered by a diabetic metabolic condition. To this end, at least one indentation ( 161, 162 ) is provided between the first cushion-like layer ( 112 ) in the forefoot joint area and the second cushion-like layer ( 113 ) in the midfoot/tarsus transition area. Said indentation serves to relieve the pressure on the midfoot bone capitulum(s) and emanates from the top side of the sole base body ( 136 ).

Description:
This application is a 371 of PCT/EP03/03705 filed on Apr. 10, 2003. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a shoe insole, embodied as a foot pad. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     On average, one out of every five persons between the ages of 20 and 70 requires treatment for some venous problem, and even one out of three experiences pathological venous changes that although not yet requiring invasive treatment nevertheless cause problems and can require treatment later on. This is due in general to an often hereditary weakness in connective tissue that causes slackening of the walls of the veins, leading to an inadequate capability of the valves in the veins to close. The result is a reduction in the venous return flow from the legs into the trunk. A shoe insole for such persons is known from European Patent Disclosure EP 0 971 606 B1. By synergistically reinforcing muscular contraction during motion of the ankle joints, such shoe insoles considerably improve the venous return from the foot through the legs into the trunk. Because the cushion-like or cushion layers are not raised in solitary fashion but instead are placed in plateau-like or plateau form in certain areas of the foot and are subdivided in a targeted way into separate fields, suitable abutment areas are created that positively affects contraction of the musculature in the foot. Not only when the foot is in motion, but also to a large extent while the person is standing, these discrete abutment points press mechanically and homogeneously on the venous and lymphatic vascular system because of the inducement and stimulation of muscular contraction, leading to the aforementioned increase in venous return from the legs toward the trunk. This characteristic reinforcing motion promotes the activity of the so-called muscular pump of the foot and calf. 
     Moreover, in Germany, there are about 5,000,000 diabetic, in whom what is called a “diabetic foot” can occur in a more or less severe form. This means ulcerated wounds on the sole of the forefoot, which can become infected and not infrequently lead to the necessity of amputation of the foot (approximately 25,000 instances per year in Germany). The causes of the diabetic foot are found in the fact that because of the diabetic metabolism situation in the arterial vascular system, constrictions and sometimes closure of major arteries (macroangiopathy) and smaller arteries and capillaries (microangiopathy) occur. As a result, the tissue and in particular the skin is no longer adequately supplied with oxygen and partly breaks down (forming an ulcerated place). Because of the reduced function particularly of the arterial capillaries, the nerves of the skin are no longer adequately nourished, and diabetic polyneuropathy occurs. This means that sensitivity and hence the perception of pain decrease markedly in the patient in the area of skin that is no longer adequately nourished, and hence anatomically dictated pressure points are no longer felt, and the skin can be damaged “painlessly” as a result, leading to an ulcerated place in the skin in this area. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is therefore to create a shoe insole of the type defined at the outset which is suitable for diabetics, or in other words while constantly reinforcing the arterial inflow into the region of the foot, or the sole of the foot, also provides more-extensive positive influence on the areas of the foot and sole that are threatened by the diabetic metabolism situation. 
     For attaining this object, a shoe insole that provides at least one depression between the first cushion-like layer in the forefoot joint area and the second cushion-like layer in the midfoot/tarsus transition area, for relieving the pressure on the head or heads of the metatarsal bone or bones and originating at the top side of the sole base body. 
     Although the desired starting points for reinforcing arterial inflow on the one hand and the points threatened by the diabetic metabolism on the other initially appear contrary, it is achieved by the provisions of the invention that while the arterial inflow remains improved in a constant way, the points of the foot or sole that are known to be at risk can be relieved in such a way that these threatened points do not become ulcerated, and even such places that are already ulcerated place heal over again within an acceptable length of time. In the first case, pressure points that cause ulceration of those places do not even arise, while in the second case, because of the pressure relief of the anatomically threatened places, these places can heal again; in both cases, the improvement in arterial inflow and hence in capillary circulation also makes a contribution. This pressure relief is due to the fact that because of the depressions, the heads of the metatarsal bones do not rest on the top side of the surface of a sole but instead in a sense float freely. As noted, the discrete abutment area continues to be preserved for improving the speed of venous return; that is, relief of the peripheral veins and venous capillaries occurs, which enhances the arterial inflow of blood and thus means an improvement in circulation and in the supply of oxygen to the tissue. Because of the improved capillary-arterial circulation, there is an improved supply to the sensitive nerves of the skin areas; the sensitivity and hence the perception of pain in the skin areas affected is improved, thus reducing the risk that these skin areas will become ulcerated. All these factors aid in preventing diabetic foot from occurring, and if a diabetic foot exists, they aid in healing it without amputation. 
     With, a depression provided for the second head of the metatarsal bone, and/or one depression for the third head of the metatarsal bone, it is attained that particularly those areas that are primarily threatened anatomically are relieved. An advantageous disposition of the depressions relative to the cushion-like layer or layers characterized in that the depression for the respective head of the metatarsal bone is located approximately in alignment with the respectively associated plateau-like area of the first cushion-like layer. 
     An especially advantageous embodiment results from further reinforcement of the so-called floating state of the anatomically threatened places, and thus further pressure relief of them, are attained. 
     To further reinforce circulation, in the region of the heel, a fourth cushion-like layer is provided, which is plateau-like and preferably homogeneously oval in the transversal position of the sole, and/or in the region of the plantar arch, a fifth cushion-like layer is provided of crescent-like shape, with the cushion-like layers formed by a soft foam. 
     Further details of the invention can be learned from the ensuing description, in which the invention is described and explained in further detail in terms of the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. Shown are: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 , a plan view on a shoe insole in a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2 , in an enlarged view, a section taken along the line II-II in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3 , in an enlarged view, a section taken along the line III-III in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4 , a plan view on a shoe insole in a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5 , a section taken along the line V-V in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6 , an inside view in the direction of the arrow VI in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The shoe insole  11  and  111  shown in the drawings and embodied for instance as a pad for a foot, in two exemplary embodiments of the present invention, serves in combination both to synergistically support the musculature when the ankle joints are in motion, to improve arterial inflow into the region of the foot and the sole, and thus to promote circulation in the capillaries, and to mechanically relieve problem areas on the soles of the feet that are due to (poor) diabetic metabolism. It may be embodied as either a separately inserted insole, or as a sole that is integrated with a shoe. 
     As can be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the insole  11  and  111  has a plurality of cushion-like layers  12  through  16  and  112  through  116 , respectively, provided over the surface  17  and  117  of the sole, of which the cushion-like layers  12 ,  112 ,  13 ,  113 , and  14 ,  114  are subdivided into individual plateau-like areas  18  through  22 ,  118  through  122 ;  23  though  25 ,  123  through  125 ; and  26 ,  27  and  126 ,  127 , which are all separate from each other. 
     The first cushion-like layer  12 ,  112  is provided in the forefoot joint area, that is, in the region of the toes. This first cushion-like layer  12 ,  112  is subdivided into the five areas  18  through  22 ,  118  through  122  that are separate from one another and are disposed adjacent one another in the transversal direction of the insole  11 ,  111 . The individual areas  18  through  22 ,  118  through  122  are of different widths and lengths, correspondingly approximately to the outline of the portions of the individual toes. The same is correspondingly true for the shape of the front and rear boundary line  28 ,  128  and  29 ,  129 , respectively, of this first cushion-like layer  12 ,  112 . The second cushion-like layer  13 ,  113  is provided in the transition area of the midfoot and tarsus and in an area that is remote from the plantar arch. This second cushion-like layer  13 ,  113  is subdivided into three fields  23  through  25 ,  123  through  125 , which are shaped to match this portion of the midfoot/tarsus and are subdivided adjacent one another in the transversal direction of the insole  11 ,  111 . The same is correspondingly true for the shape of the circumferential boundary line  31 ,  131  of this second cushion-like layer  13 ,  113 . The third cushion-like layer  14 ,  114  is provided in a transition area of the midfoot and heel and is subdivided into the two fields  26 ,  126  and  27 ,  127  located adjacent one another in terms of the transversal direction of the insole and laterally on the outer side. Once again, the circumferential boundary line  32 ,  132  approximately matches the transition area from the midfoot to the heel. 
     The fourth cushion-like layer  15  and  115  is disposed in the region of the heel and is embodied in plateau-like form as a unitary, non-subdivided layer that is approximately oval in the transversal and longitudinal directions of the insole  11 ,  111 . The fifth cushion-like layer  16 ,  116  is also embodied as a unitary, non-subdivided layer, but is provided approximately in a crescent shape in the region of the plantar arch. 
     The cushion-like layers  12  through  16 ,  112  through  116  are made from an elastic (foam) material, such as a silicone. They have a flat upper surface and are approximately rectangular, and advantageously slightly trapezoidal, in cross section. 
     Moreover, between the first cushion-like layer  12 ,  112  in the forefoot joint area and the second cushion-like layer  13 ,  113  in the midfoot/tarsus transition area, one or more depressions  61 ,  62  and  161 ,  162  are provided, serving to relieve pressure on the head or heads of the metatarsal bone or bones. In the exemplary embodiments, the depressions  61 ,  62  and  161 ,  162  are disposed in the region of the second and third heads of the metatarsal bones, respectively; it is understood that they may instead be disposed in a different number in combination in the area of the first, second, third, and/or fourth head of the metatarsal bone. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the insole  11  has what in this case is a three-layered sole base body  36 , which forms the basic shape of the insole  11  and is embodied to fit a foot, in this case the right foot, in  FIG. 1 . It is understood that the corresponding other insole  11 , that is, the left one, is mirror-symmetrical to it. The sole base body  36  for instance comprises three layers of cork  33 ,  34 ,  35 . A sole covering layer  37  is provided on the sole base body  36  and is for instance of leather. Between the sole base body  36  and the sole covering layer  37 , the cushion-like layers  12  through  16  are disposed in such a way that they are let into the sole base body  36 . To that end, the sole base body  36 , in its upper and middle layers  33 ,  34 , is provided with corresponding indentations  38 , which have a different outline, corresponding to the fields  18  through  27  of the cushion-like layers  12  through  14  and on the cushion-like layers  15 ,  16 . The indentations  38  are made so deep into the sole base body  36  that the flat top side of the plateau-like cushion-like layers  12  through  15  are each located in approximately the same plane or in other words are coplanar with the surface of the sole base body  36 . The cushion-like layer  16  is an exception. In this exemplary embodiment, the indentations  38  extend as far as the top side of the lower layer  35 . The cushion-like layers  12  through  15  are each approximately the same height, which is in a range of between 2 and 5 mm, preferably approximately 3 mm. The upper material, that is, the sole covering layer  37 , covers the cushion-like layers  12  through  16  such that they, or their fields  18  through  27 , are surrounded by indented edges and are solidly joined, preferably glued, to the middle layer  34  of the sole base body  36 , so that besides the boundary lines  28 ,  29  and  31 ,  32 , intermediate boundary lines  41  through  47  are also created that extend approximately perpendicular to the transversal direction of the insole  11 . In other words, the indentations  38  are embodied to correspond to the total outline of the cushion-like layers  12  through  15 . 
     In a manner not shown, it is possible for a cushion-like elastic intermediate layer to be provided over the full surface over the sole base body, between the sole base body and the sole covering layer. The intermediate layer is made from the same elastic material as the cushion-like layers  12  through  16  and is solidly joined, preferably glued, to the full surface of one of the layers of the sole base body that have no indentations. The cushion-like intermediate layer may have an approximately uniform thickness in the range from 2 to 3 mm over the entire outline, resulting in a continuous flat cushion which is considerably more elastic than the layers of the sole base body  36 , and which may be placed over the entire surface only between the lower layer and the middle layer. The intermediate layer between the middle layer  34  and the upper layer  33  may instead have a varying thickness, so that the upper layer is provided with indentations and the cushion-like intermediate layer is provided with indentations corresponding to the indentations  38 , for receiving the cushion-like layers  12  through  16 , over which in turn the top material or the sole covering layer extends in the same way as the sole covering layer  37  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     The two depressions  61  and  62 , which in use are located under the second and third heads of the metatarsal bones, respectively, begin at the top side of the sole covering layer  37 . The depth of the depressions  61 ,  62  is essentially approximately equivalent to the thickness of the two cork layers  33  and  34  or of the intermediate layer, so that they extend as far as the bottom of the sole base body  36 . The base of the depressions  61 ,  62  is formed by the sole covering layer  37 . The two depressions  61  and  62 , located adjacent one another in the transversal direction of the shoe insole  11 , are in alignment, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shoe insole  11 , with the field  19  and the field  20 , respectively, of the first cushion-like layer  12 . The two depressions  61  and  62  are located essentially approximately in the middle between the first cushion-like layer  12  and the second cushion-like layer  13 . 
     In the second exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 4 through 6 , the insole  111  has a two-layered sole base body  136 , which forms the basic shape of the insole  111  and is embodied as shown in  FIG. 4  to fit a foot, in this case the left foot. It is understood here as well that the correspondingly other insole, that is, the right one, is embodied mirror-symmetrically. The sole base body  136  is constructed of layers  133 ,  135 , for instance two in number, of cork or elastic plastic, over which a sole covering layer  137  of leather is provided. 
     Between the sole base body  136  and the sole covering layer  137 , the cushion-like layers  112  through  115  are disposed in such a way that they are let into the layer  133  of the sole base body  136 . To that end, the sole base body  136  is provided with corresponding indentations  138 , which have different outlines to suit the fields  118  through  127  of the cushion-like layers  112  through  114  and to suit the cushion-like layer  115 . For instance, the sole base body  136  has a maximum thickness in the range from 3.5 to 4 mm, preferably 3.7 mm, and a minimum thickness in the region of its indentations  138  of between about 1 mm and 1.5 mm, and preferably 1.3 mm. The sole base body  136 , which for instance is multi-layered, may be covered with a fine textile overlay over the entire surface of its top. In a manner not shown, instead or in addition, the underside of the sole base body  136  may be covered over its full surface with a fine textile overlay of this kind. The sole base body  136  and its layers as applicable are made from cork scrap, compressed with a binder, or a plastic form, or natural latex. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the top side of the upper layer  133  of the sole base body  136  is furthermore covered over its entire surface with a thin elastic intermediate layer  151 , shown only in the form of a thicker line. The intermediate layer  151  thus covers the full surface, including the indentations  138 , of the sole base body  136 , so that indentations  152  corresponding to the indentations  138  are preserved in the intermediate layer  151 . The intermediate layer  151  has a constant thickness, for instance of about 3 mm. Preferably, like the cushion-like layers  112  through  116 , the intermediate layer  151  is made from a foam, such as foamed natural latex. 
     The cushion-like layers  112  through  115 , which are for instance of the aforementioned foamed natural latex and have a thickness in the range between 4 and 5 mm and preferably 4.5 mm, for instance, are placed in the indentations  152  in the intermediate layer  151 . By comparison, the cushion-like layer  116  for the plantar arch is disposed not in a indentation but directly on the intermediate layer  151 , which in this region is flat or in other words is not provided with any indentation. At its thickest point, this cushion-like layer  116  is likewise approximately 4 to 5 mm thick, and preferably 4.5 mm thick, and it decreases steadily in thickness toward the inside of the sole  111 . The flat top sides  156  of the plateau-like cushion-like layers  112  through  115  are thus raised by 1.5 to 2.5 mm, and preferably by about 2 mm, relative to the top side  157  of the intermediate layer  151 . The top material, that is, the sole covering layer  137 , covers the cushion-like layer  116  and also covers the cushion-like layers  112  through  115 , in such a way that the latter layers, or their fields  118  through  127 , are surrounded by indented edges and are solidly joined, preferably glued, to the intermediate layer  151 , so that besides the boundary lines  128 ,  129  and  131 ,  132 , intermediate boundary lines or regions  141  through  147  are also created that extend approximately perpendicular to the transversal direction of the insole  111 . 
     Moreover, in the second cushion-like layer  113 , the inner field  123  is drawn forward in a curve relative to the outer field  125  and the middle field  124 . This region  163  that is drawn forward in a curve lengthens and widens the front surface of the field  123 . As can be seen from  FIG. 5 , this region  163  drawn forward in a curve is not flat like the other surface regions of the cushion-like layer  113  but instead is arched upward as a dome, or in other words raised still further relative to the raised top side of the sole covering layer  137 . This arch or dome  163  raises the level of the field  123  in this region compared to the fields  124  and  125  by approximately 2 mm and thus even more relative to the depressions  161  and  162 . 
     In this exemplary embodiment as well, the depressions  161  and  162  are in longitudinally oriented alignment with the second and third fields  119  and  120 , respectively, of the first cushion-like layer  112 . Moreover, in this region they are located between the first cushion-like layer  112  and the second cushion-like layer  113 , specifically essentially in the middle between them. Moreover, the location of the region that is drawn forward in a curve or in other words arched is such that its dome  163 , in the longitudinally oriented direction of the shoe insole  11 , is approximately in alignment with the transition area from one depression  161  to the other depression  162 . In this way, this arched region  163  of the field  123 , because of the additional elevation relative to the base of the depression  161 ,  162 , brings about a further increase in the pressure relief of the two heads of the metatarsal bones affected. Also in this exemplary embodiment, the base of the depressions  161 ,  162  is located near the bottom of the sole base body  136 , and the circular outline corresponds approximately to the anatomical outline of the head of the metatarsal bone in question. The outline of the dome  163  may be larger than the diameter of the depression  161 ,  162 . In an embodiment not shown, adjacent, discrete circular depressions, such as  61  and  62  or  161  and  162 , are united to form a single depression that is oval in plan view.