Abstract:
A foot orthosis provides for a plurality of fluid or air-filled support pads or bladders attached to or incorporated within an insole in an arrangement to provide support for the foot at various points along the bottom of the foot. It also provides means for adjusting the amount of cushioning effect in each of the bladders, by inflation and deflation as desired or required. The foot orthosis can be used with a wide variety of footwear and can be used by a wide variety of patients for a wide variety of foot conditions. The present invention is also easily and readily adjustable so that it can be fitted by a foot specialist, by a store clerk or by the patient required to use them.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the human foot, to footwear intended to be worn over the human foot, and to orthoses, or orthopedic appliances or devices, interposed between the foot and the footwear for aiding in foot support, for promoting foot comfort and health, or for correcting and preventing foot deformities. More particularly, it relates to a variably inflatable orthosis intended for placement within a wide variety of articles of footwear to provide added comfort or pain relief to the feet of a wide variety of users.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    People today generally are forced to walk and run on unnatural, flat surfaces in footgear that is largely manufactured to accommodate the “average foot.” Obviously, the “average foot” exists only in the manufacturer&#39;s mind and most everyone suffers to some degree from poorly fitting shoes either because the footgear wasn&#39;t designed with comfort in mind or because people&#39;s feet simply aren&#39;t perfect. Fashionable footgear often sacrifices comfort by designers who clearly value the outward beauty of a particular shoe over the level of comfort it provides. Other persons experience the pain of ill-fitting shoes because they were born with, or have over time developed, some sort of foot deformity to one degree or another. Some people may actually sustain injury from years of walking and exercising over the concrete and other artificial surfaces wearing ill-fitting footwear. For example, problems of the heel bone, or calcaneus, are very prominent among the problems faced by walkers and joggers. Ill fitting shoes, being overweight, biomechanical problems, gout, pronation, vascular problems, diabetes and arthritis can all bring on or worsen foot and heel problems.  
           [0003]    Pain in the midfoot and forefoot, in the area of the sesamoid, the metatarsal and the cuneiform bones, is one such common area of complaint. Heel pain, however, is the single most common foot complaint expressed to doctors in this country. Heel spurs and plantar fascitis are particularly common ailments of those who exercise. Frequently people afflicted with these conditions liken their first step of the morning to stepping down onto a needle. Along with treatment of the underlying problem, i.e. surgical intervention, orthoses are the first line of treatment for many of these problems.  
           [0004]    Podiatrists frequently prescribe rigid and semi-rigid orthotic devices to treat many kinds of foot and heel pain. In general, to build an orthosis, the patient&#39;s foot is cast using a plaster material. An orthosis is then constructed to fit the contours of the foot, to correct any deformities or biomechanical problems the patient might have, and to improve the function of the movable parts of the foot. Because each orthotic device is, in effect, custom manufactured, fitting them is a lengthy and costly process requiring highly trained individuals and a manufacturer able to produce the various sizes and shapes of orthotic devices required by different individuals. Drawbacks to customized orthotic devices are obvious and generally include high cost and production time.  
           [0005]    Alternatives to custom orthoses include “off-the-shelf” arch supports as well as placing premolded materials within the footgear. In the inventor&#39;s experience, these types of orthotic devices generally offer additional padding and cushioning but provide little benefit in terms of long-term pain relief or rehabilitative effect. Moreover, the problems faced by the patient typically do not have a “one-size-fits-all” solution.  
           [0006]    Perhaps most importantly, these and other methods known to this inventor are based on the general belief that foot pain or discomfort can be alleviated through the use of increased cushioning and padding that is situated directly underneath the weight bearing areas of the foot that are symptomatic. Unfortunately, this thinking tends to create more pain to the already inflamed or tender part of the foot. What is needed is a device for shifting an individual&#39;s weight off of the extremely sensitive area of the foot to other less sensitive load-bearing areas of the foot. In this respect, the device of the present invention substantially departs from the concepts and designs of the prior art.  
           [0007]    The foot orthosis of the present invention overcomes the limitations of prior devices and is of a novel and unique design. As described above, and in the experience of the inventor, orthotic devices and orthoses frequently have a common failing. In general, previous orthotic devices and orthoses have been designed in an attempt to pad or cushion an inflamed and tender, or injured, area of the patient&#39;s foot. In the inventor&#39;s experience, most inflammations and injuries require a device that actually redistributes weight such that the inflamed or injured area is permitted to heal without bearing much, if any, of a person&#39;s weight. In the inventor&#39;s view, there is a long felt need for a device that effectively handles the weight of a patient and redistributes a person&#39;s bodyweight such that the inflamed area or injury is permitted to heal. On a more permanent basis, there is also a need for such a device that accomplishes foot comfort and realignment for deformities while improving the function of the movable parts of the foot. There is also a need to provide such a device that can be readily adjustable so as to be usable by a number of patients or by a single patient under a variety of different conditions.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is a first object of the present invention to provide a new and unique foot orthosis that is usable and adaptable for a wide range of people with varying problems. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel foot orthosis that can be easily manufactured and marketed. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an orthosis that is constructed of a durable and reliable design. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a foot orthosis having a plurality of chambers defined within it, each of said chambers being individually inflatable. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a foot orthosis where each chamber defined within it can be inflated, partially or completely, using air, fluid or some other moldable or pliable material. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a foot orthosis where each chamber can also be easily and readily deflated, completely or partially, as such is desired or required. A further object of the present invention is to provide such a foot orthosis that is quickly and easily adjustable by the patient or by a foot specialist fitting the device to a patient.  
           [0009]    The device of the present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for a new and unique arrangement of fluid or air-filled support pads or bladders attached to or incorporated within an insole in an arrangement to provide support for the foot at various points along the bottom of the foot. It also provides for such a device that relieves pressure from inflamed or injured portions of the foot. The present invention provides a means for adjusting the amount of cushioning effect in each of the bladders, by inflation and deflation as desired or required. The present invention also provides a foot orthosis that can be used with a wide variety of footwear and that can be used by a wide variety of patients. The present invention is also easily and readily adjustable so that it can be fitted by a foot specialist, by a store clerk or by the patient required to use them. These, along with other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent throughout the detailed description that follows. Further objects and advantages will become apparent through use of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a foot orthosis that is constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the foot orthosis illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a rear elevational and partially sectioned view of the foot orthosis taken along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 2 and showing a user&#39;s heel as it would rest upon one of the inflatable bladders or pads of the device.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is another rear elevational and sectioned view of the foot orthosis taken along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 2 and showing the varying heights of the pads of the device.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is yet another rear elevational and sectioned view of the foot orthosis taken along line  5 - 5  of FIG. 2 and showing the varying heights of the pads, comparing and contrasting them with those shown in FIG. 4. In comparing the two views it is to be noted that amount of material in the pads can be varied depending on the requirements of the patient.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    The following detailed description is intended to describe the preferred embodiments that are depicted in the figures. It is to be understood that changes could be made to that which is specifically described and shown that would still fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0016]    Some basic foot architecture is required to explain and understand the device of the present invention more fully. The forefoot is the front part of the foot that bears weight and incorporates the metatarsal bones and the cuneiform bones. The longitudinal arch, or the arcus pedis longitudinalis, is the area between the forefoot and the heel, or calcaneus, to the inside of the leg. The heel is the load bearing area at the back of the foot.  
         [0017]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elements refer to like elements throughout, FIG. 1 is an illustration showing the basic components of the device of the present invention. In summary, the device of the present invention comprises a pliable insole, generally identified  10 , and generally in the shape of a left-sided human foot, such insole  10  having a top planar surface  11  and a bottom planar surface  13 . See FIG. 2. When used as intended, the top planar surface  11  of the insole  10  lies adjacent the user&#39;s foot whereas the bottom planar surface  13  overlays the inside bottom of the footwear with which the insole  10  is used. The area of the insole  10  is defined by an outer perimeter or edge  15 , including an inside edge  17  and an outside edge  19 . The insole  10  also includes a forward insole portion  12 , a central insole portion  14 , a central instep portion  16 , and a heel portion  18 . The insole  10  further includes a metatarsal arch pad  20 , a longitudinal arch pad  30  and a heel pad  40 , although other pads could be employed to solve individual patient&#39;s problems. The pliable insole  10  is shown to be of a given thickness for explanation purposes only. It is to be understood, however, that the insole  10  itself could be a very thin, single layer piece of plastic material to which the pads  20 ,  30 ,  40  are attached. The pads  20 ,  30 ,  40  could also be integrally formed with the thin plastic material. The insole  10  could also be fabricated as a thicker layer of pliable material into which the pads  20 ,  30 ,  40  are incorporated. It is also to be understood that the pads  20 ,  30 ,  40  are each individually inflatable and deflatable. For purposes of discussion, but not in limitation of the device of the present invention, it will be assumed that each pad  20 ,  30 ,  40  is in the form of a walled chamber that is inflated with air.  
         [0018]    The pliable insole  10  of the present invention is designed for optimal conditioning and support. As alluded to earlier, the insole  10  is formed generally in the shape of the mythical “average foot.” This average foot fits into most footwear, different only by size. The plurality of differently sized and shaped pads  20 ,  30 ,  40 , or air pockets, are then used to provide a custom fit for an individual&#39;s foot. They are also used to provide varying degrees of inflation as such is desired or required.  
         [0019]    In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of air pockets  20 ,  30 ,  40  are integrally formed with the insole  10  such that the entire molding is just one piece. In this case the insole  10  must provide adequate cushioning in areas without air pockets  20 ,  30 ,  40 . Some acceptable materials could include soft, flexible plastics and foam rubber, although a multitude of other possibilities exist. The device of the present invention could even be used with a rigid or semi-rigid orthotic to treat a patient&#39;s condition.  
         [0020]    In general, one pad  20  should be situated immediately behind the metatarsals. The metatarsals are the long, thin bones of the foot between the tarsus and the phalanges, or toe bones. In the pictured embodiment, the metatarsal arch pad  20  located towards the central portion  14  of the insole  10  provides support under the forward portion of the patient&#39;s arch thus spreading the person&#39;s weight over a larger area of the forefoot and removing direct pressure on the metatarsals. The metatarsal arch pad  20  can be formed integrally with the insole  10  or as an attachment to the insole  10 . In either case, the metatarsal arch pad  20  includes a lower pad membrane  22  and an upper pad membrane  24 . The edges  26  of the upper and lower pad membranes  22 ,  24  are sealingly engaged to provide an air-tight pocket. The upper pad membrane  24  includes a two-way valve  28  that permits inflation and deflation of the metatarsal arch pad  20  with air. See FIG. 5. The valve  28  may also be used to introduce or remove other liquids and gases. In fact, other liquids, such as gels may be preferable for heavier patients.  
         [0021]    The insole  10  of the present invention also provides for a longitudinal arch pad  30 . The longitudinal arch pad  30  generally covers the entire area of a person&#39;s arch and is situated at the instep portion  16  of the insole  10 . The pictured embodiment is typical of the inventor&#39;s vision for the arch pad  30  and includes a lower pad membrane  32 , an upper pad membrane  34 , the upper and lower pad membranes  34 ,  34  being sealingly engaged about their perimeter  36 , and a two-way valve  38 . The arch pad  30  can obviously be produced in different sizes and shapes to accommodate different needs. The arch pad  30  also features the valve  38  that permits inflation and deflation of the pad  30  with air. See FIG. 4. The arch pad  30 , like the other pads, can also be used to hold other gases and liquids to provide differing levels of support.  
         [0022]    The device of the present invention also provides a heel pad  40  that is located at the heel portion  18  of the insole  10 . The heel pad  40  of the present invention is a more involved structure than that of the other pads  20 ,  30  for the reason that it is designed to redistribute an individual&#39;s weight away from the center area of the heel  50 , which is normally the load bearing area, to the perimeter of the heel  52 . See FIG. 3. In the experience of this inventor, the center area of the heel  50  is an area likely to be affected by heel spurs and plantar fascitis, which, either separately, or in combination can make walking extremely painful.  
         [0023]    The heel pad  40  includes arm portions  41 ,  42  and a central arcuate ring portion  43  much in the shape of a horseshoe, the idea being that the heel pad  40  support the perimeter  52  of the heel  50 . It is important to provide a heel pad  40  that is stiff enough to support the heel  50  without permitting the center of the heel  50  to drop substantially below the arms  41 ,  42  and the arcuate ring  43  of the heel pad  40  thereby exposing the heel  50  to substantial weight bearing. The heel pad  40  also includes an upper pad membrane  44 , a lower pad membrane  45 , the upper and lower pad membranes  44 ,  45  being sealingly engaged about their perimeters  46 , and a two-way valve  48 .  
         [0024]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is pictured in FIGS. 1 through 5. In application of this preferred embodiment, one can see that the metatarsal arch pad  20  is generally in the shape of a rounded triangle with a first rounded corner  21  between the arch and the forefoot on the inside of the foot, a second rounded corner  23  between the forefoot and the tarsus and a third rounded corner  25  toward the heel and between the first corner  21  and the second corner  23 . As can be seen in FIG. 2, the metatarsal arch pad  20  can be infinitely adjustable by varying the amount of air within the air bladder  20 .  
         [0025]    In the preferred embodiment, the longitudinal arch pad  30  stretches along the instep portion  16  of the insole  10  and makes a semicircular curve outwardly underneath the arch area of the foot. The height of the arch pad  30  can also be adjusted by varying the amount of air within the air bladder  30 . The preferred embodiment of the heel pad  40  is shaped generally like a horseshoe, although other shapes could accomplish the same purpose. The fit of the heel pad  40  is very important. Generally, the bladder of the heel pad  40  must be stiffer and stronger than the other bladders due to the weight of the person being directly on top of it. Fit is important because the object of the invention is to provide a pad that prohibits the painful, center area  52  of the heel  50  from bearing weight. It is therefore important to make sure that the arms  41 ,  42  of the horseshoe are not so wide that the person&#39;s heel  50  falls between the arms  41 ,  42  and the central ring  43  of the horseshoe and contacts the insole  10 . An alternative embodiment that could be considered to replace the heel pad  40  as shown would involve a plurality of heel pad segments (not shown), each segment being used to support one area of the perimeter  52  of a person&#39;s heel  50 .  
         [0026]    Obviously, the pads or air bladders  20 ,  30 ,  40  utilized in the device of the present invention can take on many different sizes and the inventor does not intend to place any limitation on his invention regarding the specific size and shape of any of the air bladders. The above-described shapes and sizes are merely intended to illustrate and not to limit the present invention.  
         [0027]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. It is to be understood that the above-described invention is not limited to the precise details of the structure shown and set forth in this specification or their obvious variants. Based on the foregoing, it will be obvious that there has been provided a new and unique foot orthosis that is usable and adaptable for a wide range of people with varying problems; that can be easily manufactured and marketed; that is constructed of a durable and reliable design; that has a plurality of chambers defined within it, each of said chambers being individually inflatable; where each chamber defined within it can be inflated, partially or completely, using air, fluid or some other moldable or pliable material; where each chamber can also be easily and readily deflated, completely or partially, as such is desired or required; and that is quickly and easily adjustable by the patient or by a foot specialist fitting the device to a patient.