Abstract:
A metatarsal pain relief gel strip can be used to treat and/or prevent Morton&#39;s neuroma and possibly other forefoot conditions. The pain relief gel strip can include an arched or protruding gel structure that is secured within an adhesive material to allow the gel structure to be maintained on the underside of the foot between adjacent toes. Due to the arched shaped of the gel structure, when the wearer places weight on the foot, the gel structure will apply a separating force on the toes thereby relieving pressure on the nerve that runs between the toes. In this way, the pain relief gel strip can minimize the likelihood of developing Morton&#39;s neuroma, minimize pain and discomfort when Morton&#39;s neuroma has already occurred, or assist in minimizing the swelling and inflammation of the nerve.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    N/A 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that may develop in various parts of the body. The most common neuroma in the foot is Morton&#39;s neuroma, which most commonly occurs between the third and fourth toes. It is sometimes referred to as an intermetatarsal neuroma. “Intermetatarsal” describes its location in the ball of the foot between the metatarsal bones. Neuromas may also occur in other locations in the foot. The thickening, or enlargement, of the nerve that defines a neuroma is the result of compression and irritation of the nerve. This compression creates enlargement of the nerve, eventually leading to permanent nerve damage. 
         [0003]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a foot  100  when the nerve  101  between the third and fourth toes is in a normal, non-inflamed condition. In contrast,  FIG. 1B  illustrates how nerve  101  can become inflamed thereby forming a neuroma  101   a . As shown, Morton&#39;s neuroma typically occurs as the nerve passes under the ligament connecting the metatarsals in the forefoot. 
         [0004]    Anything that causes compression or irritation of the nerve can lead to the development of a neuroma. For example, any sporting activity that involves repeated use of the forefoot, such as running or cycling, can cause Morton&#39;s neuroma in some individuals. The pain associated with Morton&#39;s neuroma can range from bothersome to debilitating. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to a metatarsal pain relief gel strip that can be used to treat and/or prevent Morton&#39;s neuroma and possibly other forefoot conditions. The pain relief gel strip of the present invention can include an arched or protruding gel structure that is secured within an adhesive material to allow the gel structure to be maintained on the underside of the foot between adjacent metatarsals. Due to the arched shaped of the gel structure, when the wearer places weight on the foot, the gel structure will apply a separating force on the toes thereby relieving pressure on the nerve that runs between the metatarsals. In this way, the pain relief gel strip can minimize the likelihood of developing Morton&#39;s neuroma, minimize pain and discomfort when Morton&#39;s neuroma has already occurred, or assist in minimizing the swelling and inflammation of the nerve. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a pain relief gel strip that comprises: a gel structure having a thickness, a length, and a width; and an adhesive material having a length and a width that are greater than the length and the width of the gel structure. The gel structure is secured within the length and the width of the adhesive material such that the adhesive material can be employed to secure the gel structure to the underside of the foot. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a pain relief gel strip comprising: a gel structure having a thickness greater than 0.10 inches, a length, and a width; and an adhesive material having a length and a width that are greater than the length and the width of the gel structure. The gel structure is secured within the length and the width of the adhesive material such that the adhesive material can be employed to secure the gel structure to the underside of the forefoot between adjacent metatarsals. The thickness and the width of the gel structure causes a separating force to be applied on the adjacent metatarsals when weight is placed on the forefoot. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a metatarsal pain relief gel strip comprising: a generally flat adhesive material having a width and a height, a top side of the adhesive material including an adhesive; and a gel structure having a thickness, a width, and a height, the width and the height of the gel structure being less than the width and the height of the adhesive material, the gel structure having a generally flat bottom side that is secured to the top side of the adhesive material and a top side that protrudes upwardly away from the top side of the adhesive material, the top side of the gel structure having an arched profile. The top side of the adhesive material is configured to be secured to the underside of the forefoot to thereby maintain the gel structure between adjacent metatarsals with the top side of the gel structure protruding between the metatarsals to thereby apply a separating force against the metatarsals when weight is placed on the forefoot. 
         [0009]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a normal condition of a nerve that runs between the toes; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the nerve of  FIG. 1A  when Morton&#39;s neuroma has occurred; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top perspective view of a metatarsal pain relief gel strip that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of the metatarsal pain relief gel strip of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an exploded side view of the metatarsal pain relief gel strip of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a bottom view of the metatarsal pain relief gel strip of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2D  illustrates a top view of the metatarsal pain relief gel strip of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top perspective view of a metatarsal pain relief gel strip that is configured in accordance with one or more other embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a side view of the metatarsal pain relief gel strip of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an exploded side view of the metatarsal pain relief gel strip of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a bottom view of the metatarsal pain relief gel strip of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3D  illustrates a top view of the metatarsal pain relief gel strip of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate suitable dimensions for the metatarsal pain relief gel strips of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates how the metatarsal pain relief gel strips of  FIGS. 2 and 3  can be applied to the bottom of the forefoot. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    In this specification, the top surface should be construed as the surface of the metatarsal pain relief gel strip that will be adhered to the underside of the forefoot. In other words, the top surface of the strip will face upward when the strip is properly worn on the foot. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 2 and 2A-2D  each illustrate a different view of a metatarsal pain relief gel strip  200  that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Strip  200  includes an arched or protruding gel structure  201  that is secured within (or sandwiched between) a top adhesive material  202  and a bottom adhesive material  203 . Although not shown, a backing can also be secured to a top side of adhesive material  202 . This backing can be configured to peel away from adhesive material  202  to allow strip  200  to be secured to the underside of the forefoot. 
         [0027]    Adhesive material  203  can include a single side (i.e., a top side) that forms an adhesive surface that can adhere to a bottom side of adhesive material  202  (which bottom side in some embodiments may also include an adhesive). The adhesion between the top side of adhesive material  203  and the bottom side of adhesive material  202  secures gel structure  201  within the adhesive materials. Further, the top side of adhesive material  202  may form an adhesive surface to allow strip  200  to be secured to the skin. 
         [0028]    As best seen in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , which provide a side view and an exploded side view respectively of strip  200 , gel structure  201  has an arched shape so that it will protrude upwardly from adhesive material  203 . Gel structure  201  and adhesive materials  202  and  203  can be formed of different materials. For example, gel structure  201  may be formed of silicone or another similar flexible and compressible polymer while adhesive materials  202  and  203  can be formed of any medical grade adhesive tape or material similar to that used for adhesive bandages. Gel structure  201  can be centered within adhesive materials  202  and  203  (i.e., adhesive materials  202  and  203  can be wider and longer than gel structure  201 ) so that the adhesive material can be secured to the bottom of the forefoot to maintain the position of gel structure  201 . 
         [0029]    Alternatively, in some embodiments, gel structure  201  and adhesive materials  202  and  203  can be formed of the same material. For example, a unitary component having the combined shape of gel structure  201  and adhesive materials  202  and  203  could be molded from silicone or similar material. In such cases, an adhesive could be applied to the top surface of the unitary component to allow it to be secured to the underside of the forefoot. However, due to the difficultly of applying an adhesive to silicone or other similar polymers, the sandwich configuration shown in the figures may be preferred. This sandwich configuration will also allow gel structure  201  to move somewhat within adhesive material  202  and  203  to facilitate adjustments in the placement of gel structure  201  even after adhesive material  202  has been secured to the skin. 
         [0030]    As is also best shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , gel structure  201  can have a generally flat bottom surface (i.e., the surface that faces adhesive material  203 ) and an arched or protruding top surface (i.e., the surface that faces adhesive material  202  and will therefore be oriented towards the skin). This arched profile will cause strip  200  to apply a separating force to adjacent toes when the strip is worn on the underside of the foot. More specifically, strip  200  can be positioned between the metatarsals so that when weight is placed on the foot (e.g., while walking, running, or performing another activity), gel structure  201  will be forced upwardly between the metatarsals. The arched or rounded top surface of gel structure  201  will allow an upward and outward force to be applied to the metatarsals without undue discomfort. Forming gel structure  201  of silicone or of another relatively flexible and compressible polymer material can further ensure that undue discomfort will not be caused. 
         [0031]    By forming gel structure  201  with a generally flat bottom surface and an arched top surface, strip  200  can be worn with minimal impact on the wearer. For example, because the bottom surface is flat and because it is formed of a relatively flexible and compressible material, the bottom surface of gel structure  201  will substantially conform to the contour of the underside of the forefoot when stepped on. This will minimize the feeling that something is being stepped on. However, due to the upwardly protruding configuration, the top surface of gel structure  201  will still provide the necessary separation force on the adjacent metatarsals. In essence, strip  200  can be worn in a similar manner as an adhesive bandage is worn while also providing a way to treat and/or prevent Morton&#39;s neuroma. 
         [0032]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , gel structure  201  can have a generally rounded rectangular shape. The rectangular shape ensures that strip  200  will have sufficient length to provide a separating force along a substantial length of the adjacent metatarsals. By spreading the force along the length of the metatarsals, greater comfort is also obtained. In particular, the rectangular shape can minimize the “rock-in-the-shoe” feeling since the separating force will be spread lengthwise along the metatarsals rather than focused on a particular point. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 2C and 2D  also illustrate how gel structure  201  can be centered within adhesive materials  202  and  203  so that a portion of adhesive materials  202  and  203  extends around the entire perimeter of gel structure  201 . In this way, adhesive materials  202  and  203  can form a pocket within which gel structure  201  is maintained. In some embodiments, adhesive material  203  can have a bottom side/surface that is smooth to minimize the likelihood that a sock or any other surface that the foot comes in contact with will catch on the adhesive material to cause it to peel off prematurely. 
         [0034]    In contrast to what is shown in the figures, in some embodiments, a pain relief gel strip may not include a top adhesive material. For example, if gel structure  201  is formed of a material to which adhesive material  203  may readily adhere, adhesive material  202  may not be required to secure gel structure  201  within the pain relief gel strip. Instead, the top side of adhesive material  203  could be applied directly to the skin to maintain gel structure  201  in position. However, because gel structure  201  may preferably be formed of silicone, and because many suitable adhesives do not readily adhere to silicone, top adhesive material  202  can be employed to sandwich and secure gel structure  201  within strip  200 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 3 and 3A-3D  each illustrate a different view of another metatarsal pain relief gel strip  300  that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Strip  300  is substantially similar to strip  200  except that strip  300  includes two gel structures  301   a ,  301   b . Gel structures  301   a ,  301   b  can be positioned substantially in parallel so that they may be positioned between adjacent sets of metatarsals. Because of the arched shape of gel structures  301   a ,  301   b , a gap will exist between the structures even when they are side-by-side as shown in  FIG. 3 . This gap can be positioned directly beneath one of the metatarsals so that gel structures  301   a  and  301   b  will be positioned between adjacent metatarsals. In other embodiments, gel structures  301   a  and  301   b  may be slightly spaced from one another but may still extend in parallel. 
         [0036]    Also, as best shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , gel structures  301   a ,  301   b  may be slightly lengthwise offset with respect to one another to better accommodate the different lengths of the toes. As indicated above, Morton&#39;s neuroma most typically occurs as the nerve passes under the ligament connecting the metatarsals. Because the location of this point between each set of toes varies based on the length of the toes, gel structures  301   a ,  301   b  can be offset to ensure that they will each be positioned appropriately underneath this point. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , gel structures  301   a ,  301   b  may have the same height in some embodiments. However, in other embodiments, one gel structure  301   a ,  301   b  may have a greater height than the other. As described above, gel structures  301   a  and  301   b  can be sandwiched between adhesive materials  302  and  303 . In some embodiments, the perimeter of adhesive materials  302  and  303  may be shaped in accordance with the offset orientation of gel structures  301   a ,  301   b  as is best shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate example dimensions of strips  200  and  300  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4A , gel structures  201 ,  301   a , and  301   b  can preferably have a maximum thickness (i.e., the thickness at the top of the arch shape) of approximately 0.125 inches. However, the maximum thickness of the gel structures may be at least 0.08 inches in some embodiments. Adhesive materials  203 ,  303  will typically have a thickness of around 0.014 inches, while adhesive materials  202 ,  302  will typically have a thickness of around 0.007 inches. Adhesive materials  203 ,  303  can be thicker than adhesive materials  202 ,  302  to provide greater durability underneath gel structures  201 ,  301   a , and  301   b.    
         [0039]    With these exemplary dimensions, strips  200  and  300  when worn may preferably have a maximum thickness of approximately 0.15 inches. With this thickness, strips  200  and  300  will provide the appropriate separating force without causing undue discomfort to the wearer. However, gel structures of other thicknesses may also be employed in other embodiments. For example, a strip designed for children or women may have a lesser thickness to account for the typically smaller size and spacing of a child&#39;s or woman&#39;s metatarsals. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 4B and 4C  illustrate suitable lengths and widths of the components of strips  200  and  300  respectively. With these lengths and widths, gel structure  201 ,  301   a , and  301   b  will be positioned appropriately between adjacent metatarsals when worn by a person with an average-sized foot. Although not shown, gel structures  301   a  and  301   b  can have the same dimensions as shown for gel structure  201  in  FIG. 4B . 
         [0041]    Of course, strips having different dimensions may be provided for those having smaller or larger feet. In some embodiments, a minimum length and width of the adhesive materials  202  and  203  may be 2.0 inches and 0.75 inches respectively with the length and width of the gel structure  201  being adjusted accordingly (e.g., a minimum length of 1.7 inches and a minimum width of 0.38 inches) so that the gel structure is centered within and surrounded by the adhesive materials. With regards to strip  300 , gel structures  301   a  and  301   b  may also have minimum lengths and widths of 1.7 inches and 0.40 inches respectively with adhesive materials  302  and  303  having a corresponding length and width to surround the gel structures. 
         [0042]    Of course, adhesive materials  202 ,  203 ,  302  and  303  can have any length and width as long as there is sufficient overlap to maintain the gel structure(s) within the adhesive material. In some embodiments, adhesive materials  202 ,  203 ,  302  and  303  can be formed of a stretchable material. For example, when adhesive materials  302  and  303  are formed of a stretchable material, gel structures  301   a  and  301   b  can be slightly separated from one another to enable greater flexibility in the placement of the gel structures on the underside of the foot. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  provides an example of how strips  200  and  300  can be worn. Strip  200  is shown as being worn on the left foot between the third and fourth metatarsals. Similarly, strip  300  is shown as being worn on the right foot with gel structure  301   a  being positioned between the second and third metatarsals and gel structure  301   b  being positioned between the third and fourth metatarsals. 
         [0044]    It is noted that, in  FIG. 5 , the lengthwise offset of gel structure  301   b  is opposite of what is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3A-3D . This represents that a strip having multiple gel structures could be designed specifically for a particular foot. For example, with reference to  FIG. 5 , strip  300  could be configured as a right foot strip while a strip  300  having gel structure  301   a  being positioned below gel structure  301   b  (where below refers to the orientation shown in  FIG. 5 ) could be configured as a left foot strip. In other words, different configurations of strips  300  can be employed so that the wearer can apply a strip having an inside gel structure that is offset towards the tips of the toes from the outside gel structure to thereby account for the inside toes typically being longer than the outside toes. 
         [0045]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.