WO2015009139A1

WO2015009139A1 - A foot orthotic

Info

Publication number: WO2015009139A1
Application number: PCT/MY2014/000213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Brenden REYNEKER
Original assignee: Reyneker Mark Brenden
Priority date: 2013-07-17
Filing date: 2014-07-14
Publication date: 2015-01-22
Also published as: SG11201510031PA; MY167252A

Abstract

The present invention discloses a foot orthotic (100) having a forefoot part, a heel part, a medial column part and a lateral column part comprising a base layer (101) extending substantially from the heel part, the lateral column part to the forefoot part of the orthotic (100), the base layer (101) having a rim (103) along the medial edge of its top surface; and a detachable layer (102) being configured as the medial column part of the orthotic (100) with an upper surface formed by a continuous and upwardly arched medial longitudinal arch curve which is shaped in a way to be positioned underneath the arch of the foot and a bottom surface having a lip (104) along its lateral edge for receiving the rim (103) of the base layer (101); wherein the base layer (101) is joined to the detachable layer (102) by at least a fastener.

Description

A FOOT ORTHOTIC

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a foot orthotic with a detachable layer that could be replaced with another detachable layer having a different height or angle of the medial longitudinal arch curve to suit the user's needs and preferences in treating flat feet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foot mal-alignment and instability are complex issues caused by the exertion of excessive loads on the tissues of the foot, heel, shin, knee or back. The development of pains in these parts of the body is affected by the height and angle of the foot arch. For instance, a flat foot could lead to bunion, arch, heel and ankle pain.

The arch of a foot which is formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones is divided into a few parts, namely the medial longitudinal arch, lateral longitudinal arch and transverse arch. The proximal part of the arch is made up of the calcaneus, talus and navicular. This part of the arch dictates the shape of the distal arch. In flat foot cases, the pronation of the sub-talar joint causes the arch to be lowered, causing the foot to pronate excessively and therefore leads to pain and discomfort.

With the application of a foot orthotic, pain could be reduced or prevented by supporting the arch at an appropriate height to stabilize the foot. The foot orthotic is a biomedical device which fits into the shoes for restoring and improving the foot function. The orthotic has a cast moulded according to the shape and alignment of the foot. There are two types of orthotic provided to users, which are the pre-molded orthotic and the custom orthotic. Pre-molded orthotic is provided in certain sizes and shapes. Such orthotic is usually applied to treat mild cases of foot instability and mal- alignment. Since the pre-molded orthotic has a fixed size and shape, it is not suitable for use universally. On the other hand, custom orthotic is tailor-made to the user's needs to accommodate severe foot deformities. It is manufactured by moulding the cast of the orthotic based on the foot of the user. Although custom orthotic is manufactured to suit the needs of the users, it can be very costly and might not be affordable by many people.

A pre-molded orthotic that enables the arch height and angle to be varied provides a solution to the drawbacks of conventional pre-molded and custom orthotics, whereby foot orthotic users can obtain a pre-molded orthotic with an arch height and angle that suit the user's foot without having to go through the casting process to acquire a custom orthotic. One example of such pre-molded orthotic is described in U.S. Patent No. 2011/0154692. The\is orthotic utilizes a mechanical actuating shock absorbing or damping system that serves to adjust the height of the arch. The height could be adjusted by manually turning a lever of the height adjusting system or through automatic adjusting via clicking a button. The height adjusting system is embedded within the foot orthotic at the medial longitudinal arch position. A limited range of height could be adjusted with the use of this invention. In addition to that, the weight and thickness of the foot orthotic increase with the height adjusting system included inside the foot orthotic, causing additional burden to the legs and feet

A similar foot orthotic that adopts an adjustable arch support is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2005/0039351. This orthotic has an adjusting means which is connectable under the continuous arch curve between the anterior and posterior slopes at the medial longitudinal arch position within the orthotic, allowing the user to adjust angles of the slopes and the tension along the arch curve. The angle and height could be adjusted by shortening and lengthening the adjusting means. However, the adjustability of the angle and height of the arch is restricted to a certain range depending on the length of the adjusting means. Also, the adjusting means increases the weight and thickness of the foot orthotic. Since adjustable foot orthotic contains drawbacks as mentioned above, a foot orthotic with a replaceable layer at the medial longitudinal arch position as described in U.S. Patent No. 2007/0289170 would be a better option for foot orthotic users. The shell layer of this orthotic is configured to receive a removable insert that alters the amount of arch support provided by the orthotic. A set of inserts could be provided to be customized on user support preferences. The removable insert is a cut-off piece from the shell layer, whereby an opening is fabricated in the bottom surface of the shell layer to receive the removable insert. As the removable insert is surrounded by the shell layer upon being inserted into the opening, it would be difficult to remove the insert.

The present invention shall address the limitations of the aforementioned prior arts by providing a pre-molded foot orthotic that is economically affordable, light and changeable in its height as well as angles of the medial longitudinal arch curve that inclines from the heel bone till the navicular, whereby the main support points of the arch are the sub-talar joint and the talo-navicular joint. Such orthotic allows customization to suit the users' preferences and needs. In particular, the orthotic provides adjustments to the height and angles of the medial longitudinal arch curve of the foot, especially at the sub-talar joint and the talo-navicular joint for treating flat feet problems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The main aspect of the present invention is to provide a foot orthotic with a detachable layer that could be customized according to the user's needs and preferences. In particular, the detachable layer has height and angles of the medial longitudinal arch curve that inclines from the heel bone till the navicular which suit the user's foot. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a foot orthotic that allows its detachable layer to be replaced with another detachable layer having a similar or different arch height that could be measured from the sub-talar joint and talo- navicular joint till the bottom surface of the orthotic, arch angles of the medial longitudinal arch curve that inclines from the heel bone till the navicular, colours and materials.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a foot orthotic with a detachable layer that could be attached inside the shoes and removed from the shoes easily.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a foot orthotic that is pre- molded and light weight.

Another aspect of the present invention is to enable users to be able to obtain foot orthotics that come with a set of detachable layers with different height and angles of the medial longitudinal arch curve conveniently from stores. At least one of the preceding aspects is met, in whole or in part, by the present invention, in which the embodiment of the present invention describes a foot orthotic (100) having a forefoot part, a heel part, a medial column part and a lateral column part comprising a base layer (101) extending substantially from the heel part to the lateral column part until the forefoot part of the orthotic (100), the base layer (101) having a rim (103) along the medial edge of its top surface; and a detachable layer (102) being configured as the medial column part of the orthotic (100) with an upper surface formed by a continuous and upwardly arched medial longitudinal arch curve which is shaped in a way to be positioned underneath the arch of the foot and a bottom surface having a lip (104) along its lateral edge for receiving the rim (103) of the base layer (101); wherein the base layer (101) is joined to the detachable layer (102) by at least a fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a lateral perspective view of the foot orthotic. Figure 2 is a medial perspective view of the foot orthotic. Figure 3 is a lateral view of the foot orthotic. Figure 4 is a medial view of the foot orthotic. Figure 5 is an anterior view of the foot orthotic.

Figure 6 is a posterior view of the foot orthotic. Figure 7 is a top view of the foot orthotic. Figure 8 is a bottom view of the foot orthotic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses a foot orthotic (100) having a forefoot part, a heel part, a medial column part and a lateral column part comprising a base layer (101) extending substantially from the heel part to the lateral column part until the forefoot part of the orthotic (100), the base layer (101) having a rim (103) along the medial edge of its top surface; and a detachable layer (102) being configured as the medial column part of the orthotic (100) with an upper surface formed by a continuous and upwardly arched medial longitudinal arch curve which is shaped in a way to be positioned underneath the arch of the foot and a bottom surface having a lip (104) along its lateral edge for receiving the rim (103) of the base layer (101); wherein the base layer (101) is joined to the detachable layer (102) by at least a fastener.

As the orthotic is designed according to the shape and alignment of a human foot, the parts of the orthotic are defined according to the anatomy of the foot in this document. The forefoot part of the orthotic includes the area around the phalanges and the metatarsals whereas the heel part covers the calcaneus area. The medial column part includes the area of the talus, navicular, cuneiform and the first, second and third metatarsal bones. On the other hand, the lateral column part spans across the area of the cuboid and the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones.

Referring to Figure 1 to Figure 6, the foot orthotic (100) is divided into two separate pieces with the base layer (101 ) piece positioned at the lateral side of the orthotic (100) and the detachable layer (102) piece disposed at the medial side of the orthotic (100). In a preferred embodiment, the base layer (101) extends substantially from the heel part to the lateral column part until it reaches the forefoot part whereas the detachable layer (102) extends partially from the forefoot part, preferably from the first phalanx to the medial column part. However, the areas of the base layer (100) and detachable layer (102) are not restricted to the abovementioned parts. For example, the detachable layer (102) could cover a larger area of the orthotic (100) by spanning from a larger section of the forefoot part till a large portion of the calcaneus. Else, the detachable layer (102) could include just the medial column part without involving the forefoot part.

The present invention serves as a shoe insert containing a built-in support for the medial column of the foot. The detachable layer (102) plays the role as the built-in support of the orthotic and is designed in a way that it resembles a portion that is extracted from the base layer (102). Hence, when both layers are combined together, a complete foot orthotic (101) as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 is formed.

The detachable layer (102) is moulded into a shape to adapt the medial arch of the user, whereby the detachable layer (102) has a continuous and upwardly arched medial longitudinal arch curve that forms an upper surface at the medial column part of the detachable layer (102). The medial longitudinal arch curve starts distal to the heel bone and inclines further to continue under the navicular with the main support points being the sub-talar joint and the talo-navicular joint, both of which are located at the upper surface of the curve. Hence, the upper surface of the medial longitudinal arch curve is to be fit under the area between the sub-talar joint and the talo-navicular joint of a foot. The vertical distance between the upper surface of the medial longitudinal arch curve to the bottom surface of the foot orthotic (100) is the height of the arch. The medial longitudinal arch curve has a first slope inclining towards the forefoot part from the upper surface of the medial longitudinal arch curve, a second slop inclining towards the heel part from the upper surface of the medial longitudinal arch curve and a third slope inclining towards the lateral column part of the orthotic (100) from the upper surface of the medial longitudinal arch curve.

With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2, it could be seen that the base layer (101 ) has a rim (103) fabricated along the medial edge of the base layer (101). The rim (103) has a lower and thinner surface formed with at least two apertures (105), preferably one at each end of the rim (103). At least one recess (107) could be fabricated on the rim (103). The apertures (105) and recess (107) are utilized to receive fasteners that are fabricated on the detachable layer (102). The fastener comprises any one or combination of a button (106) or a protrusion (108).

As could be seen clearly from Figure 5, the detachable layer (102) is fabricated with a lip (104) on its bottom surface along the lateral edge of the detachable layer (102). Preferably two downwardly protruding buttons (106) are fabricated on the bottom surface of the lip (104). The buttons (106) have a shape and position that correspond to the apertures (105) on the rim (103) of the base layer (101 ) to be inserted into the aperture (105). At least a protrusion (108) protruding outwards from the lateral edge of the arch support layer (102) could be fabricated to be received by the recess (107) on the rim (103) of the base layer (101). Preferably, the centre of the recess (107) is formed with an opening for a corresponding downwardly projected button that is fabricated on the bottom surface of the protrusion (108) to be secured into the opening.

Both of the base layer (101) and the detachable layer (102) are mated together by placing the lip (104) of the detachable layer (102) on top of the rim (103) of the base layer (101). The lip (104) is configured to fit snugly to the rim (103) with the lip (104) laying flat against the rim (103). The mating edges formed by the lateral edge of the detachable layer (102) and the medial edge of the base layer (101) are at the same level when both layers are joined together. To secure the layers (101, 102) in position, the fasteners (106, 108) are fastened into the aperture (105) and/or recess (107).

Figure 4 and Figure 8 show the bottom surface of the detachable layer (102) that is fabricated with a plurality of protruded contours (109) to distribute stress exerted thereon. Besides that, protruded contours (109) could also be fabricated on the bottom surface of any one or combination of the heel part, forefoot part and lateral column part of the orthotic (100). The weight of the user's body could be distributed evenly by the aid of the contours (109) to enhance foot stability.

In addition to that, the base layer (101) is fabricated with a plurality of ventilation holes (110) for circulation of air throughout the foot orthotic (100), allowing the foot to feel comfortable and reducing the risk of having athlete's foot. The detachable layer (102) could also be fabricated with ventilation holes (101). Different materials could be employed to manufacture the foot orthotic (100), such as carbon fiber, plastic, rubber or gel, depending on the needs or preferences of the user or manufacture. A main feature of the present invention is that the foot orthotic (100) allows customization, whereby the detachable layer (102) is replaceable to suit the user's needs and preferences. The pre-molded foot orthotic (100) could be provided with a set of detachable layers (102) having similar or different colours, materials, heights of the medial longitudinal arch curve and/or angles of the medial longitudinal arch curve. A replacement of the detachable layer (102) is only required if there are defects found on the detachable layer (102). The base layer (101) could be reused with a new detachable layer (102) that has dimensions which fit the base layer (101 ). The orthotic (100) provides adjustments to the height and angles of the medial longitudinal arch curve of the foot, especially at the the sub-talar joint and the talonavicular joints which could treat flat feet problems. Such design of the foot orthotic (100) enables users to be able to obtain orthotics (100) with packages that come with a set of detachable layers (102) with different height and angles of the medial longitudinal arch curve as well as colours and materials conveniently from stores. With such packaging of the foot orthotic (100), new users could start using the orthotic (100) with a detachable layer (102) of a lower medial longitudinal arch curve height to adapt the orthotic (100) insole. Once the user is used to wearing the orthotic (100), the user could gradually increase the height of the medial longitudinal arch curve of the orthotic (100) by changing the detachable layer (102)

Although the description above contains many specifications, it is understood that the embodiments of the preferred form are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention and it may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A foot orthotic (100) having a forefoot part, a heel part, a medial column part and a lateral column part comprising

a base layer (101) extending substantially from the heel part, the lateral column part to the forefoot part of the orthotic (100), the base layer(lOl) having a rim (103) along the medial edge of its top surface; and

a detachable layer (102) being configured as the medial column part of the orthotic (100) with an upper surface formed by a continuous and upwardly arched medial longitudinal arch curve which is shaped in a way to be positioned underneath the arch of the foot and a bottom surface having a lip (104) along its lateral edge for receiving the rim (103) of the base layer (101);

wherein the base layer (101) is joined to the detachable layer (102) by at least a fastener.

2. A foot orthotic (100) according to claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises any one or combination of a button (106) fabricated on the lip (104) of the detachable layer (102) to be received by a corresponding aperture (105) formed on the rim (103) of the base layer (101) or a protrusion fabricated at the lateral edge of the detachable layer (102) to be received by a corresponding recess (107) formed on the rim (103) of the base layer (101).

3. A foot orthotic (100) according to claim 1, wherein the medial longitudinal arch curve has a first slope inclining towards the forefoot part from the upper surface of the medial longitudinal arch curve, a second slop inclining towards the heel part from the upper surface of the medial longitudinal arch curve and a third slope inclining towards the lateral column part of the orthotic (100) from the upper surface of the medial longitudinal arch curve.

4. A foot orthotic (100) according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the medial longitudinal arch curve is to be fit under the area between the sub-talar joint and the talo-navicular joint of a foot.

A foot orthotic (100) according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the detachable layer (102) is fabricated with a plurality of protruded contours (109) to distribute stress exerted thereon.

A foot orthotic (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the base layer (101) is fabricated with a plurality of protruded contours ( 109) on its bottom surface at any one or combination of the heel part, forefoot part and lateral column part to distribute stress exerted thereon.

A foot orthotic (100) according to claim 1, wherein the base layer (101) is formed with a plurality of ventilation holes (110) for circulation of air throughout the orthotic (100).

A foot orthotic (100) according to claim 1, wherein the foot orthotic (100) is made of any one or combination of carbon fiber, plastic, rubber or gel.

A foot orthotic (100) according to claim 1, wherein the detachable layer (102) is replaceable with another detachable layer (102) having a similar or different colour, material, height of the medial longitudinal arch curve and/or angles of the medial longitudinal arch curve.