Device to mitigate heel pain

Abstract

Device to mitigate plantar fasciitis heel pain is disclosed. This invention provides localized compression and massaging action to the origin of the plantar fascia, the most frequently occurring site of tissue damage and pain at the heel. The concentrated compression during weight bearing provides pain relief and brings injured tissues closer together to facilitate healing. The shape of the device and its location at the edge of the heel bone also provide a localized massaging action during ambulation to improve blood circulation, which in turn promotes healing. The device of the present invention may be used as a removable insole or in some instances may be formed into the inner sole of an item of footwear.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

PRIOR DISCLOSURES

In anticipation of offering the present invention for sale, on Nov. 29, 2016, an informational website, www.heeleeo.com, was created by the present inventor, Daniel Barry Tambert, doing business as a managing member of Track 10 Engineering, LLC. A copy of a print out of the website describing the present invention is provided on a concurrently filed Information Disclosure Statement pursuant to the guidance of 78 Fed. Reg. 11076 (Feb. 14, 2013).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to shoe insoles, and more particularly, to insoles for treating plantar fasciitis heel pain or heel spur pain.

2. Description of the Related Art

Existing related devices provide various combinations of cushioning, compression, support, and massaging to the plantar aspect of a heel.

Cushioning devices exist as heel cups, removable insoles, padded socks, and padded braces. These devices use shock-absorbing material beneath the entire plantar heel surface, or a combination of firm material encircling the plantar aspect of a heel with softer material in the center of the heel, or concave recesses at the center of the heel. U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,740 (Kemp), U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,347 (Shaffer, et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,339 (Graham) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,585 (Gleichner) disclose such devices. It is the object of these cushioning devices to distribute pressure away from the center of the plantar aspect of a heel upon weight-bearing and to spread out impact forces of heel strike during ambulation. Thus, these cushioning devices reduce pressure at the injured area of the plantar fascia.

Compression and support devices are braces, sleeves, or sock-like devices which encircle a foot and/or ankle to provide generalized compression over the plantar heel surface. U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,550 (Johnson) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,107 (Shannahan) disclose such devices. The compression and support provided by these devices is necessarily limited to avoid a tourniquet-like effect that would decrease blood flow. Thus, the compression provided by braces, sleeves, or sock-like devices does not approach the much greater forces possible when assisted by weight-bearing.

Massaging devices include arrays of elevated shapes beneath the plantar heel surface for pain relief. In some devices, elevated shapes are distributed evenly over an entire plantar heel surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,256 (Darco International, Inc.) discloses such a device. Other devices include elevated shapes arranged at certain spots or zones on the sole of the feet in accordance with the practice of reflexology. U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,173 (Chambers) discloses such a device. These devices either distribute weight bearing forces broadly over the heel or do not extend substantially beneath the origin of the plantar fascia. Consequently these devices do not provide effective massaging at the site of plantar fascia injury.

Still another related device uses weight-bearing force to apply compression to the plantar fascia beneath the joint between the heel and the arch of a foot. U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,786 (Smuckler, et al.) discloses such a device. Compression from this device is located well forward of the origin of the plantar fascia where injury most commonly occurs, and this device is not shaped to provide a massaging effect.

None of these devices provide forceful compression specifically concentrated on the injured origin of the plantar fascia. Consequently, these devices also do not provide massaging action concentrated on the origin of the plantar fascia.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide forceful compression specifically concentrated on the origin of the plantar fascia. This is distinct from existing devices that reduce weight bearing force at the injured area. This also distinct from existing devices that act on the joint between the heel and midfoot bones of a foot, that joint being forward of the origin of the plantar fascia.

It is another object of the present invention to provide massaging action specifically concentrated on the origin of the plantar fascia. This is distinct from existing devices that provide less concentrated massaging action dispersed over a larger area of the plantar heel surface.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an insole, comprises a heel portion, and an elevated portion. The insole, when placed within an article of footwear, serves to locate the elevated portion beneath the origin of the plantar fascia. The elevated portion is higher than the surrounding heel portion, and contacts a relatively small area of a person's total heel surface area. Thus the elevated portion provides concentrated compression to the origin of the plantar fascia.

The basis for this construction is that overuse and over stress result in micro tearing and/or inflammation of the plantar fascia tissues. These tissues thin and taper toward their origin at the medial process of the tuberosity of the calcaneus, making the origin of the plantar fascia a site of frequent injury. This injury is sometimes called a “heel spur” due to the presence of calcified deposits about the origin of the plantar fascia often observed in radiographs of a person's heel. Consequently, most people suffering from plantar fasciitis or a “heel spur” experience pain in the plantar aspect of a heel at the origin of the plantar fascia.

Both compression and massage are well known as methods for treatment of injuries and relief from foot pain. The present invention combines concentrated compression and concentrated massaging action specifically to the origin of the plantar fascia to more effectively address plantar fasciitis pain located in the plantar aspect of a heel. The massaging action provided by the present invention also promotes blood flow to speed the natural healing process.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a heel portion ending to the rear of the arch of a foot.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a three-quarter length insole extending approximately three-quarters of the length of a foot.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a full-length insole and extends along the entire length of a foot.

In yet other embodiments of the present invention, footwear comprises an inner sole with an elevated portion located at the origin of the plantar fascia, an outer sole, and an upper.

Although the present specification uses the terms “insole” and “inner sole”, it will be appreciated that other equivalent or similar terms such as “insert”, or “footbed” are considered to be synonymous and interchangeable, and thereby covered by the present claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view looking toward the inside of a dissected human left foot, depicting the relative locations of calcaneus bone and plantar fascia tissues;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a dissected human left foot, depicting the relative locations of calcaneus bone and plantar fascia tissues;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view, showing a preferred embodiment of the device;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the device depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view, showing an alternate embodiment of the device;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view, showing another alternate embodiment of the device;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the device taken along line A-A′ as shown in FIG. 4, 6, or 7, which lies along the length of the device;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view looking toward the inside of a dissected human left foot similar to the view of FIG. 2, including a sectional view of the device similar to the view of FIG. 8, and illustrating the proper location of the elevated portion of the device in relation to the origin of plantar fascia tissues at the calcaneus bone;

FIG. 10 is a sectional plan view looking toward the bottom of the elevated portion of the device taken along line B-B′ as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of a dissected human left foot, including a sectional view of the elevated portion of the device similar to FIG. 10, and illustrating the proper location of the elevated portion in relation to the origin of plantar fascia tissues beneath the calcaneus bone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device 7 comprises a heel portion 8 and an elevated portion 9 attached to the upper surface 15 of the heel portion 8.

In an important aspect of the present invention, the elevated portion 9 provides concentrated compression at the origin 14 of the plantar fascia tissues 3, 4 and 5 which originate from the medial process of the tuberosity 6, or bony prominence, on the bottom of the calcaneus or heel bone 2.

The elevated portion 9 projects upwardly and has much less surface area than the surrounding heel portion 8. The elevated portion 9 has a thickness or height preferably about 4 millimeters for walking, and preferably less than 4 millimeters for high impact activities, more preferably about 3 millimeters for high impact activities. The front surface 13 and rear surface 11 of the elevated portion 9 rise up to a top surface 12 of the elevated portion 9. The top surface 12 in the longitudinal dimension at its midline cross-section is preferably about 13 millimeters. Thus, the device 7 provides localized compression to the origin 14 of the plantar fascia 3, 4 and 5, and does not extend forward of the calcaneus 2 of a foot 1 or into the joint anterior to the calcaneus 2 of a foot 1.

In another important aspect of the present invention, the elevated portion 9 includes a massaging edge located under the origin 14 of the plantar fascia 3, 4 and 5. The rear surface 11 of the elevated portion 9, is sloped forward at an angle α from a perpendicular to the upper surface 15 of the heel portion 8, preferably less than 30 degrees. The rear 11 and top 12 surfaces of the elevated portion 9 are joined by an edge having a radius of curvature R preferably less than 2 millimeters, and more preferably less than 1 millimeter.

During weight-bearing, the elevated portion 9 compresses the injured origin 14 of the plantar fascia 3, 4 and 5 between the device 7 and the calcaneus 2, thus providing pain relief by means of compression.

During ambulation, heel strike brings the edge formed by the rear 11 and top 12 surfaces of the elevated portion 9 into forceful contact with the origin 14 of the plantar fascia 3, 4 and 5. As gait progresses to the flat-foot and mid-stance phases, compression advances forward until it is applied evenly along the entire top surface 12 of the elevated portion 9. Transitioning into the heel-off phase, pressure is released from the rear edge, while increasing pressure further forward. Finally, during the toe-off phase, all pressure is released. Thus, the sharp edged, narrow cross-section of firm material provides a massaging action during ambulation.

The device 7 is comprised of one or more materials that can be manufactured in the illustrated configuration through methods including but not limited to milling, thermo-forming or injection molding. Such materials include but are not limited to plastics, gels, and foams such as polypropylene, polyethylene, neoprene, visco-elastic polymer, silicone, and combinations thereof.

The heel portion 8 and the elevated portion 9, if manufactured separately, may be secured together by any suitable means, including but not limited to adhesive, auto-adhesion, RF welding, etc.

Regardless of the materials used, the shore 00 hardness of the heel portion 8 is between 20 to 80 durometers, preferably between 20 to 60 durometers, to conform comfortably to a person's heel.

Also regardless of the materials used, the shore 00 hardness of the elevated portion 9 is between 30 to 90 durometers, preferably about 75 durometers, to apply firm compression to the origin 14 of the plantar fascia 3, 4 and 5.

Since it is an object of the present invention to provide firm but comfortable compression upon weight bearing, the hardness of the elevated portion 9, and its thickness are interrelated. For example, a harder material would generally require less thickness than a softer material in order to provide equivalent compressive force. It will be appreciated that the preferred embodiment is only one of many combinations of material hardness and thickness. The combination of material hardness and thickness may be varied for high impact activities versus standing and walking. The material hardness and thickness may be varied for an individual person's weight.

Since it is an object of the present invention to provide localized compression to the origin 14 of the plantar fascia 3, 4 and 5, the illustrations in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 depict three variations of geometry for that purpose. It will be appreciated that many variations of geometry may be positioned substantially underneath the origin 14 of the plantar fascia 3, 4 and 5, and are thereby covered by the present claimed invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 4-9, although not required, some embodiments of the present invention may include a sloped side wall 10 to surround the rear and lateral sides of a heel of a person's foot 1, to provide support to a heel, and to help locate a heel onto the heel portion 8.

Although the illustrations in FIGS. 2, 3, 9 and 11 depict a person's left foot 1, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the device 7 in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 4-8, and the elevated portion 9 in FIG. 10 are suitable for use with a person's right foot.

The present invention is also applicable to insoles other than a heel-sized insole, such as a three-quarter insole, or a full insole.

Further, although the present invention has been discussed in relation to a removable insole, it can be incorporated as a permanent inner sole in footwear, such as the inner sole of a slipper or sandal or other article of footwear, as are well known.

Although not illustrated, in some embodiments, the present invention may include a raised arch portion, as is well known by those skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, the present invention may include a covering 17 secured to the upper surface 15 or the lower surface 16 or both. The covering 17 is comprised of one or more materials including but not limited to leather, cotton, bamboo, wool, silk, synthetic fiber, semi-synthetic fiber and combinations thereof. The covering is preferably thin and flexible to closely follow the contours of the upper surface 15 of the device 7 and also to not substantially alter the overall geometry or hardness specified for the elevated portion 9. The covering 17 may be secured by any suitable means, such as adhesive, RF welding, etc., and cut to fit using a die, laser, or other suitable means.

Regardless of embodiment, the device 7 may be sized to fit a range of foot sizes. In particular, the distance from the back of a heel to the elevated portion 9 may be adjusted such that the elevated portion 9 is located underneath the origin 14 of the plantar fascia 3, 4 and 5 at the medial process of the tuberosity 6 of the calcaneus 2 according to the length of a foot 1.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the device 7 with a crescent-shaped elevated portion 9 affixed to the heel portion 8, and an optional sloped side wall 10 to surround the rear and lateral sides of a heel of a person's foot.

FIG. 2 illustrates the internal anatomy in side elevation looking toward the inside of a typical person's left foot 1, with the calcaneus or “heel bone” 2, and the three bands of plantar fascia tissue: medial 3; central 4; and lateral 5; whose origins 14 at the calcaneus 2 are arranged around the medial process of the tuberosity 6 of the calcaneus 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates the internal anatomy of a typical person's left foot 1 in plantar view with the calcaneus 2, and the medial 3, central 4, and lateral 5 bands of plantar fascia tissue, whose origins 14 at the calcaneus 2 are arranged around the medial process of the tuberosity 6 of the calcaneus 2.

FIGS. 4, 6, and 7 each illustrate a top plan view of embodiments of the device 7 with variations in shape of the elevated portion 9 affixed to the heel portion 8, and with the optional sloped side wall 10 to surround the rear and lateral sides of a heel of a person's foot.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view illustrating an embodiment of the device 7 with the elevated portion 9 situated on the upper surface 15 of the heel portion 8 and with the optional sloped side wall 10 to surround the rear and lateral sides of a heel.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the device 7 taken along line A-A′ as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, illustrating the rear surface 11, top surface 12, and front surface 13 of the elevated portion 9, the edge of radius R that joins the rear surface 11 to the top surface 12, and the angle α of the rear surface 11 with respect to an axis perpendicular to the heel portion 8. The optional covering 17 is depicted over the upper surface 15 of the heel portion 8 and the exposed surfaces of the elevated portion 9. The optional covering 17 is also depicted on the lower surface 16 of the heel portion 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates the device 7 in a longitudinal cross-section similar to FIG. 8, properly sized and positioned in relation to a person's foot 1. As shown, the heel portion 8 and the rear of the optional sloped side wall 10 are aligned with the back of a heel of a person's foot 1, which heel portion 8 serves to position the elevated portion 9 beneath the origin 14 of the medial 3, central 4, and lateral 5 plantar fascia tissues on the medial process of the tuberosity 6 of the calcaneus 2.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a cross-section of the elevated portion 9 taken along line B-B′ as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 illustrates the bottom plan view cross-section of the elevated portion 9 similar to that shown in FIG. 10 properly sized and positioned in relation to a person's left foot 1 in plantar view, and the origins 14 of the medial 3, central 4, and lateral 5 bands of plantar fascia tissue at the medial process of the tuberosity 6 of the calcaneus 2.

Claims

1. A removable device to be placed in an article of footwear below a heel of a person's foot for mitigating plantar fasciitis heel pain, and having upper and lower surfaces, the device comprising: a) a heel portion extending from a heel towards an arch of a foot, sized to fit within an article of footwear underneath a heel of a foot, and having a top surface, wherein the heel portion has a Shore 00 hardness from 20 to 80; andb) an elevated portion projecting outwardly of the top surface of the heel portion, positioned with respect to the heel portion so that, when the device is positioned within an article of footwear, the elevated portion lies beneath the origin of the plantar fascia of a foot, beneath the calcaneus bone of a foot, wherein the elevated portion has a front surface, a rear surface and a top surface, and Shore 00 hardness from 30 to 90 for applying localized compression to the origin of the plantar fascia of a foot.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the elevated portion extends laterally across the width of a foot.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the elevated portion describes an arc laterally across the width of a foot.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear surface of the elevated portion is arranged at an angle less than 45 degrees with respect to an axis perpendicular to the top surface of the heel portion.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjacent rear surface of the elevated portion and top surface of the elevated portion meet to define an edge having a radius of curvature less than 4 millimeters.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the maximum vertical height of the elevated portion is between 1 millimeter and 13 millimeters inclusive.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the elevated portion is from 3 millimeters to 50 millimeters in the longitudinal dimension at a midline cross-section.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the heel portion and the elevated portion are comprised of materials selected from the group consisting of: natural rubber, synthetic rubber, elastomer, cork, thermoplastic, visco-elastic polymer, silicone, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, urethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyolefin, poly vinyl chloride (PVC), and foams and combinations thereof.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the elevated portion is a bladder filled with material selected from the group consisting of: air, fluid, gel.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a covering on the upper surface or the lower surface.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the covering is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of: leather, cotton, bamboo, wool, silk, synthetic fiber, semi-synthetic fiber, and combinations thereof.

12. The device of claim 1, which is three-quarters length and extends approximately three-quarters of the length of a foot.

13. The device of claim 1, which is full-length and extends along the entire length of a foot.

14. Footwear for mitigating plantar fasciitis heel pain, the footwear comprising: a) an inner sole portion having a top surface, wherein the inner sole portion has a Shore 00 hardness from 20 to 80; andb) an elevated portion projecting outwardly of the top surface of the inner sole portion, positioned with respect to the inner sole portion so that, the elevated portion lies beneath the origin of the plantar fascia of a foot, beneath the calcaneus bone of a foot, wherein the elevated portion has a front surface, a rear surface and a top surface, and Shore 00 hardness from 30 to 90 for applying localized compression to the origin of the plantar fascia of a foot.

15. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the elevated portion extends laterally across the width of a foot.

16. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the elevated portion describes an arc laterally across the width of a foot.

17. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the rear surface of the elevated portion is arranged at an angle less than 45 degrees with respect to an axis perpendicular to the top surface of the heel portion.

18. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the adjacent rear surface and top surface of the elevated portion meet to define an edge having a radius of curvature less than 4 millimeters.

19. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the maximum vertical height of the elevated portion is between 1 millimeter and 13 millimeters inclusive.

20. The footwear of claim 14, wherein the top surface of the elevated portion is from 3 millimeters to 50 millimeters in the longitudinal dimension at a midline cross-section.