Patent Application
20230270199
The present disclosure generally relates to therapeutic shoes. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to reconfigurable therapeutic shoes, components for use with configuring a pair of therapeutic shoes, and systems and methods for configuring a pair of therapeutic shoes.
Therapeutic shoes may generally improve stability of an individual wearing the shoe. Therapeutic shoes may improve an ability of the individual to walk without falling.
Many individuals may experience improved stability with a proper and consistent foot orientation. Many articles and books have been written which indicate a proper form for a therapeutic shoe and, therefore, most individuals could walk better if they could adopt the suggestions and develop consistency in their foot orientation and stability.
One factor preventing widespread development of proper walking techniques concerns the inability of most individuals to find the time and facilities for therapy. Thus, it is another recognized fact that proper therapeutic shoes, and consistent use thereof, is heretofore developed if long hours of therapy are undertaken.
There are also certain physical factors which are unique to individual therapeutics which prevent improvement in walking. Accordingly, it is desirable to most people to acquire aids which would tend to overcome physical inadequacies, and which would tend to improve their stability.
It is a general object of this disclosure to provide a means adapted to be used in combination with therapeutic shoes which will tend to improve stability and walking of an individual employing such means.
It is a more particular object of this disclosure to provide a means for configuration of a therapeutic shoe which will orient an individual into a more proper pattern to thereby increase the likelihood of stability and walking in a manner desired.
It is a further particular object of this disclosure to provide a means to configure a therapeutic shoe which will facilitate acquisition of stability and a proper walk to, therefore, decrease the necessity for long hours of therapy and to also tend to overcome physical inadequacies of certain individuals.
A pair of therapeutic shoes may include a left shoe having at least one left shoe sensor and at least one left shoe stabilizer member. The right shoe may have at least one right shoe sensor and at least one right shoe stabilizer member. At least one left shoe stabilizing member may be dynamically configured based on an output from at least one right shoe sensor and/or at least one right shoe stabilizing member may be dynamically configured based on an output of at least one left shoe sensor.
In another embodiment, a computer-readable medium may store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, may cause the processor to generate a configuration for at least one therapeutic shoe. The computer-readable medium may include a pedograph data receiving module that, when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to receive pedograph data. The pedograph data may be representative of a distribution of pressure resulting from at least one foot of an individual on a surface. The computer-readable medium may also include a therapeutic shoe configuration data generation module that, when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to generate therapeutic shoe configuration data based on the pedograph data.
In a further embodiment, a method of configuring a therapeutic shoe may include receiving pedograph data that may be representative of at least one of: a footprint of a therapeutic shoe wearer, a previously determined configuration of a therapeutic shoe, or personal data associated with a therapeutic shoe wearer. The method may also include generating therapeutic shoe configuration data based on the pedograph data. The method may further include configuring a therapeutic shoe based on the therapeutic shoe configuration data.
These and other objects of the claimed invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
Therapeutic shoes are provided that may include a left shoe and/or a right shoe having at least one laterally extending stabilizer member (e.g., an outrigger). A therapeutic shoe may be configured to provide a level stability (e.g., level 1 stability, level 2 stability, level 3 stability, etc.) for a particular shoe wearer. Stability level 1 may be, for example, associated with providing stability with no removable stabilizing members attached to an associated therapeutic shoe. Stability level 2 may be, for example, associated with providing stability with at least one relatively short removable stabilizing members (e.g., at least one 0.25 inches to 1.0 inch stabilizing member) attached to an associated therapeutic shoe. Stability level 3 may be, for example, associated with providing stability with at least one relatively long removable stabilizing member (e.g., at least one 1.0 inch to 2.0 inches stabilizing member) attached to an associated therapeutic shoe.
A therapeutic shoe configured with level on stability, for example, may be delivered to a respective shoe wearer along with a plurality of stabilizing members. The level one stability therapeutic shoe may be modified (e.g., by the shoe wearer, by a podiatrist, etc.) using at least one stabilizing member to result in a therapeutic shoe configured with level two or level three stability.
Alternatively, or additionally, a pair of therapeutic shoes may include at least one shoe having at least one sensor and at least one stabilizing member having at least one actuator. The at least one therapeutic shoe may include a stability controller configured to dynamically adjust at least one stabilizing member via, for example, the at least one actuator based on an output from the at least one sensor.
Any given therapeutic shoe may be configured, at least in part, based on input provided by a pedorthist and/or a podiatrist. For example, a pedograph may be generated for a particular shoe wearer. The systems and methods of the present disclosure may perform analysis of a footprint generated by a device used to obtain footprints for analysis. Similarly, an instrument to record and study a gait of a shoe wearer.
Turning to
With reference to
Turning to
With reference to
A therapeutic shoe in accordance with the present disclosure may be particularly designed for association with any conventional therapeutic shoe 100a-d, 10. A stabilization means may comprise at least one support which is to be associated adjacent to an inner or outer edge of a therapeutic shoe 100a-d, 10. Accordingly, the support is associated with the therapeutic shoe 100a-d, 10 relative to the intended direction of movement of the wearer of the shoe 100a-d, 10.
The support means may include an integral member which may, for example, include a triangularly shaped portion and which may define a ground engaging face and a shoe 100a-d, 10 engaging face. The cross section of the member may be such that a thicker portion of the triangle will be located near the edge of the shoe 100a-d, 10 while a thinner portion may be located inwardly thereof. Accordingly, the support member may provide for an inward or outward tilt of the shoe 100a-d, 10.
The support may be configured to be removed from the therapeutic shoe 100a-d, 10. On the other hand, a fastener may be provided for holding the support securely in place when a user walks. Accordingly, an individual employing the means of this invention can place a support on a shoe 100a-d, 10 when preparing to walk and can then quickly remove the support while performing other tasks. If the device is used for improving a person's stability, then there may be no need to remove the support.
The support member illustrated in
Alternatively, a channel shaped member may define an opening for receiving a stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d, and in-turned walls of this channel shaped member may define an opening between this member and the outer surface of the wall. The stabilizing members 110a-d, 115a-d may be, for example, adapted to be rotatably or linearly received in this opening whereby the support can easily slide into place.
A base portion of a shoe 100a-d, 10, normally integral with a sole, can serve to define the channel for the stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d by turning the edges inwardly to form walls corresponding to the walls.
A stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d may include an up-turned edge which may fit around an outer edge of the sole. Inward movement of the support member 16 is thus limited by means of this edge.
Turning to
The therapeutic shoe 205b may include an insole 223b. The insole 223b may include, for example, an EVA foam sock liner. The therapeutic shoe 205b may include a midsole 222b. The midsole 222b may include at least one side and/or a heel made of EVA foam that is, for example, heavier density than the EVA foam of the insole 223b. the therapeutic shoe 205b may include a tread 221b. The tread 221b may aid in side-to-side and/or front-to-back grip stability with respect to an associated support surface. The tread 221b may include, for example, “vibram” like material. While not shown in
The therapeutic shoes shown in
One advantage of the therapeutic shoes of the present disclosure is an ability to the support a person a more proper and consistent foot orientation. With the support in place, the shoe 100a-d, 10 may be tilted inwardly, and it is believed that this tends to provide a more satisfactory weight distribution when walking. Furthermore, it has been found that a more desirable stride may result when a person employs this support. Thus, it has long been recognized that many individuals tend to sway during a walk rather than to walk in line with a more or less stationary vertical line. By providing the means of this invention, it is uncomfortable to move the hips laterally and accordingly, there may be a greater natural tendency toward proper walking. It will be understood that the shoe 100a-d, 10 may improve a walking path relative to the intended direction of a line of travel of the individual wearing the shoe 100a-d, 10.
The modification illustrated in
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other means could be employed for removably attaching the stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d to a therapeutic shoe 100a-d, 10 in the position shown. In this connection, a bracket could be fixed to the shoe 100a-d, 10 in the desired position and prongs or other extending means associated with the support could fit into this bracket. Thus, a function similar to that referred to with respect to the modification of
With additional reference to
Turning to
In normal movement of the foot during activities, such as athletic activities, the outrigger ay periodically contact the floor, ground, or other surface that sole 12 of the shoe contacts during use, but would not interfere with the user's activities. A portion of the bottom of outrigger 4 may contact the surface on which the sole rests when the shoe is being worn with the force of the weight and stance of the user determining the distribution of weight and accompanying distortion on shoe 2.
As shown in
In some embodiments, outrigger 4 may be formed integrally with the sole or a component of the sole of shoe 2, providing durability of outrigger 4. In some embodiments, an external or lower portion of outrigger 4 may be formed of the same material as the sole of shoe 2 with an additional core or filler for outrigger 4 having different elastomeric properties than the sole material. In such embodiments, the amount of lateral stiffness and comfort may be adjusted as desired. In other embodiments, outrigger may be formed integrally with another portion of the shoe above the sole, for example, in a cushion layer common to athletic shoes to which the sole material is adhered. The outrigger may molded from materials used as soles in shoes, such as plastic, rubber, rubber compounds, Vibram® or elastomer material. The outrigger may be formed entirely as a unitary member with the shoe sole, or formed as a member that is attached to the vamp or to the outer sole of the shoe. The vamp may also be formed to provide or support a portion of the outrigger.
The outrigger may extend laterally from the sole of the shoe, and is preferred to extend from the outer sole, and laterally to the side of the sole of the shoe. In some embodiments, the outrigger may not extend materially above a line defined by where the vamp meets the sole of the athletic shoe, it being recognized that athletic shoes generally have thicker soles than “street” shoes or dress shoes. In one embodiment, the outrigger may maintain a low profile, rising below the vamp of the shoe as the position of the talus within the shoe.
In some embodiments, outrigger 4 may be mounted along a lesser length of the shoe, such as from the ball, or widest part of the shoe to a point before middle of the heel. Such shorter outrigger designs may provide some roll protection while allowing for greater latitude in shoe design and style. However, the reduced length of the device may in some applications provide less roll protection than the longer lengths extending substantially the entire length of the shoe.
In one exemplary embodiment, outrigger 4 (e.g., a stabilizer member) may extend from the lateral side of the sole of the shoe from between about 1 to 2 cm from a normal width extent of a comparably sized conventional shoe. Outrigger 4 may be formed such that it extends from the most outwardly extending side of the shoe, whether the most outwardly extending portion is the vamp or the quarter of the shoe. Similarly, the outrigger may have different widths or provide variable width enhancements over a traditional width in varying amounts extending along the length of the shoe. This dimension, or additional width, may be provided sufficient to prevent inversion of the ankle of the user as the foot begins to roll under the user. Additional width beyond about 2 cm may interfere with activities of the user or with those in close contact with the user, but may be appropriate depending on the activity and the level of stability desired.
In other embodiments, such as is shown in
In another embodiment, the outrigger may have an arcuate bottom surface that curves out and away from the sole of the shoe, contacting the surface near the sole but arcing upwardly and above the surface as the bottom of the outrigger extends away from the sole. In another embodiment, the entire bottom surface of the outrigger may contact the surface.
The front of the outrigger may be formed in an arcuate shape as shown in
A stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d, stabilizer, or outrigger may, for example, be incorporated into a slip-on member (e.g., an overshoe, a partial overshoe, etc.). Alternatively, or additionally, a stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d, stabilizer, or outrigger may, for example, be configured as a shoe insert. As yet another alternative, or addition, a stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d, stabilizer, or outrigger may, for example, include at least one adjustable strap (e.g., an ankle strap of a high-top shoe extending from a shoe sole to a shoe top, an ankle strap of a high-top shoe extending circumferentially around at least a portion of a person's ankle, a strap extending along shoe laces from a toe of the shoe to a top of the shoe, a strap incorporated into a shoe tong, etc.).
Any given stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d stabilizer, or outrigger may include an actuator (e.g., a pneumatic actuator, a mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electrical actuator, etc.) that may be configured to vary a shape and/or orientation of the stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d, stabilizer, or outrigger. The shape and/or orientation of the stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d, stabilizer, or outrigger may be manually and/or automatically varied. For example, at least one sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a level sensor, a motion sensor, strain sensor, etc.) may be incorporated within a shoe and connected to an actuator to automatically vary a shape and/or orientation of a stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d, stabilizer, or outrigger. Thereby, a user's stability and/or walking may be improved.
Output(s) of at least one sensor may be connected to an input(s) of a circuit (e.g., a discrete component electrical circuit, a processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a logic circuit, etc.). Output(s) of the circuit may be connected to at least one actuator. The circuit may control at least one circuit output to automatically vary a shape and/or orientation of the stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d, stabilizer, or outrigger based on at least one circuit input. For example, an output of a sensor may indicate that a user has begun to lean in a certain direction (e.g., pressure on a sensor has increased/decreased, strain on a sensor has increased/decreased, etc.). The circuit may automatically vary a shape and/or orientation of the stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d to at least partially compensate (or correct) the lean of the person (i.e., the circuit may automatically vary a shape and/or orientation of the stabilizing member 110a-d, 115a-d, stabilizer, or outrigger via at least one actuator).
With reference to
Turning to
With reference to
The therapeutic shoe controller 680a may include a memory 681a storing a module 682a, a processor 683a, and a transceiver 684a. The processor 683a may execute the module 682a to, for example, cause the processor 683a to generate a pedograph 692. As illustrated in
The system for configuring a therapeutic shoe 600a-d may also include a remote computing device 685a communicatively connected to the therapeutic shoe controller 680a via a remote transceiver 689a, a communication network 690a (e.g., wired or wireless), and the shoe controller transceiver 684a. While not shown in
The remote computing device 685a may also include a memory 686a storing a module 687a, a processor 688a, a user input device 691, and a display device 695.
With further reference to
With further reference to
In particular, the processor 683a may execute the user interface generation module 610c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to generate a user interface (block 610d). The user interface may be configured to, for example, allow a pedorithist, a podiatrist, a show wearer, etc. to enter pedograph data and/or personal information data.
The processor 683a may execute the shoe wearer personal information data receiving module 615c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to receive personal information from a shoe wearer (block 615d). The personal information data may be, for example, representative of at least one of: a shoe wearer's age; gender; height; weight; whether the shoe wearer has a previously configured pair of therapeutic shoes and, of so, associated configuration data for the previously configured pair of therapeutic shoes; details related to any shoe wearer falls or near falls; etc.
The processor 683a may execute the empirical shoe wearer/shoe configuration correlated data receiving module 620c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to receive empirical shoe wearing/shoe configuration correlated data (block 620d). The empirical shoe wearer/shoe configuration correlated data may be, for example, representative of previously configured therapeutic shoe configurations correlated with respective shoe wearer personal information data and/or respective pedograph data.
The processor 683a may execute the right foot pedograph data receiving module 625c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to receive right foot pedograph data (block 625d). The right foot pedograph data may be representative of, for example, pressures/pressure locations on a user's right foot when the user stands, walks and/or runs.
The processor 683a may execute the left foot pedograph data receiving module 630c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to receive left foot pedograph data (block 630d). The left foot pedograph data may be representative of, for example, pressures/pressure locations on a user's left foot when the user stands, walks and/or runs.
The processor 683a may execute the right shoe configuration data generation module 635c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to generate right shoe configuration data (block 635d). The right shoe configuration data may be representative of location(s) and/or length(s) of stabilizer member(s) on a right shoe.
The processor 683a may execute the left shoe configuration data generation module 640c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to generate left shoe configuration data (block 640d). The left shoe configuration data may be representative of location(s) and/or length(s) of stabilizer member(s) on a left shoe.
The processor 683a may execute the shoe wearer and shoe configuration data storage module 645c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to store shoe wearer and shoe configuration data (block 645d). The shoe wearer and shoe configuration data may be representative of shoe configuration data correlated with respective shoe wearer personal data and/or respective pedograph data.
The processor 683a may execute the shoe manufacture module 650c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to control an automatic shoe manufacturing module (650d). The processor 683a may execute the generic shoe modification module 655c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to implement a modification of a generic shoe (or level one stability shoe) (block 655d).
The processor 683a may execute the dynamic shoe configuration module 660c to, for example, cause the processor 683a to dynamically configure at least one therapeutic shoe (block 660d). A therapeutic shoe may, for example, be automatically and dynamically reconfigured while a shoe wearer is standing and/or moving. The dynamic shoe configuration may be, for example, based on real-time sensor data.
The processor 683a may execute a pedograph data receiving module to receive pedograph data. The pedograph data may be representative of a distribution of pressure resulting from at least one foot of an individual on a surface. The processor 683a may execute a therapeutic shoe configuration data generation module to generate therapeutic shoe configuration data based on the pedograph data. The pedograph data may be representative of at least one of: an output from at least one pressure sensor, an output of at least one strain sensor, an output of at least one digital image sensor, or an output from at least one pedograph. Alternatively, or additionally, the pedograph data may be representative of a distribution of pressure resulting from a left foot of the individual and the therapeutic shoe configuration data is representative of a configuration of at least one stabilizer member of a therapeutic shoe for a right foot. Alternatively, or additionally, the pedograph data may be representative of a distribution of pressure resulting from a right foot of the individual and the therapeutic shoe configuration data may be representative of a configuration of at least one stabilizer member of a therapeutic shoe for a left foot. The therapeutic shoe configuration data generation module may include a probability function and the therapeutic shoe configuration data is representative of a plurality of probable therapeutic shoe configurations. The therapeutic shoe configuration data generation module may include a machine learning algorithm and the therapeutic shoe configuration data is based on empirical data of a plurality of therapeutic shoe configurations correlated with respective pedograph data.
The processor 683a may receive pedograph data, receive therapeutic shoe pedograph review data from a therapeutic shoe manufacturer, receive therapeutic shoe manufacturer determination of best therapeutic shoe configuration for stability, and receive a configured therapeutic shoe from the manufacture.
A method of configuring a therapeutic shoe 600d may include receiving pedograph data representative of at least one of: a footprint of a therapeutic shoe wearer, a previously determined configuration of a therapeutic shoe, or personal data associated with a therapeutic shoe wearer. The method may also include generating therapeutic shoe configuration data based on the pedograph data, and configuring a therapeutic shoe based on the therapeutic shoe configuration data. The pedograph data may be at least partially based on information received from a therapeutic shoe wearer in response to information received from the therapeutic shoe wearer in response to a questioner. The pedograph data may be at least partially based on information received from a therapeutic shoe wearer in consultation with a podiatrist. The pedograph data may be at least partially based on information received from a therapeutic shoe wearer in consultation with a therapeutic shoe manufacture. The pedograph data may be representative of a right foot of a therapeutic shoe wearer, and therapeutic shoe configuration data may be representative of a configuration of a left foot therapeutic shoe. The pedograph data may be representative of a left foot of a therapeutic shoe wearer, and the therapeutic shoe configuration data is representative of a configuration of a right foot therapeutic shoe. The therapeutic shoe configuration data may be representative of a level one stability therapeutic shoe, and the method may further include receiving level two stability data, and generating level two therapeutic shoe stability data based on the level two stability data.
A pair of therapeutic shoes may include a left shoe having at least one left shoe sensor and at least one left shoe stabilizer member, and a right shoe having at least one right shoe sensor and at least one right shoe stabilizer member. At least one left shoe stabilizing member may be dynamically configured based on an output from the at least one right shoe sensor or the at least one right shoe stabilizing member may be dynamically configured based on an output of the at least one left shoe sensor. A configuration of the at least one left shoe stabilizer member or the at least one right shoe stabilizer member may be automatically reconfigured in response to a change in the output of the at least one right shoe sensor or the output of the at least one left shoe sensor. The at least one left shoe stabilizer member and/or the at least one right shoe stabilizer member may include at least one actuator selected from: a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or a mechanical spring actuator. The pair of therapeutic shoes may include a left shoe transceiver and a right shoe transceiver. The output of the at least one right shoe sensor may be received at the left shoe transceiver and/or an output of the at least one left shoe sensor may be received at the right shoe transceiver. At least one left shoe stabilizer may be removably secured to the left shoe and/or the at least one right shoe stabilizer may be removably secured to the right shoe. At least one left shoe stabilizer may be removably secured to the left shoe via at least one left shoe fastener and/or the at least one right shoe stabilizer may be removably secured to the right shoe via at least one right shoe fastener. At least one left shoe fastener and/or at least one right shoe fastener may be selected from: a mechanical fastener, a magnetic fastener, a pressure sensitive adhesive, an interference-fit assembly, or a friction-fit assembly.
This detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this application.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2020/064734 | 12/13/2020 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62947157 | Dec 2019 | US |
