Insole for an orthopedic device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10939723-B2
Application number	US-201414489805-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 18, 2014
Priority date	Sep 18, 2013
Publication date	Mar 9, 2021
Grant date	Mar 9, 2021

Abstract

An insole for an orthopedic device includes a top portion including at least one top layer. The top layer defines a top surface arranged to be substantially adjacent a plantar surface of a user's foot. A bottom portion is connected to and arranged opposite the top portion. The bottom portion includes at least one bottom layer. At least one removable element is arranged for removal from at least the bottom portion for defining at least one opening below the top surface. The top surface continuously spans over the at least one opening arranged for off-loading one or more affected areas of the plantar surface of the foot.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An insole for an orthopedic device comprising:
a first layer defining a foot engagement surface of the insole configured to face and engage with a plantar surface of a foot of a user, the foot engagement surface continuously extending between a toe edge portion and a heel edge portion of the insole;
a second layer defining a bottom surface of the insole configured to face away from the plantar surface of the foot, the second layer extending between the toe edge portion and the heel edge portion of the insole;
a third layer connecting and extending between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer being resiliently compressible such that the third layer compresses and rebounds between the first layer and the second layer as the user walks on the insole;
a plurality of removable elements formed from at least the second layer and the third layer and each extending downwardly from the first layer to an unattached lower end that is independently movable within the bottom surface of the insole relative to the first layer, at least one of the removable elements arranged for removal from the bottom surface of the insole for defining at least one opening below the foot engagement surface of the insole so that a thickness of the first layer extends over the at least one opening, the first layer extending over the at least one opening being continuous and covering an entirety of the foot engagement surface from the toe edge portion to the heel edge portion of the insole and from a medial side of the insole to a lateral side of the insole to enhance comfort and protection to the plantar surface of the foot, wherein the removable elements surrounding the at least one opening define an outer periphery of the at least one opening and move the foot engagement surface of the insole extending over the at least one opening to reduce shear stress on a plantar surface of the foot and accommodate lateral foot motion; and
an adhesive bond between the first layer and the third layer, and an adhesive bond between the second layer and the third layer, wherein the adhesive bond between the first layer and the third layer is arranged to fail or break before the adhesive bond between the second layer and the third layer so the removable elements do not fall apart at the interface between the second layer and the third layer, the first layer having a tear strength between about 7 times to about 12 times greater than a tear strength of the third layer, the second layer having a tear strength between about 2.5 times to about 3 times greater than the tear strength of the third layer.

2. The insole of claim 1 , wherein the first layer is heat formable such that the first layer is configured to match a shape of the plantar surface of the foot.

3. The insole of claim 2 , wherein the second layer is heat formable such that the second layer is configured to match a shape of the plantar surface of the foot.

4. The insole of claim 1 , wherein a combined thickness of the second layer and the third layer is greater than about twice the thickness of the first layer such that the foot engagement surface continuously spanning over the at least one opening remains vertically above the bottom surface of the insole as a user walks on the insole.

5. The insole of claim 1 , wherein the second layer includes a high density resilient material such that the second layer is configured to maintain the foot engagement surface a distance from the bottom surface of the insole as a user walks on the insole.

6. The insole of claim 1 , wherein the removable elements comprise only the second layer and the third layer.

7. The insole of claim 1 , wherein the removable elements are arranged to move independently of one another.

8. An insole comprising:
a first layer defining a foot engagement surface of the insole configured to face and engage with a plantar surface of a foot of a user, the first layer extending between a toe edge portion and a heel edge portion of the insole;
a second layer defining a bottom surface of the insole configured to face away from the plantar surface of the foot, and a third layer connecting and extending between the first layer and the second layer, the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer being formed of different materials, the third layer being resiliently compressible such that the third layer compresses and rebounds between the first layer and the second layer as the user walks on the insole;
a plurality of removable elements formed from the first layer, the second layer and the third layer and each removable element extending downwardly from the first layer to an unattached lower end that is independently movable within the bottom surface of the insole relative to the first layer, at least one of the removable elements arranged for removal from the bottom surface of the insole for defining at least one opening below the foot engagement surface of the insole so that a thickness of the first layer extends over the at least one opening, the first layer extending over the at least one opening being continuous and covering an entirety of the foot engagement surface from the toe edge portion to the heel edge portion of the insole and from a medial side of the insole to a lateral side of the insole to enhance comfort and protection to the plantar surface of the foot, wherein the removable elements surrounding the at least one opening define an outer periphery of the opening and move with the foot engagement surface of the insole extending over the at least one opening to reduce shear stress on a plantar surface of the foot and accommodate lateral foot motion; and
an adhesive bond between the first layer and the third layer, and an adhesive bond between the second layer and the third layer, wherein the adhesive bond between the first layer and the third layer is arranged to fail or break before the adhesive bond between the second layer and the third layer so the removable elements do not fall apart at the interface between the second layer and the third layer, the first layer having a tear strength between about 7 times to about 12 times greater than a tear strength of the third layer, the second layer having a tear strength between about 2.5 times to about 3 times greater than the tear strength of the third layer.

9. The insole of claim 8 , wherein the first layer is heat formable such that the first layer is configured to match a shape of the plantar surface of the foot.

10. The insole of claim 9 , wherein the second layer is heat formable such that the second layer is configured to match the shape of the plantar surface of the foot.

Assignees

• Ossur Hf

Inventors

• Walborn Jonathan
• Klutts Zachariah J
• Romo Harry Duane

Classifications

• A43B7/1464

  with adjustable pads to allow custom fit · CPC title

• A43B1/0009 Primary

  made at least partially of alveolar or honeycomb material · CPC title

• A43B13/383

  pieced · CPC title

• A43B7/147

  for sick or disabled persons, e.g. persons having osteoarthritis or diabetes · CPC title

• A43B7/141

  having an anatomical or curved form · CPC title