US20080301975A1 - Plantar For Reflexological Stimulation - Google Patents

Plantar For Reflexological Stimulation Download PDF

Info

Publication number: US20080301975A1
Authority: US; United States
Prior art keywords: insole according; elastic elements; foot; sole; insole
Prior art date: 2005-11-22
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.): Abandoned

Application number

US12/094,603

Other languages

English (en)

Inventor

Maria Antonietta Fusco

Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

NEUROREFLEX Ltd

KS Italia SAS di Ambrosone Mario and Co

Original Assignee

Individual

Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)

2005-11-22

Filing date

2005-11-22

Publication date

2008-12-11

2005-11-22 Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual

2008-09-08 Assigned to NEUROREFLEX LTD. reassignment NEUROREFLEX LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KS ITALIA S.A.S. DI AMBROSONE MARIO & C.

2008-09-08 Assigned to KS ITALIA S.A.S. DI AMBROSONE MARIO & C. reassignment KS ITALIA S.A.S. DI AMBROSONE MARIO & C. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FUSCO, MARIA ANTONIETTA

2008-12-11 Publication of US20080301975A1 publication Critical patent/US20080301975A1/en

Status Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

230000000638 stimulation Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 21
210000002683 foot Anatomy 0.000 claims description 32
230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 11
238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 11
238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 11
230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 4
238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 4
244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 claims description 3
239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
210000004177 elastic tissue Anatomy 0.000 claims description 2
229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
230000001225 therapeutic effect Effects 0.000 description 4
230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
108091005705 exteroceptors Proteins 0.000 description 3
210000003205 muscle Anatomy 0.000 description 3
108091008706 proprioceptors Proteins 0.000 description 3
238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 2
230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 2
230000000272 proprioceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
230000011514 reflex Effects 0.000 description 2
210000003371 toe Anatomy 0.000 description 2
ABXZHBOLRVUXPK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-aminopropyl carbamimidothioate Chemical compound NCCCSC(N)=N ABXZHBOLRVUXPK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 description 1
RRHGJUQNOFWUDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isoprene Chemical compound CC(=C)C=C RRHGJUQNOFWUDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
208000004210 Pressure Ulcer Diseases 0.000 description 1
229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
230000001174 ascending effect Effects 0.000 description 1
239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
230000003861 general physiology Effects 0.000 description 1
230000007794 irritation Effects 0.000 description 1
239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
230000007170 pathology Effects 0.000 description 1
229920001195 polyisoprene Polymers 0.000 description 1
230000001144 postural effect Effects 0.000 description 1
230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
230000004936 stimulating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
238000002560 therapeutic procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
208000019553 vascular disease Diseases 0.000 description 1

Images

Classifications

- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
- A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
- A43B7/1455—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form with special properties
- A43B7/146—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form with special properties provided with acupressure points or means for foot massage
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
- A43B13/18—Resilient soles
- A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
- A43B13/182—Helicoidal springs
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
- A43B13/18—Resilient soles
- A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
- A43B13/186—Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B17/00—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
- A43B17/02—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B17/00—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
- A43B17/06—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined with metal springs
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts

Definitions

the present invention refers to an insole of a type apt to be employed for reflexological stimulation of the sole of the foot in order to perform a vertical pressure stimulation thereof.
insoles insertable into shoes or incorporated therein, aiming at stimulating selected zones of the sole of the foot for reflexological purposes, e.g. for improving or correcting a subject's walking or posture.
known insoles generally perform an undifferentiated stimulation of the various areas of the sole of the foot, and therefore are not selective with respect to the specific stimulation that can be more indicated for each single reflexological area or area portion. Therefore, the known insoles are less than satisfactory in terms of attainable therapeutic results.
the technical problem set and solved by the present invention is to provide an insole for reflexological stimulation overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art.
the present invention provides several relevant advantages.
the main advantage lies in that the insole of the invention, by having elastic elements of different rigidity and/or height in different zones of the sole of the foot, allows to attain a specific and selective stimulation and support.
FIG. 1 shows a partially sectional perspective view of an embodiment of the insole according to the present invention when inserted in a sports shoe and worn on by a user;
FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the insole of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the insole, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2 .
an insole for reflexological stimulation of the sole of the foot is generally denoted by 1 .
the insole 1 is of a type apt to be removably extracted and inserted into a shoe.
the insole 1 comprises a bottom layer 2 apt to contact the shoe insole and a top layer 3 apt to contact the subject's sole of the foot. Between said layers 2 and 3 it is received a plurality of elastic elements, generally denoted by 4 , extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sole of the foot and arranged at selected reflexological areas thereof to perform said stimulation.
the bottom layer 2 is made of flexible PVC and has a thickness of about 1 mm.
the top layer 3 is made of a material soft to the touch.
the bottom layer 2 and the top layer 3 are fixed therebetween, e.g., glued, at the periphery of the insole.
the perimeter of the insole 1 may also be reinforced by linear seams.
a fixing between the two layers of the insole, by gluing lines and/or perimeter seams, may be provided also at the periphery of each reflexological area at which the elastic elements are arranged, as schematically shown in FIG. 2 , so as to provide a containment casing or cell for the elastic elements 4 arranged in said area.
an additional intermediate layer 6 made e.g. of Para rubber, to improve the comfort of the subject wearing the insole 1 .
the elastic elements 4 are helical compression springs, each having a first end 41 fixed onto the bottom layer 2 and a second end 42 apt to act onto the sole of the foot.
each elastic element has a coupling means 5 for coupling to the sole of the foot, which in the present embodiment is implemented by an element substantially hemisphere- dome- or drop-shaped preferably made of an elastic material like, e.g., silicone, Indian rubber (caoutchouc) or Para rubber.
the coupling means 5 has a height comprised in a range of about 1-1.5 mm and a plan width equal to about (2 ⁇ 2) mm.
the coupling means 4 makes the resting of the sole of the foot onto the insole comfortable, and propagates the pressure wave to an area of the reflexological zones of the sole of the foot without creating decubitus ulcers or irritations.
the main body of the elastic elements comprised between the two ends 41 and 42 is made of an elastic fiber material, like, e.g. carbon fiber or tempered steel having controlled deflection, i.e., specific for the weight to which it has to be subjected and therefore for the patient's anthropometric characteristics.
an elastic fiber material like, e.g. carbon fiber or tempered steel having controlled deflection, i.e., specific for the weight to which it has to be subjected and therefore for the patient's anthropometric characteristics.
the elastic elements 4 are arranged in sets at reflexological areas corresponding to the adductor hallucis, the flexor hallucis brevis, the flexor digiti minimi brevis pedis, the abductor digiti minimi brevis pedis, the supinator wedge, the pronator wedge and the abductor hallucis.
insole reflexology consists in the stimulation of determined points of the sole of the foot, basically corresponding to the muscle insertions of the so-called intrinsic muscles maintaining the foot arches, with which it is possible to influence the general physiology of human body for therapeutic purposes. In particular, a therapeutic correction of the ascending postural anomalies is possible.
the elastic elements 4 are apt to perform a proprioceptive, exteroceptive, pressoceptive and/or reflex triggering stimulation for correcting musculoskeletal, myofascial and/or vascular disorders; for this purpose, they are arranged in correspondence of exteroceptors, proprioceptors, pressoceptors and/or any other reflexological point of the sole of the foot.
Said proprioceptors, exteroceptors, pressoceptors and reflexological points, of superficial, articular and deep type, are basically located at the muscle insertions of the sole of the foot.
variant embodiments could provide elastic elements arranged in correspondence of any other point of exteroceptive, pressoceptive and reflex triggering stimulation of the sole of the foot, in association or not in association with the seven proprioceptive points indicated above.
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary map of the distribution of the elastic elements 4 in said selected areas.
the elastic elements depicted as darker and denoted by 401 in said figure have a height and rigidity greater than the elements depicted as lighter and denoted by 402 ; this in order to act also as support in the various reflexological points of the sole of the foot.
the height and the rigidity of the elastic elements 4 are greater at the centre of each of said selected reflexological areas of the sole of the foot.
each elastic element may be selected so as to attain a correct reflexotherapic stimulation of the proprioceptors, exteroceptors, pressoceptors and reflexological points in general of the sole of the foot in each specific patient and for each specific pathology. Said parameters are selected on the basis of therapeutic indications referring to the patient who should wear on the insole 1 .
the elastic elements 4 deflect under the subject's load and then gradually return, as the load is eliminated, in the extended condition at rest.
the rigidity of the elastic elements 4 is such that those, under the maximum load exerted by the subject, reduce their height of about 1 ⁇ 3 or of about 1 ⁇ 2.
the insole 1 provides not only a pressure stimulation, but, by virtue of the spring-like implementation of the elastic elements, also a vibratory stimulation, above all when the elastic elements are made of metal; hence, the stimulation actually is a two-fold one.
the insole of the invention is susceptible of several embodiments alternative to the one described hereto. E.g., it may be permanently incorporated into a shoe instead of being removable with respect thereto.
the elastic elements could provide an embodiment different from the above-illustrated one, e.g. by replacing, in some or all of the elements, the helical springs with spiral compression springs.

Landscapes

Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
Epidemiology (AREA)
General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
Public Health (AREA)
Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)

US12/094,603 2005-11-22 2005-11-22 Plantar For Reflexological Stimulation Abandoned US20080301975A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
PCT/IB2005/053870 WO2007060500A2 (fr)	2005-11-22	2005-11-22	Semelle de stimulation reflexologique

Publications (1)

Publication Number	Publication Date
US20080301975A1 true US20080301975A1 (en)	2008-12-11

Family

ID=36645738

Family Applications (1)

Application Number	Title	Priority Date	Filing Date
US12/094,603 Abandoned US20080301975A1 (en)	2005-11-22	2005-11-22	Plantar For Reflexological Stimulation

Country Status (5)

Country	Link
US (1)	US20080301975A1 (fr)
EP (1)	EP1954153A2 (fr)
AU (1)	AU2005338576A1 (fr)
CA (1)	CA2630631A1 (fr)
WO (1)	WO2007060500A2 (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
US20100161076A1 (en) *	2008-12-11	2010-06-24	Materialise N.V.	Orthotic or prosthetic cushioned device and method of making the same
US20110162234A1 (en) *	2010-01-05	2011-07-07	Norman Dean	Shoe insole with flexible inserts
US20120227284A1 (en) *	2011-03-08	2012-09-13	Admark Athletic Ventures	Athletic positioning apparatus including a heel platform and applications thereof
CN103330335A (zh) *	2013-07-03	2013-10-02	沈红星	弹性鞋垫
US20130291399A1 (en) *	2012-02-09	2013-11-07	Mx Orthopedics, Corp.	Insole and foot orthotics made of shape memory material (smm) three-dimensional spacer fabrics
US20170303635A1 (en) *	2014-11-17	2017-10-26	Alexander Sidney Kazarian	Selectively Textured Footbed
US20200405008A1 (en) *	2018-10-16	2020-12-31	Adam Michaels Urbin	Tactile feedback shoe sole
CN112244429A (zh) *	2020-09-29	2021-01-22	平潭综合实验区百汉国际贸易有限公司	一种舒缓足部压力的智能鞋垫及其工作方法

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
US2043396A (en) *	1934-12-20	1936-06-09	Jacob P Schnellbacher	Arch support
US5042175A (en) *	1990-01-30	1991-08-27	Samuel Ronen	User-specific shoe sole coil spring system and method
US5651196A (en) *	1996-01-11	1997-07-29	Hsieh; Frank	Highly elastic footwear sole
US5682690A (en) *	1996-07-02	1997-11-04	Chang; Shyh-Chye	Footwear with adjustable massage units
US5860229A (en) *	1994-02-24	1999-01-19	Prodomo S.A.	Inlay sole with massaging knobs
US20040016148A1 (en) *	2002-07-23	2004-01-29	Chen Huan Li	Elastic shoe-pad
US7013588B2 (en) *	2003-05-15	2006-03-21	Freddie Chang	Floating massage pad structure

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
DE2619410A1 (de) *	1975-05-06	1976-11-25	Martin Kresten Majgaa Pedersen	Fusstuetze fuer massage-therapie
CH661846A5 (en) *	1984-01-17	1987-08-31	Frede Ladefoged	Sandal
WO2004014171A1 (fr) *	2002-08-12	2004-02-19	John Jacob Peter Beljon	Semelles de chaussures possedant un effet therapeutique

2005
- 2005-11-22 WO PCT/IB2005/053870 patent/WO2007060500A2/fr active Application Filing
- 2005-11-22 CA CA002630631A patent/CA2630631A1/fr not_active Abandoned
- 2005-11-22 US US12/094,603 patent/US20080301975A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-11-22 AU AU2005338576A patent/AU2005338576A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-11-22 EP EP05819059A patent/EP1954153A2/fr not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
US2043396A (en) *	1934-12-20	1936-06-09	Jacob P Schnellbacher	Arch support
US5042175A (en) *	1990-01-30	1991-08-27	Samuel Ronen	User-specific shoe sole coil spring system and method
US5860229A (en) *	1994-02-24	1999-01-19	Prodomo S.A.	Inlay sole with massaging knobs
US5651196A (en) *	1996-01-11	1997-07-29	Hsieh; Frank	Highly elastic footwear sole
US5682690A (en) *	1996-07-02	1997-11-04	Chang; Shyh-Chye	Footwear with adjustable massage units
US20040016148A1 (en) *	2002-07-23	2004-01-29	Chen Huan Li	Elastic shoe-pad
US7013588B2 (en) *	2003-05-15	2006-03-21	Freddie Chang	Floating massage pad structure

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
US20100161076A1 (en) *	2008-12-11	2010-06-24	Materialise N.V.	Orthotic or prosthetic cushioned device and method of making the same
US10052217B2 (en) *	2008-12-11	2018-08-21	Materialise N.V.	Orthotic or prosthetic cushioned device and method of making the same
US20110162234A1 (en) *	2010-01-05	2011-07-07	Norman Dean	Shoe insole with flexible inserts
US20120227284A1 (en) *	2011-03-08	2012-09-13	Admark Athletic Ventures	Athletic positioning apparatus including a heel platform and applications thereof
US10674786B2 (en) *	2011-03-08	2020-06-09	Athalonz, Llc	Athletic positioning apparatus including a heel platform and applications thereof
US20130291399A1 (en) *	2012-02-09	2013-11-07	Mx Orthopedics, Corp.	Insole and foot orthotics made of shape memory material (smm) three-dimensional spacer fabrics
CN103330335A (zh) *	2013-07-03	2013-10-02	沈红星	弹性鞋垫
US20170303635A1 (en) *	2014-11-17	2017-10-26	Alexander Sidney Kazarian	Selectively Textured Footbed
US10542790B2 (en) *	2014-11-17	2020-01-28	Alexander Sidney Kazarian	Selectively textured footbed
US20200405008A1 (en) *	2018-10-16	2020-12-31	Adam Michaels Urbin	Tactile feedback shoe sole
US11547179B2 (en) *	2018-10-16	2023-01-10	Adam Urbain	Tactile feedback shoe sole
CN112244429A (zh) *	2020-09-29	2021-01-22	平潭综合实验区百汉国际贸易有限公司	一种舒缓足部压力的智能鞋垫及其工作方法

Also Published As

Publication number	Publication date
AU2005338576A1 (en)	2007-05-31
CA2630631A1 (fr)	2007-05-31
WO2007060500A2 (fr)	2007-05-31
WO2007060500A3 (fr)	2007-10-04
EP1954153A2 (fr)	2008-08-13

Legal Events

Date

Code

Title

Description

2008-09-08

AS

Assignment

Owner name: KS ITALIA S.A.S. DI AMBROSONE MARIO & C., ITALY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FUSCO, MARIA ANTONIETTA;REEL/FRAME:021497/0104

Effective date: 20080625

Owner name: NEUROREFLEX LTD., IRELAND

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KS ITALIA S.A.S. DI AMBROSONE MARIO & C.;REEL/FRAME:021497/0134