WO1994016589A1 - Procede et dispositif de stabilisation du talon - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif de stabilisation du talon Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1994016589A1
WO1994016589A1 PCT/US1994/000971 US9400971W WO9416589A1 WO 1994016589 A1 WO1994016589 A1 WO 1994016589A1 US 9400971 W US9400971 W US 9400971W WO 9416589 A1 WO9416589 A1 WO 9416589A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
heel
foot
recited
cup
strap
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1994/000971
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ronald S. Krivosha
Original Assignee
Krivosha Ronald S
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.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Krivosha Ronald S filed Critical Krivosha Ronald S
Priority to AU60328/94A priority Critical patent/AU6032894A/en
Publication of WO1994016589A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994016589A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B21/00—Heels; Top-pieces or top-lifts
    • A43B21/24—Heels; Top-pieces or top-lifts characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B21/26—Resilient heels
    • A43B21/28—Pneumatic heels filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
    • A43B23/08—Heel stiffeners; Toe stiffeners
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
    • A43B5/0405—Linings, paddings or insertions; Inner boots
    • A43B5/0407—Linings, paddings or insertions; Inner boots inflatable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
    • A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
    • A61F5/0102—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
    • A61F5/0104—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations without articulation
    • A61F5/0111—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations without articulation for the feet or ankles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
    • A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
    • A61F5/0102—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
    • A61F5/012—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations inflatable

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to devices and methods for supporting the heel and for treating heel pain and, more particularly, to such devices and methods which apply pressure to the heel region of a human's foot.
  • Heel pain is a relatively common medical complaint that affects all age groups.
  • the etiology of heel pain includes: (1) trauma, such as contusions; (2) metabolic conditions, such as Gout, Reiter's Disease, and Rheumatoid Arthritis; (3) bio-mechanical conditions, such as Pes Piano Valgus and Equinus, and; (4) anatomical abnormalities, such as heel spurs, narrow heels, and decreased plantar fat pad.
  • It is a general object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of stabilizing the heel of a foot. It an object of the present invention to provide such a device which also acts to increase the size of the fat pad under the heel to protect the calcaneus against impacts.
  • the heel stabilizing device disclosed herein comprises an inflatable heel cup designed to be worn around the heel area of a foot and used to stabilize the calcaneus.
  • the heel stabilizing device hereinafter known as the device, comprises a heel cup designed to fit around the posterior, lateral, medial, and plantar aspects of the heel.
  • the device is also designed to be worn on either foot and to be used separately or with a variety of different footwear. It is also adjustable in size so that it may be used with different foot sizes.
  • Manufactured inside the heel cup is an inflatable air bladder which, in the preferred embodiment, is divided into two air chambers.
  • the two air chambers are disposed on the opposite, inside surfaces of the heel cup so that when the device is worn, the air chambers are positioned on the lateral and medial sides of the heel at or slightly below the Sub-talar joint, (the joint space located between the Talus and the Calcaneus) .
  • the air chambers When the air chambers are inflated, they exert opposite, equal compressive forces on the calcaneus which act to stabilize the calcaneus and to prevent its relative movement.
  • the air chambers are disposed at a sufficiently low position on the device so that when inflated, they force soft tissue surround the foot downward creating or increasing the size of the fat pad disposed plantarly directly below the plantar tubercle of the calcaneus. This fat pad acts as a cushioning, protective layer which reduces any impact forces on the plantar tubercle of the calcaneus.
  • the fastening means comprises an adjustable strap attached integrally at one end to one side of the heel cup.
  • the strap is wrapped around the instep or dorsal region of the foot and attached at the opposite end to the opposite side of the heel cup to hold the device in place around the heel.
  • the attachment means used to connect the opposite end of the strap to the device allows the tension of the strap to be adjusted so that the inward forces exerted by the air chambers on the lateral and medial surfaces of the heel may be adjusted.
  • This adjustable feature also allows the device to be used with different foot sizes.
  • the entire strap is detachable from the device.
  • An air control valve is also provided with the device which enables pressurized air from an external air pressure source to be transferred into the air bladder.
  • the end of the air control valve is externally located so that the user can adjust the amount of air pressure in the air bladder while the device worn and used with footwear.
  • An optional heel pad also may be attached to the heel support surface located inside the heel cup to provide additional support and protection to the heel.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the heel stabilizing device attached to the heel of a foot.
  • Fig. 2 is a lateral, side elevational view of the heel stabilizing device to a foot showing the position of the air chamber relative to the Sub-talar joint.
  • Fig. 3 is a medial, side elevational view of the heel stabilizing device attached to the foot as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the heel stabilizing device attached to the foot as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
  • Fig. 5 is an illustration of the heel stabilizing device shown in a flat position.
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the heel stabilizing device attached to the heel of a foot.
  • Fig. 7 is a partial side elevational view of the heel stabilizing device showing the tab structure folded downward and attached to the rear surface of a shoe.
  • Fig. 8 is a partial side elevational view of the heel stabilizing device showing the tab structure extended in an upward direction.
  • Fig. 9 is a rear elevation view of a foot showing the formation of a fat pad below the calcaneus when the air chambers exert pressure along the lateral and medial sides of the foot.
  • the herein disclosed invention is a heel stabilizing device, generally designated as 7, comprised of a flexible, inflatable heel cup 10 capable of being wrapped around the heel 91 of a foot 90.
  • the heel cup 10 is made of flexible, lightweight material comprising two panels sewn, adhesively attached, or heat sealed together along their edges to form an inside wall 14 and an outside wall 15.
  • the exterior surface of the inside wall 14 is intended to contact the heel 91 when the device 7 is worn.
  • the inside wall 14 and outside wall 15 are made of flexible polyurethane or polyvinyl film material or similar material.
  • the heel cup 10 When viewed in a opened, flat position as shown in Fig. 5, the heel cup 10 has two wing sections which extend in opposite directions from the heel cup's central vertical axis 11.
  • the heel cup 10 measures approximately 7 inches in length and 2-1/2 inches in height along the central axis 11.
  • the length of the heel cup 10 is sufficient so that it extends forward along the lateral and medial sides of the foot to approximately the mid-point of the longitudinal arch 92 of the foot 90.
  • the height of the heel cup 10 along the central axis 11 is sufficient so that the heel cup 10 extends upward over the distal end of the Achilles tendon when worn.
  • Manufactured centrally on the heel cup 10 is a flat, heel support surface 17.
  • the heel support surface 17 has a curved edge 18 and a straight front edge 19. Overall, the heel support surface 17 has a configuration similar to the heel of a shoe.
  • the lower flat edge 13 of the heel cup 10 is attached to the curved edge 18 of the heel support surface 17 to form a curved, U-shaped, heel cup 10 capable of receiving the heel 91 of foot 90.
  • Manufactured on the lateral and medial sides of the heel cup 10 is an inflatable air bladder comprising two interconnecting air chambers 22.
  • the air chambers 22 are formed by joining portions of the interior surface of the inside wall 14 to corresponding portions of the interior surface of the outside wall 15.
  • the air chambers 22 are located on the heel cup 10 so that when the device 7 is worn around the heel 91, the air chambers 22 are disposed on the lateral and medial sides of the foot 90 at an elevation at or slightly below the Sub-talar joint 95 as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5.
  • the air chambers 22 are triangular in shape and are designed to compress the heel by exerting pressure to the lateral and medial aspects of the calcaneus.
  • the vertical leg 23 of each air chamber 22 begins at a point on the foot adjacent to the protuberance on the calcaneus 96 and extends upward ending at approximately the Sub- talar joint 95.
  • the horizontal leg 24 of each air chamber 22 extends forward to a point just below the midline of the transverse arch of the foot 90.
  • the hypotenuse 25 of each air chamber 22 slopes downward from back to front.
  • the air chambers 22 may be manufactured rectangular in shape. Selected areas of inside wall 14 of each air chamber 22 are attached to the outside wall to form connection points 50 which act to prevent each air chamber 22 from excessively "pillowing" outward when inflated. As shown in Fig. 5, the air chambers 22 are interconnected via a "T"- shaped conduit 27 so that pressurized air can be evenly distributed therebetween. Attached to the upper end of the conduit 27 is an air control valve 30. In other embodiments, not shown, each air chamber 22 may have a separate conduit and a separate air control valve 30.
  • the heel cup 10 is provided with a fastening means for securing it around the user's foot 90.
  • the fastening means includes an adjustable strap 40 which extends over the dorsal area of the foot 90 and attaches to the opposite side of the heel cup 10. Strap 40 is fixed at one end to one side to the heel cup 10. When the strap 40 is pulled across the dorsal region of the foot 91, it adjustably attaches to a first pad 35 made of hook connector material firmly affixed to the external surface of the outside wall 15 located on the opposite side of the heel cup 10.
  • the inside surface 41 of the strap 40 is made or covered with loop connector material which can be interconnected to the first pad 35 to securely attach the strap 40 thereto.
  • strap 42 is a separate structure capable of being adjustably attached at each end to the heel cup 10.
  • Strap 42 has a first detachable end 43, a second detachable end 44, and an inside surface 43 made or covered with loop connector material.
  • a first pad 35 of hook connector material (not shown) is attached to the external surface similar to the first embodiment which engages the second detachable end 44 of the strap.
  • a second pad 44, made of hook connector material similar to first pad 35, is firmly affixed to the external surface of the outside wall 15 opposite the first pad 35 so that the first detachable end 43 of strap 42 may be adjustably attached to the heel cup 10.
  • straps 40 and 42 may be made of elastic material to provided greater adjustability.
  • the air chambers 22 are attached to a air control valve 30 which attaches to an external air source (not shown) to inflate each air chamber 22.
  • the direction of air through the air control valve 30 can be controlled thereby enabling the user to control the amount of air into each air chamber 22.
  • this feature enables the user to adjust the device 7 for greater comfort and support.
  • the air chambers 22 are deflated, the device 7 can be stored and packaged in compact manner.
  • the air chambers 22 Upon inflation, the air chambers 22 expand and exert pressure on the lateral and medial sides of the heel 91. Since only one air control valve 30 is connected between the two air chambers 22, the amount of pressure exerted by the air chambers 22 on opposite sides of the heel 91 are substantially equal.
  • the device 7 will normally be worn with various types of footwear, although it may be worn separately, if desired.
  • the air control valve 30 is disposed externally so that the user can selectively inflate or deflate the air chambers 22 without removing the device 7 from the footwear or the foot.
  • a flap structure 60 is attached centrally to the heel cup 10 along the upper curved edge 12. As shown in Fig. 7, when the device 7 is worn with shoes 98, the flap structure 60 may be folded over the rear surface 99 of the shoe 98.
  • a pad 65 made of hook or loop connector material is fixed to the exterior surface 62 of the flap structure 60 which is interconnected with a pad 66 made of complimentary hook or loop connector material fixed to the rear surface 99 of the shoe 98 to hold the flap structure 60 in a folded position.
  • the air control valve 30 extends rearward from the Interior surface 61.
  • the flap structure 60 extends upward during normal use with the air control valve 30 extending from the exterior surface 62 so that the air control valve 30 is in an exposed position.
  • Fig. 6 shows an optional heel pad 70, made of foam material or some other shock absorbing material, attached to the horizontal heel surface 17 to provide addition protection against impact forces.
  • the size, shape, and location of the air chambers 22 in the heel cup 10 can be varied.
  • the air control valve 30 may be eliminated so that the heel cup 10 is manufactured fully sealed with air contained therein and still perform the same functions of compressing and stabilizing the heel.
  • the device 7 may be used with or without shoes to treat several different foot conditions.
  • the device 7 may be used to reduce heel valgus or varus which may cause irritation of the calcaneus and related structures.
  • the device 7 may be used to reduce formation of bursa and bore spurs.
  • the device 7 may be used with small children with calcaneal apophysitis to stabilize and to elevate the heel to prevent and/or reduce inflammation of the growth plate located within the calcaneus.
  • the device 7 may be used with shoes to improve shoe fit for individuals having abnormal narrow heels. After attaching the device 7, the individual would place the foot into a shoe and then inflate the air chambers until the heel slippage was reduced.
  • a novel method of treating acute or chronic heel pain comprises the following steps: (a) . positioning on a foot having heel pain a heel stabilizing device having an air bladder capable stabilizing the heel of a foot by exerting compressive pressure to the lateral and medial sides of the calcaneus when worn around the heel of a foot; (b) . attaching the foot to a shoe, and;
  • the device 7 can be worn with different shoes, the following optional steps are included:
  • the invention disclosed herein will have wide application in the podiatric and medical fields concerned with the treatment of acute and chronic foot pain.
  • the invention disclosed herein will have wide application and use in the shoe industry to improve the fitting of shoes on feet.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un dispositif (7) permettant de traiter un talon douloureux, le dispositif consistant en une coquille gonflable (10) destinée à être portée autour du talon (91) d'un pied (90). La coquille gonflable (10) peut être portée seule ou avec différentes chaussures, et comprend deux chambres à air (22) qui sont disposées sur les parties latérale et médiane du talon (91) soit au-dessus soit légèrement en-dessous de l'articulation sub-talaire (95) du pied (90). Le dispositif comprend en outre une valve de commande pneumatique (30), une sangle réglable (40) et un coussinet optionnel (70) de talon.
PCT/US1994/000971 1993-01-27 1994-01-27 Procede et dispositif de stabilisation du talon WO1994016589A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU60328/94A AU6032894A (en) 1993-01-27 1994-01-27 Heel stabilizing device and method

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US976593A 1993-01-27 1993-01-27
US08/009,765 1993-01-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994016589A1 true WO1994016589A1 (fr) 1994-08-04

Family

ID=21739578

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1994/000971 WO1994016589A1 (fr) 1993-01-27 1994-01-27 Procede et dispositif de stabilisation du talon

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6032894A (fr)
WO (1) WO1994016589A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2876575A1 (fr) * 2004-10-15 2006-04-21 Imp Ation De Diffusion Ou Dist Dispositif de contention externe du coussinet d'un talon d'un individu
US8215036B2 (en) 2009-06-22 2012-07-10 Nike, Inc. Removable heel bucket
CN113288540A (zh) * 2020-02-21 2021-08-24 丰田自动车株式会社 腿部支架
US11980559B2 (en) 2020-02-21 2024-05-14 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Leg brace

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2774152A (en) * 1954-10-02 1956-12-18 Alcosa Ets Article of footwear
US2830585A (en) * 1955-04-21 1958-04-15 Efram I Weiss Ankle support
CH333156A (fr) * 1956-03-26 1958-10-15 Zanetti Elvidio Protège-talon
DE2316014A1 (de) * 1972-04-10 1973-11-08 Koeflach Sportgeraete Gmbh Skischuh
US3810318A (en) * 1971-08-05 1974-05-14 Salamander Ag Shoe, especially for aiding children in learning to walk
US4266298A (en) * 1980-01-31 1981-05-12 Marlene S. Mindey Inflatable heel protector
US4724627A (en) * 1986-12-03 1988-02-16 Sff, Inc. Sports boot for skiers and the like
US4730610A (en) * 1985-05-06 1988-03-15 Graebe Robert H Foot and elbow cushion device

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2774152A (en) * 1954-10-02 1956-12-18 Alcosa Ets Article of footwear
US2830585A (en) * 1955-04-21 1958-04-15 Efram I Weiss Ankle support
CH333156A (fr) * 1956-03-26 1958-10-15 Zanetti Elvidio Protège-talon
US3810318A (en) * 1971-08-05 1974-05-14 Salamander Ag Shoe, especially for aiding children in learning to walk
DE2316014A1 (de) * 1972-04-10 1973-11-08 Koeflach Sportgeraete Gmbh Skischuh
US4266298A (en) * 1980-01-31 1981-05-12 Marlene S. Mindey Inflatable heel protector
US4266298B1 (en) * 1980-01-31 1996-05-21 Mindey Marlene S Inflatable heel protector
US4730610A (en) * 1985-05-06 1988-03-15 Graebe Robert H Foot and elbow cushion device
US4724627A (en) * 1986-12-03 1988-02-16 Sff, Inc. Sports boot for skiers and the like

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2876575A1 (fr) * 2004-10-15 2006-04-21 Imp Ation De Diffusion Ou Dist Dispositif de contention externe du coussinet d'un talon d'un individu
US8215036B2 (en) 2009-06-22 2012-07-10 Nike, Inc. Removable heel bucket
CN113288540A (zh) * 2020-02-21 2021-08-24 丰田自动车株式会社 腿部支架
JP2021132679A (ja) * 2020-02-21 2021-09-13 トヨタ自動車株式会社 脚装具
CN113288540B (zh) * 2020-02-21 2024-02-13 丰田自动车株式会社 腿部支架
US11980559B2 (en) 2020-02-21 2024-05-14 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Leg brace

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6032894A (en) 1994-08-15

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