WO2006035469A2

WO2006035469A2 - Decomposable insole

Info

Publication number: WO2006035469A2
Application number: PCT/IT2005/000284
Authority: WO
Inventors: Riccardo Diomedi; Eros Martorelli
Original assignee: Riccardo Diomedi; Eros Martorelli
Priority date: 2004-09-27
Filing date: 2005-05-19
Publication date: 2006-04-06
Also published as: ITMC20040120A1; WO2006035469A3

Abstract

The present invention concerns a multifunctional insole for the human foot, intended for being inserted within footwear, characterised in that it is wholly decomposable and recomposable since it is formed by a series of elements having different geometric shape, size and thickness in correspondence of different areas of the sole of the human foot.

Description

DECOMPOSABLE INSOLE

The present invention concerns a new type of insole that allows, in a simple, reliable, and inexpensive way, a therapeutic use and a normal and preventive use as underfoot within footwear.

It is known the use of "insoles", also called as "underfeet" or "inner soles", provided with a particular shape, which are to be inserted into footwear for treating various pathologies involving the sole of the human foot, as well as in general all pathologies either directly or indirectly related to the human foot. By way of example, some of the more frequent pathologies requiring the use of insoles for therapeutic purposes for persons suffering from them are: diabetic ulcers, blisters, hyperkeratoses, corns, rheumatoid arthritis, various traumas, abrasions, lacerations, pathologies of the skeletal apparatus, and the like. In this context, it is included the solution proposed according to the present invention, allowing all the aforementioned pathologies to be solved or at least attenuated.

For minor pathologies, such as abrasions, blisters, corns, small traumas, hyperkeratoses, and the like, the insole may be adapted to the same subject according to his/her needs, by removing the pieces of which it is composed and creating an underlying space, where it is desired to protect an area of the human foot which is involved by a pathological situation.

For major pathologies, such as diabetic ulcers, traumas, inflammatory and degenerative processes and other muscular-skeletal pathologies, it is advisable to use the insole with the help of a specialist, who will adapt it to the specific needs of the patient.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an insole that is perfectly adaptable in real time to the needs of each single patient, that is immediately available at the outcome of the medical diagnosis with manufacturing costs considerably lower with respect to the traditional insoles, and that may be substantially modified in real time in case of change of the diagnosis or when performing the therapy.

It is therefore specific subject matter of the present invention an insole comprising one or more layers, characterised in that at least one layer of said one or more layers is at least partially subdivided into at least two pieces reciprocally removably coupled.

Always according to the invention, said at least one layer may be wholly subdivided into said at least two pieces.

Still according to the invention, said at least two pieces may be partially carved, so as to be reciprocally removably coupled.

Furthermore according to the invention, said at least two pieces may be reciprocally removably fitted.

Always according to the invention, said at least two pieces may be reciprocally removably fitted through shaped elements which are removably coupled to said at least two pieces.

Still according to the invention, said at least one at least partially subdivided layer may be a lower layer coupled to at least one intermediate layer.

Furthermore according to the invention, said at least one lower layer may be coupled to said intermediate layer through a glue rim, following the outline of said at least one lower layer, and one or more glue points distributed in correspondence with one or more of said pieces.

Always according to the invention, the glue of said rim and/or of said one or more glue points may be polyurethane water glue, i.e. an aliphatic polyurethane in water solution.

Still according to the invention, at least one piece may be apt, once removed, to be repositioned in its corresponding position in said at least one at least partially subdivided layer.

Furthermore according to the invention, at least two pieces may be made of materials different from each other.

Always according to the invention, said at least one at least partially subdivided layer may be made of incompressible, elastic material with high transpirability, preferably expanded polyurethane with open cells and/or polymeric material apt to collect and gelify liquids and/or gel and/or cork.

Still according to the invention, said at least one at least partially subdivided layer may be coupled to at least one further layer made of a material selected from the group comprising incompressible, elastic materials with high transpirability and microfibers.

Furthermore according to the invention, said at least one intermediate layer may be coupled to at least one upper layer. Always according to the invention, said at least one at least partially subdivided layer may comprise fourteen pieces, preferably fifteen pieces, still more preferably twenty-three pieces. Still according to the invention, at least one piece may be drenched with one or more phytotherapeutic and/or medicinal substances, such as for instance anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic and/or antigout and/or antiedema and/or antibacterial and/or cicatrizant and/or antidiaphoretic and/or antimycotic compositions.

Furthermore according to the invention, the insole may further comprises one or more electronic detecting and/or sensing and/or communicating devices, such as for instance weight, blood pressure, sweat detecting, step counting, temperature, humidity sensors, and pager devices.

Always according to the invention, said one or more electronic devices may be apt to be connected through a radio interface to at least one central unit connected to a display.

It is further specific subject matter of the present invention a piece for insole, characterised in that it is usable in an insole as previously described.

The present invention will now be described, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, according to its preferred embodiments, by particularly referring to the Figures of the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the insole according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the insole according to the invention; Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the insole according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the insole according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a bottom plan view of a portion of a third embodiment of the insole according to the invention; and

Figure 6 shows a bottom plan view of the insole of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 schematically shows various embodiments of the insole according to the invention. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, it may be observed that a first embodiment of the insole according to the invention comprises a lower layer 100, an intermediate layer 200, and an upper layer 300, on which a user's foot 400 rests.

Preferably, the lower layer 100 is made of an incompressible, elastic material with high transpirability, still more preferably of expanded polyurethane with open cells, e.g. obtainable from polyurethane foam that, provided with active carbon, is antibacterial, transpirant, cushioned, antistatic, and light. Advantageously, the lower layer 100 may be also made of a polymeric material apt to collect liquids (such as water or sweat) and to gelify them, e.g. such as the material known with the commercial name DRYZ™ from Dicon Technologies. The intermediate layer 200 and the upper layer 300 are preferably made of polyurethane and microfiber, respectively.

The lower layer 100, preferably made of sponge, is subdivided into a plurality of fifteen single elements or pieces, indicated in the Figures by the reference numbers 101 to 115, which are partially carved so as to maintain fixed points anchoring to the neighbouring pieces (in the Figures, the cut lines are indicated by line sections, interrupted by spaces indicating the anchoring points), which may be removed, for instance by cutting with scissors or even by tearing, or even replaced with elements of a material different with respect to that of the lower layer 100. For instance, Figure 2 shows a piece 101' of gel, a piece 105' of cork, and a piece 110' of sponge, which exactly join at the position left free by the corresponding original piece of Figure 1 , thus obtaining a final configuration of the insole which is 100% adaptable to the therapeutic needs of the single patient. The anchoring points allows a better holding of the insole as a whole, but when it is needed, they may be cut allowing pieces to be removed, leaving an empty space or allowing the original pieces to be replaced with other ones made of different materials or with plasters having the same shape, possibly drenched with phytotherapeutic and medicinal substances, such as for instance anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic and/or antigout and/or antiedema and/or antibacterial and/or cicatrizant and/or antidiaphoretic and/or antimycotic compositions.

Each piece of Figures 1 and 2 corresponds to a precise foot area as follows: piece 101 : heel area; piece 102: heel area; piece 103: heel area; piece 104: heel area; piece 105: cuboidal area and tarso- metatarsal joint of the fifth and fourth metatarsal bone; piece 106:lateral and intermediate cuneiform area; piece 107: medial cuneiform and scaphoid area; piece 108: fifth metatarsal bone area; piece 109: second, third and fourth metatarsal bone area; piece 110: area of the metatarso¬ phalangeal joint of the second, third and fourth toes; piece 111 : area of the metatarsal bone of the great toe; piece 112: phalangeal area of the fifth toe; piece 113: phalangeal area of the second, third and fourth toes; piece 114: phalangeal area of the great toe; piece 115: area of the metatarso¬ phalangeal joint of the second, third and fourth toes.

Figures 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the insole according to the invention, wherein the lower layer 100 comprises fourteen pieces (pieces 113 and 115 of the lower layer 100 of Figures 1 and 2 are incorporated in a unique piece 113 of the lower layer 100 of Figures 3 and 4), which are carved and fitted in each other through shaped elements 150, which in the Figures are removable from the pieces (but which in other embodiments may be incorporated into the pieces). Other embodiments of the insole may provide that the pieces may be also joined, alternatively to the fitting system or in combination with this one, through glue points between the intermediate layer 200 and the lower layer 100, so that the removed pieces are repositionable onto the original glue points; preferably such glue points are distributed for maintaining the insole transpirability. The insole may be composed of a variable number of pieces, equal to at least two pieces. By way of example, Figure 5 shows a third embodiment comprising twenty-three partially carved pieces corresponding to the following foot areas: piece 501 : phalangeal area of the great toe; piece 502: phalangeal area of the second toe; piece 503: phalangeal area of the third toe; piece 504: phalangeal area of the fourth toe; piece 505: phalangeal area of the fifth toe; piece 506: area of the metatarsal and sesamoid bones of the first toe; piece 507: area of the metatarsal bones of the second toe; piece 508: area of the metatarsal bones of the third toe; piece 509: area of the metatarsal bones of the fourth toe; piece 510: area of the metatarsal bones of the fifth toe; piece 511 : area of the medial and intermediate cuneiform bone; piece 512: area of the lateral and cuboidal cuneiform bone; piece 513: area of the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal bone; piece 514: area of the scaphoid and medial cuneiform bone; piece 515: area of the cuboidal bone; piece 516: area of the tuberosity of the cuboidal bone; piece 517: area of the astragalus and sustentaculum tali head; piece 518: front area of the heel body; piece 519: trochlea peroneal area; piece 520: area of the medial process of the heel tuberosities; piece 521 : rear area of the heel body; piece 522: area of the lateral process of the heel tuberosities; piece 523: retrocalcaneal area.

In Figure 6 glue zones between the lower layer 100 and the intermediate layer 200 may be further observed. These zones preferably comprise an outline rim 550, completely glued to the intermediate layer 200, and glue points 551 distributed over all the pieces except pieces 520, 522, and 523 which, having limited size, remain sufficiently adherent to the intermediate layer 200 even in the case when one or more of the adjacent pieces are removed. The provision of distributed glue points allows to maintain the insole transpirability. Preferably, the glue is a polyurethane water glue, i.e an aliphatic polyurethane in water solution.

Modes of application of the insole according to the invention provide the removal of one or more pieces therefrom, or the replacement of one or more pieces with other ones of different material, for immediately and easily adapting the insole to the therapeutic needs of the individual patient, with costs much more limited with respect to those necessary for manufacturing a customised insole. Once pathology has ceased, by reinserting the pieces in their respective positions, the insole may continue to be used as a normal inner sole. Preferably, the subdivision of the insole into pieces follows the anatomical map of the foot, so that their shape is adapted to the foot configuration by primarily considering bones, but also muscles, tendons, bloodstream, adipose layer, as well as epidermis, which are part of the various foot areas in direct contact with the shoe bottom, so as to cause these zone to be protected in a manner as adequate as possible.

By way of example, Figure 7a shows the insole of Figures 1 and 2, comprising three layers 100, 200, and 300, insertable in a footwear of which the sole 600 is shown in dotted line, on which insole a user's foot 400 to be treated may rest; the piece 111 has been removed from the layer 100 of the insole of Figure 7a, which piece corresponds to the area of the metatarsal bone of the great toe, in order to favour the recovery of the foot 400 subject to a related pathology. In fact, the detail of Figure 7A- x shows that the painful area of the user's foot 400, i.e. the area of the metatarso-phalangeal joint of the great toe, does not rest on a surface in turn resting on the footwear sole 600, but it is housed in an empty chamber 560 delimited by the intermediate layer 200, by the pieces of the lower layer 100 adjacent to the previously removed piece 111 , and by the sole 600, thus reducing the negative effect of the pressure of the body weight on the foot part suffering from the pathology. By way of example, determination of the pieces to be removed in case of tumescences on the foot sole may be easily carried out by covering the swollen parts with flour or talcum powder and by placing the foot onto the upper layer 300, that will be marked by the powder applied on the swollen parts; at this point, by pressing with a finger on the mark of the upper layer 300, the piece or pieces to be removed will project from the lower layer 100. The insole according to the invention may comprise a variable number of layers of various materials, the thickness of which may also vary according to the specific application. In particular, Figures 7b and 7c show each a respective insole according to the invention comprising three layers of thicknesses different from those of the insole of Figure 7a. Similarly, Figure 7d shows an insole according to the invention comprising a first lower layer 100A₁ coupled to the intermediate layer 200, and a second lower layer 100B, coupled to the first lower layer 100A, which allow the creation of empty chambers having two different heights and/or of internal empty chambers enclosed within the insole (the subdivisions into pieces of the first and second lower layer, respectively 100A and 100B, may be different from each other). Also, Figure 7E shows an insole according to the invention comprising five lower layers 100A, 100B, 100 C, 100D, 100E (with subdivisions into pieces which may be different from each other), which allow the creation of empty chambers having five different heights and/or of internal empty chambers enclosed within the insole.

Other embodiments of the insole according to the invention may further comprise, preferably internally to the intermediate layer 200 and/or to the upper layer 300 (in any case in the layers having no removable pieces), one or more electronic devices, such as weight, blood pressure, step counting, temperature, humidity sensors, and pager devices, connected through a radio interface (i.e., wireless, also preferably inserted into the intermediate layer 200 and/or into the upper layer 300) to a central unit provided with a display for displaying the related data. Alternatively, such electronic devices may be inserted into specific pieces of the insole which replace the original pieces of the insole, allowing a progressive sensorisation of the insole. The advantages of the insole according to the invention are evident.

First of all, it may be made with costs considerably lower with respect to the traditional insoles, since the manufacturing steps of the traditional system are avoided (also avoiding possible human errors during manufacturing).

Also, it may be substantially modified in real time in case of change of diagnosis or when performing the therapy, for instance by inserting pieces of different materials or thicknesses. Finally, the insole according to the invention, from which one or more pieces have been removed, may be recomposed in its original version and hence used, at the end of the pathology and therapy, as a normal underfoot.

The present invention has been described, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, according its preferred embodiment, but it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make variations and/or changes, without so departing from the related scope of protection, as defined by the enclosed claims.

Claims

1.- Insole comprising one or more layers (100, 200, 300), characterised in that at least one layer (100) of said one or more layers is at least partially subdivided into at least two pieces (101-115; 501-523) reciprocally removably coupled.

2.- Insole according to claim 1 , characterised in that said at least one layer (100) is wholly subdivided into said at least two pieces (101-115; 501-523).

3.- Insole according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said at least two pieces (101-115; 501-523) are partially carved, so as to be reciprocally removably coupled.

4.- Insole according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said at least two pieces (101-115; 501-523) are reciprocally removably fitted.

5.- Insole according to claim 4, characterised in that said at least two pieces (101-115; 501-523) are reciprocally removably fitted through shaped elements (150) which are removably coupled to said at least two pieces (101-115; 501-523).

6.- Insole according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one at least partially subdivided layer (100) is a lower layer coupled to at least one intermediate layer (200).

7.- Insole according to claim 6, characterised in that said at least one lower layer (100) is coupled to said intermediate layer (200) through a glue rim (550), following the outline of said at least one lower layer (100), and one or more glue points (551 ) distributed in correspondence with one or more of said pieces (101-115; 501-523).

8.- Insole according to claim 7, characterised in that the glue of said rim (550) and/or of said one or more glue points (551 ) is polyurethane water glue, i.e an aliphatic polyurethane in water solution.

9.- Insole according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one piece (101-115; 501-523) is apt, once removed, to be repositioned in its corresponding position in said at least one at least partially subdivided layer (100).

10.- Insole according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least two pieces (101-115; 501-523) are made of materials different from each other.

11.- Insole according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one at least partially subdivided layer (100) is made of incompressible, elastic material with high transpirability, preferably expanded polyurethane with open cells and/or polymeric material apt to collect and gelify liquids and/or gel and/or cork.

12.- Insole according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one at least partially subdivided layer (100) is coupled to at least one further layer (200, 300) made of a material selected from the group comprising incompressible, elastic materials with high transpirability and microfibers.

13.- Insole according to any one of claims 6 to 8 or according to any one of claims 9 to 12, when dependant on claim 6, characterised in that said at least one intermediate layer (200) is coupled to at least one upper layer (300).

14.- Insole according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one at least partially subdivided layer (100) comprises fourteen pieces, preferably fifteen pieces, still more preferably twenty-three pieces.

15.- Insole according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one piece is drenched with one or more phytotherapeutic and/or medicinal substances.

16.- Insole according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises one or more electronic detecting and/or sensing and/or communicating devices.

17.- Insole according to claim 16, characterised in that said one or more electronic devices are apt to be connected through a radio interface to at least one central unit connected to a display.

18.- Piece (101-115; 501-523) for insole, characterised in that it is usable in an insole according to any one of claims 1-17.