Equilateral Foot Bed and Systems Having Same

• US 20090076425A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aetrex Worldwide Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Aetrex Worldwide Incorporated
• Inventors: Schwartz, Richard
• Application Number:
  US12/085,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20090076425A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/23
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0111 for the feet or ankles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/14 Special medical insertions for shoes for flat-feet, club-feet or the like

Abstract

An equilateral foot bed and a system using the equilateral foot bed are provided for treating foot injuries and deformities, while allowing the patient to remain ambulatory. Embodiments include a foot bed having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a greater thickness than the first portion. The portions of differing thickness support, align and cushion portions of the foot. The foot bed is selectively usable in either a left foot-receiving or a right foot-receiving configuration.

Claims

1. A foot bed extending longitudinally and laterally, and having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a greater thickness than the first portion, wherein the foot bed is selectively usable in either a left foot-receiving or a right foot-receiving configuration.

2. The foot bed of claim 1, wherein a rotation about a longitudinal axis of the foot bed selects between the left foot-receiving and the right foot-receiving configuration.

3. The foot bed of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a toe portion.

4. The foot bed of claim 1, wherein the foot bed includes at least one of elastomer, gel, foam, leather and plastic.

5. The foot bed of claim 1, comprising a foot bed perimeter having straight side portions and an arcuate heel portion.

6. The foot bed of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes an arch-supporting portion.

7. The foot bed of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a metatarsal-supporting portion.

8. The foot bed of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a heel portion.

9. The foot bed of claim 8, wherein a lateral cross section across the heel portion has a varying cross-sectional area.

10. The foot bed of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a wedge-shaped heel portion.

11. The foot bed of claim 10, wherein the wedge-shaped heel portion has a non-linear wedge perimeter.

12. The foot bed of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal cross section has a tapered cross sectional area.

13. The foot bed of claim 1, wherein the foot bed is for receiving a deformed foot.

14. The foot bed of claim 13, wherein the foot bed is perforated to receive a deformed foot.

15. The foot bed of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes a guide portion to receive and position a foot over the foot bed.

16. A system, comprising a foot attachment and the foot bed of claim 1 positioned at a foot-receiving portion of the attachment.

17. A foot bed extending longitudinally and laterally and having non-uniform thickness about a medial surface, the thickness being to support and cushion portions of a foot, wherein the foot bed is substantially symmetrical about the medial surface.

18. The foot bed of claim 17, wherein the supported and cushioned portions of the foot include a heel portion.

19. The foot bed of claim 17, wherein the supported and cushioned portions of the foot include a toe portion.

20. The foot bed of claim 17, wherein the supported and cushioned portions of the foot include an arch portion.

21. The foot bed of claim 17, wherein the supported and cushioned portions of the foot include a metatarsal portion.

22. The foot bed of claim 18, wherein a lateral cross section across the heel portion has a varying cross-sectional area.

23. The foot bed of claim 18, wherein the heel portion is wedge-shaped.

24. The foot bed of claim 23, wherein the wedge-shaped heel portion has a non-linear wedge perimeter.

25. The foot bed of claim 17, wherein the foot bed comprises at least one of elastomer, gel, foam, leather and plastic.

26. The foot bed of claim 17, comprising a foot bed perimeter having substantially straight side portions and an arcuate heel portion.

27. The foot bed of claim 17, wherein a longitudinal cross section has a tapered cross-sectional area.

28. The foot bed of claim 17, wherein the foot bed is for receiving a deformed foot.

29. The foot bed of claim 28, wherein the foot bed is perforated to receive a deformed foot.

30. The foot bed of claim 17, comprising a guide portion to receive and position a foot over the foot bed.

31. A system, comprising a foot attachment and the foot bed of claim 17 positioned at a foot-receiving portion of the attachment.

32. A system, comprising a foot attachment and an equilateral foot bed positioned at a foot-receiving portion of the attachment, wherein the foot bed is for positioning and cushioning a foot.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the foot attachment comprises one of a walker boot, a cast walker, a post-operative shoe, a cast boot, and a splint.