Orthotic device and method of manufacture

• US 20120123309A1
• Filed: 11/16/2010
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fred W. Toenges
• Original Assignee: Fred W. Toenges
• Inventors: Toenges, Fred W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,882,690 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0172 with cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0174 laterally placed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0111 for the feet or ankles

Abstract

An orthotic device having a thin, flexible material defining a plantar wall and lateral, medial and posterior sidewalls. A fastening mechanism releasably secures the lateral and medial sidewalls together. In some embodiments, the plantar wall defines a laterally extending distal trimline positioned distal of the first metatarsal head and proximal of the third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads when the foot is secured within the orthotic device. In other embodiments, the device includes a heel post having a distal terminal edge with a medial portion extending into the arch proximal to the navicular bone and a lateral portion positioned proximal of the arch. In still other embodiments, an elongate strip of padding material projects inwardly below and proximate the medial malleosus and the lateral malleosus and is positioned to inhibit withdrawal of the calcaneous bone. A method of manufacturing an orthotic device is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An orthotic device adapted to be worn on a foot having first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads, said orthotic device comprising:

a thin, flexible material defining a plantar wall, a lateral sidewall, a medial sidewall, and a posterior sidewall wherein each of said sidewalls extend upwardly from said plantar wall;

a fastening mechanism releasably securing said lateral and medial sidewalls together to thereby firmly enclose said foot within the thin, flexible material; and

,

wherein the plantar wall defines a laterally extending distal trimline positioned distal of the first metatarsal head and proximal of the third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads when the foot is secured within said orthotic device.

2. The orthotic device of claim 1 further comprising a heel post disposed on an exterior surface of said plantar wall, said heel post having a distal terminal edge with a medial portion and a lateral portion wherein said medial portion that is positioned distal of said lateral portion.

3. The orthotic device of claim 2 wherein the foot forms an arch of the foot and includes a navicular bone, and wherein said plantar wall defines an arch generally conforming to the arch of the foot and said medial portion of said distal terminal edge at least partially extends within said arch proximal to the navicular bone and said lateral portion of said distal terminal edge is positioned proximal of said arch.

4. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein the foot includes a medial malleosus, a lateral malleosus and a calcaneous bone, and said orthotic device further comprises a resilient padding material projecting inwardly from each of said medial and lateral sidewalls wherein said padding material is disposed below and proximate the medial malleosus and the lateral malleosus and positioned to inhibit withdrawal of the calcaneous bone when the foot is secured within said orthotic device.

5. The orthotic device of claim 1 wherein said posterior sidewall defines a substantially U-shaped trimline and said fastening mechanism includes a D-ring secured to one of said lateral and medial sidewalls and a strap secured to the other of said lateral and medial sidewalls, said strap being releasably securable to said D-ring.

6. An orthotic device adapted to be worn on a foot forming an arch of the foot and including a calcaneous bone and a navicular bone, said orthotic device comprising:

a thin, flexible material defining a plantar wall, a lateral sidewall, a medial sidewall, and a posterior sidewall wherein each of said sidewalls extend upwardly from said plantar wall and said plantar wall defines an arch generally conforming to the arch of the foot;

a fastening mechanism releasably securing said lateral and medial sidewalls together to thereby firmly enclose the foot within said thin, flexible material; and

,

a heel post disposed on an exterior surface of said plantar wall and positioned below and proximate the calcaneous bone.

7. The orthotic device of claim 6 wherein said heel post has a distal terminal edge with a medial portion and a lateral portion wherein said medial portion of said distal terminal edge at least partially extends within said arch proximal to the navicular bone and said lateral portion of said distal terminal edge is positioned proximal of said arch.

8. The orthotic device of claim 6 wherein a bottom surface of said heel post and a ground engaging portion of said plantar wall are substantially coplanar when said plantar wall is unflexed.

9. The orthotic device of claim 6 wherein the foot includes a medial malleosus and a lateral malleosus, and said orthotic device further comprises a resilient padding material projecting inwardly from each of said medial and lateral sidewalls wherein said padding material is disposed above and proximate the medial malleosus and the lateral malleosus thereby inhibiting withdrawal of the foot when the foot is secured within the orthotic device.

10. The orthotic device of claim 6 wherein said posterior sidewall defines a substantially U-shaped trimline and said fastening mechanism includes a ring secured to one of said lateral and medial sidewalls and a strap secured to the other of said lateral and medial sidewalls, said strap being releasably securable to said ring.

11. An orthotic device adapted to be worn on a foot having a medial malleosus, a lateral malleosus, and a calcaneous bone said orthotic device comprising:

a thin, flexible material defining a plantar wall, a lateral sidewall, a medial sidewall, and a posterior sidewall wherein each of said sidewalls extend upwardly from said plantar wall;

a fastening mechanism releasably securing said lateral and medial sidewalls together to thereby firmly enclose the foot within said thin, flexible material; and

,

at least one elongate strip of resilient padding material projecting inwardly from each of said medial and lateral sidewalls, said strip of material defining a downward facing surface wherein said strip of material is disposed below and proximate the medial malleosus and the lateral malleosus and positioned to inhibit withdrawal of the calcaneous bone when the foot is secured within said orthotic device.

12. The orthotic device of claim 11 wherein said at least one elongate strip of material comprises two elongate strips of material, one of said strips of material being disposed on the medial sidewall and the other of said strips of material being disposed on the lateral sidewall.

13. The orthotic device of claim 12 wherein each of said elongate strips of material extend in a generally circular arc from a first end proximate said plantar wall to a second end proximate said posterior sidewall.

14. The orthotic device of claim 12 wherein the foot has first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads, forms an arch of the foot and includes a navicular bone and wherein said plantar wall defines an arch generally conforming to the arch of the foot and a laterally extending distal trimline positioned distal of the first metatarsal head and proximal of the third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads and wherein said orthotic device further comprises a heel post disposed on an exterior surface of said plantar wall, said heel post having a distal terminal edge with a medial portion and a lateral portion wherein said medial portion of said distal terminal edge at least partially extends within said arch proximal to the navicular bone and said lateral portion of said distal terminal edge is positioned proximal of said arch.

15. The orthotic device of claim 14 wherein said posterior sidewall defines a substantially U-shaped trimline and said fastening mechanism includes a ring secured to one of said lateral and medial sidewalls and a strap secured to the other of said lateral and medial sidewalls, said strap being releasably securable to said ring.

16-31. -31. (canceled)