Foot support device with adjustable forefoot rocker angle

• US 6,485,447 B1
• Filed: 05/25/2000
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Salix Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Salix Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Lanctot, Dan R., Lavery, Lawrence A., Zamorano, Ruben G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pothier, Denise M.
• Application Number:
  US09/578,304
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 602/5, 602/11, 602/13, 602/14, 602/23, 602/27, 602/30, 602/60-62, 602/65, 128/882, 128/DIG.20, 36/3.A, 36/3.R, 36/29, 36/35.B
• US Class Current: 602/23
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0127 for the feet A61F5/0111 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0195 Shoe-like orthopaedic devices for protecting the feet against injuries after operations

Abstract

A foot support device for use on the foot of a human being includes a foot cradle. The foot cradle has a rear portion and a hinged forefoot support portion. The hinged forefoot support portion may be set at a rocker angle which is the most beneficial for the patient. The foot support device is attached to the foot and lower leg of the wearer with binders.

Claims

1. A foot support device worn over the bottom of the foot and attached to the lower leg which enables the wearer to ambulate on a foot that requires off-loading due to medical problems comprising:

a foot cradle including an outer surface, a central portion, a forefoot portion, and an insole surface;

a pair of columnar supports attached to either side of said central portion of said foot cradle, each of said pair of columnar supports extending upwardly along the lower leg of the wearer;

a first set of binders for securing said foot cradle to the foot of the wearer;

a second set of binders for securing said pair of columnar supports to the lower leg of the wearer;

said forefoot portion of said foot cradle being hingedly attached to said central portion of said foot cradle;

means for rigidly fixing said hinged attachment of said forefoot portion of said foot cradle to said central portion of said foot cradle;

whereby the contour of the outer portion of the foot cradle may be fixedly adjusted to a predetermined rocker angle by moving said forefoot portion at said hinged attachment and then rigidly fixing the angle of said forefoot portion of said foot cradle with respect to said central portion of said foot cradle to provide a rocker angle which meets the gait and medical needs of the wearer.

2. The foot support device as defined in claim 1 further including a high traction surface on said outer surface or bottom of said foot cradle.

3. The foot support device as defined in claim 1 wherein the contour of said outer surface of said foot cradle is changed by movement of said forefoot portion with respect to said central portion to provide a substantially even distribution of forces during ambulation.

4. The foot support device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first set of binders includes elastic or adjustable straps.

5. The foot support device as defined in claim 4 wherein said first set of binders includes force indicators.

6. The foot support device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second set of binders includes elastic straps.

7. The foot support device as defined in claim 5 wherein said second set of binders includes force indicators.

8. The foot support device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second set of binders is placed at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the lower leg of the wearer.

9. The foot support device as defined in claim 1 further including an air permeable softgood liner or sock constructed and arranged to cover the skin of the wearer.

10. The foot support device as defined in claim 1 wherein said foot cradle includes means for gathering air and causing said gathered air to flow adjacent to the skin of the wearer.

11. The foot support device as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for gathering air includes a resilient bladder and a one-way intake valve.

12. The foot support device as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for gathering air and causing said gathered air to flow adjacent to the skin of the wearer includes tubing to direct the flow of said air.

13. The foot support device as defined in claim 1 wherein a shear modulation system is placed on said insole portion.

14. The foot support device as defined in claim 13 wherein said shear modulation system extends from the toe to the heel of the wearer.

15. The foot support device as defined in claim 13 wherein said shear modulation system extends along the outer edges of said foot cradle.

16. The foot support device as defined in claim 1, further including a shear modulation system sized and configured to extend upwardly along the lower leg of the wearer.