WO2007041812A2

WO2007041812A2 - Biodynamic inlay as orthopedic therapy with interactive and muscle repairing functionality

Info

Publication number: WO2007041812A2
Application number: PCT/BE2006/000109
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michel MARIËN
Original assignee: Marien Michel
Priority date: 2005-10-12
Filing date: 2006-10-05
Publication date: 2007-04-19
Also published as: WO2007041812A3; BE1017640A3

Abstract

A biodynamic inlay as inlay therapy with interactive and muscle restorative functions that is flexible and applied over the entire foot, where corrections are not applied underneath the inlay but on or in the negative imprint of the foot in the form of raised and lowered parts, which can be applied in an unlimited number and may be applied in contrary positions, that is flat on the bottom so that corrections may be applied to the front of the foot and that the corrections may be refined in accordance with biodynamic principles, and which leads to stability whilst walking.

Description

Biodynaniic inlay as orthopedic therapy with interactive and muscle repairing functionality

Field of invention

The invention is related to a biodynamic inlay that corrects an afflected, pathological foot, foot position, foot movement of both animals and people.This pathologie in correlation with the bottom extremities (foot, ankle, knee, pelvis, lower back) .

Technological background:

Existing methods with regard to biodynamic inlays:

Methods with regard to biodynamic inlays

The base of successful inlay therapy lies in a scientifically supported method. As point of departure the field of biomechanics, amongst other things, plays an important role in this. The synergy between joints and muscles is undeniable. The skeleton is a passive system for movement. Muscles form the active element and bring the skeleton into movement. Muscles in turn are dependent on the motoric system. The impulses determine amongst others muscle strength and tone.

When this system of movement, active as well as passive, does not function optimally as a result of i.e. physiological, genetic, metabolic, post operative or traumatic factors, then the muscle balance can be disturbed in such a way that this in turn results in a deviated walking pattern that leads to functional (feet)problems or deformities as a complication.

Biodynamic analysis, eventualy in combination with other well known methods of movement diagnostics and tests, is a very effective instrument in making a detailed study of the underlying axes relations and muscle functions to give the foot a normal (or even better than before) functioning in relation to the ankle, knee, pelvis en lower back . All the information collected can then be used to develop an adapted inlay therapy with corrective attributes for the affected functions.

For this purpose a biodynamic inlay is developed in opposition to the inlay, which renders a purely supportive, thus passive, function. Inlays are normally manufactured from a plaster cast of the foot. They are mostly industrially manufactured and delivered to the patient as a prefab. This is then merely the only criterion for the inlay.

Earlier, in case of foot complaints, only the position of the foot was noted (e.g. hollow or flat footed). But since the human body is an active organism, one must take both the static as well as the dynamic (biomechanics) into account. The biodynamic inlay will adapt the walking pattern by retarding or slowing the overactive muscles and engaging the underused muscles in participation.This is much like a fysiotherapeut may help a patient recover through adapted exercises and movements.

The patient is followed up by periodically measuring the biomechanicals, which will reflect the process of healing.

The base of successful inlay therapy lies in a scientifically supported method.

Existing patents:

US 5,058,585 describes an orthotic shoe insert comprising a unitary curved wedge having a heel portion, a middle portion to engage side of the medial portion of the longitudinal arch of the human foot and and a front portion adapted to engage the plantar side just distal of the first and second metatarsal heads.

US 4,747,410 discloses an orthotic insert of unitary construction formed from a compressible plastic, and featuring an anterior varus wedge, a medial shelf and a heel cup. US 4,628,936 describes a segmented foot orthosis comprising a heel segment and a medial and a lateral longitudinal foot segment.

Existing biomechanical soles are constructed as follows: a mold is made in a hard, non- flexible material that fits as closely as possible to the foot of the patient. The position of the foot is then corrected as a whole by padding the sole underneath. The sole only gives support to the heel and the metatarsus and does not act all the way to the front of the foot.

Drawbacks of the existing technique:

Where the inlay does not reach to the front of the foot, no corrective function can take place in that area. Biodynamics however teach that it is desirable to have complete support.

Biodynamics show us that among other things the correction of hip muscles as well the stabilization of the pelvic muscles in part take place in the front part of the foot. In the case of inflexible materials however, the sole cannot reach to the front of the foot due to the flexing action the front of the foot takes in relation to the metatarsus and heel when walking.

The position of the foot is corrected as a whole by bringing the heel and the metatarsus in a specific plan.

Optimally, biomechanically speaking, it would be necessary to refine the correction in correlation with the propulsion by the raising or lowering of the various supports of the heel and the metatarsus, sometimes in contrary positions. As a result of the thermoplastic materials used that closely fits the foot, as well as the fact that the correction is applied on the bottom of the inlay (not on the negative imprint) and not on the top, it is currently impossible to do so. As such, the half-inlay concept, added to the fact that the corrections are applied underneath the foot, causes sometimes an instability when walking.

The invention consists of:

A inlay that is manufactured consistently with biomechanical principles, a inlay manufactured out of a flexible material, a inlay that is flat leveled underneath, a inlay that runs over the whole of the foot and a inlay that contains raised and lowered parts in the negative imprint of the foot e.g. on the top of the inlay and not on the bottom of the inlay.

The raised and lowered parts can be set in contrary positions, they can reach the front of the foot over the entire length of the foot and there can be a great many of these parts.

The advantages of this invention

There where the inlay can reach to the front of the foot a corrective action on parts of the front of the foot can take place as is desirable based on biomechanics. Biodynamics show us that among others the correction of hip muscles as well the stabilization of the pelvic muscles in part take place in the front part of the foot.

The inlay can now reach to the front of the foot because of her bending possibility of the front part of the foot in relation to the metatarsus and the heel, during walking.

The position of the foot is not corrected as a whole but focused on specific areas as is required by the principles of biomechanics. Finer corrections can be implemented on different parts of the heel, midfoot and fore-foot respectively and sometimes raising or lowering the different parts contrary to each other.

Manufacturing the inlay from a flexible material that closely fits the foot and making use of the negative imprint of the foot on the top of the inlay that is being corrected, makes this possible. The flexible construction of the inlay over the entire foot, combined with the corrections in and on the negative imprint and the flattened underside ensures that there is stability whilst walking.

Advantages from a medical perspective: With the whole of biomechanical information about the patient concerning his pathological functions, a specific inlay design can be drawn, upon which the biodynamic inlay will be milled.

Inlay designs will still differ from one patient to the other. It is the medical-technical know- how that is central to this concept. The inlay design (Fig. 1) which has been developed after a biomechanical evaluation, is best drawn on a blue print or the podograph of the patient where the axes of the joints are clearly noted as well as the morphology of the foot - this determines the shape of the mold in terms of length and width.

One must adapt the gaitcycle of the patient and need therefore material or raw materials that is flexible though stable with respect to its composition. The biodynamic inlay is a complete inlay where the foot is entirely corrected during the gaitcycle, from the point of contact at the heel to the point of propulsion at the big toe.

Should one find that most foot complaints originate in the bad functioning of the hip muscles, where the femur moves at the wrong angle during the swing phase whilst the gaitcycle. As a result the foot is placed incorrectly by heel contact. Now the function of the hip can, as cause, be corrected by compensating laterally or medially in the front part of the foot.

The function of the front part of the foot that is adapted by laterally or medially front foot compensation (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) in the inlay will also enhance or restore the function of the knee and hip joints in the process of the gaitcycle. The biomechanical analysis shows how compensation in the fore-foot has to be done (Fig. 3 / Fig. 4). For this reason the biodynamic inlay is a full-lenght sole. A half-inlay stops where the full-length inlay extends corrections to knee, hip and pelvic functions as the fore-foot is corrected by the inlay in the gaitcycle. Another advantage is that a full-length inlay brings the longitudinal function of the foot under control so that pressure points on the fore-foot may heal and complications such as Hallux Valgus, hammertoes etc. may be treated better.

The inlay design (Fig. 1) is now then drawn on the inlay (Fig. 2) with the axis points and the amplitude lines that have to be milled out

The computed axis points determines the joint movements and the functioning of their axes. The compensations and counter compensations are measured for this purpose on the inlay based on the inlay design (Fig. 1). The difference in degrees provides us with the inclination or the angle of the joint's axis.

The axis points therefore give us the correction in axis. The joints now move neutrally in the gait cycle so that any distortion of the axes can be eliminated. Amplitude corrections computed in the biodynamic inlay should restore the balance in the muscles. One adapts muscle functionality in this way. The muscles that over-functions in the gait cycle is retarded whilst on the other hand the muscles that are weakened is forced to work harder in participation during the walking process. The kinesthetic reaction of this works towards restoring the muscle balance. Ih this way, by walking on the biodynamic inlay, one could restore muscles as well as positively influence the axes of the wrists in the body. As such one could even compensates the degenerated processes in the wrist structure, as arthritis and as deviations as a result of wrist problems, in a professional and controlled manner.

Thus the axis points gives the axis corrections which determine the improvement of the wrists. The amplitude lines adapts the walking pattern and co-ensures that the muscles recover.

This new technology makes the biodynamic inlay the therapeutic inlay of a new generation.

Explanation with drawings:

In order to clearly show the improvements that the invention brings, here after, this, as an example without limiting the application field of the invention, some embodiements of a biodynamic inlay, in accordance with the invention, with reference to the attached drawings, are described:

Figure 1 - Inlay design projected on a podograph

Figure 2 - The elements made out of the correct materials, sawn into different parts ( basic and support pieces) attached to a dynamic inlay according to the shoe mold, ready to be cut

Figure 3 - Side view of inlay with medial corrections to the front part of the foot

Figure 4 - Side view with lateral corrections to the front part of the foot

Figure 5/A - Back view of the heel correction as an inverted - relief

Figure 5/B - Back view of the heel correction as a everted - relief Figure 6/7/8 - Finished biodynamic inlay

Optimal ( preferred ) embodiment

The method for the construction of the biodynamic inlay consists of the following steps:

1. After biomechanical analysis, eventual in combination with other known methods of movement diagnostics and tests, the gathered technical data is applied as a inlay design, preferably projected onto a podograph (Fig. 1) which is characterized by axis points and amplitude lines along which the design must be milled out.

The shoe mold is co-determinated by the morphology of the foot, or sometimes also by the shoe that the patient brings along or wishes to wear.

2a. After recording the strength of the torsion on the joints in the body, as well as the weight of the patient, one may select the appropriate raw materials for the making of the biodynamic inlay. In principle all materials that are flexible and can be molded comes into consideration.

2b. From the appropriated materials the innershoe sole and supporting pieces are sawn out and glued together (Fig. 2) keeping in mind that they have to be cut out based on the findings in point 1. The biodynamic inlay is characterized by a full-foot inlay upon which the foot is corrected when taking a step, from the point where the heel makes groundcontact to the point where the big toe provides propulsion. The inlay design is transfered onto the construction with the axis points and amplitude lines indicating where it must be milled.

The milling of the inlay must be carefully done and consistently measured during the process according to the indications on the inlay design.

The most appropriate materials for the inlay is currently a latex-cork type and a rubber-cork type. These materials is characteristically very flexible with good shock absorption and extra stability.

When being milled it does not become sticky, making higher milling speeds possible. Other materials manufactured from EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acrylate) and similar is also applicable.

2 c. The biodynamic inlay is milled based on the findings under 1 and 2 a/b, and is characterized by a medial (Fig. 3) or lateral (Fig. 4) correction to the front part of the foot, with the correct heights corresponding to the inlay design marked and milled accordingly.

3. The biodynamic inlay milled based on the findings under 1 and 2a/b/c, is characterized by a specific heel correction based on the inlay design that is applied as inversion (Fig 5/A) or evertion (Fig. 5/B)

4. The biodynamic inlay milled according to the findings under [1-2-3-4] is characterized by a cambered adaptation (Fig. 6,7,8). To achieve this the inlay must be milled out in his contour. 5. A finished, cambered biodynamic inlay (Fig. 6,7,8) is a unique concept each time, that aids recovery and is characterized by an elegant and efficient form so that it functions well with the shoe. The inlays can be covered with thin leather or any other covering material.

It is possible to convert the manual process, completely or in part, to a mechanical or automatic process that may or may not be computer assisted (e.g. CAD-CAM) to achieve the same goal, seeing the technical evolution in this area. One other alternative to the manual manufacturing process is to create mold so that production can be serially completed. The inlay can be adjust manually later on.

Claims

Claim 1 : A inlay manufactured in accordance with biodynamics and characterized by the fact that the inlay is made of a flexible material Claim 2: Based on the preceding claim and characterized by the fact that the inlay is applied over the entire foot.

Claim 3: Based on one of the preceding claims and characterized by the fact that the corrections are not applied on the bottom of the inlay, but rather as a raised part, of as a lowered part, or as a combination of the two in or on the negatif imprint of the foot. Eventually an unlimited number of both can be applied according to the requisites of biomechanics in or on the negative imprint of the foot

Claim 4: Based on one of the preceding claims and characterized by the feet that the inlay is flat underneath.