METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MAKING CUSTOM ORTHOTICS, INSOLES AND OTHER FOOTWEAR INSERTS

摘要

An apparatus to assist in making an orthotic, insole or other footwear insert that is customized to a plantar surface of an individual's foot is provided. The apparatus includes a portable housing; a heater unit to selectively heat the orthotic or a heel cap of the footwear insert to increase its pliability; at least one alignment device to assist in positioning and orientating the individual's foot prior to conforming the orthotic or the heel cap to the plantar surface of the individual's foot; and a vacuum system to selectively apply a vacuum around the individual's foot to bring the orthotic or the heel cap into conformance with the plantar surface of the individual's foot prior to setting of the orthotic or the heel cap. Related methods of making custom orthotics, insoles and other footwear inserts are also provided.

主权项

1. An apparatus for making a customized orthotic, insole or other footwear insert for a plantar surface of an individual's foot, the apparatus comprising:
a portable housing defining a foot receiving area and including an alignment device configured to assist in positioning and orientating the foot along the natural gait cycle of the foot, the alignment device comprising a support device adjustably movable back and forth in a direction generally parallel to a reference plane defined by the foot receiving area to selectively underlie and stabilize a metatarsal head of the foot for making the customized footwear insert; and a heater unit disposed within the portable housing and coupled to the portable housing, the heater unit configured and arranged to heat an orthotic or a heel cap item of a footwear insert to increase the pliability thereof prior to conforming the orthotic or the heel cap item to the plantar surface of the foot.