Unitary orthotic insert and orthopedic insole

Abstract

The invention provides a unitary orthotic insert for a shoe that comprises a cupped heel portion having a concave upper bearing surface and a midfoot portion having a medial longitudinal arch support with a curvilinear upper bearing surface. The cupped heel portion extends above a most posterior cephalad portion of a calcaneus and is continuously coupled to the midfoot portion.

What is claimed as invention is:  
     
         1 . A unitary orthotic insert for a shoe comprising: 
 a cupped heel portion having a concave upper bearing surface; and    a midfoot portion having a medial longitudinal arch support with a curvilinear upper bearing surface; wherein the cupped heel portion extends above a most posterior cephalad portion of a calcaneus and is continuously coupled to the midfoot portion.    
     
     
         2 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 1  wherein the cupped heel portion and the midfoot portion cooperate to invert a subtalor joint of a foot to a position of inversion to lock a midtarsal joint during ambulation of a foot to reduce pronation and provide stabilization.  
     
     
         3 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 1  wherein the concave upper bearing surface of the cupped heel portion comprises a heel cup angle of at least 90 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 1  wherein the midfoot portion extends from the cupped heel portion to an opposite end corresponding to an anterior end of a metatarsal bone.  
     
     
         5 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 1  wherein the cupped heel portion and the midfoot portion cooperate to provide a therapeutic characteristic for a podiatric condition.  
     
     
         6 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 5  wherein the podiatric condition includes plantar fasciitis.  
     
     
         7 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 5  wherein the podiatric condition is selected from the group consisting of cuboid syndrome, a neuroma, hammertoe, a bunion, a pronation condition, tendonitis, and a foot ailment.  
     
     
         8 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a lower bearing surface substantially conforming to an inside surface of a shoe.  
 
     
     
         9 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 1  wherein the cupped heel portion and the midfoot portion are formed from a flexible material.  
     
     
         10 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 9  wherein the flexible material is selected from the group consisting of a neoprene rubber, a silicone rubber, an elastomer, a polymeric material, a urethane, polyethylene teraphthalate, a viscoelastic material, a silicone gel, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 9  wherein the flexible material comprises a gripping characteristic to provide proximal, posterior and lateral support when engaged with the heel bone.  
     
     
         12 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a texture embossed on the upper bearing surface.  
 
     
     
         13 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an absorptive layer disposed on at least a portion of the upper bearing surface.  
 
     
     
         14 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a forefoot portion having a substantially planar upper bearing surface, wherein the forefoot portion is continuously coupled to the midfoot portion and extends from the midfoot portion to a region corresponding with a distal end of the foot.  
 
     
     
         15 . The unitary orthotic insert of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a reinforcing support member built into the unitary orthotic insert.  
 
     
     
         16 . A specialty shoe comprising a unitary orthopedic insole, wherein the unitary orthopedic insole comprises a cupped heel portion having a concave upper bearing surface that extends above a most posterior cephalad portion of a calcaneus, a midfoot portion with a curvilinear upper bearing surface having a medial longitudinal arch support, and a forefoot portion having a substantially planar upper bearing surface.  
     
     
         17 . The specialty shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the specialty shoe is selected from the group consisting of an athletic shoe, a running shoe, a tennis shoe, a cross-trainer shoe, a children's shoe, a work shoe, a dress shoe, a casual shoe, an open-toe shoe, an orthopedic shoe, a sandal, a military shoe, an all-terrain shoe, a diabetic shoe, a maternity shoe, and a boot.  
     
     
         18 . The specialty shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the unitary orthopedic insole is integrated into the innersole of the specialty shoe.  
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a unitary orthotic insert for a shoe comprising: 
 providing a unitary orthotic insert mold with a cavity for a cupped heel portion having an upper bearing surface, a midfoot portion having a medial longitudinal arch support with a curvilinear upper bearing surface;    injecting an injection-molding compound into the unitary orthotic insert mold; and    releasing the unitary orthotic insert from the unitary orthotic insert mold.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the injection-molding compound is selected from the group consisting of a neoprene rubber, a silicone rubber, an elastomer, a polymeric material, a urethane, polyethylene teraphthalate, a viscoelastic material, a silicone gel, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 providing a pre-molded support member; and  
 inserting the pre-molded support member into the unitary orthotic insert mold prior to injecting the injection-molding compound.  
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 attaching an absorptive layer on at least a portion of the upper bearing surface.