Dynamic arch stabilization and rehabilitative shoe midsole/insole device

Abstract

An insole device as provided which has a sole shaped body defining an upwardly extending dome in a midfoot section thereof. A biofeedback catalyst is mountable in the dome so as to be moveable at least longitudinally relative to the sole shaped body. The catalyst is positionable to cause the dome to engage an anatomical apex of the sole face of the arch of a wearer's foot. The catalyst has an ellipsoidal or spherical shape, being dimensioned and having a resiliency sufficient to promote dynamic proprioceptive stimulation of mechanical receptors and nocioreceptors in the skin of the wearer's sole at said apex. Cooperating engagement means extend between the body and the catalyst for connecting the catalyst to the body to locate the catalyst in the dome while allowing the movement of the catalyst relative to the body.

1 . An insole and/or shoe midsole device comprising:
 a sole shaped body defining an upwardly extending dome in a midfoot section thereof;   a biofeedback catalyst mountable in said dome so as to be moveable at least longitudinally relative to the outer portion   said catalyst being positionable to cause said dome to engage an anatomical apex of the sole face of the arch of a wearer's foot;   said catalyst having an ellipsoidal or spherical shape, being dimensioned and having a resiliency sufficient to promote dynamic proprioceptive stimulation of mechanical receptors and nocioreceptors in the skin of said sole at said apex; and,   cooperating engagement means extending between said body and said catalyst for connecting said catalyst to said body to locate said catalyst in said dome while allowing said movement of said catalyst relative to said body.   
     
     
         2 . The insole device of  claim 1  wherein said cooperating engagement means comprises a positioning piece releasably mountable to a bottom of said body across said dome and releasable connecting means for releasably connecting said positioning piece to said catalyst. 
     
     
         3 . The insole device of  claim 1  wherein said cooperating engagement means comprises at least one positioning piece extending from and integral with said catalyst for releasable connection to said body. 
     
     
         4 . The insole device of  claim 1  further comprising varying means associated with said catalyst for varying at least one of said resiliency and height of said catalyst. 
     
     
         5 . The insole device of  claim 4  wherein said varying means is a lower part of said catalyst which is releasably connectable to an upper part of said catalyst. 
     
     
         6 . The insole device of  claim 5  wherein said insole device is incorporated in a midsole and said varying device acts between said catalyst and said midsole. 
     
     
         7 . The insole device of  claim 6  wherein said varying device is one of shims and a screw device. 
     
     
         8 . The insole device of  claim 1  wherein said dome is removable from said body for exchange of said catalyst and wherein said dome and said body are provided with interactive engagement means for releasably securing said dome to said body. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The insole device of  claim 3  further comprising varying means associated with said catalyst for varying at least one of said resiliency and height of said catalyst. 
     
     
         11 . The insole device of  claim 10  wherein said varying means is a lower part of said catalyst which is releasably connectable to an upper part of said catalyst. 
     
     
         12 . The insole device of  claim 11  wherein said insole device is incorporated in a midsole and said varying device acts between said catalyst and said midsole. 
     
     
         13 . The insole device of  claim 12  wherein said varying device is one of shims and a screw device.