US2018168288A1PendingUtilityA1

Foot impression device, system, and related methods

31
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Dec 16, 2016Filed: Dec 15, 2017Published: Jun 21, 2018
Est. expiryDec 16, 2036(~10.4 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Glenn M. Gilbertson
A43D 2200/60B33Y 80/00A43D 1/025B29C 33/3821A43B 7/141B29L 2031/50B29C 33/3857B29C 64/386B29C 2033/3871A43D 1/022B29L 2031/753B33Y 50/00
31
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Claims

Abstract

An impression device and related methods are disclosed. The device has a base having a recess and a conduit for fluidly coupling the recess to a vacuum source, and a first plurality of particles positioned in the recess. The first plurality of particles sealed from an external environment. The first plurality of particles has a first coefficient of friction between each other, the first coefficient of friction selected to allow the particles to move relative to each other in the absence of a vacuum and to prevent the particles from moving relative to each other in the presence of a vacuum.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An impression device, comprising:
 a base having a recess and a conduit for fluidly coupling the recess to a vacuum source; and   a first plurality of particles positioned in the recess, the first plurality of particles sealed from an external environment; wherein   the first plurality of particles has a first coefficient of friction between each other, the first coefficient of friction selected to allow the particles to move relative to each other in the absence of a vacuum and to prevent the particles from moving relative to each other in the presence of a vacuum.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first pouch enclosing the first plurality of particles.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second pouch enclosing a second plurality of particles, the second pouch and the first pouch exchangeable; wherein   the second plurality of particles has a second coefficient of friction between each other, the second coefficient of friction different from the first coefficient of friction.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first plurality of particles comprises glass beads.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first plurality of particles has an average diameter of between about 0.7 millimeters and about 1.4 millimeters.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the average diameter is between about 0.8 millimeters and about 1.2 millimeters.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the recess, the vacuum pump configured to apply a first vacuum pressure and a second vacuum pressure to the first plurality of particles, the first vacuum pressure different from the second vacuum pressure.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first vacuum pressure causes the first plurality of particles to have a consistency of wet sand.   
     
     
         9 . A method of taking an impression of an anatomical feature, the method comprising:
 providing a foot impression device, the foot impression device having a base having a recess and a conduit for fluidly coupling the recess to a vacuum source, a first plurality of particles positioned in the recess, and a flexible membrane coupled to the base and adjacent the plurality of members, the first plurality of particles sealed from an external environment, wherein the first plurality of particles have a first coefficient of friction between each other, the first coefficient of friction selected to allow the particles to move relative to each other in the absence of a vacuum and to prevent the particles from moving relative to each other in the presence of a vacuum;   causing the first plurality of particles to form about a portion of an anatomical feature;   applying a first vacuum pressure to the first plurality of particles; and   applying a second vacuum pressure to the first plurality of particles, the second vacuum pressure different from the first vacuum pressure.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing a first pouch enclosing the first plurality of particles.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 providing a second pouch enclosing a second plurality of particles, the second pouch and the first pouch exchangeable; wherein   the second plurality of particles have a second coefficient of friction between each other, the second coefficient of friction different from the first coefficient of friction.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first plurality of particles comprises glass beads.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first plurality of particles has an average diameter of between about 0.7 millimeters and about 1.4 millimeters.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the average diameter is between about 0.8 millimeters and about 1.2 millimeters.   
     
     
         15 . A method of making an orthotic, the method comprising:
 providing an impression device, the impression device having a base having a recess and a conduit for fluidly coupling the recess to a vacuum source, a first plurality of particles positioned in the recess, the first plurality of particles sealed from an external environment, wherein the first plurality of particles have a first coefficient of friction between each other, the first coefficient of friction selected to allow the particles to move relative to each other in the absence of a vacuum and to prevent the particles from moving relative to each other in the presence of a vacuum;   causing the first plurality of particles to form about a portion of an anatomical feature;   applying a first vacuum pressure to the first plurality of particles; and   applying a second vacuum pressure to the first plurality of particles, the second vacuum pressure different from the first vacuum pressure, whereby an impression of the anatomical feature is created;   using a 3D scanner to scan the impression; and   responsive to the using the 3D scanner to scan, at least one of 3D printing an orthotic, CNC machining an orthotic, 3D printing a mold for an orthotic, or CNC machining a mold for an orthotic.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a first pouch enclosing the first plurality of particles.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing a second pouch enclosing a second plurality of particles, the second pouch and the first pouch exchangeable; wherein   the second plurality of particles have a second coefficient of friction between each other, the second coefficient of friction different from the first coefficient of friction.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first plurality of particles comprises glass beads.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first plurality of particles has an average diameter of between about 0.7 millimeters and about 1.4 millimeters.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the average diameter is between about 0.8 millimeters and about 1.2 millimeters.

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