Arthritis & Diabetes Insole

Abstract

An insole advantageous for arthritic or diabetic patients comprises three layers and provides an arch support and an integral heel receiving area. The insole has a generally foot-shaped bottom layer having a length extending from a heel area to a toe area, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom layer's bottom surface preferably comprises one to three indentations formed integrally therein and is preferably made of an EVA foam. Insert layers are secured to each of said indentations. A middle layer having a first and second side is secured to the bottom layer's top surface adjacent the middle layer's second side and is preferably made of a synthetic rubber layer. The middle layer takes the shape of the bottom layer. A top layer is coextensive with and secured to the middle layer's first side. The top layer composition is selected according to the intended use.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An insole for arthritic or diabetic patients, comprising:
 a generally foot-shaped bottom layer having a length extending from a heel area to a toe area, a top surface and a bottom surface wherein said bottom layer is integrally formed in a shape comprising a raised arch support area and a heel-receiving cup area;   a first indentation integrally formed in the bottom surface of the bottom layer without extending through the entire bottom layer substrate, said first indentation positioned centrally in a metatarsal region extending substantially the entire lateral width of the bottom surface in that metatarsal region and extending from the lower toe region to a portion of an arch area of the insole;   said first indentation formed to receive an insert layer that is coupled to the bottom surface of bottom layer in the first indentation;   a synthetic rubber layer having first and second sides, said second side coextensive with and secured to said top surface of said bottom layer; and   a top layer coextensive with and secured to said first side of said synthetic rubber layer.   
     
     
         2 . The insole of  claim 1 , further comprising a second indentation integrally formed in the bottom surface of the bottom layer without extending through the entire bottom layer substrate, said second indentation positioned centrally in a toe region extending substantially the entire lateral width of the bottom surface of the toe region; 
     
     
         3 . The insole of  claim 1 , further comprising a third indentation integrally formed in the bottom surface of the bottom layer without extending through the entire bottom layer substrate, said third indentation positioned centrally in a heel region, said third indention having a rounded back end and a pointed front end; 
     
     
         4 . The insole of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more insert layers secured to said first indentation. 
     
     
         5 . The insole of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more insert layers secured to said first and second indentations. 
     
     
         6 . The insole of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more insert layers secured to said first and third indentations. 
     
     
         7 . The insole of  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic rubber layer is a polymer of polychloroprene. 
     
     
         8 . The insole of  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic rubber layer is a polymer of polychloroprene. 
     
     
         9 . The insole of  claim 4 , wherein said insert comprises a textured material which is softer than the material of the bottom layer. 
     
     
         10 . The insole of  claim 5 , wherein said insert comprises a textured material which is softer than the material of the bottom layer. 
     
     
         11 . The insole of  claim 6 , wherein said insert comprises a textured material which is softer than the material of the bottom layer. 
     
     
         12 . The insole of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom layer comprises EVA. 
     
     
         13 . The insole of  claim 1 , wherein said top layer is a sheet of fabric. 
     
     
         14 . The insole of  claim 1 , wherein said top layer is polyethylene foam. 
     
     
         15 . The insole of  claim 14 , wherein said top layer is about 2 mm thick. 
     
     
         16 . The insole of  claim 1 , wherein said top layer is closed cell cross-linked foam material. 
     
     
         17 . The insole of  claim 16 , wherein said foam material is from about 2.5 mm to from about 3.8 mm, preferably about 3.2 mm thick. 
     
     
         18 . The insole of  claim 17 , wherein said foam material is about 3.2 mm thick. 
     
     
         19 . An insole for arthritic or diabetic patients, comprising:
 a generally foot-shaped bottom layer having a length extending from a heel area to a toe area, a top surface and a bottom surface wherein said bottom layer is integrally formed in a shape comprising a raised arch support area and a heel-receiving cup area;   a first indentation integrally formed in the bottom surface of the bottom layer without extending through the entire bottom layer substrate, said first indentation positioned centrally in a heel region, said first indention having a rounded back end and a pointed front end;   said first indentation formed to receive an insert layer that is coupled to the bottom surface of bottom layer in the first indentation;   a synthetic rubber layer having first and second sides, said second side coextensive with and secured to said top surface of said bottom layer; and   a top layer coextensive with and secured to said first side of said synthetic rubber layer.   
     
     
         20 . The insole of  claim 19 , further comprising a second indentation integrally formed in the bottom surface of the bottom layer without extending through the entire bottom layer substrate, said second indentation positioned centrally in a toe region extending substantially the entire lateral width of the bottom surface of the toe region; 
     
     
         21 . The insole of  claim 19 , further comprising a third indentation integrally formed in the bottom surface of the bottom layer without extending through the entire bottom layer substrate, said third indentation positioned centrally in a metatarsal region extending substantially the entire lateral width of the bottom surface in that metatarsal region and extending from the lower toe region to a portion of an arch area of the insole; 
     
     
         22 . The insole of  claim 19 , further comprising one or more insert layers secured to said first indentation. 
     
     
         23 . The insole of  claim 19 , further comprising one or more insert layers secured to said first and second indentations. 
     
     
         24 . The insole of  claim 19 , further comprising one or more insert layers secured to said first and third indentations. 
     
     
         25 . The insole of  claim 19 , wherein said synthetic rubber layer is a polymer of polychloroprene. 
     
     
         26 . The insole of  claim 19 , wherein said synthetic rubber layer is a polymer of polychloroprene. 
     
     
         27 . The insole of  claim 22 , wherein said insert comprises a textured material which is softer than the material of the bottom layer. 
     
     
         28 . The insole of  claim 23 , wherein said insert comprises a textured material which is softer than the material of the bottom layer. 
     
     
         29 . The insole of  claim 24 , wherein said insert comprises a textured material which is softer than the material of the bottom layer. 
     
     
         30 . The insole of  claim 19 , wherein said bottom layer comprises EVA. 
     
     
         31 . The insole of  claim 19 , wherein said top layer is a sheet of fabric. 
     
     
         32 . The insole of  claim 19 , wherein said top layer is polyethylene foam. 
     
     
         33 . The insole of  claim 32 , wherein said top layer is about 2 mm thick. 
     
     
         34 . The insole of  claim 19 , wherein said top layer is closed cell cross-linked foam material. 
     
     
         35 . The insole of  claim 34 , wherein said foam material is from about 2.5 mm to from about 3.8 mm, preferably about 3.2 mm thick. 
     
     
         36 . The insole of  claim 35 , wherein said foam material is about 3.2 mm thick. 
     
     
         37 . An insole for arthritic patients, comprising:
 (a) a generally foot-shaped bottom layer having a length extending from a heel area to a toe area, a top surface and a bottom surface wherein said bottom layer is integrally formed in a shape comprising a raised arch support area and a heel-receiving cup area wherein said bottom surface further comprises three indentations formed integrally therein without extending through the bottom layer substrate, said indentations adapted to receive an insert layer and an insert layer secured to each of said indentations;   (b) a synthetic rubber layer having first and second sides, said second side coextensive with and secured to said top surface of said bottom layer; and   (c) a top layer coextensive with and secured to said first side of said synthetic rubber layer.   
     
     
         38 . The insole of  claim 37 , wherein said bottom layer has at least two indentations. 
     
     
         39 . The insole of  claim 38 , wherein said indentations are located at the heel area of the insole and the toe area. 
     
     
         40 . The insole of  claim 38 , wherein said indentations are located at the heel area and the metatarsal area. 
     
     
         41 . The insole of  claim 37 , wherein said indentations are located at the toe, the heel and the metatarsal areas. 
     
     
         42 . The insole of  claim 37 , wherein said bottom layer comprises EVA. 
     
     
         43 . The insole of  claim 37 , wherein said synthetic rubber comprises polychloroprene. 
     
     
         44 . The insole of  claim 37 , wherein said top layer is selected from cloth, polyethylene foam, and closed cell cross-linked foam material.