A device adapted to be secured to the foot of a user includes one or more vibration actuators configured to provide vibrations to the user's foot, one or more force or acceleration sensors configured to sense forces or acceleration exerted by the user's foot, and a controller configured to operate the vibration actuators in a continuous mode to provide intermittent vibration to the user's foot independent of information sensed by the force or acceleration sensors. The vibration includes a first period of continuous vibration followed by a second period of no vibration followed by a third period of continuous vibration. The device may also be configured to operate in a feedback mode.

A walking-assisted air-jet insole includes an insole base. A plurality of pressed-air outlet units that can generate airflow based on stepping pressure are provided on the insole base; the pressed-air outlet unit includes a cavity for retaining air. An upper part of the insole base is provided with an upper air hole that communicates with the cavity, and a lower part of the insole base is provided with an air sac part that is elastically deformed and restored based on the stepping pressure. A volume of the cavity can be changed based on the elastic deformation and restoration of the air sac part. A lower end of the air sac part is provided with a convex column that moves up and down based on the stepping pressure. The cavity includes an upper cavity portion and a lower cavity portion from top to bottom.

A midsole or insole device for a shoe includes a first variable stimulation mechanism positioned to interface one of the metatarsal heads and the heel and a second variable stimulation mechanism positioned to interface a lateral aspect of the foot between the fifth metatarsal head and the heel. During gait-related activities, the first variable stimulation mechanism produces stimulus of an intensity greater than the second variable stimulation mechanism. At least one of the first variable stimulation mechanism and the second variable stimulation mechanism comprises two bonded layers including a resilient stimulating upper layer and a less resilient stimulus-enhancing lower layer. The upper layer includes a plurality of holes that pass through the entirety of the upper layer, and the lower layer includes a plurality of equally spaced upwardly facing projections aligned substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the upper layer.

A balanced insole structure with a massage function includes an insole main body and a connecting portion; the arch portion of the insole main body is provided with a convex portion matched with the curvature of the sole of the foot; the connecting portion is connected to two ends on the lower side of the convex portion, thus forming a stabilization cavity through their connection; and the insole main body is also provided with a massage protrusion on its upper surface. In the invention, the provision of the insole main body with the massage protrusion on its upper surface can realize the massage function of the insole.

Disclosed is a vibration generator for shoes, including: a flat vibration plate having a length longer than the width thereof; support pieces horizontally protruding in the widthwise direction of the vibration plate; upper and lower casings coupled while restricting each end portion of each support piece, so as to accommodate the vibration plate therein; core magnets fixedly provided in one or more places among the respective end portions in the lengthwise direction of the vibration plate; upper magnets fixed to the upper casing so as to face the core magnets, thereby generating a repulsive force; and bottom magnets fixed to the lower casing so as to face the core magnets, thereby generating a repulsive force.

The present shoe and therapy system pertains to a uniquely designed shoe that provides therapeutic benefits to wearers. It includes a fold-down heel portion that is designed to repeatedly fold and straighten such that a wearer may collapse the heel into the interior of the shoe and then wear the shoe while standing on the collapsed heel. The folded down fold-down heel includes a plurality of bumps or ridges positioned to provide acupressure therapy to the wearer when folded down, but the heel may alternately be folded up so that the shoe may be worn in the traditional manner.

An article of footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper defining an internal cavity configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The sole structure may include an exposed outer member configured to contact the ground, the exposed outer member including a first aperture, and a sensory feedback member disposed at least partially within the first aperture in the outer member, the sensory feedback member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the sensory feedback member may include a projection extending through the first aperture and configured to contact the ground. In addition, the second end of the sensory feedback member may include a plurality of flexible bristles extending through a portion of the sole structure and exposed to the internal cavity.

A somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface configured to stimulate rapid-firing nerves in the receptive field of a user's glabrous skin. The somatorsensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface includes a plurality of protuberances disposed thereupon, each protuberance sized and spaced apart appropriately to impress the receptive field when pressed in contact with the glabrous skin of the user. Each protuberance widens from an apex toward a base whereby increased pressure applied to the surface increases an area of contact and stimulation by applying stimulation over a larger area of skin. The protuberances are spaced apart to maximize stimulation of rapid firing nerves while lessening overstimulation. The somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface is rendered in the form of a mat or floor covering and alternatively as an insole for wear in a user's shoes.

A method includes receiving monitoring data from at least one sensing device coupled to a subject and analyzing the monitoring data to identify one or more physiologic parameters of the subject. The method also includes providing signaling to at least one stimulating device in response to the identified physiologic parameters, the signaling comprising instructions to apply a stimulus to the subject. The method further includes receiving additional monitoring data from the at least one sensing device, analyzing the additional monitoring data to identify one or more changes in the one or more physiologic parameters of the subject after application of the stimulus to the subject, and providing additional signaling to the at least one stimulating device, the additional signaling comprising instructions to modify the stimulus applied to the subject based on the identified changes in the one or more physiologic parameters.

A method includes receiving monitoring data from at least one sensing device coupled to a subject and analyzing the monitoring data to identify one or more physiologic parameters of the subject. The method also includes providing signaling to at least one stimulating device in response to the identified physiologic parameters, the signaling comprising instructions to apply a stimulus to the subject. The method further includes receiving additional monitoring data from the at least one sensing device, analyzing the additional monitoring data to identify one or more changes in the one or more physiologic parameters of the subject after application of the stimulus to the subject, and providing additional signaling to the at least one stimulating device, the additional signaling comprising instructions to modify the stimulus applied to the subject based on the identified changes in the one or more physiologic parameters.