A shock absorbing system for impact energy dissipation employs removable unitary cells of compressible members in communication with a reservoir and containing a first working fluid. Resilient structural members may be placed intermediate the compressible members to deform responsive to compression to provide both energy dissipation and resilient recovery of the compression cylinders to their uncompressed state.

A shock absorbing system for impact energy dissipation employs removable unitary cells of compressible members in communication with a reservoir and containing a first working fluid. Resilient structural members may be placed intermediate the compressible members to deform responsive to compression to provide both energy dissipation and resilient recovery of the compression cylinders to their uncompressed state.

A multi-sided, multi-purpose liner is provided for use in footwear. Each side of the liner provides one or more benefits to the wearer. The liner is reversible, such that a first side with a first benefit can contact the wearer's foot or a second side with a second benefit can contact the wearer's foot. The wearer can flip or rotate the liner so that the side having the desired benefit contacts their foot during use. One side of the liner may include a plurality of benefits in a preselected pattern across the surface. A liner kit provides a material blank from which the liner may be cut to produce a desired distribution of benefits. The benefits of the liner may vary with respect to the location on the surface of the liner, with some areas of the liner displaying an increased or decreased degree of a specific benefit.

A multi-sided, multi-purpose liner is provided for use in footwear. Each side of the liner provides one or more benefits to the wearer. The liner is reversible, such that a first side with a first benefit can contact the wearer's foot or a second side with a second benefit can contact the wearer's foot. The wearer can flip or rotate the liner so that the side having the desired benefit contacts their foot during use. One side of the liner may include a plurality of benefits in a preselected pattern across the surface. A liner kit provides a material blank from which the liner may be cut to produce a desired distribution of benefits. The benefits of the liner may vary with respect to the location on the surface of the liner, with some areas of the liner displaying an increased or decreased degree of a specific benefit.

A comfort insert to be worn inside a person's footwear to alleviate friction between the person's foot and surfaces of the footwear and possibly provide some cushioning, and a method of assembling such a comfort insert. A body portion of the insert may be of crumpled thin plastic film material, and a containment element may be of fine-filament open mesh netting. A portion of an exterior surface of the insert may be provided with a nonslip or adhesive coating to assist in keeping the comfort insert in a desired location.

A comfort insert to be worn inside a person's footwear to alleviate friction between the person's foot and surfaces of the footwear and possibly provide some cushioning, and a method of assembling such a comfort insert. A body portion of the insert may be of crumpled thin plastic film material, and a containment element may be of fine-filament open mesh netting. A portion of an exterior surface of the insert may be provided with a nonslip or adhesive coating to assist in keeping the comfort insert in a desired location.

Device to mitigate plantar fasciitis heel pain is disclosed. This invention provides localized compression and massaging action to the origin of the plantar fascia, the most frequently occurring site of tissue damage and pain at the heel. The concentrated compression during weight bearing provides pain relief and brings injured tissues closer together to facilitate healing. The shape of the device and its location at the edge of the heel bone also provide a localized massaging action during ambulation to improve blood circulation, which in turn promotes healing. The device of the present invention may be used as a removable insole or in some instances may be formed into the inner sole of an item of footwear.

Device to mitigate plantar fasciitis heel pain is disclosed. This invention provides localized compression and massaging action to the origin of the plantar fascia, the most frequently occurring site of tissue damage and pain at the heel. The concentrated compression during weight bearing provides pain relief and brings injured tissues closer together to facilitate healing. The shape of the device and its location at the edge of the heel bone also provide a localized massaging action during ambulation to improve blood circulation, which in turn promotes healing. The device of the present invention may be used as a removable insole or in some instances may be formed into the inner sole of an item of footwear.

A multi-sided, multi-purpose liner is provided for use in footwear. Each side of the liner provides one or more benefits to the wearer. The liner is reversible, such that a first side with a first benefit can contact the wearer's foot or a second side with a second benefit can contact the wearer's foot. The wearer can flip or rotate the liner so that the side having the desired benefit contacts their foot during use. One side of the liner may include a plurality of benefits in a preselected pattern across the surface. A liner kit provides a material blank from which the liner may be cut to produce a desired distribution of benefits. The benefits of the liner may vary with respect to the location on the surface of the liner, with some areas of the liner displaying an increased or decreased degree of a specific benefit.

The invention provides an apparatus and method for the prevention of VTE and related conditions to promote blood flow in a foot, the apparatus including: at least two inflatable bladders (20, 21) adapted to be disposed in use under the foot; and one or more pumps (31, 32) configured to repeatedly inflate and deflate the bladders with a fluid, applying compressive force to the foot in use.