A method of manufacturing a shoe insole includes an upper cover layer and a lower cover layer conforming in shape to the inner bottom of the shoe, and an insole body retained between the upper cover layer and the lower cover layer, taking a foot sole form to which pads are applied to selected regions of a sole taking a foot sole form; manufacturing an insole frame having a shape conforming to a three-dimensional shape of the foot sole form and applying insole pads to an upper surface of the insole frame, based on positions of marks of the test pads of the foot sole form to which the pads are applied, wherein the insole body includes the insole frame to which the insole pads are applied.

A mold stepped on by a foot includes a seat, a plurality of telescopic rods, an image capturing device and an insole material. The telescopic rods are parallel to each other and are disposed in the seat. The telescopic rods stepped on by the foot generate a plurality of restoring forces, respectively. The image capturing device is disposed on the seat. The telescopic rods are captured by the image capturing device to generate a plurality of three-dimensional data of the telescopic rods. The insole material is disposed below the telescopic rods for molding an insole.

A system for automatic fitting of athletic footwear comprises a measuring device of foot data that scans a user's foot at least at two directions; a user interface that questions the user, and/or observes the user's foot; an analyzing device that analyzes the foot data measured by the measuring device; and a knowledgebase database that stores data for footwear determination provided by the analyzing device. The analyzing device comprises a case based reasoning system that goes through adaptation process in a similarity matrix of previous cases which are retrieved from the knowledgebase database, and an expert system that operates a function that determines a footwear based on the data provided by the measuring device and the user interface.

A foot orthotic device is disclosed. More specifically described is an individualized foot orthotic device to correct and/or restore the ideal alignment and/or positioning of foot structures. The device is designed using a method and system that applies sequential pressure to regions on a plantar foot surface, and obtaining positional information about each region. Based on the positional information, an orthotic profile is determined, for design of one or more custom, individualized foot orthotic devices for a subject.

A mold includes a seat, a plurality of guiding tracks, a plurality of positioning grooves, a plurality of telescopic rods, a plurality of elastic members, at least one sliding device and an insole material. The guiding tracks are disposed on the seat. The positioning grooves are disposed on the seat and are corresponding to the guiding tracks, respectively. The telescopic rods include a plurality of abutting portions, respectively. The elastic members are disposed in the seat for applying a plurality of restoring forces to the telescopic rods, respectively. The sliding member is movable along the track to press the abutting portions, and the abutting portions are connected tightly to each other so as to position the telescopic rods. The insole material is disposed below the telescopic rods for molding an insole.

An apparatus to assist in making an orthotic, insole or other footwear insert that is customized to a plantar surface of an individual's foot is provided. The apparatus includes a portable housing; a heater unit to selectively heat the orthotic or a heel cap of the footwear insert to increase its pliability; at least one alignment device to assist in positioning and orientating the individual's foot prior to conforming the orthotic or the heel cap to the plantar surface of the individual's foot; and a vacuum system to selectively apply a vacuum around the individual's foot to bring the orthotic or the heel cap into conformance with the plantar surface of the individual's foot prior to setting of the orthotic or the heel cap. Related methods of making custom orthotics, insoles and other footwear inserts are also provided.

In a method for adapting a thermally deformable item of clothing to a body part, the item is at least partially heated and brought into contact with an abutment region and the appropriate body part. The item of clothing has a side which, in the use position, is directed towards the body and a side which, in the use position, is directed away from the body. At least one pressure-exerting unit subjects that side of the item of clothing which is directed away from the body, at least in part, to a shaping pressure such that the at least partially heated item of clothing is adapted, at least in part, to the shape of the part of the body. The item of clothing is at least partially cooled by a cooling unit such that it is stabilized in the shape adapted to the part of the body.

A feet position guidance aid for formulating individually formed thermoplastic insoles, shoes or shoe sole structures. The feet position guidance aid is made of flexible material and its upper surface includes guiding places for feet for guiding the position of the feet. The feet position guidance aid includes a lifter, wherein the lifter is a rising structure arranged to lift up and support the toes of the feet so that feet are guided to a position suitable for formulating the individually formed thermoplastic insole. An insole customizing arrangement for formulating individually formed thermoplastic insoles is also described.

Disclosed herein are insoles useful for treating skin injuries on a foot, for instance ulcers. The insoles are customizable for each patient's foot and can include various portions of differing softness, depending on the needs of the patient. For instance, it can be beneficial for certain sections of the foot to contact a firmer material, whereas other sections contact a softer material. Some, or all, of the materials can include one or more biofidelic skin simulant materials. Thus, various implementations include one or more regions that can include the same or different materials. For example, a custom insole can include a heel support region, a midfoot support region, and a forefoot support region, and the support regions can be subdivided into medial and lateral support regions or toe regions. One or more regions may have a custom isolation segment to prevent the progression of ulcers and/or expedite wound healing.

An apparatus to assist in making an orthotic, insole or other footwear insert that is customized to a plantar surface of an individual's foot is provided. The apparatus includes a portable housing; a heater unit to selectively heat the orthotic or a heel cap of the footwear insert to increase its pliability; at least one alignment device to assist in positioning and orientating the individual's foot prior to conforming the orthotic or the heel cap to the plantar surface of the individual's foot; and a vacuum system to selectively apply a vacuum around the individual's foot to bring the orthotic or the heel cap into conformance with the plantar surface of the individual's foot prior to setting of the orthotic or the heel cap. Related methods of making custom orthotics, insoles and other footwear inserts are also provided.