An apparatus for a shoe sole with an air pump for adjusting pressure levels in air chambers distributed throughout the sole, and a battery. A sole system cloud based application remotely connects to and adjusts the air chambers according to user preferences.

Shoe insert devices that absorb shock and that redistribute forces within a user's foot and/or knee during use are disclosed. The shoe insert devices comprise a hindfoot insert portion configured to be positioned within a shoe and extend beneath a hindfoot portion of a sole of a foot of the user with a top side of the hindfoot insert portion facing the sole. The hindfoot insert portion is resilient at least in a thickness direction extending between the top and bottom sides thereof. The hindfoot insert portion comprises a fascia projection extending upwardly from the top surface positioned medially between medial and lateral sides of the hindfoot insert portion and being spaced distally from the proximal end, and a lateral projection extending at least one of upwardly from the top surface and downwardly from the bottom surface positioned proximate to the lateral side and distal to the fascia projection.

Shoe insert devices that absorb shock and that redistribute forces within a user's foot and/or knee during use are disclosed. The shoe insert devices comprise a hindfoot insert portion configured to be positioned within a shoe and extend beneath a hindfoot portion of a sole of a foot of the user with a top side of the hindfoot insert portion facing the sole. The hindfoot insert portion is resilient at least in a thickness direction extending between the top and bottom sides thereof. The hindfoot insert portion comprises a fascia projection extending upwardly from the top surface positioned medially between medial and lateral sides of the hindfoot insert portion and being spaced distally from the proximal end, and a lateral projection extending at least one of upwardly from the top surface and downwardly from the bottom surface positioned proximate to the lateral side and distal to the fascia projection.

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.

An active suspension orthotic support system is disclosed. The suspension orthotic support system comprises at least one variable resistance beam extending from a heel section to a mid-arch section of the footwear, wherein rotation of the variable resistance beam from a first position to a second position causes a resistance provided by the variable resistance beam to vary between a minimum resistance to a maximum resistance.

An orthopedic walking boot includes a housing configured to encompass at least a user's foot, a mechanically adjustable ramp insert including a ramp surface and disposed in the housing, an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an elevation angle of the ramp surface, and a mechanically adjustable lift configured to cause the mechanically adjustable ramp insert to descend within the housing as the ramp surface is elevated such that vertical displacement of the user's foot caused by elevation of the ramp surface is substantially attenuated. Related methods are also provided.

An orthopedic walking boot includes a housing configured to encompass at least a user's foot, a mechanically adjustable ramp insert including a ramp surface and disposed in the housing, an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an elevation angle of the ramp surface, and a mechanically adjustable lift configured to cause the mechanically adjustable ramp insert to descend within the housing as the ramp surface is elevated such that vertical displacement of the user's foot caused by elevation of the ramp surface is substantially attenuated. Related methods are also provided.

A method of manufacturing an insert system for footwear includes assembling electronic components. The electronic components include a sensor array having physiological sensors. Each physiological sensor includes a first high resistance layer configured to be in contact with a second high resistance layer when no force is applied to the sensor. The method further includes positioning the sensor array between a first layer and a base layer. An insert system for footwear includes a first layer, a base layer, a sensor array between the first and base layers, and a circuit board. The sensor array includes physiological sensors. Each physiological sensor includes a first high resistance layer in contact with a second high resistance layer when no force is applied to the sensor. The circuit board can transmit signals external to the system to trigger an alert being issued to a user, based on an output of the sensor array.

Orthotic devices for providing arch support for the foot are disclosed. The orthotic device includes a base member, an arch support portion, and a covering for coupling the arch support portion to the base member. A method of providing continuous contact with the plantar surface of the foot during all phases of the gait cycle is also disclosed. In addition, methods of assembling and using the orthotic device are also disclosed.