SOMATOSENSATION AND PROPRIOCEPTOR STIMULATION SURFACE

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface comprising a plurality of upwardly projected protuberances configured in size, grouping, and spacing to specifically target cutaneous receptors when pressed in contact with a user wherein contact with the said surface stimulates fast response s for small nerves in the user's innervate glabrous skin and increases proprioception and activation of postural muscles to reduce sway, maintain balance, and regulate stride.

2. The somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of claim 1 wherein the protuberances comprise an acuate apex, a medial portion, and a base.

3. The somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of claim 2 wherein the medial portion is wider than the apex such that pressured contact with the apex increases a focus upon the skin of the user to maximally increase stimulation of the targeted cutaneous receptors proximal thereto in proportion to the amount of pressure applied in contact with the said surface.

4. The somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of claim 3 wherein the plurality of protuberances is spaced apart a distance of no more than 5 mm between each apex and no less than 1 mm between each base.

5. The somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of protuberances is 1.5 mm in height and each base has an area of 2.5 mm2.

6. The somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of claim 5 having a Shore hardenss of between 30A and 70A.

7. The somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of claim 3 wherein the surface is configured to target receptive fields in the plantar surface of the foot.

8. The somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of claim 6 wherein the surface is configured to target receptive fields in the plantar surface of the foot.

9. The somatosenation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of claim 1 comprising by volume: 66.20% of an ethylene vinylene acetate (“EVA”) compound comprising by volume: 54.20% ethylene vinylene acetate; 12.30% low density polyethylene; 3.90% azodicarbonamide foaming agent; 0.49% dicumyl peroxide; 12.20% calcium carbonate; 0.25% octyl stearate; 16.15 masterbatch color agent; 0.24% stearic acid; 0.27% zinc oxide; 30.3% rubber; and 3.50% adhesive.

10. A method for manufacturing a somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface comprising the steps of: creating a mix by mixing by volume: 54.20% ethylene vinylene acetate; 12.30% low density polyethylene; 3.90% azodicarbonamide foaming agent; 0.49% dicumyl peroxide; 12.20% calcium carbonate; 0.25% octyl stearate; 16.15 masterbatch color agent; 0.24% stearic add; 0.27% zinc oxide; pouring the mix into a mold devised to mold the mix into a sheet having a plurality of upwardly projected protuberances configured in size, grouping, and spacing to specifically target cutaneous receptors when pressed in contact with a user and thereby stimulate fast response times for small nerves in the user's innervate glabrous skin and increase proprioception and activation of postural muscles to reduce sway, maintain balance, and regulate stride, each of said plurality of protuberances rendered with a base and an apex, 1.5 mm in height, with the base having an area of 1 mm2, and spaced 5 mm between each apex but no less than 1 mm between each base; pressurizing the mold to 1,000 tons while heating to 180° C.; maintaining pressure for forty minutes; removing the formed sheet material; and adhering the formed sheet material to a planar rubber substrate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures

[0019] FIG. 1 is a top elevation view of an example embodiment a somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface.

[0020] FIG. 2 is an elevation view depicting an example diagrammatic conception of receptive fields on the plantar of the user's feet.

[0021] FIG. 3A is a top elevation view of an example embodiment of one of a plurality of protuberances upwardly projected upon the dorsal of the somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface.

[0022] FIG. 3B is an elevation view of an example embodiment of the protuberance shown in FIG. 5A.

[0023] FIG. 3C is a detail view of a scaled representation of an example embodiment of spaced-apart protuberances.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an example embodiment of the somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface in use in the form of a mat.

[0025] FIG. 5A is a detail elevation view of a somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of a user in contact with protuberances described herein. FIG. 5B is a detail elevation view of an example of pressure upon contact of a somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of a user in contact with a protuberance described herein. FIG. 5C is a detail elevation view of an example of increased pressure upon contact of a somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface of a user in contact with a protuberance described herein.

[0026] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of the somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface in the form of a mat.

[0027] FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of the somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface in the form of an insole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 7 thereof, example of the instant somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface employing the principles and concepts of the present somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a top elevation view of an example embodiment of the somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface 10 in the form of a mat or floor covering. Here, the surface is continuously applied to cover a defined area whereon activity is to be performed. Such an embodiment may include, for example, a yoga mat, a mat for calisthenics, exercises, or for standing upon, such as are used in professions where a person is required to stand in a localized position for extended time (such as, for example, barbers or bartenders).

[0030] A dorsal surface 20 of the somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface 10 includes a plurality of protuberances 100 disposed thereover in graticulate array. Each of the plurality of protuberances 100 is sized and arranged to maximize stimulation of the receptive fields in a user's glabrous skin, such as the palmer or planter surfaces of the hands and feet respectively. The dorsal surface 20 is comprised of the EVA compound described above and comprises a Shore hardness of between approximately 30A to 70A. Underlying the dorsal surface 20 is a rubber portion 22, shown with ends extending beyond the ends of the dorsal surface 20. The rubber portion 22 prevents unwanted lateral displacement of the mat or floor covering in use by tractive engagement against an underlying surface upon which the mat or floor covering is used. The rubber portion 22 also may lend shock absorbent properties and additional comfort when the mat or floor covering is in use.

[0031] In the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, each of the protuberances 100 is pyramidal and has a base 102 of 10 mm perimeter (2.5 mm along each side) and a height of 1.5 mm. Each protuberance 100 is spaced 1 mm apart from adjacent protuberances to present a distribution of foci impressed upon the glabrous skin of the user to maximize stimulation and firing of the fast-acting nerves and to prevent overstimulation.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a diagrammatic view of the fascicular receptive fields 50 disposed upon the planter 32 of a user's feet 30, comprising slowly adapting (SA) and fast adapting (FA) units of the medial plantar region 34, lateral plantar region 36, sural nerve 38, left calcaneal branch of the tibial nerve 40, and saphenous nerve 42. Contact of these receptive fields 50 by the plurality of protuberances 100 when a user stands upon the somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface 10 creates associated foci 60 upon the receptive field to stimulate feedback responses that are believed to increase proprioception and assist balance and stride. The spacing of the plurality of protuberances 100 is calculated to maximize stimulation of the receptive field 50 by creating a focus 60 associated with each protuberance 100, each of which focus 60 is increased in area in proportion to the increasing contact effectuated by the widening of the protuberance 100 from the actuate apex 104 toward the base 102. This widening increases the area of skin stretched in contact with the protuberance 100 whereby increased neuronal stimulation and firing results.

[0033] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a detail view of a protuberance 100. In the example embodiment depicted, each protuberance 100 includes an actuate apex 104 and a base 102. In this example embodiment, the apex 104 is disposed 1.5 mm above the base 102. The base 102 includes four sides, 2.5 mm in length. The widening of the protuberance 100 from the apex to the base 102 is maximized to create a focal impression upon a receptive field 50 of a user, thereby to increase stimulation in proportion to the pressure applied, from a minimum stimulation up to a maximum stimulation. FIG. 3C illustrates a scale drawing of protuberances 100, illustrating the specific spacing between each protuberance 100. Each protuberance 100 is disposed 1 mm spaced apart from immediately adjacent protuberances 100, thereby creating a focal area on the receptive fields 50 that does not overstimulate nerves therein. This particular spacing is therefore believed to increase or maximize proprioception. Apices 104 are not more than 5 mm apart. In a preferred embodiment depicted, apices are 3.5 mm apart. With increasing pressure, the area stimulated (the focus 60) by each protuberance 100 is increased. Each increasing focus 60 spreads but does not overlap, due to the spaced-apart bases 102 of the protuberances 100. In this manner, it is believed that stimulation of the receptive fields 50 is increased or maximized to induce fast-acting neuronal response and thereby facilitate increased proprioception and somatosensaton for improved balance and stride.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface 10 in use. In this example embodiment depicted, the user is performing stretching exercises upon the mat. The user's weight applied to the user's bare feet and hands increases stimulation of the receptive fields 50 in the palmer 42 and planter 32 surfaces of the glabrous skin, thereby inducing stimulation of the fast-acting nerves and reinforcing proprioception in the user. FIG. 5A is a detail side elevation view of the user in in FIG. 4, showing the foci 60 created by each protuberance 100 stimulating the plantar surface 32 of the user's foot 30. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, with increased pressure the focus is enlarged to induce increased firing of the cutaneous receptors in the user's feet, and thereby proportionately increase proprioception.

[0035] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of the somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface 100 in the form of a mat or floor covering. FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of the somatosensation and proprioceptor stimulation surface 100 in the form of an insole for wear interior to a user's shoes to stimulate proprioception during wear.