# US 10,369,038 B2 · Plantar fascia support system

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- Number: US 10,369,038 B2
- Document ID: US10369038B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/759,169
- Filed: 2014-01-07
- Published: 2015-11-26
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08
- Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Inventors: Edward L. Weaver, II; Sherry A. Hinds; Beth E. Gramza
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369038B2

## CPC

- A61F 5/0127: {for the feet (A61F5/0111 takes precedence)}
- A43B 7/141: {having an anatomical or curved form}
- A43B 7/142: situated under the medial arch, i.e. under the navicular or cuneiform bones
- A43B 7/143: situated under the lateral arch, i.e. the cuboid bone
- A43B 7/1464: with adjustable pads to allow custom fit
- A61F 5/01: Orthopaedic devices, e.g. long-term immobilising or pressure directing devices for treating broken or deformed bones such as splints, casts or braces
- A61F 5/0111: {for the feet or ankles}
- A61F 5/05: for immobilising (A61F5/042 takes precedence)
- A61F 5/14: Special medical insertions for shoes for flat-feet, club-feet or the like
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR

## Abstract

Low profile, contoured footplates that maintain tension in the plantar fascia without causing undue discomfort to the user are suggested for treatment of plantar fasciitis and other heel pain. The footplates may be ambidextrous and thus used to support either the left and right plantar fascia. The footplates can be used in assemblies for securing the footplate to the wearer's foot, as well as systems for iterative treatment of plantar fasciitis and other heel pain.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for supporting a wearer's plantar fascia, the system comprising:
an adjustable strap adapted to retain a footplate proximate an arch of the wearer's foot,
a first footplate contoured to conform to the arch region of the wearer's foot, the first footplate including an undulating profile comprising a medial arch and a lateral arch, the first footplate comprising a first resistance to deflection;
a second footplate contoured to conform to the arch region of the wearer's foot, the second footplate including an undulating profile comprising a medial arch and a lateral arch, the second footplate comprising a second resistance to deflection wherein the first resistance is less than the second resistance; and
wherein each of the first and second footplates has a substantially uniform thickness of at least 0.025 inches and no greater than 0.1 inches.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, the system including a third footplate having a third resistance to deflection, wherein the third resistance is greater than the first or second resistance.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein each footplate includes an indicia on a surface thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the indicia is selected from the group consisting of color, gradient, and orientation markings.