Intermetatarsal space vibrator

An intermetatarsal space vibrator for vibrating regions of the bottom of an individual's forefoot underlying intermetatarsal spaces of the forefoot, comprising:

• a flexible sleeve that is configured to fit over the end of an individual's foot, said flexible sleeve comprising a bottom portion having an interior facing side that is configured to contact a transverse arch area of the bottom of the individual's forefoot, and a top portion that is configured to contact the top of the individual's foot behind the toes and opposite the bottom portion of the sleeve, said flexible sleeve further comprising a front portion having an open front portion that allows the individual's toes to extend out of and forward of the sleeve, and an open back portion beyond which the part of the individual's foot behind the forefoot extends out of the flexible sleeve in use, such that the flexible sleeve does not extend underneath the individual's heel and the distalmost part of the individual's toes in use;
• at least one vibration unit, each vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit being embedded in the bottom portion of the flexible sleeve in a location that is under a different one of the intermetatarsal spaces of the individual's forefoot whenever the flexible sleeve is installed onto the individual's foot, and each vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit producing vibrations that are designed to stimulate the intermetatarsal nerve and other tissues disposed within the associated intermetatarsal space;
• and
• a control and power circuit embedded in the top portion of the flexible sleeve, said control and power circuit being electrically connected to each vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit, and said control and power circuit being employed to activate and deactivate each vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit separately and to separately increase and decrease an intensity of the vibrations produced by each vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit.

An intermetatarsal space vibrator for vibrating regions of the bottom of an individual's forefoot underlying intermetatarsal spaces behind the individual's toes, comprising:

• a flexible sleeve that is configured to fit over the end of an individual's foot, said flexible sleeve comprising a bottom portion having an interior facing side that is configured to contact a transverse arch area of the bottom of the individual's forefoot, and a top portion that is configured to contact the top of the individual's foot behind the toes and opposite the bottom portion of the sleeve, said flexible sleeve further comprising a front portion having a separate opening for each of the individual's toes that allows the individual's toes to extend out of and forward of the sleeve, and an open back portion beyond which the part of the individual's foot behind the forefoot extends out of the flexible sleeve in use, such that the flexible sleeve does not extend underneath the individual's heel and the distalmost part of the individual's toes in use;
• at least one vibration unit, each vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit being embedded in the bottom portion of the flexible sleeve in a location that is under a different one of the intermetatarsal spaces of the individual's forefoot whenever the flexible sleeve is installed onto the individual's foot, and each vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit producing vibrations that are designed to stimulate the intermetatarsal nerve and other tissues disposed within the associated intermetatarsal space;
• a heating and cooling element disposed between an exterior-facing surface of a bottom of the flexible sleeve and each embedded vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit that when activated either heats or cools the entire transverse arch area of the individual's foot;
• and
• a control and power circuit embedded in the top portion of the flexible sleeve, said control and power circuit being electrically connected to each vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit and to the heating and cooling element, and said control and power circuit being employed to activate and deactivate each vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit and to increase and decrease an intensity of the vibrations produced by each vibration unit of the at least one vibration unit, and to activate and deactivate the heating and cooling element and select whether the heating and cooling element heats or cools the individual's foot, and to increase or decrease the temperature provided by the heating and cooling element.