# US 2009/0260258 A1 · Nano-silver footwear orthotic with insert and method of manufacture

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- Number: US 2009/0260258 A1
- Document ID: US20090260258A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/107,683
- Filed: 2008-04-22
- Published: 2009-10-22
- Earliest claimed: 2008-04-22
- Inventors: Peter Spiegel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260258A1

## CPC

- A43B 17/04: with metal insertions or coverings
- A43B 1/0045: {made at least partially of deodorant means}
- A43B 3/0031: {provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card}
- 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 7/148: Recesses or holes filled with supports or pads
- A43B 17/10: specially adapted for sweaty feet; waterproof
- A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR

## Abstract

A nano-silver footwear orthotic includes at least two removable inserts. The footwear orthotic and/or the at least two removable inserts are composed of a nano-silver copolymer being copolymer with silver nano-particles therein. In one aspect, the copolymer is a thermoplastic elastomer. The nano-silver copolymer has anti-microbial effects and ensures biocompatibility with known undesirable microorganisms. Corresponding manufacturing processes prepare the silver nano-particles with a silver nitrate solution and a sodium borohydride solution and add the silver nano-particles to a master batch and a base material to form the nano-silver copolymer in a mold cavity. The mold cavity may be constructed to form the nano-silver footwear orthotic and/or a removable insert therein. Alternatively, the nano-silver copolymer may be formed within the nano-silver footwear orthotic itself to form a removable insert. Tests showing the content of silver nano-particles in a silver—copolymer mixture and corresponding antimicrobial effect tests show antimicrobial effects against bacteria known to cause foot odor and itchiness.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An anti-microbial footwear orthotic comprising
an orthotic including a customizable support section defining at least one opening therein;
multiple inserts of varying profile for insertion into the at least one opening one at a time;
at least one of the orthotic and the multiple inserts being copolymer with silver nano-particles therein at a therapeutic ratio to be an effective antibacterial agent.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The anti-microbial footwear orthotic of claim 1, the therapeutic ratio being about 0.036 to 0.36 percent of the silver nano-particles to the copolymer by weight.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The anti-microbial footwear orthotic of claim 1, the copolymer being a thermoplastic elastomer.

### Claim 4

A method of manufacturing an anti-microbial footwear orthotic comprising
preparing silver nano-particles by reducing the silver from a silver nitrate and sodium borohydride solution;
preparing a master batch of the prepared silver nano-particles with a copolymer;
molding a footwear orthotic from the master batch, the molded footwear orthotic including copolymer with the prepared silver nano-particles therein at a therapeutic ratio to be an effective antibacterial agent.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, the therapeutic ratio to be an effective antibacterial agent being about 0.036 to 0.36 percent of the silver nano-particles to the thermoplastic elastomer by weight.