The shoe spring attachment is designed to address the clinical needs of individuals suffering from chronic foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. The primary function of the shoe spring attachment is to provide shock absorption during walking or standing. The device incorporates a reliable spring mechanism that compresses under the user's weight, thereby reducing impact forces on the heel and promoting comfort. Additionally, the attachment simulates walking on toes, which aids in stretching the plantar fascia and improving flexibility over time.
The operation of the device is based on key physical principles that ensure its effectiveness in providing shock absorption, comfort and support. It utilizes a spring mechanism that compresses when the user’s weight is applied during a heel strike hence absorbing the impact forces that would otherwise be transmitted to the heel, reducing stress on sensitive foot areas. When the weight is lifted, the spring re-extends, which returns energy to the user and aids in propelling them forward, mimicking a natural walking motion. Safety and stability are enhanced through principles of friction. The surfaces in contact with the foot and ground are designed to provide adequate grip, preventing slips and falls. A textured design increases frictional forces between the shoe and the ground surface, ensuring stability during movement.
It is made up of parts including: buckle, shoe frame, buckle strap, spring and sole component. Brass buckles will be used to secure the shoe of the patient using straps. The buckle strap will have a width of 20mm to interface with the buckle of 20 × 20mm and will be made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam. A conical spring will be used whose free length is about 80mm to provide elevation of the heel. Its small diameter will be about 20mm and the large diameter about 50mm. The shoe frame will be made of EVA foam. The sole component will also be made of EVA foam with a diameter of about 60mm. It will interface with the spring on the upper side and the ground on the lower side.
Fabrication and assembly of the attachment is as explained below: prepare toe shoe frame by cutting the EVA foam to the desired size based on the patient’s shoe size, position the brass buckles on the outer side of the shoe frame, attach two straps made of EVA foam on the inner side of the shoe frame ensuring they align with the corresponding buckles, install the conical springs on the shoe frame by connecting the small diameter on the underside of the frame and the large diameter to the sole component. Finally align and press together all components ensuring that everything fits securely.
Compliance with the relevant standards is achieved in the design and material selection. EVA foam is selected for the shoe frame, buckle strap and sole component due to its properties including (1) it has high durability and sturdiness, (2) its ability to withstand stress without obtaining cracks or breaking, (3) its ability to withstand compression and recuperate, (4) it has water-resistant attributes and (5) it exhibits resilience even after long-term use. Evaluation of attachment strengths by testing of straps will ensure that the device is able to overcome forces and stresses encountered during the rehabilitation process. The sole component has a textured design that enables it to have a high coefficient of friction hence providing adequate grip to the ground and preventing slips and falls.
Links to files in the repository are provided below:
G-code for sole component:
http://platform.ubora-biomedical.org/projects/53774153-7a4b-4606-8054-96db3246b1b0/Repository/DownloadFile?fileId=5b7339d3-9321-41df-bde0-b4e8c54b0225
Assembly of the shoe spring attachment:
http://platform.ubora-biomedical.org/projects/53774153-7a4b-4606-8054-96db3246b1b0/Repository/DownloadFile?fileId=b8823325-ffd6-4562-96fa-ba0fa61dd32a
G-code for the shoe component:
http://platform.ubora-biomedical.org/projects/53774153-7a4b-4606-8054-96db3246b1b0/Repository/DownloadFile?fileId=a72751e1-fe93-4996-bfb8-5a81b35f88ce
Solidworks file for buckle component:
http://platform.ubora-biomedical.org/projects/53774153-7a4b-4606-8054-96db3246b1b0/Repository/DownloadFile?fileId=40723fc8-a923-4e09-9269-f41d1a34dfc7
Solidworks file for strap component:
http://platform.ubora-biomedical.org/projects/53774153-7a4b-4606-8054-96db3246b1b0/Repository/DownloadFile?fileId=f24cc759-f329-47e5-971f-1b346dbaf98c
Solidworks file for shoe component:
http://platform.ubora-biomedical.org/projects/53774153-7a4b-4606-8054-96db3246b1b0/Repository/DownloadFile?fileId=1a4861cf-b457-47c8-a9dd-984d5697d98f
Solidworks file for sole component:
http://platform.ubora-biomedical.org/projects/53774153-7a4b-4606-8054-96db3246b1b0/Repository/DownloadFile?fileId=578d0ac7-3aa2-4f09-906d-b269b50a846f
Solidworks file for spring component:
