Designing and fabricating a novel medical insole with universal fluid layer with auto-customizability

Abstract

Medical insoles play a significant role in pressure reduction, proper stress–strain distribution, and correcting some deformities in the foot. The aim of the present research is to design and fabricate new medical insoles with universal fluid layer. After fabricating two types of insoles including flat silicone insole with shore 17 and flat silicone insole with universal fluid layer (medical silicone with shore 17 and silicone gel with shore 0), PEDAR test using one person in two standing and walking positions in three conditions comprised without the use of medical insole, using of flat medical silicone insole, and flat silicone insole with universal fluid layer was performed. These insoles were also modeled and solved in Abacus software according to the results obtained from mechanical properties testing of silicone and PEDAR test. The results of the finite element analysis showed that absorption of stress and strain in the static state by the silicone insoles with universal fluid layer was 63% and 63%, and in the dynamic state was 84% and 89% more than those obtained by the flat silicone insoles, respectively. The experimental results of the PEDAR system also showed that in the standing state, the silicone insoles with universal fluid layer and the flat silicone insoles had 58% and 30% pressure reduction, respectively, in comparison with without insole condition. Also, in the gait state, the silicone insoles with fluid layer and the flat silicone insole showed 37% and 9% pressure reduction, respectively, in comparison with without insole condition. Eventually, it was found out that the silicone insoles with fluid layer reduce plantar pressure well in comparison to the flat silicone insoles.