Insole With Consumable Element

Abstract

An insole containing a consumable element, ideally a glucose gel, which serves a dual purpose of providing cushioning for the feet as well as providing a sterile source of nutrition primarily intended for counteracting low blood sugar levels in people with insulin dependant diabetes. However, it can also be used by other people desiring a non-bulky emergency source of nutrition on the go.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims an invention which was disclosed in Provisional Application No. 60 / 805,099, filed Jun. 19, 2006, entitled “Glucose Insole”. The benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of the United States provisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention pertains to the field of insoles for use in footwear.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]As a person with type 1 diabetes, I need to always carry a glucose (sugar) source with me in order to counteract periodic and acute episodes of “low glucose” that frequently accompany insulin therapy. Without this glucose, I could go into a coma and die within minutes.[0006]However, I find that I often leave my home without my glucose source either because I forget it, I don't have pockets, or I assume that I will be near to glucose. Alternatively, I sometim...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]A removable insole, comprised of a cushioning and consumable gel enclosed in one or more layers of flexible polymers that serve to keep the gel sterile and provide form for the insole. It is designed to be inserted into a shoe or boot and during normal use will provide extra cushioning of the feet which is particularly relevant to people with diabetes who, due to high glucose complications, suffer from increased incidence of foot related problems. However, when someone with diabetes has a low glucose, they can remove the insole from their shoe, remove the outer layer of the insole, and suck the sterile gel out of the insole. The gel, being consumable (and in the preferred embodiment, a rapidly absorbable sugar substance), will provide nourishment to counteract the effects of potentially lethal low glucose episodes.

[0014]Through this design, a portable glucose system is provided which does not add extra bulk since it would simply replace the insoles currently used in one's shoes. Furthermore, it provides the useful function of cushioning the feet in addition to being available in the event of a low glucose emergency. Finally, being inserts which are left in the shoes until use, it will be harder to forget to bring a glucose source.

Problems solved by technology

However, I find that I often leave my home without my glucose source either because I forget it, I don't have pockets, or I assume that I will be near to glucose.

Alternatively, I sometimes adjust my insulin therapy so that my glucose is higher than normal which leads to many long term complications such as foot nerve damage.

These are dangerous risks that many people take and it leads to over 60,000 deaths per year.

So I searched for some sort of a portable glucose system that doesn't require pockets and would be difficult to forget.

It is not designed to be opened and it does not contain a consumable element and thus it does not serve to aide in the treatment of low blood sugars.

However, it is not designed to be opened, nor is any consumable element included, and thus it does not serve to counter act low blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

However, this is intended to allow insertion of various smaller insole pieces and it does not include a consumable element to counteract low glucose levels.

However, the fluid filled sac is not intended to be opened and it does not contain a consumable element.

While it might be theoretically possible to use the “Mega Foot” as an insole, because it lacks any protection for the sugar-containing substance, once actually inserted into a shoe and worn the sugary material would be rendered inedible, and quickly break down.

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