EUREKA PROJECT > 5015 ORTHOSHOE
- SUMMARY
- OUTLINE
- PARTICIPANTS
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BELGIUM
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CZECH REPUBLIC
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CZECH REPUBLIC
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SLOVAK REPUBLIC
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CZECH REPUBLIC
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CZECH REPUBLIC
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RUSSIAN FEDERATION
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CZECH REPUBLIC
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Development of a new generation of therapeutic surgical footwear
The aim of the project is development and clinical tests of a new generation of therapeutic surgical footwear for patients suffering from common simple and medially heavy orthopaedic handicaps.
Status > ANNOUNCED - 24-Jun-2010 Technological Area Market Area Start Date > 01-Jan-2010 Duration > 45 Months Participating countries > CZECH REPUBLIC, SLOVAK REPUBLIC, RUSSIAN FEDERATION, BELGIUM | Main contactUPMAN, s.r.o. Ing. Jana Vaskova > Project Manager Organisation type > SME |
Project Description
Frequent causes of the incidence of orthopaedic defects and irreversible changes of feet are wearing fashion shoes of unsuitable shape and proportion, namely at the infant and adolescent age. Specialised medical studies state that the majority of children are born with healthy feet, but 30% of children of school age and almost 60% of women suffer from various orthopaedic defects caused mainly by wearing shoes of unsuitable shape and proportion. The majority of orthopaedic foot defects can be corrected by individual modifications of shoes produced in series, which must however be adapted in their shape, design and materials used to the individual adjustments. Owing to the fact that, for the time being, the accessible shoes produced in series do not meet the given requirements in all necessary parameters, most patients are limited to wearing shoes individually made to measure. But such footwear is financially rather costly and not always comfortable for the patient. The aim of the above project is to propose and test a new generation of therapeutic orthopaedic footwear made in series with various design and material modifications intended for the most frequent medium, heavy and light orthopaedic defects with the possibility of individual additional modifications according to the extent of the feet affection of the given patient. Primarily we can name the following most common defects: * Pes planus; * Pes vagus; * Metatarsi adducti; * Metatarsi vari; * Pes transversoplanus; * Talus verticalis; * Halux valgus, rigidus; * Digiti hamati; * Toe or partly foot amputation; * Callus, sole of the foot affekces, mildew, trofick toenail adjustment, low instep, heel cracks, etc. The therapeutic orthopaedic footwear made in series, the design and the materials used which enable correcting the above mentioned defects by individual adjustments of shoes and sock linings, will replace the individually made shoes for many patients. This means above all lower costs of the necessary footwear, which also means economic savings for the given patient and for the Health Insurance Office as well, and at the same time, increased comfort and better quality of life for the patient. Keywords: therapeutic footwear, measurement, foot defects.
Technological Development Envisaged
The majority of existing manufacturers do not have any development background, so that, for the time being, the therapeutic orthopaedic footwear made in series does not meet all basic functional requirements demanded of this type of footwear. Most models are designed without any possibility of individual adjustments, only with the possibility of replacing sock linings. Patients with handicaps do not want to distinguish themselves from healthy people so they are not willing to wear orthopaedic footwear which they do not aesthetically agree with. The current offer of orthopaedic footwear is insufficient. So therefore it is important to offer patients shoes that comply with the required construction guidelines and simultaneously are not at first glance distinguishable from classic footwear. The new generation of therapeutic orthopaedic shoes should exceed the possibilities of currently available shoes in terms of the following parameters: * Universality and variability - ability to cover the needs of the widest group of patients with orthopaedic defects. * Functionality - the shape and the design of such footwear will fit the proportional and functional changes of feet with the possibility of reducing individual defects by means of the orthopaedic corrections used. * Possibility of the individually made shoe corrections (i.e. individually made corrections of insoles, outsoles or shoe uppers). The shape of the shoe last will start from the medical requirements related to the shoe design for individual orthopaedic feet defects and from an extensive anthropometrical measuring of the feet of patients with various orthopaedic defects. Individual types of sock linings for the shoes intended for various orthopaedic defects will be developed in such a way that they would ensure maximum relief on the spot of the given defects and optimum distribution of local pressures of the foot on the shoe insole. The newly projected soles will have a shape and material composition selected in such a way that the ability of eliminating the transfer of local pressures produced when treading on an uneven surface as well as good energy absorption when treading down would be guaranteed. The sandwich version of soles will enable their additional adjustment according to the patient's needs. The style and material solution of the shoe uppers will be adapted for various orthopaedic defects in such a way that the shoes would not cause any increased local pressure of the shoe upper on the foot and would eliminate the risk of further defects occurring. When needed, it will be possible to adapt proportional dimensions of the shoe upper in the region of the vamp and of the heel seat in such a way that the inner dimensions of the shoe would respect the changes of the feet volume during the day with those patients who suffer from swollen feet. The contribution to the project from the German partners is to add a step sensor into the shoe to give an audible signal to indicate to the insensitive patient a risk of overloading/overusing his/her feet. The individual development stages of the shoes developed in this way will continually be consulted through our foreign co-contributors via the specialised work sites in the given countries. At the same time, there will be a comparison carried out between the product developed and the products of competitors on given markets. Such footwear will be adapted to the requirements of the given markets in such a way that it could be used as non-invasive medical devices.
Main contactRSscan International, Ltd. Mr. Jean-Pierre Wilssens > Director / C.E.O. Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
As a co-contributor to the project, RSSCAN will cooperate in counselling, measurement training, cooperation with the doctors and orthotists, and market research for the final product. Development achieved through the contribution of RSSCAN: * Market study in the given segment of products, and comparison of individual assessment criteria with competition footwear. * Consultation and training on anthropometric measurement of the patients suffering from common simple and medially heavy orthopaedic handicaps to find out the proportional differences, and also on local pressure measurement during dynamic burden. * Evaluation of data obtained by the measurement and comparison of the measured data with the existing databases of comparable measurements. * Consultation on demands for functional characteristics of the developed therapeutic surgical footwear and components (shoes lasts, innersoles, outsoles). * Market survey and finding out the requirements for certification of the final products as medical devices for BELGIUM.
Expertise
RSSCAN is specialised in developing, designing, controlling, producing, commercialising and looking after training for hardware and software for pressure measurement systems. The company was established to bring marketing and production towards each other, and to launch the footscan(R) product on the international market. The first scientific software was designed for: podology, podotherapy; revalidation, physiotherapy; orthopaedics: surgery and shoe-orthopaedics; neurology; and physio - osteopathy. Development of the footscan(R) insole system; flexible insoles with approximately 350 sensors for each sole. These soles are linked with an interface that writes the data on a SRAM-memory card. Footscan(R) 3D system - special interface giving the possibility to implement 3D forces measured by a force plate for gait applications or balance applications (stability testing). RSSCAN is a leading company in this kind of development activity. It also has cooperation with European universities such as Gent University and Antwerp University. Results of development are presented at conferences for medical specialists. The company employs special orthotists and podotherapy specialists to make shoes fit patients with orthopaedic problems and also sportspeople. In its own workplace, they can also produce individually made insoles. They cooperate with producers of materials and machinery for shoe production.
Main contactPreditest s.r.o. Ing. Vaclav Svoboda > Managing Director Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
As a co-contributor in the project, PREDITEST will cooperate in the measurement of the patients’ feet and testing the individual shoe components which will be used for complete shoe production. They will cooperate with THOMAS BATA UNIVERSITY in testing pilot samples of individual shoe modifications. Development through the contribution of PREDITEST: * Anthropometric measurement of patients suffering from common simple and medially heavy orthopaedic handicaps to find out the proportional differences. * Consultation on development of the new shape of the shoe last which will respect the proportional changes of the feet volume, avoid occurrence of local pressures of shoes on feet and enable use of individually shaped innersoles. * Consultation on development and cooperation in testing of the new generation of the insert insoles for individual orthopaedic handicaps to increase comfort and reduce feet and back pain. * Consultation on development and cooperation in testing of the new soles (flexible and rigid) for different kinds of foot damage. * Consultation on development and cooperation in testing of the shoe uppers and new models of men’s and women’s shoe collections, primarily for plantar pressure measurement.
Expertise
PREDITEST offers services in non-destructive testing, diagnostics and experimental measurement. The work also includes measurement of the biomechanics of walking (static and dynamic measurement) and also consultancy services. PREDITEST is taking part in several research projects. A main part of the company activities is commercial representation of several guager producers.
Main contactUPMAN, s.r.o. Ing. Jana Vaskova > Project Manager Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
The organisation is a Czech producer of men’s and women’s outdoor, fashion and orthopaedic footwear. As a main participant in the project, UPMAN will coordinate individual phases of the project solutions. In cooperation with foreign and Czech participants it will participate in research and development of the individual shoe components which will consecutively be used for complete shoe production. Development realised through contribution of UPMAN: * Anthropometric measurement of patients suffering from common simple and medially heavy orthopaedic handicaps to find out the proportional differences. * Development of the new shape of the shoe last which will respect the proportional changes of the feet volume, avoid occurrence of local pressures of shoes on feet and enable use of individually shaped innersoles. * Development and testing of the new generation of insert insoles for individual orthopaedic handicaps to increase comfort and reduce feet and back pain. * Development and testing of the new soles (flexible and rigid) for different kinds of foot damage. * Development and testing of new models of men’s and women’s shoe collections, and testing of different upper shoe patterns and materials. * Monitoring the influence on feet conditions of long periods of using therapeutic footwear among orthopaedic patients. * Compiling the technological documentation for models of therapeutic footwear. * Clinical testing and certification of the developed collection of therapeutic footwear as non-invasive medical devices. Manufacturing through the contribution of UPMAN: - Realisation of production and sale of the new generation of therapeutic surgical footwear. Other contributions from UPMAN: * Education activities and presentation of the project results to doctors, nurses and patients at scholarly symposia in the CZECH REPUBLIC and abroad.
Expertise
In its organisational structure, UPMAN disposes of a centre of development and technical preparation of shoes with all necessary work-sites for developing and manufacturing footwear. The experience of our employees engaged in this development has been acquired through long-term cooperation with major French, German and Czech shoemaking companies. Our company disposes of modern machinery and equipment, owing to which it is able to manufacture top quality men's and ladies' footwear in accordance with the requirements of our customers by using various manufacturing technologies (cemented, stitch-down, Saint-Crispin, force-lasted (Strobel) with the preparation for sole direct injection moulding). It is also a Gore-tex license. Our company has introduced a Quality Management System and holds the ISO 9001:2000 (International Standards Organisation) Certificate. For ensuring maximum environmental protection, the company has introduced the System of Environmental Management according to the 14001:2004 Standard. Our company completed the development task No FT TA3/096 concerning the "Research and Development of working boots with regard to those suffering from diabetes of the II. type" requested by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the CZECH REPUBLIC. This development started in January 2006 and ended in September 2008 with a V evaluation - excellent and unique worldwide. The main contributor of the proposed project for development of a new generation of therapeutic surgical footwear has also taken part in the EUREKA project (OE 134 - E!2923 DIASHOE and OE 199 - DIASHOE/2) as a main contributor and an international coordinator of that project. The project was completed within the period 2003 - 2007 with subsequent manufacturing and market application of the developed product. The project has been evaluated in the V grade - excellent results of international importance.
Main contactFINED, spol. s.r.o. Ing. Tomas Majernik > Manager Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
As a co-contributor to the project, FINED will cooperate in counselling, cooperation with the doctors and orthotists, testing of the new models of the men’s and women’s shoe collections on the patients, market research and distribution of the final product to the Slovak market. Development achieved through the contribution of FINED: * Market study on the given segment of products, comparison of individual assessment criteria with competition footwear. * Disclosure of information acquired through the manufacture of orthopaedic footwear useful in optimal identification of semi-finished goods characteristics. * Consultation in development of the new generation of the insert insoles for individual orthopaedic handicaps and new soles for different kinds of foot damage, in cooperation with the specialised orthotists. * Consultation in development and cooperation in testing of new models of men’s and women’s shoe collections by wearing. * Monitoring the influence on foot conditions of long-period use of therapeutic footwear by orthopaedic patients. * Finding out the requirements for certification of the final products as medical devices and cooperation in the procedure of certification for SLOVAKIA. * Market survey and distribution of the final products developed on the market in SLOVAKIA.
Expertise
* Distribution of MEDI brand prophylactic shoes designed for diabetics to orthopaedics companies and to the resale network in SLOVAKIA. * Point of distribution for sanitary aids. * Workshop for manufacture of individual orthopaedic shoes (3 skilled orthopaedic technicians for shoe-making).
Main contactThomas Bata University in Zlin Ing. PhD. Jitka Badurova > Research Manager Organisation type > University |
Contribution to project
As a co-participant of the project, THOMAS BATA UNIVERSITY will cooperate in the measurement of the patients' feet and testing of the individual shoe components which will be used for complete shoe production. They will be responsible for testing pilot samples of individual shoe modifications. Development achieved through the contribution of THOMAS BATA UNIVERSITY: * Anthropometric measurement of the patients suffering from common simple and medially heavy orthopaedic handicaps to find out the proportional differences. * Consultation on development of the new shape of the shoe last which will respect the proportional changes of the feet volume, avoid occurrence of local pressures of shoes on feet and enable using individually shaped innersoles. * Consultation on development and cooperation in testing of the new generation of the insert insoles for individual orthopaedic handicaps to increase comfort and reduce feet and back pain. * Consultation on development and cooperation in testing of the new soles (flexible and rigid) for different kinds of foot damage. * Consultation on the development and cooperation for testing new models of men’s and women’s shoe collections, primarily for plantar pressure measurement. * Testing of different upper shoe patterns and materials. * Monitoring the influence on foot conditions of long-period use of the therapeutic footwear by orthopaedic patients. Other contributions of THOMAS BATA UNIVERSITY: - Education activities and presentation of the project results to doctors, nurses and patients at scholarly symposia in the CZECH REPUBLIC and abroad.
Expertise
The Faculty of Technology of THOMAS BATA UNIVERSITY has been active for a long time in the field of developing new kinds of shoe technologies and shoes for special occasions. The largest number of feet was measured there and also special proportional shoe lasts were developed for children’s feet and for diabetics’ feet. The co-contributor in the proposed project for the development of a new generation of therapeutic surgical footwear has also taken part in the EUREKA project (OE 134 - DIASHOE and OE 199 - DIASHOE/2). The project was completed within the period of 2003 - 2007 with subsequent manufacturing and market application of the developed product. SCIENTIFIC AND RESEARCH ORIENTATION * Hygiene of Footwear and health problems connected with footwear; * Development of new (special) kinds of footwear; * Anthropometrical study of feet and rules for design of lasts; * Optimisation of technological processes (during Footwear production); * Environmental and safety problems in the footwear industry; * Material engineering.
Main contactColumna Centrum s.r.o. - Foot Studio MUDr. Vladimir Holoubek > Managing Director Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
As a co-contributor in the project COLUMNA CENTRUM - Foot studio will cooperate in the measurement of the patients' feet and testing of the individual shoe components which will be used for complete shoe production. In cooperation with specialised orthotists they will be responsible for selection of the patients with different foot defects for the foot measurement and for testing of pilot samples of individual shoe modifications. Development through the contribution of COLUMNA CENTRUM: * Selection of patients with different feet defects for anthropometric measurement. * Anthropometric measurement of patients suffering from common simple and medially heavy orthopaedic handicaps to find out the proportional differences. * Consultation on development and cooperation in testing of the new shape of the shoe last which will respect the proportional changes of the feet volume, avoid occurrence of local pressures of shoes on feet, and enable use of individually shaped innersoles. * Consultation on development and cooperation in testing of the new generation of the insert insoles for individual orthopaedic handicaps to increase comfort and reduce feet and back pain. * Consultation on development and cooperation in testing of the new soles (flexible and rigid) for different kinds of foot damage. * Consultation on development and cooperation in testing of new models of men’s and women’s shoe collections, primarily for plantar pressure measurement. * Monitoring the influence on foot conditions of long-period use of the therapeutic footwear by orthopaedic patients. Other contributions of COLUMNA CENTRUM: - Education activities and presentation of the project results to doctors, nurses and patients at scholarly symposia in the CZECH REPUBLIC and abroad.
Expertise
COLUMNA CENTRUM works in medical and health services, specialising in rehabilitation, orthopaedy and podology. It conducts significant research and development in podology and rehabilitation. The company also works in the distribution and sale of medical devices and orthopaedic footwear as well as in the production of individually made insoles or individual foot defect corrections. Other activities of the company are focused on seminars, courses and counselling relating to its areas of interest. The contribution to the project is its long-term experience working with orthopaedic patients and activities and education programmes for medical specialists and the public.
Main contactMEDORTEX Ing. Alois Cervenka > Managing Director Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
As a co-participant in the project, MEDORTEX will cooperate in counselling, cooperation with doctors and orthopaedists, testing new models of the men’s and women’s shoe collection on patients, market research and distribution of the final product to the Russian market. Development achieved through the contribution of MEDORTEX: * Market study in a given segment of products, comparison of individual assessment criteria with competition footwear. * Disclosure of information acquired through manufacture of orthopaedic footwear useful in optimal identification of semi-finished goods characteristics. * Consultation on development of the new generation of insert insoles for individual orthopaedic handicaps and new soles for different kinds of foot damage, in cooperation with specialised orthopaedists. * Consultation on development and cooperation for testing new models of men’s and women’s shoe collections by wearing. * Monitoring the influence on foot conditions of long-period use of the therapeutic footwear by orthopaedic patients. * Finding out the requirements for certification of the final products as medical devices and cooperation in the procedure for certification in RUSSIA. * Market survey and distribution of the final products developed for the market in RUSSIA. Other contributions of MEDORTEX: - Educational activities and presentation of the project results to doctors, nurses and patients at scholarly symposia.
Expertise
The main activity of MEDORTEX is orthopaedic work for patients suffering from common simple and medially heavy orthopaedic handicaps and damaged supporting systems. The company has professional specialists and medical specialists such as traumatologists, orthopaedists, flybologists and orthotists. The company cooperates with other doctors and therapeutic institutions for the distribution of medical devices and orthopaedic tools such as orthoses, orthopaedic insoles or therapeutic footwear.
Main contactLeos Duda - Leon Shoes Mr. Leos Duda > Director Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
As a co-contributor in the project, LEON SHOES will cooperate to research and development of the individual shoe components which will be used for complete shoe production. They will be responsible for development and production of pilot samples and testing samples of innersoles and outsoles for individual shoe modifications. Development achieved through contribution of the company: * Development and testing of the new generation of the insert insoles for individual orthopaedic handicaps to increase comfort and reduce feet and back pain. * Development and testing of the new soles (flexible and rigid) for different kinds of foot damage. * Compiling of the technological documentation to insert insoles and outsoles. * Development and providing of production equipment, templates and cutting knives. Manufacturing achieved through the contribution of LEON SHOES: - Production of the different modifications of insert insoles and outsoles which will be used for production of a new generation of therapeutic surgical footwear.
Expertise
LEON SHOES is a Czech producer of shoe components (insoles, outsoles) and different types of the women’s and men’s shoes, primarily outdoor and medical footwear. They have long-term experience in the development of different kinds of shoe components, such as innersoles and outsoles.