A vacuum suspension system includes a foot cover having a heel portion and a pump system located in the heel portion. The pump system includes upper and lower sections arranged to move in an axial direction relative to one another and a pump mechanism operatively connected to and positioned between the upper and lower sections. When the heel portion is loaded in stance the pump mechanism moves from an original configuration in which the volume of a fluid chamber defined by the pump mechanism is zero or near-zero, to an expanded configuration in which the volume of the fluid chamber is increased.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed relating to a mechanical vacuum socket pump used to establish a vacuum in a socket of an artificial limb. In one case, the pump includes a housing within which two pistons coaxially reciprocate. A surface of each of the pistons is linked hydraulically, such that driving one piston causes movement of the other piston through a hydraulic chamber. One piston is also linked to a pneumatic chamber such that movement of that piston draws air from a limb socket or expels air to the atmosphere upon movement of the piston's pneumatic surface. The surface area of the hydraulic surface of this piston is significantly less than the surface area of the pneumatic surface, so a small volumetric displacement of hydraulic fluid may cause a large displacement of air. Thus, the pump efficiently pumps air with minimal compression and extension of the pump as a whole.

Pump systems for use in suspension of a prosthetic device from a residual limb and methods of suspending a prosthetic device from a residual limb are disclosed. The pump systems include a mechanically activated pump having a first compression member coupled to a second compression member, a compressible bladder disposed between the first and second compression members, and coupling elements that engage and couple together the first and second compression members. The mechanically activated pump may be connected with an electrically activated pump within a fluid circuit of a hybrid pump system to provide vacuum engagement between a prosthetic device and a residual limb.

A vacuum suspension system includes a pump mechanism operatively connectable to a prosthetic socket. The pump mechanism has a first member and a second member. First and second fluid chambers are located between the first and second members. The second fluid chamber is fluidly separate from the first fluid chamber, and arranged for fluid communication with the socket. An increase in volume of the first fluid chamber mechanically expands the second fluid chamber, which, in turn, creates a vacuum pressure in the second fluid chamber.

A prosthetic liner includes a flexible elongate, generally conical body portion formed from an elastomeric material. The body portion defines an inner surface, an outer surface forming a liner profile between a distal end and a proximal end, and an axis extending between the distal and proximal ends. At least one seal element extends circumferentially about the axis and protrudes radially outward a distance from the liner profile. The at least one seal element has a seal height defined between the liner profile and a radially outward end of the at least one seal element. The seal height varies circumferentially about the axis between a first seal height and a second seal height.

Prosthetic liner apparatus for improving suspension and rotation control between a residual limb and a socket of a prosthesis include a liner body having a shape configured to receive the residual limb and having an outer surface that fits within the socket. The liner body may have a plurality of raised elastomeric grips located on its outer surface and a proximal end of the outer surface of the liner body includes at least an exposed smooth elastomeric region that fits within and seals with the socket. Further disclosed is a prosthetic sock having raised elastomeric grips on its inner and outer surfaces which is for use with a liner body that is smooth or textured and that may or may not include raised elastomeric grips, and that when used together with the liner body ay form a liner apparatus.

A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic liner adapted to provide an interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is arranged for regulating fluid communication between an interface region defined between the prosthetic liner and the residual limb and a suspension chamber defined between the prosthetic liner and the prosthetic socket. A vacuum in the suspension chamber selectively moves the valve assembly between a closed position in which the valve assembly fluidly separates the suspension chamber from the interface region, and an open position in which a portion of the vacuum in the suspension chamber draws fluid from the interface region via the valve assembly into the suspension chamber.

A prosthesis suspension system comprises a socket for receiving a residual limb, a locking liner having a locking pin for attaching the liner to the socket and a sealing cap disposed between the locking line and the socket. The system further comprises a gap between a skirt of the sealing cap and an interior wall of the socket in which the skirt of the sealing cap is able to move between first and second positions.

A prosthetic ankle joint for a prosthetic foot attached to a base assembly. A linkage assembly provided between the base assembly and a torque bracket including an adapter unit disposed at top of the torque bracket to provide a connection to a lower tube-shaped clamp fitted over a pilon. The pilon extends upward to a second tube-shaped clamp connected to a lower portion of a socket receiving a residual limb of an amputee.

A ventilated prosthetic socket includes a rigid, structural and load-bearing socket body forming an inner volume adapted to receive a residual limb, and a wall thickness extending from an inner wall surface bordering the inner volume to an outer wall surface. The socket body defines an opening extending through the wall thickness. At least one vent element communicates the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface and extending therebetween in the opening along the socket body to thereby permit a transfer of air from the inner volume to outside of the socket through the opening. The at least one vent element is separately formed from the socket body and discretely insertable into the opening and secured against the inner surface and the outer wall surface. A method and kit are provided to adapt the socket in a ventilated form.