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.

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 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 flexible inner socket is fabricated by forming a pre-socket. The pre-socket includes a body formed with an opening and an enclosed end. The enclosed end is opposite to the opening. The body of the pre-socket has an outer circumference that is smaller than the inner circumference of the rigid prosthetic socket. Different portions of the body may have different thicknesses. The preform socket is heated. After the heating, the flexible inner socket is formed by molding the pre-socket onto the inner surface of the rigid prosthetic socket to form the flexible inner socket. The inner circumference of the rigid prosthetic socket is reduced by a thickness of the flexible inner socket when the flexible inner socket is attached to the inner surface of the rigid prosthetic socket. An opening of the flexible inner socket may be trimmed after the formation to fit contours of an opening of the rigid prosthetic socket.

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 prosthetic system includes a prosthetic foot with a foot member defining a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion defining a curvature and extending between the first and second end portions. A pump mechanism is coupled to the foot member. The pump mechanism includes a housing defining a cavity, and a membrane situated in the cavity. The pump mechanism is movable between an original configuration and an expanded configuration. A movable member includes a first portion coupled to the membrane and a second portion arranged to slidably engage the foot member. Relative movement between the first and second end portions moves the first portion of the movable member relative to the housing and slides the second portion along a length of the foot member to shift the pump mechanism between the original and expanded configurations.

A liner defines a pouch, an opening, a cup, and a first ring positioned on the pouch distal to the opening. The pouch is air-permeable and defines an internal volume for receiving a residual limb. The opening defined by the pouch provides access to the internal volume. The cup is air-impermeable and is positioned on the pouch distal to the opening. The liner is combined with an adapter for connecting a residual limb to a prosthetic limb. The adapter has a socket for receiving the cup, at least one hole positioned within the socket for drainage therefrom and sleeve extending from the socket and surrounding a central space. The adapter also has at least one vent positioned in the sleeve and overlies the air permeable material.

Prosthetic socket sealing systems and methods of use. Embodiments of the present invention include various combinations of sealing elements that are associated with a rigid prosthetic socket and act to seal the socket interior against air intrusion or escape via the open proximal end thereof. The socket interior may thus be evacuated for purposes of vacuum suspension or otherwise.

A suspension liner has a liner body portion, a textile material, and a plurality of seals formed along a length of the suspension liner toward a closed distal end and protruding circumferentially about a liner profile. Each seal has a same shape including a peak having a rounded profile and a width narrowing toward the peak and defines a sealing surface arranged to form a secure interface with an interior wall of the socket that retains the suspension liner within the prosthetic socket. The textile material is located intermediate interior and exterior surfaces of the suspension liner that formed of one or more silicone materials in the area of the seals and the textile material defines the exterior surface of the suspension liner proximal and distal to the seals.

An interchangeable lock-pump prosthetic system that includes a universal dummy, vacuum pump, and mechanical lock. Each of the three objects have similar geometries for the purpose of fitting into a prosthetic, whereupon a user may for instance, swap the vacuum pump with the lock, depending on the needs of the user and without changing to a separate prosthetic. The universal dummy is an inactive component and acts as a placeholder during manufacturing of the socket, for the eventual inclusion of the vacuum pump or mechanical lock. The vacuum pump is a pressure dependent object that acts to remove any residual air between the socket and the elastomeric liner. The lock takes advantage of a mechanical locking pin which receives a properly configured liner, thus securing the user within the prosthetic socket.