An apparatus for suspending a prosthesis from a residual limb comprises a tubular liner adapted to receive the residual limb. A lanyard is secured at one end to the distal end of the liner. A hollow prosthetic socket defines a well configured to receive the residual limb and includes a socket seal disposed at the distal end of the socket. An upper surface of the socket seal defines a recess opening to the exterior of the socket through a side wall. A sealing element disposed along the length of the lanyard is configured to engage within the passage. The free end of the lanyard is pulled through passage such that the sealing element sealingly engages within the passage for preventing fluid communication through the passage. The liner at least partially contacts the interior surface of the socket for providing a fluid seal and creating negative pressure within the socket.

A prosthetic socket system includes a prosthetic lock assembly having a lock body defining a pin hole adapted to receive an attachment pin, and a locking device in the lock body. The locking device is engageable with the attachment pin to unidirectionally lock the attachment pin in the lock body while permitting insertion of the attachment pin in the lock body. A valve assembly is positioned in the lock body that is movable between a closed position and an open position in which the valve assembly is unsealed so that air moves into the lock body via the valve assembly. A release mechanism positioned in the lock body is arranged to both release the locking device from the attachment pin and move the valve assembly to the open position by translating the locking device in the lock body.

A vacuum pump may be used to attach a prosthetic and/or orthotic device to a residual limb. The vacuum pump may be in line below a socket of a residual limb. The socket may be a portion of the prosthesis that accepts the residual limb. The vacuum pump may generate a vacuum condition between the prosthesis and the residual limb. Generally, a vacuum condition may be generated between a socket and the residual limb. The residual limb may be covered with a sock, elastomeric liner, or sheath covering the limb. The vacuum condition may positively attach the prosthesis to the residual limb without the need for straps, retaining pins, or suction type vacuum which do not use a vacuum pump.

A technology is described to allow the controlled ingress and egress of air through a prosthetic socket by the insertion of a mechanical valve. The air flow through the valve is controlled by a toggle switch that moves a magnet to shift the position of a valve stem or valve obstruction in the valve. The normal, or closed, position allows flow out of the socket for donning and walking. The open position allows for free flow of air for donning or doffing.

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. An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes use of an overmolded threaded insert which rotatably engages with a male threaded piece having a central cavity for receiving either the vacuum pump or the mechanical lock described herein.

A technology is described to allow the controlled ingress and egress of air through a prosthetic socket by the insertion of a mechanical valve. The air flow through the valve is controlled by a toggle switch that moves a magnet to shift the position of a valve stem or valve obstruction in the valve. The normal, or closed, position allows flow out of the socket for donning and walking. The open position allows for free flow of air for donning or doffing.

A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic foot defining an upper surface and having a flexible configuration and a pump system attached to the prosthetic foot. The pump system includes a pump mechanism defining a fluid chamber having variable configuration and an actuating part. The actuating part is arranged to selectively engage with and separate a distance from the upper surface of the foot plate to move the pump mechanism between a first position in which a volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and a second position in which the volume of the fluid chamber is expanded relative to the first position. The volume of the fluid chamber increases when the actuating part moves away from the upper surface of the foot plate.

A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic valve having a valve body with a shaft defining a flow channel fluidly connectable to an interior of a socket. One or more ports in the valve body are in fluid communication with the flow channel and a membrane is positioned in the valve body. A release button associated with the membrane controls allow air flow into the socket via the one or more ports while air can flow out of the socket via the one or more ports independent of operation of the release button. A one-way valve is connected to the valve assembly that selectively permit air flow out of the socket. A valve insert is mountable on the socket and arranged to couple the valve body to the socket. The valve insert defines an opening configured to allow the shaft to extend through the valve insert and into the socket.

The Prosthetic Vacuum Pump is a manually-operated device, that is affixed to or integral with a prosthetic socket. The manual operation allows a wearer to increase the vacuum in the socket cavity if there is any noticeable decrease at any time. The Prosthetic Vacuum Pump includes a removable pump mechanism that allows a user to customize the level of vacuum drawn by the Prosthetic Vacuum Pump. The intake valve of the Prosthetic Vacuum Pump is in direct connection with the cavity of a prosthetic socket. By eliminating vacuum lines, the vacuum pump creates an immediate vacuum in the cavity. The result is an immediate suspension when the prosthetic limb is put on without the need to walk or wait for the battery to draw a sufficient vacuum. The compact construction and optional depress-lock is easily hidden beneath clothing.

A prosthetic foot cover device is described. The prosthetic foot cover may include a lattice framework formed to resemble a human foot. The lattice framework has a plurality of lattice cells to form the lattice framework. The prosthetic foot cover may have an inner cavity formed in the lattice framework which is sized and shaped to contain a prosthetic foot, and the inner cavity has an opening to receive the prosthetic foot. The prosthetic foot may have a foot pad that is an outer membrane layer and is joined with a portion of the lattice framework to support a portion of the lattice foot framework.