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.

A prosthetic device includes a socket assembly defining a cavity and configured to receive a portion of a residual limb of a user within the cavity, a force sensing member configured to detect forces applied to the residual limb at a plurality of locations about the portion of the residual limb and generate signals based on the detected force, a vacuum system in fluid communication with the socket and configured to control an amount of vacuum applied to the cavity, and a controller coupled to the force sensing member and the vacuum system. The controller is configured to receive the signals from the force sensing member and control operation of the vacuum system during use of the prosthetic device by the user based at least in part on the signals received from the force sensing member.

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 is adapted to provide an interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket. The suspension liner defines an interior surface and an exterior surface forming a liner profile between a closed distal end and an open proximal end. The suspension liner defines a liner body portion formed from an elastomeric material and at least one seal protruding circumferentially about and radially outward a distance from the liner profile, which is defined at areas outside the at least one seal. The at least one seal defines a sealing surface arranged to deflect toward the liner profile and take up a higher pressure when donned on a residual limb and engaged with an interior wall of the prosthetic socket.

An adjustable seal system includes a seal component having a body having an outer surface defining a socket sealing portion arranged to engage and form an airtight seal with an interior surface of a prosthetic socket. The inner surface of the body defines a liner sealing portion arranged to frictionally engage and seal with an outer surface of a prosthetic liner. The liner sealing portion defines a sealing length extending in a proximal direction from an end of the socket sealing portion and terminating at a proximal edge on the body. The length of the liner sealing portion is between about 25 mm and about 35 mm and is selected in relation to the socket sealing portion to vary tractions at the inner and outer surfaces of the seal component.

A prosthesis socket vacuum suction structure includes a fluid chamber and a fluid supply compartment formed in an interior of an ankle pressure cylinder. The fluid chamber is divided by a piston to form upper and fluid chambers. A fluid-chamber channel is connected from the fluid supply compartment to the upper fluid chamber. A diversion channel is connected from the fluid-chamber channel to the lower fluid chamber. An angle of the ankle pressure cylinder oscillates through displacement, and the piston is driven to regulate interior fluid pressures of the upper and lower fluid chambers to realize balancing and cushioning. Further, an air chamber is arranged in the interior of the ankle pressure cylinder so as to reduce the size and also to simultaneously regulate an interior pressure of a socket through operation of the air chamber in combination with displacement of the user.

A prosthetic socket system includes a distal seal positionable between an interior surface of a prosthetic socket defining a pin bore and a distal end of a prosthetic liner carrying an attachment pin arranged to extend through the pin bore. The distal seal includes a base proximate to the attachment pin and defining an opening configured to receive and surround the attachment pin, a sealing portion extending distally from an outer radial portion of the base, and a variable clearance defined between the sealing portion and the base. The sealing portion is adapted to form a seal around the attachment pin and prevent fluid flow through the pin bore by deflecting relative to the base when the sealing portion engages the interior surface of the prosthetic 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 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 method of regulating pressure inside a prosthetic socket includes measuring pressure inside of a prosthetic socket using one or more sensors operatively coupled to a pump system to obtain pressure information associated with an inside of the prosthetic socket. The pump system has a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the inside of the prosthetic socket. The method involves actuating the pump mechanism without human intervention to regulate vacuum inside of the prosthetic socket based on the pressure information.